Page 118 of The Mastermind

“What are you up to? I leave you for three hours, and you’re causing trouble again?” She walked into my open arms.

I kissed the top of her head. “That’s why you should never leave me alone.” Her face glowed from the spa treatments. “All relaxed now?” I skimmed my fingers down her soft arm.

“It was sensational. Thanks for treating us, babe. Kiera and Michelle loved it.” She looked at me, then glanced around suspiciously. “What are you up to? I can feel it.”

“I have something for you. Close your eyes . . . no cheating.” I whirled her around and lifted her hands to cover her eyes.

“What’s going on?” she asked, laughing. “Are you luring me into the bedroom? I just got back from three hours at the spa. I have things to do, DLS. We have to pack for my jewelry show next week in Hawaii, not to mention prepare for the big show in Paris later this year.”

Audri had resigned from her marketing position six months ago to focus on Epiphanii. It would be in stores all over the world starting next year.

“Your mind is overworked again.” I guided her into the room. “Though I’d love to spend the rest of the day in bed with you, I agree, we have things to do. We have to play the updated demo version of WaterFyre Rising.”

“What? There’s a new version? Did you change Agent Dot? Please don’t. I love having the power to shoot and kill monsters with ease and precision. I love how the power rises in me whenever I destroy one of the city kings.”

Pride swelled. Audri had never been into video games until she started playing mine. She’d been my beta tester since I would market the game to both males and females. Even though she only got to play Level One, it proved that this game would resonate with the female demographics.

“I made some tweaks, so it works well with what Royce is doing for his Level Two. He’s in Iceland right now. He won’t be back for a few more months.”

“Oh yeah? Michelle is going there for some blog thing.” Audri tripped on my foot, but I caught her. “Where are you taking me? Why does it seem like it’s taking forever? We’re supposed to visit your dad for dinner tomorrow. We should stop by the bakery and get him a variety of brownies.”

“We’ll do that. Right now, I want you to dump everything from your brain. You should have done that at the spa.” I kissed the curve of her neck.

We entered the bedroom, and I leaned down to her ear and whispered, “I hope this makes your heart happy. You can look now.”

She dropped her hands, and her eyes widened at the black carry case on the floor.

“Remi! Oh my God, Remi!” Tears spilled over her eyes as she dropped to her knees. Crouching, she unzipped the case. A gray kitten walked out and stared up at her with blue eyes. “Remi . . .” Sobbing, she picked up the kitten and nuzzled her face in its soft fur. “When . . .” She choked on her words, sniffed, and swallowed. “When did you get him or her?”

The four-month-old kitten meowed and placed its paw on her hand. It looked a little frightened, which was understandable.

“I got the contact info for Mochi’s breeder from your mom and reached out. They put me on the waiting list until she got a kitten that looked similar to Mochi. This little guy is Mochi’s nephew.”

“I love him.” Audri laughed and cried some more. “Iloveyou.” She kissed me, and the kitten jumped to the floor and wandered around the bedroom, sniffing. When it walked out to the living room, Audri and I got up to follow it.

She had continued her hypnosis sessions with Dr. Finnegan, but it was once every two months now. The sessions helped her move past the pain of betrayal caused by her uncle. As for me, I practiced it by myself at home now and then since I was already familiar with the process. Loving Audri and having her love me was the only medicine I needed.

“Come here, my little Sugar Boo Boo.” Audri picked up the kitten and stroked its head. “My little Sugar Plum, you’re sooo cute! I already love you so much.” She made more adorable sounds and called him other silly names that almost made me jealous of the cat.

I smiled, which was something I did often these days. “What are you going to name him?”

* * *

Audri

The kitten meowedand meowed as thoughts swirled in my head.

The past year had been filled with so many changes, but most of them were wonderful. I hadn’t taken a single antacid for over a year. Remi now wore an updated friendship bracelet I’d made for him, using the same orange and blue ribbons from the old bracelet interlaced with black leather strips. Epiphanii now carried a friendship bracelet collection for men and women.

Mom was more involved with Wu Real Estate Solutions, helping Grayson. He dealt with lawsuits Derek brought about when he took the vendors’ money to fund his illegal business. The criminal trial for Derek had just started. I heard from Grayson that Derek had survived a few attacks in jail. The guards moved him to a more secure section.

I worried about Grayson, who was working harder than ever. I hardly saw him, and when I did, he looked tired, angry, and sad; not the carefree brother I was used to. I hoped his dark phase would soon pass.

The cat licked my hand, bringing me back to the moment. I stroked his soft fur, and he purred. I didn’t know if I’d ever be ready to have another kitten after Mochi, but this one—this adorable kitten from Mochi’s lineage—couldn’t be more perfect. Maybe the fact he was related to Mochi and looked like him—except his eyes were more baby blue than aqua—made him irresistible.

I was ready to love another pet again. Loving this new kitten was like a continuation of my love for Mochi.

The kitten meowed, and I meowed back.

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