Page 113 of What He Keeps

The peace only lasts a few seconds before another fear immediately takes its place.

“The shelter.” My voice comes out rough. “How bad is it?”

Alexei's face grows more serious.

“The laundry room, recovery wing, and storage areas sustained significant damage,” he says. “The remainder of the building has smoke and water damage.”

I stare at him, my stomach twisting. “The animals?”

“All safe.”

Everything inside me loosens at once. Tears gather in my eyes, forcing me to look away.

“Sweet mercy.”

Alexei reaches for my hand, threading his fingers through mine.

“Several rescue organizations took temporary medical cases,” he explains. “Most of the animals were placed with foster families and partner rescues. A fire inspector cleared the front office and adoption wing this morning, so a few dogs are still being housed there temporarily while repairs begin.”

I squeeze his hand hard.

“Jules is gonna make himself sick worryin’ about those animals.”

“He refused to leave.”

Of course he did.

I huff out a laugh because I would have been disappointed if he'd done anything else.

“He and your mother have apparently reached some form of armed truce.”

“Oh Lord.”

“Your mother brought breakfast to the shelter this morning,” Alexei says.

I groan.

Alexei's eyes warm.

“From what Luka reported, they spent twenty minutes arguing over whether Jules needed soup or casserole.”

“Poor Jules.”

“I believe he described the experience as being attacked by aggressively a lovin’ Southern woman.”

I study Alexei more closely. “You didn't sleep,” I murmur.

One side of his mouth lifts faintly. “I slept.”

“Now you're fibbin’.”

I lift my hand and brush my fingertips across the stubble shadowing his jaw. Alexei turns his head just enough to press a kiss into my palm before catching my hand and holding it there.

“A few hours,” he admits.

“Alexei.”

“You were coughing in your sleep.” His eyes search mine. “Every time you stopped making noise, I woke up.”