To Tempt A Tiger(31)
That she was waiting for him, even though he’d only been gone a half hour, was irritating and embarrassing all at once.
She’d been happier hating him.
Okay, well, maybe not. But she felt silly mooning over him like a teenager. She should have outgrown that nonsense years ago.
She was about to toss the magazine aside and find something else to read when she heard a sound she dreaded with every ounce of her being.
A soft little moan. And then, “Mommy, I hurt.”
*****
Vlad paced in a circle, his cell to his ear, listening to the ringing. He’d made a few calls to associates keeping tabs on his brothers. All three had shown up to their respective offices on the east coast over the last two days, which meant even if they were still looking for Rose and Zoe, they hadn’t found them yet. Then he called in to his own office in Saint Paul to make sure his business wasn’t falling apart and manufacturing of their latest climbing ropes was well underway. Everything was functioning as it should. He’d hired excellent people—one of the few lessons his father had taught him that he’d found useful.
Finally, he faced the call he was exceedingly nervous about because it mattered so damned much.
She wouldn’t recognize his number. Would she let it go to voicemail? And if she did, what kind of message could he leave to get her to return the call?
He was debating his options when Nila finally answered.
“Hello, this is Dr. De Luca.”
“Nila. It’s Vlad. Please don’t hang up.”
Silence.
“I need your help with something. Please.”
More silence.
He glanced at the phone to make sure it hadn’t disconnected or she hadn’t hung up on him. The seconds were still ticking by on a connected call.
“Why are you calling me for help?” she asked.
He put the phone back to his ear. “You’re the only one I can talk to who will understand.”
“Your brothers still want me dead, Vlad. Why should I trust you?”
“I helped save your life?”
“Hmm. I haven’t decided about that yet.”
“It concerns my daughter,” he said bluntly. Whatever else Nila might think of him, he knew from his research she was a compassionate woman. As a vet, she was known for her skill and empathy with the big cats she looked after. A woman who liked animals so much couldn’t refuse helping a little girl, could she?
“You have a daughter?” Confusion and curiosity lilted her voice.
That was good. She wouldn’t hang up on him yet. “She’s a little over three years old.” He paused, reminded himself his own phone was secure and no one was listening in on this call. His father might have managed that, but his brothers didn’t have the skills or connections to trace and tap cellphones. He let out a very quiet breath and leapt. “Her mother is human.”
Another ringing silence followed the admission. He could hear Nila breathing, but for long moments, she didn’t say a word.
Vlad was about to say more when she finally spoke. “You’re positive the girl is yours?”
“I am now.”
“Is this why you didn’t want me dead?”
“One of the main reasons.”
She snorted. “Well, that makes a lot more sense now. So you have a hybrid daughter. What kind of help do you need from me?”
“She’s…she’s not entirely like you. She can shift.”
“What?”
“She was born a shifter. At least… Well, that’s what I need help with.”
“I can’t shift. How can I help?”
“I need a woman to help me teach Zoe. She’s been raised by humans. I can’t just strip off my clothes and change in front of her the way I might a tiger child.”
“You changed in front of me without any worries.”
“You’re an adult. She’s three years old.”
“Watching you shift was still a fucking shock. I still have nightmares, you know?”
“I’m sorry about that, but it was necessary at the time. And if it scared a grown woman, how much worse will it be for a preschooler?”
“Yeah, okay. I get your point.”
“I’m actually more worried about the nudity than the shift itself.”
“Ah.” She paused, then, “Does your daughter know she’s different yet?”
“No. But she’s going through periods of severe pain because her body is trying to shift and she doesn’t even know it’s possible. I need to help her, soon, or the pain will only get worse. But teaching her myself is…complicated.”
“Fine. I still don’t see why you’re calling me?”
“I want you to ask Alexis to help me.”