Landon looked at her sharply. "So Minka was definitely changed using Ivy's DNA?"
Zarina nodded. "Yes. I did the test yesterday to confirm it."
Landon swore. "I'd better go tell Ivy. I think she already knows, but I need to tell her she's right-and let her know that Dick is probably going to figure it out soon, too."
"I'll do my best to prevent him from making a direct DNA match," Zarina told him. "I'm already tinkering with Minka's blood samples to change them just enough to hide it. But I'm not sure Dick will care about bloodwork if he gets it into his head that Ivy and Minka are somehow related."
Landon left, leaving Minka grasping to understand what she had just heard. Her English was not good when it came to science and medical terms, but she thought DNA had something to do with blood. Had Zarina meant that Ivy's blood was inside Minka? Was that why she had these horrible claws and fangs, because the doctors had tried to make her like Ivy?
Minka was still mulling over that when she realized that Zarina was telling Angelo about Minka's little loss of control a while earlier. Minka looked down at her plate, embarrassed to have him hear about her little episode.
But he didn't get upset. He simply asked how Zarina had talked Minka down and if she thought there was anything else they could be doing to help Minka stay in control.
"I definitely think there is," Zarina said. "As a matter of fact, Minka and I were just talking about that before Dick showed up." She looked at Minka. "I'd like you to talk to some of the other shifters here at the DCO, kind of like a group session. I think it would be good to get their perspective on how they deal with their animal natures. Would you be okay with that?"
"Which shifters?" Minka asked.
"Layla Halliwell. She's one of our psychologists, so I think she'll be able to help you understand what's happening inside you when the rage takes over."
"Okay. Is there anyone else?"
Zarina exchanged looks with Angelo. "Actually, there is one other person I'd like you to meet. I have a friend named Tanner Howland. He's a hybrid like you and has had to face many of the same issues you're dealing with. He has some techniques that have helped him, and I think they might help you. Would you be willing to meet with him, too?"
"Yes, I think this would be a very good thing to try." If anyone could teach her to control the animal inside, it would be another hybrid.
Zarina smiled. "I was hoping you'd say that."
"What about Ivy?" Angelo asked. "Will she be there?"
Zarina hesitated, then looked down at her notepad. "No. Ivy's busy with something else."
Angelo's mouth tightened, but he didn't say anything, which left a very uncomfortable silence in the room.
"When can I meet Layla and Tanner?" Minka asked Zarina.
"It might take me a little while to set things up," Zarina said. "Maybe tomorrow afternoon?"
Minka glanced at Angelo, who nodded.
"Great." Zarina pushed back her chair. "I'll arrange it now."
Minka watched her go, then looked at Angelo. "I think talking with Layla and Tanner will be good for me."
He smiled. "Me too."
"So, what do we do for the rest of the day? Do we just sit here?"
Angelo chuckled. "We could. Or we could do something else. Landon gave me the keys to his truck, so we can do anything we want for the rest of the day. What do you want to do?"
Minka grinned. She had no idea what she wanted to do, but whatever it was, she would be with Angelo. Beyond that, she didn't care.
They still hadn't decided on anything by the time they got to Landon's truck. When Angelo opened the door, she climbed in, then slid into the center of the seat. As soon as he got in beside her, he reached over to pull the seat belt across her lap and lock it into place.
"You have to keep the seat belt on," he said when she gave him a questioning look. "And you can't shred it with your claws."
Minka tried to take a deep breath, squirming in the seat. She felt so trapped. Why would anyone wear this? It was like some kind of torture.
"I didn't have to wear one last night. Or this morning," she complained.
"That was because Landon was driving and he didn't press the issue. Now, I'm driving, and I want you wearing a seat belt. It's safer."
She lifted up on the belt so she could take a deep breath. "But I feel trapped. I can't even breathe."
Angelo slipped on his own belt with a click, then lifted a brow. "Now you're being dramatic. You're not trapped, and you can breathe just fine. Stop panicking."
She wanted to believe him, she really did. But she felt sure she was going to suffocate. She reached over and pressed the red button that released the restraining device. The moment the belt was loose, she could breathe again.
She looked at Angelo to see him frowning. She dipped her head. "I shouldn't have done that, should I?"
"No." He sighed. "At least you didn't shred it. I appreciate that. So does Landon. But we're not going anywhere until you have your seat belt on."
They sat there, gazes locked, for a few moments.
Then he blinked. "Traffic accidents are very common, and this belt will help keep you safe in case we have one. I won't risk your life by driving without a seat belt," he said. "You're too important to me."
Knowing she was important to him made her feel warm all over. How could she argue with him now? She slowly put the belt back on and made sure the tab clicked into place. She sat very still and tried to breathe.
After a few moments, she looked at Angelo. "I think I'm okay now."
"Thank you." His mouth curved. "I understand it's difficult for you to wear anything that makes you feel confined after what happened to you, but it really is safer."
He started the truck and pulled out of the parking lot, then drove toward the main gate. As they did, Minka tried to memorize the way, but it was difficult. Even though they were going back the same way they had come that morning, the roads still seemed confusing. She was not sure she would ever find her way around this place.
As they turned off the main road-Angelo called it the interstate-she caught sight of the big building with the number twenty-two on it that she had seen yesterday.
Minka whirled around to look at Angelo. "Can we go see a movie?"
He flashed her a grin, his eyes twinkling. "Would you like that?"
She nodded, practically bouncing in the seat. Well, as much as she could bounce with her seat belt on. She hadn't been to a real movie theater in years-never one this big. And she'd never gone to one with a man. The fact that she was going with Angelo would make it even more special.
* * *
"What did you think of the movie?" Angelo asked.
Okay, that was probably one of the dumbest questions ever. Obviously Minka had enjoyed the movie. She'd been like a six-year-old on a sugar high since the moment the animated Disney film had started.
She smiled, her eyes sparkling. "It was absolutely the most amazing thing I've ever seen. I didn't know they even made movies like that. Can we watch it again right now?"
Angelo laughed. When she looked at him like that, it was hard saying no to anything she wanted. "How about we get something to eat first? Then we can see the movie again if you want."
Minka bit her lower lip, looking damn cute. "But they have food in the theater," she reasoned.
"Snack food. And we've already had a tub of popcorn and a box of M&M's. We need more than that if we're going to sit through another movie."
"I suppose you're right. Though the popcorn and the M&M's were delicious." She looked longingly at the theater they'd just left. "We can come back though, right?"
God, she was adorable. "Of course. In fact, we don't even have to drive anywhere. There's a nice restaurant around the corner. I saw it as we walked in."
As they walked hand in hand along the sidewalk, Minka told him about all her favorite parts of the movie they had just seen, which was pretty much the entire thing, including the previews. She slowed when they reached the restaurant, studying the outline of the bison on the logo of Ted's Montana Grill painted on the window.
"What kind of animal is that?" she asked curiously.
He smiled as he followed her through the revolving door. "That's an American bison, or buffalo. They're sort of like big cows except way tastier."
Angelo asked for a booth while Minka looked around. He had a hard time not laughing as she stared up in fascination at the big bison's head mounted on the far wall.