Page 98 of Safe and Sound

After bestowing a kiss on the top of her head, I pulled away. “All right then. Mommy better be going. Be good for Nick.”

“I will,” she promised.

Nick picked her up. “Why don’t you and I go to the store and get all the things you’ll need for your kitty? Then all you and Mommy will have to do is go to the shelter to pick them up.”

Piper’s face lit up. “Okay.”

“Now who's bribing her?” I challenged him with a smile.

“Hey, I’m just trying to find a way to spend the afternoon.”

“Why do I think I should send you with a strict budget in mind?”

He shook his head. “Oh no. This is my goddaughter’s first cat, and it deserves only the best.”

“You’re impossible.”

Grinning, he kissed my cheek. “But you love me.”

Suddenly I became overwhelmed with emotion. Unable to speak, I merely nodded. Leaning over, Nick said, “Dare’s going to take care of him.”

More than anything in the world, I wanted to believe that.

Although I’d entered the address for the Celtic Grand into my GPS, I didn’t need it. I remembered the way by heart. I’d never forget the night Dare had taken me there to show me around.

As I stepped into the lobby, an ache reverberated through my chest. Everything looked amazing. Dare had really brought his dream to life. I couldn’t help feeling so proud for him.

Although it had practically been bare bones then, I remembered my way to the office. Before I could start down the hallway, a bodyguard stepped in front of me. “I’m sorry, ma’am, but only authorized personnel are allowed.”

“I’m here to see Mr. Kavanaugh.”

“Do you have an appointment?”

I had balked at the idea of an appointment because I didn’t want Dare to have the chance to refuse me. Somehow I felt catching him by surprise was the best bet. “I wasn’t aware I needed one.” Flashing him a smile, I replied, “We’re old friends.”

“Mr. Kavanaugh has manyfriendswho try to see him. However, no one is allowed back unless they have been vetted.”

I didn’t miss his subtle dig at all the women who came to see Dare. Undaunted, I crossed my arms over my chest. “I’m not leaving until I see him,” I pronounced.

“Then I suggest getting comfortable because you’re going to be here a long time.”

Jerking my chin at him, I said, “Call Dare, and tell him I’m here. I can assure you when he finds out who is here, hewillsee me ASAP.”Or he’ll have his bodyguards throw you out on your ass for leaving him four years ago.

“No one tells me how to do my job except Mr. Kavanaugh,” he growled.

Although my bravado was slightly waning, I thought of Piper and realized I couldn’t back down. Squaring my shoulders, I countered, “Do you enjoy having a job?”

“Aye, I do.”

“I can assure you that if you refuse to let me see Mr. Kavanaugh, you’ll be out of one.”

Although he narrowed his eyes at me, he reached over for the phone. As he dialed Dare’s office, I silently prayed that my bravado wouldn’t be for nothing.

Chapter Twenty-Five: Dare

Reclining in my office chair, I eyed the photograph before me. A sexy blonde with enormous tits and wide hips smiled invitingly for the camera. I tried ignoring the hulking man in the photo with the woman. Danill Korolova was a Bratva boss from Philadelphia.

His daughter, Annika, was my future wife.

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