Chapter 104

Fast cars have always made me nervous, and I don’t doubt he has moments where this car is pulverised for the fun of it, but he seems sensible enough not to drive that way now.

“We could go eat after… I know a little place you might like.” He smiles my way, head on another topic, as is his way. For a moment, it’s like being in the company of Gino, and I look away, perplexed. Too smiley, too laid back and accommodating. Not Alexi at all. He’s in a good mood, but whenever he gets a little too easy companion, I get scared.

“I thought this was a business trip… now lunch too?” I ask unsurely and focus on anything but him as he expertly gets us out into traffic without killing Feral. I watch for a second, poised and nervous, as we leave through the gate and watch my little furball lift his head from his bowl and watch us go without a hint of reaction. Straining up to peer over the bonnet and then through Alexi’s window as we pass.

The cat has grown in confidence, and Alex