Page 48 of Dragonfly

Oh, shit. And to think I couldn’t understand how these two were related. Right now, I see her brother in the way she’s looking at me. Overprotective. Ruthless. Merciless.

“I—”

“Hey. Don’t worry about. That’s between the two of you. If he gets off with a little pain, I’d rather not know. Okay? You do you. But, please. Don’t think because I let him treat me like a kid, that you can, too. For some reason, Damien wants to keep you around. I’d like to have some more estrogen in the manor for a change. So don’t fuck it up, kay? And trying to use me to leave my brother? Not gonna happen, babe.”

Know what? She was honest with me. I might as well return the favor.

I own it. “Hey. It was worth a shot.”

“I know. And I respect that. And I really am worried about your cat.”

She points. Orion is sucky as back-up. While Genevieve was threatening me, he decided to plop down, kick up a leg, and lick his asshole. And while I know he’s doing that because there’s a good chance he really is constipated, the optics are super annoying.

“I wasn’t kidding when I said he’s constipated.”

“Is there anything we can do about it?” Before I can answer her, her eyes light up. “I know! Stay right here.”

Okay. I guess.

Genevieve runs gracefully back into the room that she had just left. I don’t know what she’s doing in there—or how it’ll help Orion—but she has her phone out, on speakerphone, and she’s already talking by the time she returns to the hall.

“Hey, Dr. Liz. It’s me. Genevieve.”

Dr. Liz? From the clinic?

“Gen! How are you doing, sweetie? How’s your ankle? Giving you trouble?”

“I’m okay.” As if to prove it, she goes on point on one foot, flexing the other, testing her ankle. “Yup. All good. But, listen. I’m here with Damien’s wife?—”

“Wife? I didn’t know he was married.”

“Oh, yeah. It’s new, but it’s been a little hush hush. You know what I mean.”

I wish I did. I wish I had any idea what the fuck was going on right now.

“Genevieve—”

“Shh.” She waves her hands at me to hush since Dr. Liz is still talking.

“—did bring this quiet brunette with him to the clinic a few days ago. But wife?—”

“Yup,” Damien’s sister cuts in. “That’s Savannah. Hey. She’s right here.” Genevieve nudges my shoulder. “Say ‘hi’.”

I cannot believe this is happening. Leaning forward, speaking into her phone, I mutter, “Hello.”

“Hello, Savannah,” Dr. Liz says warmly. “Sorry that we met under such stressful circumstances, but I’m glad to see that your date must’ve ended well. Congratulations on the nuptials!”

Someone kill me. Kill me now. “Thanks. Um. Genevieve said you might be able to help me.”

Right? I mean, she seemed like she had a brilliant idea to help Orion’s clogged-up pooper, and she came back with Liz on the phone, so maybe she has some vet experience or something.

“Of course. What do you need?”

“It’s not me,” I began before Geneveieve angles the phone toward her mouth.

“It’s a cat,” she announces. “The cutest, fluffiest orange and white cat. And I’m pretty sure he’s all stopped up, Dr. Liz. Now, I know you’re not a vet or anything, but do you have any idea what we can do about a cat that won’t shit?”

For Orion, I tell myself. I’m going through this right now for my baby.

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