Page 38 of I Dated a Retired Hero

Arcady backed away, and Litha looked at Dmitri. “Where is the dumbass?”

Dmitri looked shocked and amused at the same time. “I beg your pardon?”

“This is for Sergei, right? Where is the twit?”

She smelled soap and Sergei behind her.

He spoke softly. “I was using the restroom. How are you, little star?”

“Confused. Would you like a teddy bear? A dog, maybe? A human is a little much for a comfort object.”

Sergei shrugged. “It was the government’s idea. They wish me calm and not destructive when I wake up fighting for my life, so...here we are.”

“And you had nothing to do with it.”

Petrov raised his hand. “I suggested it. He was calm when close to you.”

So, Midnight hadn’t wanted her. She nodded. “Right. Start taking melatonin or something.”

He had a strange look in his eyes. “You don’t want to be with me?”

“No. I have just figured out what I want to do with my time, and you didn’t factor into it.” She was defensive and looked at the prefect, who was rubbing her forehead.

Zera’s eyes were wide, and she was pale.

Dmitri was grinning in delight, and Petrov looked nauseous.

Sergei touched her cheek and smiled. “The only woman on the continent who doesn’t want me.”

“Geez. Is that the problem? Shallow much? Go find one of the bazillion women who is swooning at the thought of you, and get checked frequently for STDs.” Litha shook her head.

The prefect sounded strangled. “They have offered us rare minerals in exchange for your cooperation until he is recovered from his PTSD.”

“Oh, so you are trying to sell me, or are you trying to buy me? Either way, I have given enough. I am done trying to people-please and play nice.”

Zera said, “They will set you up with a lab so you can keep working.”

“Fine, who will pay me the overtime? If I am watching him all night and then working a full day and probably eating somewhere in there, how long do you think I will last with four hours’ sleep for an extended period of time? When do I garden, where do I garden, where do I dance, when do I go for walks, when do I have a life?”

Zera flinched. “Maybe there could be an arrangement where you had somewhere to live while you are there?”

“The people are very hospitable, but it is nearly planting season at my place, and I would hate to miss it.”

Sergei was staring at her, and she felt like he was trying to communicate with her, but she didn’t speak that language.

Zera’s com sounded an alert. “Oh, damn. The ice cream kiosk in the mall just loaded some fresh strawberry.”

Litha blinked. “No way. Well, I will be back after I snag a care package for Feral. She loves strawberry. Zera, did you want some, too?”

“Half a litre, please.”

“Okay. Tootles, folks. Hash this out without me, but I vote there is no reason for me to go there.”

Zera paused, and a light came to her eyes. “See you when you get back. We will probably be debating when you return.”

Litha nodded and wandered out, heading for the most popular ice cream shop in the area.

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