Even after learning what my papa did for business, it was hard to see him in a different light than the father who washed my hair when I was a child. I couldn’t deal with the thought of him dying tomorrow or the truth of my mother, so I focused on the things I could control.
Lying on my stomach, I rested my chin on my hand. “I suppose you need some kind of monetary support to backpack—or at least a talent and a hat.” I sighed, depressed. “I don’t have either of those.”
“What about college?” I perked up. “Maybe I could get a scholarship. I am a little bit smart—book-wise at least. I can’t say I’m street smart, or I obviously wouldn’t be here . . . But if I got a scholarship that pays for room and board and vegan food and toiletries . . .”
Khaos lifted his ears as if to say, “Good luck with that.”
“It’s probably too late to apply anyway. And unrealistic. Since I graduated, I haven’t done anything but watch Forensic Files and have sex with a Russian mobster. My application would suck.”
I exhaled loudly and wondered what I liked to do. I knew there were plenty of things I enjoyed, but put on the spot, the first thing that popped into my head was eating french fries.
“Maybe McDonald’s will hire me,” I mentioned impassively. “And if my brothers are decent enough to leave me one of Papa’s cars, I’ll even have a place to sleep.” I ran my hand through Khaos’s fur and snuggled into his side. “See?” I forced an optimistic tone. “This is all going to work out.”
“Mila.” It was a scolding if I ever heard one.
I lifted my head to see Ronan in the doorway, his eyes narrowed.
“How long have you been standing there?” I asked, embarrassment sliding through me at him hearing my pathetic monologue.
“Long enough to know fucking a mobster wouldn’t look good on your scholarship application.”
Ugh.
“Eavesdropper,” I muttered.
“What did I tell you about the dog?” he said harshly.
“His name is Khaos. And he and I are cool now.”
“You still have five stitches from him biting you,” he deadpanned.
Brow furrowed, I glanced down at my wrist. “Yeah, when am I supposed to get these out again?”
“Mila.” His soft but no-nonsense tone drew my full attention. “Come.”
The single word slipped through my blood with a mixture of hot and cold water. As much as I was tempted to fall into Ronan’s bed just to forget everything for a little while, my heart couldn’t handle the act of saying goodbye with my body tonight and my mouth tomorrow.
I couldn’t say goodbye twice.
I shook my head.
His eyes hardened. “It wasn’t a request, kotyonok.”
Throat tight, I shook my head again, saying, “I can’t.”
Ronan took a step into the room, pulling a growl from Khaos’s throat. Ronan ignored him. “You’re coming, Mila, even if I have to carry you out.”
Feeling confident with the growling German shepherd beside me, I said, “No. I’m staying in my own room tonight.”
Of course, Ronan moved toward me, not stopping even when Khaos got to his feet on the bed and bared his teeth in a menacing growl.
“Ronan, stop.” My heart raced. “He’s going to bite you.”
“I’ll stop when you come with me.”
Unconcerned, he took another step, and when Khaos’s growl grew lethal, his hackles rising, I blurted, “Okay! Okay, I’ll come with you.”
Gah. The man was insufferable.