Chapter 3

Bryan stooped to pick up the broken pieces of a basic metallic ball. “You know those interlocking foam floor tiles they make for kids’ rooms? We should get some to put under the tree. Nothing has a chance when it hits this granite flooring.”

“Good idea.” Victor gently pried Felix from where he’d hunkered down about two-thirds up the tree. When Bryan turned questioning eyes that carried a hint of sadness toward him, Victor put on what he hoped was a reassuring smile. “I’m not really planning to kill them off like that.”

When Bryan had asked whether or not Victor wanted to do that to his readers, he’d put himself at the top of that pile. Bryan was his biggest fan and supporter.

“Just venting?” Bryan raised a hopeful eyebrow.

Victor nodded. He gave the kitten a scratch behind his ears and let him down. Victor wasn’t sure of the source of the frustration he had been letting loose—or maybe he just hated consciously acknowledging it—but yeah, definitely venting.