Hoss’s Limits (House of Lustz #2)

Cady Chapter 11

After the best night of sleep of possibly my life, I was further stunned when I got up. Hoss had risen before I did. I found him in the kitchen finishing making breakfast. He informed me that he would be coming to the clinic to help with the cleanup, that he’d arranged for someone to check out the alarm, and that Tajah and Mikhail would join us.

My arguments that it wasn’t necessary to pull them or him away from their work were ignored. After consuming breakfast, which was delicious, by the way, better than I could do it, he bundled me into his car, and off we went. I tried to take in more of his house and estate in the daylight, but we didn’t have time. He saw me craning my neck. Hoss assured me I’d get to see it plenty.

When I drove to my apartment last night to get clothes, I’d placed a call to Dottie. I told her what happened and that we needed to reschedule the patients for today, even though it was the last thing I wanted. I also asked her to let the other staff know it would be a day of cleaning and readying up the clinic rather than seeing furry faces. She promised she’d handle it. When we arrived at the clinic, I saw a couple of cars there. One belonged to Mikhail, and the other was Dottie’s. We were early, so I knew the rest of my staff would be there soon .

As Hoss shut off the car, this time a different sports car—I had no idea how many he had—he made a growling sound when I pulled the lever to open the door. I glanced at him to see why. “Stay. I’ll get it. You need to get used to your man opening doors, helping you in and out of places, and pulling out chairs.”

I was about to mouth off, but his expression told me this was one of the rules I had to follow, so I subsided and let him get out and come to me. He treated me as if I was precious as he assisted me out and then held my hand as we walked to the door. Dottie had a key, so I knew they were inside. Opening the door for us, Hoss made me go ahead of him. As we entered the lobby, I called out.

“Hello, where is everyone?”

I heard the murmur of voices, then the sound of feet. Within seconds, all three were standing before us. Dottie cast a questioning look at Hoss. He was still holding my hand. Mikhail appeared satisfied, and Taj was grinning. I knew she’d find a way to get me alone today and pump me for information. I wasn’t sure how much I wanted to tell her. We were still too new, and I was afraid to talk about it in case I jinxed it.

“Good morning, Cady. I hope it’s alright that I let these two in. I know Tajah, but I’m not familiar with him. She said he’s her fiancé,” Dottie explained.

“He is, and it’s fine that you did. Everyone else should be here soon. Was anyone unable to come?”

“No, I got a hold of them all. They’re just as upset as I am that this happened again. I wish the police would catch whoever keeps doing this. Please tell me that you won’t be staying after hours anymore. What if they come back? They could’ve hurt or killed you, Cady,” Dottie said as if I didn’t know it. I knew it was out of concern for my safety. Before I was able to answer her, Hoss did.

He held out his hand to her. “Hello. Let me introduce myself. I’m Hoss. Nice to meet you. And to answer your question, no, she won’t be here alone after hours. Last night was close enough of a call. As for catching the culprits, if the cops can’t, I have people who will. She’ll be safe.”

She shook his hand as she studied him. Dottie was an excellent judge of character. After they dropped hands, she glanced at me and then back to him. “It’s nice to meet you, too. I’m Dottie. I’m Cady’s assistant. I’m glad someone else sees it the same way I do. Although I have to ask, who are you? And how do you plan to make sure she isn’t alone? She’s stubborn as a mule.”

“Dottie!” I gasped playfully as if shocked she’d say that. However, I wasn’t because I couldn’t deny what she said about my stubbornness.

Hoss chuckled. “Dottie, I know she is. It’s part of her charm—most of the time. As for how I can make sure, I’ll just say I have my ways. Now, your question about who I am… simple. I’m Cady’s man. You’ll be seeing a lot of me.”

His easy proclamation and the way he smiled at me after he said it made me want to melt. I heard Dottie gasp, and Taj’s smile grew. Mikhail raised his brow at me and winked.

“It’s about time she got a man worthy of her. And you’d better be worthy. If you jerk her around or break her heart, I’ll jerk a knot in your tail and castrate you. I know how to do it. I’ve had years of experience with neutering,” Dottie warned him. Or more like she threatened.

“Ma’am, I would never do that to Cady, but if I did and survived her revenge, you’re more than welcome to knot my tail and castrate me. I’d deserve it,” was his reply.

Dottie smiled and nodded. “I like him, Cady. And he’s sexy as hell and a delight to look at. Yum, where can I find one like him?” she asked.

Dottie was in her late forties and divorced. She had her two kids young, so they were grown, and she was alone. She was open to finding a man but had rotten luck. Something we had in common.

Tajah and I both laughed as the guys remained quiet. “Dottie, we’ll talk later. Not sure we can get you one exactly like Hoss, but there is a chance we can find someone interesting for you,” Tajah told her.

“Honey, I’ll take one of him or your man, so just tell me where to go.”

“Ladies, you’re going to make us blush. I hate to interrupt the talk of hunting grounds, but first, we have a mess to clean up. Where do you want us to start?” Mikhail asked.

I wanted to giggle at his use of the term hunting grounds. As a primal, that sure described him based on what Tajah had told me. I saw them exchange heated looks. Damn, we’d better get to work before they throw down or wander off to get wild.

“The rest of the staff should be here any minute. Why don’t we wait for them, then we can divide and conquer the rooms. Most of the work will be picking up and returning the papers and items to the correct places.”

I didn’t get to say more because the door opened, and in came my other three workers. They were startled to see Hoss, Mikhail, and Tajah, although it was more the two men. They knew Taj. Wanting to get the show on the road, I quickly made introductions.

“Everyone, these are my other staff members. This is Joey, Darlena, and Vera. Guys, you know Tajah, so no need to introduce her. The man next to her is her fiancé, Mikhail. And this is Hoss.” I paused to take a breath before telling them he was mine. Dottie beat me to it.

“He’s Cady’s boyfriend,” she said in delight.

I received many astonished looks. I knew the questions would abound when he was no longer here. I wanted to groan. Hoss and Mikhail acknowledged them, and then we got to work. I insisted I take my office.

I wasn’t into cleaning even an hour before Hoss wandered in. He shut the door. I raised my brow. He gave me a sexy smirk and then stalked to the bookcase where I was putting things away. I held up my hands.

“Hold it right there. This isn’t the time or place for hanky-panky.”

He laughed. “Hanky-panky? You sound like an eighty-year-old. I’m not here for that. But if I were, it would be called flaming hot sex. I just need a kiss, then I have something to tell you.”

I let him encircle me with his arms and bring me close to his body. I looked up at him. “I’ll get you for the eighty-year-old remark, but that can wait. Kiss me and then talk,” I demanded.

His mouth molded to mine, and he took over my mind. By the time he broke it, I was ready to say the hell with the office and if anyone was there. My desk would make a great bed. He must’ve read my mind because he chuckled.

“Babe, I’m not fucking you on your desk. Not that it isn’t hot and won’t happen one day, but not for our first time. I came in to tell you someone is here who needs to talk to you about your alarm system.”

“Who? I didn’t call the alarm company to send someone out?”

“It’s not someone from the alarm company. It’s the guy I use for security and such at my company and home. He’s here to go over what you have and to recommend something better.”

“Your company? What company? Magnus, I have no clue what you’re talking about. I know you work for Mikhail, but you have another job? Is that how you can afford a home in Belle Meade? After seeing it, I thought you inherited your wealth.”

There was so much for us to learn about each other. I guess discovering what he did for a living to afford the lifestyle I’d just gotten a glimpse of was a good place to start.

“I was planning to tell you about it, but we’ve been busy. Yes, I work for Mikhail, but I own a company called SacketEdge Technologies. We’re mainly computer application developers.”

“Then why are you working at Lustz? If you have a computer company, it has to be making money. You couldn’t afford your house and cars on what you make working from Mikhail three days a week.”

“You’re right. I work at Lustz to decompress. Tiny, I’ll explain more later when we’re at home, but for now, will you please come talk to Iker? He’s been nice enough to make time for us,” he coaxed .

Not wanting to be a bitch, especially after his guy made time at the last minute, I nodded. Hoss gave me a peck on the mouth and then led me out of my office and to the lobby. I examined Hoss’s guy. He was in his late forties if I had to guess. He had dark hair silvering at the temples. He was tanned, fit, and attractive. Even though he was at least fifteen years older than me, I would’ve given him a second glance. Or I would’ve before meeting Hoss. With him around, I might notice a man was attractive, but that was it.

Besides, Iker was eyeing Dottie, and she was pretending not to notice. I think his interest was elsewhere. It was unusual for her to act this way. I knew he would catch her attention, so why she was ignoring him made no sense. She was typically a person who went for what she wanted. Even though she was his age, she looked younger and took care of herself. She didn’t lack men focused on her. They just never seemed to be the right kind. After her husband, she wasn’t one to put herself in a situation that would land her with another one like him. He’d been abusive.

“Iker, this is Cady Anderson, my woman. Cady, this is Iker Sullivan. He owns a security company. I asked him to come take a look at your setup to see if there’s more we can do,” Hoss supplied.

I held out my hand, and Iker took it. “It’s beyond a pleasure to meet you, Cady. Hoss has told me about you, but he didn’t nearly describe your beauty enough. Your pictures don’t do you justice, and those were beautiful. You’re way too good for him,” he teased.

“That’s funny, I’d say it’s the opposite. Hoss is too damn good for me. I’ll have to spend my time beating the women off with a stick. So tiring. I might have to reconsider my decision based on that. Hmm,” I said with a straight face.

Iker laughed loudly while Hoss gave me a stern look. It made me wonder what he’d do to punish me for it. My nipples tingled at the thought, and my pussy pulsed. He leaned down and whispered in my ear.

“Keep it up, and you’ll see what happens, Tiny.” He made a growling sound, then nipped my lobe before straightening up to address Iker.

“Dream on, buddy. She’s mine, and your suave shit isn’t stealing her away,” he warned.

“That’s alright. I see something scrumptious. I was only warning Cady, not offering myself up.” As Iker said scrumptious, he glanced back at Dottie. She was looking his way. I saw her face go red. Without another word, she scurried off. His gaze followed her until she was out of sight. Once she was, he glanced back at me.

“Sorry. Where were we? Oh yeah, I’m here to check out your alarm system and other security measures. I understand the burglars have broken in twice, and the last time, the alarm didn’t go off.”

“That’s right. I have no clue how it was possible. They wouldn’t know the code to enter, and when they came in, it didn’t go off like it should until someone entered the disarm code within the prescribed time, which means it wasn’t on. But I know I armed it when I locked up for the night.”

“We’ll figure it out, Tiny. Let Iker do his thing, and I have someone else checking into how they bypassed it,” Hoss assured me. I wanted to ask him who was doing the latter, but I decided to wait.

“Feel free to wander, Iker. There’s a panel here and at the backdoor. They came in the back last night while I was in my office. Do you want me to show you the panels?”

“No, you go do whatever you were doing. Hoss can show me. If I have any questions, I’ll come find you. How does that sound?”

“It sounds great. Thank you.”

Before I went back to my office, Hoss gave me another kiss. The man sure liked the PDA. I floated there. As time passed and rooms were straightened up, I was given reports. My staff knew the clinic as well as I did. They’d know if anything was disturbed or taken. Zilch. This convinced me even more that the burglars were after the drugs. Making sure my office door was closed and locked, I went to the panel in the wall.

When I rented this space, unbeknownst to the landlord, I made some modifications to this room. When I was done, it looked no different from the rest. However, if you knew where to look, you’d find the hidden storage behind a section of one wall. It was where I kept the more serious and dangerous medications—sedatives, pain meds, and antibiotics. There was an area where a small refrigerator was for those requiring to be refrigerated. The wiring had been a little outside my wheelhouse, so Carver had helped me with it. I trusted my brother not to tell anyone.

Since I was the only vet, there was no need for anyone else to handle them. Before the clinic opened each day, I’d take a look at my cases and see if I needed to remove any. If an unexpected case came up, then I’d get what I needed without drawing attention to where I fetched the meds from. Although the staff knew it was from my office.

Staring at the meds, I wondered if I should find a different place to store them. Taking them home with me every night would be a pain, but if thieves kept trying to break in to steal them, I couldn’t have that. If they started to bust into the walls, they’d find my hiding place. A sharp knock at the door made me jump.

“Who is it?” I called out.

“It’s me. Are you alright? Why’s the door locked, Cady Cat?” Hoss asked, his voice concerned.

Closing the wall, I went to the door, unlocked it, and then opened it. I stepped back to allow him inside. I shut and locked it behind him. He was checking out the office, which I’d straightened up. He switched his gaze to me.

“Babe, what’s going on in here? Why do you need the door fastened?”

“What if I told you it was none of your business?” I asked.

“I’d say if it concerned your safety or well-being, then I’d have to disagree.” He crossed his arms and waited for me to answer.

“If you must know, I was debating something.”

“What?”

“Are you always so nosy?”

“Yep, when it comes to you, I am. Get used to it, Tiny.”

“Err, has anyone ever told you that you’re vexing?”

“Nope.” He grinned.

“Liar. I bet you’ve heard it all your life and from hundreds of people.”

“Has anyone told you that you’re a brat and need to be spanked often?”

“Nope,” I said just as tongue-in-cheek as he answered me. We both laughed.

I gestured to the wall as I walked toward it. He followed me. I opened it, earning me a surprised look. “This is what I believe the burglars are searching for. They want the medications I have. I told you that. This is why they can’t find them and keep coming back. I was debating whether I should start taking them home with me at night.”

His head was shaking adamantly. “No, you don’t want to do that. Cady, if they break in again, which is very unlikely after Iker and my other friend are done, there’s no damn way they’d find the meds unless they knew where to look. This is cleverly hidden. If you take them home, you’d have to carry them out in a case of some kind. What’s to say they won’t be watching you and get suspicious seeing you suddenly carrying something you never did before? I’m not trying to scare you, only to make you cautious. You can’t take them home. It puts a target on you there.”

“Well, I can’t keep letting them break into my business! The next time, they may steal equipment, break things, or tear up the place worse. If they break into the walls, they’ll find them. I can’t afford to replace stuff, Magnus. The upgrade to the security system will come out of my pocket. My landlord won’t pay for it, and it won’t be cheap.”

“Have you considered moving locations?” he asked softly.

“Of course I have, and not just due to this, but I can’t. The rent here is as high as I can afford. A better location costs more. I’ve only been on my own for a few years. I’m growing, but not enough to afford anything like that. ”

“What about taking on a partner or another vet so more business could be done?”

“I don’t want another vet as a partner. Working with me would be alright, but the increase in cost would negate much of the increase in income.”

“And what about a silent partner who doesn’t want to make the decisions or anything, just to be a part of it?”

“Those are few and far between. I wouldn’t know where to find one of those.”

“He’s standing right here. I can help you with all this and move the location to a safer area where there would be more traffic.”

His bold offer left me standing there blinking with my mouth hanging open. I was hallucinating. Hoss hadn’t offered to help with my clinic. Had he? I shook myself.

“Sorry, I just had a hallucination. What did you say?”

He chuckled. “It wasn’t a hallucination. I asked, what if I became your silent investor? You’d have the final say in everything. All I would ask is that you let me help you find a new place and that the security there be up to my standards. This isn’t the nice area it once was, Cady. The crime rate, in general, is rising. Mikhail and I talked about it. I don’t want you somewhere you’re not safe walking outside, especially if it happens to be dark.”

“Hoss,” I paused and changed my wording when his eyebrow went up. “Magnus, I can’t let you do that.”

“Why not?”

“For one, it’s too much. Two, we’ve only just agreed to try dating, and that’s a huge risk to take on someone. What happens if we break up? You and I would be stuck together in a financial relationship. Then, there’s no guarantee, if I let you do it, that I’d make enough to pay you back on your investment. More patients don’t automatically equal more money, or not in proportion, since supplies and other costs will increase. Plus, a better location and security system costs more. I thank you for the offer, but I can’t.”

“Yes, you can, but I see this will require us to talk long and hard about it, which you don’t need today. So, instead, I wanted to let you know that Iker is finished and has an idea for the security system upgrade. Can you talk to him, or are you in the middle of something?”

“Of course, I can talk to him.” I closed up the wall, and we went to find Iker.

I wanted to giggle when we found him. He was in our small employee breakroom. He was trying to talk to Dottie, but from the looks of it, he wasn’t having much success. She was red-faced and trying to get out of the room. When we entered, she swept past him to make her escape. Before she got far, I caught her.

“Dottie, is everything cleaned up?”

“It is. With so many hands, the work went quickly.”

“Good. Then, tell everyone else to go home. There’s nothing more for them to do. We’ll open on Monday at the usual time. I’ll see them then. And that goes for you, too.”

“I can stay and tidy up more to prep for next week.”

“No, you can’t. I’ll need you all well-rested. Go.”

She looked at me disgruntled before muttering, “Fine. See you then. Call if you need me.”

“I need your number to do that,” Iker interjected as he gave her a sexy smirk.

She gave him a bewildered look before she turned on her heels and marched out.

“Damn, she’s a hard one. Next time, she’ll cave. I see he found you, Cady. Okay, let’s sit, if you will, and go over what I found and suggest,” Iker said after casting one more look after Dottie.

We sat at one of the two tables we had there. “Cady, your system is old, and honestly, I don’t know how it’s kept anyone out as long as it has. Hoss says you rent. Your landlord obviously hasn’t put any money into the security since he probably built or bought this place. I know Hoss had a friend checking into how it was bypassed. Do you want to tell her what he said?” He directed this to Hoss.

“You heard from him? When?” I asked.

“About twenty minutes ago. Plus, Iker and Outlaw agreed that this system is archaic in terms of effectiveness. Outlaw said a twelve-year-old with decent computer skills could hack it. He messed with it and was in and out in mere minutes. He had suggestions on systems to replace it with. I have a list. Iker read over it, and he not only agrees but also stocks some of the ones suggested, so there would be no need to wait for it to be ordered. It could be installed by tomorrow.”

“Additional security measures you should consider are having the doors fitted with steel and windows that either have security shutters that can be closed or decorative security bars. There are some really nice ones that look more like decoration than a prison,” Iker added.

His suggestions were valid, and I wasn’t opposed to them, but all I could see were dollar signs. There was no way I could afford them, and that was assuming my landlord would allow it. I knew he wouldn’t pay for them, not even half. I held up my hand to stop him.

“Hang on. Listen, I appreciate you doing this and coming up with options. However, there’s no way my landlord will pay for the doors, security shutters, or bars, no matter how stylish they may be. Even a new security system will be a no. I might be able to swing the new system on my own, depending on how much it costs to upgrade. The rest, I can’t. Why don’t you work up a quote so I can see if it’s feasible to do that much?” I asked.

He glanced at Hoss. They seemed to exchange some kind of nonverbal communication, and then Iker addressed me again, smiling as he did.

“I’ll tell you what. I’ll give you the full quote with breakdowns for each thing—the doors, the security shutters, the security bars, and the upgraded alarm system. I noted there are no cameras as part of this system, either inside or outside. I’ll include the cost of those. That way, you have it and can make an informed decision. Hoss is right. I have the system and cameras in stock, so those can go up right away. If you want security shutters, those have to be ordered, but the reinforced steel doors and security bars are other items in stock. I’ll have it written up and over to you by tomorrow.”

“I don’t want you to go to a lot of trouble. The alarm and the cameras are enough.” I tried to manage his expectations.

“It’s not. I’ll have them done, just in case. Hoss is not only a good customer, but he’s a friend. It’s the least I can do for his lady.” Iker winked .

I couldn’t help but smile, but it wasn’t due to his wink. It was the reaction it got from Hoss. He let out a low growl.

“Iker, you know I can have you gone in a blink. If you want a chance to try your luck at getting Dottie to talk to you, let alone possibly go out with you, you’d better keep on my good side.”

“But Hoss, you don’t have one of those,” was Iker’s snappy comeback.

I was giggling at their antics when Tajah came rushing into the room. Her half-pissed-off and half-panicky expression had me sobering.

“What’s wrong?” I asked at the same time Hoss did.

“We have an unwanted visitor in the lobby. I came to get you so you wouldn’t stumble across him without warning. Mikhail is telling him to leave. I’ve got to go before my man kills him.” she hastily spat out, then she turned and rushed back out.

I didn’t wait to see if Hoss or Iker was coming. I jumped to my feet and hurried after her. I heard Hoss swear and then the thunder of feet. As I got near the lobby, I knew who she meant. I heard his voice. Hoss’s hand on my shoulder brought me to a halt. I glanced back at him.

“Cady, stay here and let me handle him. He was told, and he didn’t listen.”

“I can fight my own battles, Magnus.”

“I know you can, but why do it when you have me? Just hang back and see what he says and does.”

I wanted to argue, but the way the muscle was ticking in his jaw, I knew that he wouldn’t be able to let me face the bastard on my own. I sighed .

“I’ll try, but I can’t promise. I’ve been fighting my own battles most of my life, Magnus.”

“I get it. Just try for me.”

“Okay,” I said, and then I let him go ahead of me. As we entered, my pain-in-the-ass ex launched his verbal attack.

“Cady, what the hell is the meaning of this? I came here to talk to you, and these two are here, and now I find this guy is, too. Who’s this other one? What’s going on? I let this crap slide the other night, but we need to talk. Let’s go into your office. I tried to see you last night, but you weren’t home even though your car was there.”

I narrowed my eyes on Flint. What was his malfunction?

“You need to turn your ass around and leave. You were told to stay away from Cady. She’s no longer your concern. That means don’t go to her home, her work, or anywhere else seeking her. She doesn’t have anything to say to you. And the reason she wasn’t home last night is she was at my house, in my bed. Does that paint you a picture?” Hoss asked with a smirk. He reached back, captured my hand, and drew me forward to stand next to him, and then his arm came around to cuddle me to him.

The feel of him, the warmth, and his scent enveloped me, making my pulse speed up. I wanted to be finished with this day so we could go back to his house and get naked. I saw Flint clench his fists. Surely, he wouldn’t be stupid enough to take a swing at Hoss. Not only did Hoss tower over him by almost a foot, but he was way more muscular. I knew that look, though. It was the one Flint got before he lost his temper and went off. When he did that, he would say and do anything. It was his temper and the fact he’d gotten physical with me that was the primary reason I broke up with him.

I must’ve tensed or something because Hoss lowered his head. “He won’t lay a finger on you, Tiny. If he tries, I’ll tear his fucking head off and shove it up his ass. His days of laying hands on you are done. He has a reckoning coming, just not right this second.”

The low rumble in his voice told me he was barely holding himself back. Somehow, he knew that Flint had caused me not only psychological but bodily harm. And from what little I’d discovered from being around Hoss and his remarks, he wasn’t a man to tolerate anyone being mentally or physically abusive to someone, especially a woman or a child.

“I know,” I whispered to him.

He gave me a brief kiss, then straightened back up and glared at Flint, who was staring holes through us. He wasn’t happy, and I didn’t give a damn. The days of me caring what he wanted or liked were long over.

“I don’t believe I stuttered or said it in non-English. Or do I need to translate for you?” The next thing I knew, Hoss was repeating what he already said to Flint in Spanish. When he was done, he did it in French, then German, and finally in Gaelic, if I was right. I knew Spanish and French enough to get by. The other two, I recognized the sound, if not the words.

“Did one of those work? Or do I need to do more?” Hoss smarted off.

I wanted to ask how many languages he spoke, but this wasn’t the time or place.

“I can translate it into Russian if you want,” Mikhail offered with a grin.

I don’t know what made me do it, but before I thought, I said what I was thinking. “Don’t confuse him. He’s lucky if he can speak and understand English. He sure as hell isn’t smart enough to know more than one language—unless it’s dog. He’s one, so he should understand it. Woof.”

Iker snorted and chuckled. Tajah burst out laughing while Mikhail and Hoss cracked up. The fury that came over Flint’s face was a flash, and then he lunged at me. I let out a startled yelp as I cringed away from him. It was a reflex. I recalled how his hands could hurt. Like lightning, Hoss had me shoved behind him, blocking access to me. When I peeked around his massive frame, he had his hand around Flint’s throat. He shook him like a rag doll.

“I warned you what would happen if you came near her. You didn’t listen. Well, you will this time. This is your last warning, and to be sure it sinks in, I’m going to beat it into that hard head of yours. Mikhail, will you stay here and keep an eye on Tiny while I deal with this inconvenience?”

Mikhail was standing closer, with Tajah behind him. Iker had moved to stand off to the side of me. All three of them weren’t looking happy.

“I can, although I’d love to watch you teach him a more than deserved lesson. After what Tajah told me he did to Cady, I want a piece of him, too.”

Oh God, what had she told him? She looked over at me and shrugged.

“What did she say he did to Cady?” Hoss demanded.

“Magnus, it’s not something we need to talk about right now. As much as I’d love for him to be educated, I’m afraid a douche like him will run to the cops, and you’ll be the one to get in trouble. He’s not worth it, Sugar Bear.” As I called him that name for the second time, I ran my hand up his chest.

“Cady Cat, I can guarantee you, if he goes to the cops, it’ll be as if he never existed,” Hoss promised.

“He’s right, Cady. Hey, I have a thought. Why don’t we have Matvey’s guys come get him? They can take him somewhere and keep him company until we’re done here. Then, after we get the women home, we can both have fun,” Mikhail suggested.

“Hell yeah, I like that idea. Go ahead and call him. I can promise you if this one is stupid enough to go to the cops with your cousin involved, he’ll sign his death warrant for sure,” Hoss said, sounding pleased.

As they talked back and forth, Flint was gasping for air and trying to pry Hoss’s fingers from his throat to no avail. Hoss was letting him have just enough air to remain conscious, but that was it. His face was turning colors.

“I’d like to watch,” Iker threw out.

“If you’re determined to do this, why do we ladies have to go home and wait for you? Why can’t we watch the entertainment?” I asked.

“Are you sure you want to go?” Mikhail asked.

Before either Tajah or I could answer, the door opened, and one of my regular clients walked in. She stumbled to a stop when she saw all of us standing there. While she was scanning us, Hoss hastily let go of Flint. Like a weasel, he took off running out the door. He almost ran her over in his haste. I knew the guys wanted to go after him, but they remained there, smiling.

As I dealt with her and her drop-in, which was to see if we had time to do the annual checkup on her dog, I explained that we were closed but had an opening the next day. The others separated and left me with her, except Hoss. He remained on alert, staring into the parking lot. Wow, would this day ever end so he and I could be alone? That was all I kept thinking.