Page 42 of The Way You Hurt Me

Now I could sob for a very different reason.

Instead, I'm riding in the back of the car in silence, on the opposite bench from where he’s staring at me.

Glaring at me.

Until I can't take it.

"How are the puppies?"

He stares at me for what feels like an eternity, then finally says, "The puppies."

I make myself nod. "Yeah. Like, little Wolfie? Is she okay?"

"Wolfie," he repeats. "Yes, Willow. The dogs are quite safe."

He doesn't add,unlike you were, but it's heavily implied.

"The puppies are around eight weeks, and mostly weaned. The adults aren't quite healthy enough to be adopted out yet, but they eat well, and are worm-free. Their caretaker is in touch with a shelter that'll handle the adoptions. Anything else?" The question sounds like a challenge.

I sigh. "I really wish I could keep Wolfie. She was just so sweet."

"So keep her."

I shake my head. "I told you. My building?—"

"Keep her at mine."

"What?"

He shrugs. "She'd still be your responsibility, though. I don't have time for a pet. You'll have to walk, feed her, and care for her."

"You mean, I could just…leave her here and come and walk and play with her every day?" My eyes must be as big as saucers. "But I'd be at your place all the time."

Another shrug, then slides a tablet across his lap, and starts typing away.

"I thought you didn't like people in your space."

"Again, you aren't people." He keeps working. "Think about it. I'd like the monsters to go to caring owners. It's not like they have what it takes to survive without them."

"Clearly, they've survived a fair bit in the worst circumstances already," I counter, thinking back to how slim and weak they all seemed."But…thanks, Dimitri. I'd really like that. I mean, not forever. I'll have to find my own place. Somewhere that accepts pets. I'll hate to leave Anna and Lucy's, but they don't really need me to split the rent. I'll make sure to pop by before work, on my break, after work and at bed time…" I'm seriously rambling. Someone stop me, please.

"I'm certain you'll handle your duties, or I wouldn't have offered." Dimitri brings his phone to his ear and starts a call, dismissing me.

I look around, suddenly very conscious of the fact that we've been driving for quite a while.

Away from the city. Where are we going?

I find that I don't really care. Not enough to disrupt his work, or whatever he's doing.

It takes me a while to realize he's speaking French. My public high school level of knowledge in the language doesn't catch more than the occasional word, but he sounds delicious. Like everything about Dimitri Volkov.

Oh my god he touched me.

Hetouchedme.

And he looks like he liked it.

Did he like it?

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