“He is fine. In New York with us now,” I say with a knowing smile. “I will tell him you asked after him.”
She blushes but doesn’t answer as her phone rings and she looks apologetic while saying, “Sorry, I need to get this.”
“No worries,” I say and take the opportunity to call CK to thank him for the Feeder.
“Yes, my sweet?” he answers on the first ring. “Everything okay?”
“Perfect. Thank you for sending someone.”
“I told you I would take care of you and I will.”
“Yes, you did.”
“Nico has sent some of his team to you. They should be there shortly.” The usual abrupt change of subject comes as expected.
“Oh. Shit. I forgot to tell you. He isn’t after Cole, he’s after me.”
“How do you know?”
I launch into my tale of the nightly visit – in Italian – so Dawn won’t understand.
“I see. So not only did you see him hours ago and fail to report it to me, you are also basically telling me he tried to kill you?”
“Sorry,” I squeak. “I forgot. And no, not exactly kill me as such,” I gulp. Perhaps I should have left that bit out.
“Well. In that case, I am not going to let him get anywhere near you again. Nico’s men will stay, and they will be with you at all times.”
“Erm, not all times.”
“All times, Aefre.” he insists and hangs up on me. I stare at the phone incredulously, but why it still surprises me that he does it, I don’t know.
“Infuriating beast,” I mutter.
Dawn has finished her phone call and is staring at me in awe, “You speak Italian?”
“Yes,” I say. “One of many.”
“Wow. Impressive. I would love to learn another language.”
“I could teach you if you like,” I say suddenly. Actually, I am a pretty good teacher. I taught Devon the five languages he knows. I wanted to teach him more, but he wasn’t overly interested, numbers being more his thing.
“You would?” she asks.
“Sure, pick one.”
“French,” she says, not hesitating. “I know we won’t be here much longer, but it would be really helpful. And it’s kinda sexy,” she chuckles.
“That it is,” I murmur, my wayward thoughts drifting to Sebastian.
We spend the next couple of hours on a beginner’s guide to French and I end up having a really good time. Dawn is fun and cheerful and a good student.
CHAPTER ONE HUNDRED SEVENTEEN
C ole finds us huddled over a notebook on the table, pens in hand, giggling like old friends.
“Hey,” he says.
“Hey, baby,” I look up as he kisses me.