AllFreeNovel
Share Us
A scream shot out of Lexi, but Kane didn’t have time to see if she was hurt. Snagging hold of the back of her shirt with his other hand, he yanked her from the kennel.
She tumbled out, stumbling on unsteady feet as he turned his focus on securing the loose end of the towel, making sure the dog’s teeth didn’t sink into his flesh. The collie held his arm in a forceful grip, the white of his eyes large and alarmed.
Unable to obey his command now that he could see that Kane was in danger, Bud sprinted to the side of the kennel. Morphing from his sweet companion to fearful defender, Bud snapped at the collie while Kane blocked the open path with his body.
Lexi was outside now but he needed to make sure the dog wouldn’t get past and attack either of them.
“Get out of here, Lexi!”
Fear was an irrational beast driving all logic from the brain, and that applied to animals as well as humans. Whatever this dog had been through had made him a quivering wreck, and right now, the dog thought he was fighting for his life.
“What?” She sounded alarmed. “I can’t leave you in there with him!”
“My job is to protect you. I can’t risk the dog slipping past and attacking you again. Get to safety. Take Bud with you and get some help.”
He felt rather than saw her hesitation.
“I’m not leaving you.”
She was as stubborn as his dog, who was equally refusing to do as he had commanded for once.
“This isn’t up for discussion! I mean it, Lexi. Get out of here!”
The towel slipped an inch from the pressure of the dog, swinging his head from side to side. He wouldn’t be able to hold on for much longer.
A door clanged shut a little way behind him: Lexi had retreated into the kennel of the friendly terrier… and she had taken Bud with her.
It was a smart move, if not exactly what he’d ordered. Once they were done here, it was clear that a conversation was needed, one where the rules of engagement — and his authority — were explained in crystal detail.
Chris’s startled voice cut through the mayhem.
“What’s with all the noise—“
He didn’t get any further with his question. Rounding the bend, he slid to a halt in the doorway, taking in the scene before him with unblinking eyes.
“Get help!” Kane barked.
And for the first time since he’d met him, Chris didn’t argue, sprinting off in search of assistance, though Kane knew it wouldn’t arrive in time.
Strong as he was, his arms were screaming, tiring from keeping the wall of ferocious dog at bay.
He needed a change of tactic, but what could he do?
Kane studied the dog, mentally noting his movements. When he shook his head again, Kane dropped his grip on the towel at the greatest moment of the dog’s tugging. Not expecting this, the collie tugged too hard and fell crashing into the side of the kennel.
It was now or never.
Kane dove out of the cage, slamming the door behind even as the collie scrambled up onto his paws and started for him again. Kane bolted the door, securing it as the collie snapped his jaws harmlessly against him.
Adrenaline pumping through his veins, he glanced over at Lexi and Bud. Other than fright, both were uninjured.
He drew in a deep, relieved breath.
“You can come out now.”
Lexi emerged from the terrier’s kennel. Wisps of hair had escaped her ponytail, framing her face against the pale pallor of her skin.
Bud bolted to Kane’s side, paws skidding over the recently mopped concrete, sniffing him all over as he performed his own check. Kane could feel his wet nose on various parts of his body and was reassured by it.
