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“SLUT!”
“TOOTHPICK!”
Alina screamed again. “Do you think I don’t know about you? You think the whole world doesn’t know about you? I’ve read the news, bitch, and I know your sluttish gold-digging ways haven’t ended. You’ve got your claws in the students of Christopoulos University.”
Mairi lifted her chin. Remembering Velvet’s words, she said coolly, “So I’m a cougar. Sue me.”
“Oh my God, you are socrass.”
“Yup,” she agreed with relish. “I’m a crass cougar.RAWR.” Mairi suddenly made a clawing motion at Alina’s face, taking the other woman by surprise. She would have fallen completely on her ass if her own bodyguards hadn’t caught her.
But it was enough for Mairi. As far as she was concerned, the other woman’s humiliation was complete and she had said everything she needed to say. This time, she had made it clear to Alina that no matter what the other girl did, Mairi would always believe in her husband.
Jane and Nala met her halfway. “You were so awesome, Mrs. L.,” Jane muttered under her breath as she strapped Nala back to her employer.
“Was I?” she asked faintly.
“Absolutely. Like...thisawesome.” Jane mock-clawed at Mairi.
Behind them, the bodyguards laughed once more, and Mairi turned red. Oh my God, had she really done that? And had she really called herself acougar?In fact, had she really cheerfully accepted being called acrass cougar?
She looked down at her daughter. “Don’t disown me, please?”
Nala blinked up at her.I’ll think about it, Mama.
Mairi groaned.
Jane laughed.
Once they had boarded the jet, a surprise was awaiting her. “A present for you, Mrs. Leventis.” The present was a freshly bathed, freshly brushed mixed-breed mongrel with a noticeable scar on its face. She had once told Damen she wanted a pet.‘Nothing fancy, though. Just maybe one from the dog pound, someone that would really need us.’
And this was exactly it.
A card came with her present.
She shall look after you in my absence. When I made inquiries at a shelter, they immediately thought she’d be a good choice. She may be small, but she’s not to be underestimated. She was said to have defended her employer against burglars, hence the knife wound. Its employer died a week ago of a heart attack and they thought she’d be happy with us. I think so, too.
The tiny dog barked, calling her attention.
“It’s so ugly it’s almost cute,” Jane said with her usual honesty.
Mairi bit back a smile. It was true. Half-pug, half-Chihuahua, and maybe something else. She shook her head. It didn’t matter. She loved it already and she knew Damen was right. This little dog would be perfect for their family.
She sent Damen a text when the stewardess was done strapping her and Nala to their seats.
Mairi:I got your present. I love it. On our way now.
Damen:Good. I’d love to see you do that clawing thing in person.
Mairi suppressed a mortified moan, and looking over her shoulder, she glared at her bodyguards, but no one wanted to look at her.