any luck, Mila’s brother will reappear before then.” Taryn bit her bottom lip. “It’s weird that no one has been able to get in touch with him. Do you think something might have happened to him?”
“Mila said this kind of thing’s not unusual for Alex,” Dominic told her. “He’s a wolverine—they’re notorious for roaming. He doesn’t use his phone or the internet while on his travels.”
Jaime’s brows flew up. “He’s a wolverine? Seriously? That’s awesome. I find them fascinating.”
Cradling their son, Dante frowned at his mate. “Fascinating? What is wrong with you?”
“I think we’ve been over that already,” said Jaime. “Several times, even.”
Taryn took a step toward Dominic. “So . . . you seem to like this Mila a lot. I’ve heard her sing—and, hell, she’s amazing—but I’ve never spoken to her. Tell me about her.”
So he did, but it wasn’t long before he cut himself off and frowned at his Alpha female. “Why are you smiling at me like that?”
“You like her like her,” said Taryn, beaming.
He shrugged, nonchalant. “She’s a likable person.”
“You should bring her here,” Jaime told him, eyes bright. “We’ll be nice, I promise.”
“You know you can’t rely on your twisted charms with this one, right?” Taryn patted his arm. “I’m sure you’ve been full of compliments, but—considering your reputation—she knows you’re good with pretty words. She’s not going to be wowed by them. You’ll need to give her something you haven’t given others. Something that shows it’s different with her.”
“No, I don’t,” said Dominic. “You’re reading more into this than you need to.”
Dante sighed. “So even though you clearly like her, you still want nothing more than a fling?”
A muscle in Dominic’s cheek ticked. “She’s entering into an arranged mating soon.”
Taryn’s mouth fell open. “No way.”
“Yes.” Dominic couldn’t quite understand it—Mila could do so much better than that. “She’ll be living in Russia.”
Jaime exchanged a look with Taryn and then declared, “Well, I for one think you should spend with her what time she has left as a single woman.”
Taryn raised a hand. “I second that.”
“Right now, I’m more worried about the assassin situation than I am about her moving to Russia,” said Dominic.
“The Olympus Pride is strong, and they rally around each other,” Trey reminded him. “Mila will be well protected.”
Dominic knew that. Still, he’d thought about trying to talk her into staying on his territory, where it would be next to impossible for a hit man to get to her. He’d practiced the conversation over and over in his mind, thought about what ways to broach the idea with her, but he always hit a wall. Mila would never hide—especially when it wouldn’t solve the problem. The bounty would still be there, and anyone hoping to collect on it could hurt her pride mates to flush her out . . . just as she suspected someone was threatening her life in order to flush her brother out.
Hearing his cell phone ring, Dominic fished it out of his pocket. Not recognizing the number on the screen, he felt his brow furrow. Nonetheless, he answered, “Hello?” The voice on the other end of the line made him smile.
“You seem a little distracted today.”
Shutting the cash register, Mila blinked at Dean. “I’m good. Just a little tired. How’s Finley?”
Dean’s mouth curled. “Aside from having a bump on his head after he tried and failed to ride his cousin while said cousin was in their bobcat form, he’s fine. Hey, I went to the Velvet Lounge last night. I hadn’t been to the club before, so I had no idea you performed there. You have an amazing voice.”
“Well, thanks.”
“My girlfriend’s a big fan of music, which is why she’s constantly dragging me to karaoke bars. She loves your voice. In fact, I think she now has a crush on you.”
Mila chuckled, at a loss. “I don’t really have a response for that.”
“I’m not sure I would either, in your shoes. Take care, Mila.”
Remaining at the desk, Mila merely waved. For the millionth time, she gave the view outside a quick once-over. There were no suspicious-looking characters lurking around that she could see. But then, an assassin would strive not to look suspicious, wouldn’t they?
Really, she didn’t need to worry. Tate, Luke, and the pride’s enforcers were spread across the street, surreptitiously keeping a close eye on things while appearing otherwise occupied—relaxing on benches, painting shop doors, cleaning store windows, hanging near the mechanic shop under the guise of waiting for their cars to be fixed. She’d know