“He’s not?” Toni asked, surprised. “But he’s the team coach.”

“He is coach. And he is important. But he is not who you should be negotiating with. In shifter sports in Russia it is who pays the bills who controls the team.”

“And who pays the bills?”

Genka blew out a long plume of smoke, her dark brown eyes on Toni before she finally said, “Ivan Zubachev.”

“What? But we talked to him. He met us on the first day.”

“Right. And you didn’t know him. You didn’t greet him as the one in charge. So now he plays games. He’s very wealthy, so he has little else to do but fuck with the Americans.”

“The Zubachevs have run this territory and this team,” Barinov explained, “since Vadim Zubachev told Stalin to suck his dick.”

Toni thought a moment and finally asked. “Wait, I’m sorry, but . . . does the Russian full-human government know you exist here?”

“They’ve known for centuries at least,” Genka said.

“And they’ve never said anything? They’ve never come after you?”

“They tried.” She held up her forefinger. “Once. Sent an entire army to wipe us out for being different. For being who we are. The men never came back.” She smirked. “But we ate well that winter. Like kings.”

Ricky nodded. “All right then.”

“So it’s Zubachev I need to negotiate with?” Toni asked.

“It is. Like most bear, he is difficult. Stubborn. Like most Russians . . . he is difficult. Stubborn. He won’t make it easy on you.”

“So what can I do to make it easier on me?”

“Gifts always help. But, my little darling, your problem is, Ivan Zubachev and his entire family are rich. Like they-can-own-your-Manhattan rich. There is little you can offer him that he does not have or cannot buy, so you’ll have to come up with something unique. That only you can give.”

“Great.” Toni sighed.

“What does he like?” Ricky asked.

Genka shrugged. “Hockey. Women. Although,” she said, looking at Toni, “you’re not his type. Too small, like bird.”

“Hey.”

“Hair too messy.”

“I like your hair,” Ricky reminded her.

“Not helping me.”

Ricky loved watching Toni’s face when she was forced to down a shot of vodka. It was considered rude in Russia not to drink during a toast. So she’d winced and cringed her way through it, but managed well enough. The woman was definitely determined. He liked that about her.

After a hearty lunch and a good-bye filled with hugs and a promise to the wild dogs that they’d get a private audience with Bo Novikov himself—“We havecousins in Mongolia who want to meet him, too. We bring them,” Genka had promised—they’d headed back to their vehicle.

Ricky had just pulled the back passenger door open to let Toni in when Barinov’s phone went off. He smirked at the caller ID and answered.

“Barinov.” After a moment, he walked around the car until he reached Toni. He handed her the phone. “It’s Ivan Zubachev, ma’am.”

Taking the phone, Toni answered. “Yes? Oh. Hello, Mr. Zubachev. Did I? I missed today’s appointment? Oh. I am so sorry. I don’t know what happened. So much going on, I guess. But don’t worry, I’ll be there tomorrow. Ready to negotiate away!”

Ricky and Vic chuckled at her tone.

“Yes. Of course. Tomorrow then.”

She disconnected the call. “He is pissed.”

“Russians hate lateness,” Vic explained. “And not showing up at all . . . considered very rude.”

“Then he shouldn’t play games with me. I deal with that every day with my family, but I love them so I put up with it.”

“Then tomorrow we’re on.” Vic grinned down at her. “You ready for that?”

“I can’t wait.” She got into the car and Ricky closed the door and faced Vic.

“Here.” Vic handed Ricky the keys to the car.

“Where are you going?”

“I’ll walk back. Work off the vodka.” He pointed to a road that shot off from the main one they’d traveled. “Go that direction and it’ll take you to Lake Baikal. The shifter-only portion. It’s open to all breeds and species.”

“You don’t want to come?”

“Seen it.” Eyes like a cat’s glanced at Toni and back at Ricky. “You guys have a nice time. I’ll see you back at the hotel.”

Ricky snorted. “Seriously?”

“I know how you canines are, Reed. You say it’s nothing, but it’s everything. Just suck it up already.”

Laughing, the big hybrid walked off, and Ricky didn’t bother to argue with him. Instead, he opened Toni’s door.

“Out,” he told her. She immediately stepped out.

“What’s wrong?”

“Nothing.” He closed the back door and opened the front passenger side. “Since we’ve got the rest of the day, we’re going to sightsee.”

Blinking, appearing surprised, Toni said, “Really?”

“Don’t you want to?”

“Yeah.” She thought a moment, and a bright smile bloomed across her face. “Yeah. I’d really like that.”

“Then get in, darlin’. Because I have no idea where we are going.”