Page 9 of Billionaire Wolf Needs a Fixer

I didn't look at her.Didn't trust what my face might be doing.Instead, I scooped the kitten into my palm, cradling him against my chest.His tiny claws pricked my skin through my shirt, but he didn't bolt.Just curled into a tight, trembling ball, his purr a tiny rumble against my ribs.

Krista's fingers brushed my elbow."You're good at this."

I grunted."It's not hard.They just need to know you're not going to hurt them."

She was quiet for a beat.Then, softer: "Yeah.I get that."

When I finally glanced up, her phone was lowered, her gaze fixed on me with an intensity that made my heart beat like a drum and my stomach flipflop.From the chaos of the shelter from the barking dogs, to the chatter of volunteers, to the squeak of sneakers on linoleum, it all faded into the background until it was just her and me and this moment.

Then Sunny barreled into my shin, yipping excitedly and demanding attention.

Krista cleared her throat, lifting her phone again."Okay, big guy.One more shot of you looking like a Disney prince, and then we'll call it a day."

I scowled.

She snapped the photo anyway, grinning."Perfect."

The kitten in my hands kneaded his paws against my thumb, purring louder.

Something in my chest unclenched.

The kitten purred against my chest, his tiny body a warm, trusting weight.For a moment, the world felt quiet and simple.Nothing could ruin the rare peace of holding something so small and fragile that wasn't afraid of me.

Then my phone buzzed.

Krista gave me that knowing look."Trouble?"

I ignored the message until the phone vibrated again.When I finally checked, Garrett's text burned into my vision.

Garrett: Dean found more evidence.

Garrett: Dante paid Selene's dealer to spike her drinks.Call me ASAP.

The kitten squirmed in my grip as my hands shook.Krista's smile vanished.

"Levi?"

That bastard had her killed and then framed me for it.

Before I could answer her, her own phone rang.Zane's panicked voice blared through."We've got a problem.Dante's lawyers just filed a restraining order claiming Levi threatened him after Selene's death.The media's eating it up."

That night, I found Krista hunched over her laptop in the library, curls piled in a messy bun.The firelight painted her skin gold, and for a reckless second, I let myself stare.

She turned, her eyes soft and heavy with exhaustion."You should sleep."

I hesitated."You didn't have to stay."

"Of course I did."Her smile was tired but real."Someone's gotta keep you from burning the world down."

Something in my chest twisted."Krista."Her name tasted too raw."Thank you."

She stilled.

I reached out without thinking, tucking a loose lock of hair behind her ear.Her breath stuttered.My thumb grazed her cheekbone, and I savored the feeling of her soft skin.

Then my phone rang.It was Alan, my lawyer.Reality slammed back in.

I jerked away."I have to take this."

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