Page 55 of First Comes Orc, Second Comes Baby
“Oh.”
Regine coughed something that sounded suspiciously like gold digger. Brahnt growled.
“There's nothing wrong with being a gold digger,” Charlotte said haughtily. “It's just good business. The times when we think stay-at-home partners shouldn't be compensated financially are over.”
Brahnt laughed, then sat back in his chair and sipped on bourbon with the air of an Orc who was satisfied he didn’t need to come to his Human’s rescue after all—and would now enjoy watching the rest of the show.
* * *
On the drive home, Charlotte couldn't help herself. “I think Regine liked me.”
Brahnt didn’t even look at her. “Don’t start.”
“Samesh can’t have our dog.”
17
“Brahnt?”Charlotte whispered into the smartphone.
He stared at her through the screen, expression flat except for a raised brow. She didn’t take it personal. Work Brahnt endured her frequent interruptions with grace, but less enthusiasm.
Home Brahnt smothered her with attention, sometimes to the point where a nap was her only escape. She hoped that would wear off soon. But he’d probably realized after the first few weeks her workday interruptions were mostly due to boredom, not any real emergency.
Her mind needed something different to occupy itself every ten minutes. She still danced, but keeping up the rigorous training schedule didn’t make up for being kicked out of the company—excuse her, placed on leave. Running the new business helped, and spending time with Caro, but she could only bug Caro so much before her twin went rabid.
Which was only fun until Caro actually got her teeth in Charlotte’s arm.
“There’s an Orcess here, and I think she wants to kidnap me.”
She’d woken to pounding on the front door, wondering who it was since the concierge usually buzzed when there was a visitor. Charlotte opened the door to reveal an Orc female of average height—over six feet—with minty green skin that suggested a mixed species heritage, and gray eyes. Despite her height and broad shoulders, she was slim for an Orc female, long dark hair draped to her waist. Her nose reminded Charlotte of a hawk. . .whatever that meant, she’d read it in books. . .and gave the impression the female was about to swoop down and carry Charlotte off. That, and the slightly amused twist of her lips as she stood patiently listening to Charlotte talk.
The thing was, Charlotte knew no Orcess would enter another female’s home without permission—and Charlotte wasn’t inviting anything that could smash her without blinking into her house without someassurances.
“Turn the phone around,” Brahnt said, sounding a little too unconcerned for Charlotte’s liking.
The Orcess still didn’t enter the living room, standing just outside the threshold with her arms crossed over her chest.
Charlotte obeyed.
“Oh,” Brahnt said.
“Tell your female I won’t hurt her, cousin,” the Orcess said, “but she’s been summoned. You should have warned her.”
“Summoned?” Charlotte asked, stepping back. Cousin? No wonder the female reminded Charlotte of Regine.
“Charlotte. Go with Milgrida.”
She turned the phone back to face her. “I don’t want to. She looks scary. I’m pregnant.”
“This is female’s circle business. I can’t interfere.” The words, and his face, were resolute.
Charlotte turned her gaze back to the Orcess and cleared her throat. “Were you sent by Regine by any chance? To eliminate me? I left instructions on all my devices and in several secret lockboxes scattered throughout the state in the case of my likely early demise.”
Milgrida rolled her eyes. “You’ll have to develop a spine if you’re going to wed into our clan, Human,” she snapped. “Now, come on. We’re already late. Fucking traffic.”
“Promise they aren’t going to kill me,” Charlotte said to Brahnt.
“They won’t kill you.”
