She heard the ring of sincerity in his voice and her heart turned over. Just like that her nerves settled. If she could slip through the swamp, hunted by a dangerous male leopard and survive, she could do this. These women were extending the hand of friendship toward her, just as Saria had all those years ago when she was just a child. She’d been equally as afraid, but she’d let Saria into her life and it had proven to be one of the best things she’d ever done. She’d let Alonzo into her life, and it was the best thing she’d ever done.

“I’m doin’ this for me, honey,” she assured.

Timur snorted. “She calls him honey,” he whispered overly loud to Gorya.

Alonzo turned and cuffed his brother hard, all in one motion, his leopard leaping to the foreground to reprimand his sibling. Timur tried to get out of the way, but Alonzo was too fast. The huge paw hit him on the side of his head. Claws were sheathed, but the strike was a hard blow, making Timur stagger back.

Gorya, Sevastyan and Mitya snickered. Timur grinned even as he got his legs under him and shook his head to clear it. “Fuckin’ maniac,” he said.

Evangeline kicked Alonzo in the shins hard just as Elijah Lospostos opened his door. “I see you two are getting along,” he greeted. He opened the door wider and waved them through, his gaze on Mitya.

The humor receded from Timur’s face and he stepped through the door in front of his brother and Evangeline, on high alert, making certain it was safe before he allowed them inside.

Elijah shook his head, ignoring the fact that Timur insisted on inspecting the room before he allowed the couple in. “Evangeline, so good to see you again. Are you fully recovered?”

She nodded. “The doctor gave his okay for me to be workin’ and I’ve been back for the last two weeks. Business has doubled, so I’m grateful for the cleanin’ crew Alonzo hired. I’ve got a new employee, Jeremiah Wheating. I believe you recommended him.” She kept the sarcasm out of her voice. Jeremiah Wheating was no baker or barista. He was leopard and already chafing a little at his assignment. She felt a little sorry for the boy. He wanted to be where the action was, not working behind a counter in a bakery.

“Jeremiah needs to learn patience,” Elijah said. “He’s young and he’s had a few bad experiences. He’s eager to prove himself. He’ll be a good man if he can learn patience.”

“Lovely that I’m the one teachin’ him.” The sarcasm slipped right out in spite of her determination to behave.