Dean had asked to be left alone for the afternoon for reasons that had absolutely nothing to do with rest.
Technically, Arion had gone to meet Hendrik. Technically, Dean had told him he did not want to know what the meeting involved. Technically, this created an extremely convenient window of opportunity.
Rina arrived at the private residence shortly after lunch carrying a large paper shopping bag and the expression of someone who had committed a crime she expected to be praised for.
Dean knew immediately.
He was standing in the sitting room in loose black trousers and a thin cream shirt with the sleeves rolled past his elbows, already too warm despite the open terrace doors and the mild spring air moving through the curtains.
Boreas lay beside the sofa, his massive head lifting when Rina entered.
Dean looked at the bag.
Then at Rina.
"No."
Her smile widened.
Dean crossed the room far faster than anyone on the medical board would have approved.
"You didn't."
"I did."
