“He’s worried about Ivy,” I say walking toward him.
“Mhmm.”
I narrow my eyes. “Why do you sound like that?”
“Because every time that man hears your voice his entire personality turns into ‘locate threat and destroy it.’”
Despite everything, warmth gathers low in my stomach. Which feels inappropriate considering the current circumstances.
Jules studies my expression before pointing at me. “There it is again.”
“What are you goin’ on about?”
“That look.”
“I don’t have a look.”
“You absolutely do.” He adjusts Kevin before lowering his voice dramatically. “Maggie Hayes, you are emotionally attached to a dangerous rich man.”
“I’m hanging on by a thread today, Jules.”
“That’s fair.”
Fifteen minutes later, a black SUV pulls into the gravel lot outside the shelter. That was fast. Way too fast.
Dust kicks up behind the tires, while volunteers glance nervously toward the entrance. The passenger-side door opens first. Alexei steps out wearing dark slacks and a charcoal button-down withthe sleeves rolled to his forearms. His expression is hard enough to stop conversation nearby almost immediately.
Relief hits me so quickly that it catches me off guard, which is ridiculous and concerning. Another man exits the driver’s side, younger than Alexei with light brown hair, sharp features, and a tablet tucked beneath one arm.
A third man climbs out from the backseat. Broad shoulders, dark hair clipped short, and a black jacket despite the Georgia heat. He has the kind of face that looks carved out of stone and taught not to smile young.
Every instinct I have understands one thing.Security.Or something worse.
The atmosphere around the shelter changes the minute the three of them start walking toward the entrance. Volunteers move aside instinctively. Even the barking inside feels quieter somehow.
“Well,” Jules mutters beside me, pursing his lips. “See? Mafia.”
I elbow him lightly without taking my eyes off Alexei. He reaches me first. His attention moves over my face quickly, taking inventory in a way that makes heat crawl slowly up my neck despite everything happening around us.
“You’re alright?” he asks
“Yes.”
“You’re certain?”
“I’m okay,” I repeat.
Only then does a fraction of the tension leave his face.
Alexei turns toward the man with the tablet. “Luka. Report.”
Luka nods once. “Forced entry likely happened between one-thirty and four-thirty this morning. One of our men noticed the damage during morning rotation just before staff arrived.”
I stare at him. Then slowly at Alexei.
Morning rotation. One of our men.
The noise around me suddenly feels muffled beneath the rushing in my ears. Barking echoes through the kennel room behind us. I hardly hear any of it.
