Sun God Seeks…Surrogate? (Accidentally Yours #3)(22)
Author: Mimi Jean Pamfiloff

I popped open the laptop, typed in the password, and did a quick search, but shockingly found nothing. Had I forgotten the name of the clinic? No. No way. Center for Immune Management and Integrative Lifestyles. Stockholm.

I scratched my head. Why wasn’t it coming up?

I tried several versions of the spelling before deciding it would be faster to call my neighbor.

I dialed the number and Mr. Harris, a retired plumber, answered. He said he had no idea where my mom’s information was, but that his wife would be home in a few minutes. Oddly enough, when I asked if everything was okay after all the commotion, he had no clue what I was talking about.

“So you’re sure? There’s nobody weird hanging around the building?”

“No, Penelope. Why? Are you in some sort of trouble?” he asked.

You bet your plumber’s crack, I am! “No. Everything’s fine. Just some disgruntled ex-boyfriend,” I lied. “Nothing I can’t handle.”

I looked at the clock on the desk. Oh no! I had a karate class to give at seven.

I rubbed my face. I was on the edge of losing my sanity, but keeping what remained of my life intact felt like a necessity. Yes. I would go home, get my gi and other personal items, and stay with a friend until I could figure out what was going on.

That’s right, honey. You take that steering wheel!

CHAPTER 13

“Kinnykins! Oh my God!” Dressed in a floral terry cloth robe, Emma threw her arms around Kinich’s neck. “What enormous cojones you have showing up here!”

Kinich smiled and gave her a tight squeeze. He always did like Emma; she was lively and brave, a bit reckless, too. But then again, she had to be if she was going to marry his brother Guy.

And despite his views on Payals, he couldn’t deny that Emma truly was special. He almost thought of her like a little sister—perhaps because there was a time when Emma had been the gods’ only connection to the outside world (a little unfortunate mishap having to do with the Maaskab).

Emma unwrapped her arms and ushered Kinich inside the luxuriously renovated, 1860s loft mansion. The six-story engagement gift, complete with indoor swimming pool and basketball court, had set Guy back a mere sixty million dollars. A drop in the bucket for a god who had all the time in the world to accumulate wealth.

Kinich’s eyes wandered over the large potted plants, elaborately tiled floors, and rustic furniture. Despite being situated in the heart of New York City, Emma had done a phenomenal job of replicating the interior of Guy’s Spanish-style villa located in Italy. “It’s lovely, Emma.”

She flicked her wrist. “It’s nothing. Just wanted Guy to feel at home.” She eyeballed Kinich. “You look great, by the way. Something’s different. Lose some weight?”

Funny woman. The gods did not need to worry about such things. “Must be my new tailor.” That man certainly knew how to cut a pair of slacks for the extra-extra-large male.

She shook her head. “Uh-uh. I can’t place my finger on it, but it’s like you’re radiating something new.”

Holy saints. Could it have something to do with Penelope?

He quickly changed subjects. “I’m here to see my brother. Is he still angry?” Kinich asked.

“You betcha,” she replied.

“And you?” Not only was Emma a Payal, but she wanted children—something he felt should not be allowed. Without question, Guy had already told her this.

She smiled. “Why should I be? You’re only doing what you think is right.”

He bowed his head. “A very mature attitude. I think we could stand to learn something from you.”

“Well, I can’t help it if I’m smarter than the gods—you included. I mean, it’s totally ridiculous to believe the Payals are throwing the universe out of whack. If anything, it’s you gods with your antiquated ways that are messing everything up. I mean, seriously, have you taken a good look at your crew? Total misfits!”

“Well,” he said, “I wouldn’t call them—”

“With the exception of Guy, no one else has ever lifted a finger to help humanity evolve in a positive direction.”

“Well, we’ve…uhhh. Well, my sister Colel—”

“The Bee Whisperer lady? Really? That’s your best example? A goddess who assists in the making of bee vomit?”

Maybe she had a point.

“The way I see it”—she poked his chest—“we’re an upgrade to the deity melting pot. Look how far Guy’s come along since he met me. He’s more civilized—”

“Emma!” Guy bellowed from the other room, “get your hot ass back in here, woman! We have not completed our evening lovemaking.”

Emma smiled at Kinich, and then whispered, “Except in bed, which is just how I like it.” She sighed. “Gods, I love that deity.”

Kinich flashed a polite smile. But truth was, he felt uncomfortable being around Emma and Guy when they were together. Perhaps because he’d spent several millennia convincing himself the gods weren’t destined for love or relationships. He’d resigned himself to the desolate, unsavory notion of an eternity alone—in the romantic sense. Yes. He had his role and humanity to look after. That would have to suffice, because any other option was unnatural.

Emma gestured him toward the living room. “Let me tell him you’re here. Maybe I can get him to play nice.”

“Much appreciated, Emma.”

She winked. “Anything for you, Sunshine Boy.”

In that moment, his cell rang. “Yes.”

“It’s me—Andrus. Your human has taken off.”

Son of a…“You were supposed to watch her!”

“Hey, I was feeding the ba—sharpening my sword. Not my fault.”

“Not your fault?” he screamed.

“Gotta go, Matty needs me to change her daip…uhhhh—tires. That’s right. Tires on her tricycle.”

“Get over it, Andrus. We all know you are the nanny.”

“I am a lethal assassin!” Andrus argued.

“Keep telling yourself that, especially when you are experiencing my fist pounding into your skull, which is exactly what I will be doing after I find Penelope.” He hung up the phone, vowing to make Andrus pay.

He quickly dialed Penelope’s cell. To his surprise she answered on the second ring, but instead of disclosing her location, she ignored his warnings, ranted about some goddamned lost twig, and hung up on him.