Page 18 of Deadly Protector
“I know. So?”
“We are…I don’t know. I like her though.” He scrubbed a hand over his face. “She’s fun. And funny and smart and so fucking gorgeous I wanted to pummel all the assholes who checked her out last night.”
Viktor let out a real laugh at that. “Welcome to the world of the insane. That’s what happens when you fall for someone. You lose all sanity.”
“Did you lose yours?”
“Of course I did…” He trailed off as his office door flew open.
Dimitri straightened, ready to go on the offensive, but sat back when Lillian raced in.
Looking half asleep, the six-year-old was wearing a long gown with a princess on the front, and her curly caramel hair was wild around her face. A white cat with orange stripes was with her, staring him down as if the little beast would tear Dimitri’s head off. Good, the cat should be protective of Lillian.
“Daddy!” She jerked to a halt when she realized Viktor wasn’t alone in the office. She looked between the two of them, her green eyes wide. Then she shoved her hands on her hips. “Dimitri!” Her tone was almost accusing.
“Yes, princess?” She was a small version of her mother, and adorable.
“Why are you here?” she demanded.
He blinked at her tone. She’d always had spirit but she didn’t seem happy to see him.
“Baby girl,” Viktor murmured. “Is that polite?”
Hands on hips, she turned to him and shook her head as she let out a big huff. “No it’s not. I’m sorry, Dimitri. But no one tells me anything and I do not like it.” She kept shaking her head as she muttered to herself and stalked out of the office, the cat racing after her.
Dimitri didn’t bother biting back a laugh. “What was that all about?”
Viktor rubbed a hand over his face. “I don’t know. She’s been out of sorts since the baby was born. She’s not jealous, not exactly, but it’s been a big change and she doesn’t like when anything out of the norm happens. It gets her agitated and cranky.”
“Ah. When did you get a cat, by the way?”
“Not my cat.” His tone was dry. “That thing is Lyosha’s. She comes over here for playdates sometimes with Lillian, and yes, I said fucking playdates. With a cat.”
Dimitri snickered. “My, how things have changed.”
Viktor shot him a knowing look. “Things are gonna change for you too if you keep things up with Zamira.”
“I know.”
He quirked an eyebrow. “Do you know? Because she’s a single mom of two kids.”
“I’m well aware.” And okay, it terrified him a little. He didn’t know shit about kids, but teenagers were even worse. Or he assumed they were. People always said so. He’d been raised by a single mom who’d done the best she could so he respected Zamira even more.
Viktor just gave him a look that said he had no idea what he was getting himself into.
And his friend was right—he didn’t really know, but he could see a future with Zamira and he wanted that. Because his instinct told him that if he didn’t take a chance with her, he’d regret it for the rest of his life.
He glanced at his phone as it buzzed and the low-grade hum of tension eased when he saw the text from Juan.
All good, headed back to your place.
“Juan’s on his way back to my place now with Zamira. Everything’s good.” For now. He knew Juan was more than capable and trained. He could protect Zamira.
But there were too many unknowns, and Dimitri wanted to be the one to protect her, to keep her safe. The thought of anything happening to her scared him far more than it should, considering they hadn’t known each other long. But she’d gotten into his system.
“You want to stay for breakfast?” Viktor asked.
“No, but thank you. I’m going to call Ryba now.”
