“Good job,” Liam said, rubbing his head before he sent him searching again.
“Don’t talk. We’ll be in an area where it may be necessary for him to rely on your signals,” Cole instructed, watching them.
Nodding, Liam went silent as Apollo sniffed and sat again. Fifteen minutes later, he uncovered all the hidden targets.
“I can’t expect any better,” Cole said, congratulating them. “He’s ready. Spend the rest of your time creating your bond. Take him everywhere with you. If you’re picking up Zeus, bring something scented with Apollo and take something to Zeus. I’m not concerned about Apollo obeying. I’m worried about an unknown dog. I take it you’ve made some headway with Addyson?”
“Yeah, we’re enjoying spending time together,” Liam said, not wanting to gossip about the woman who held his heart.
“She’s a good egg,” Cole said. “Take Apollo out for some free time and then meet me in my office.”
Liam signaled for Apollo to follow and let him outside, where one of the veterans threw balls and refreshed the water.
Cole sat behind his desk as Liam entered the office. He gestured for him to have a seat and slid some paperwork toward Liam.
“You’re officially responsible for Apollo’s care. You can pick up his chow here weekly. No extra treats unless they’re for training. In signing this, you agree to care for him properly. You’ll take him for a yearly exam and a clearance exam after each mission. If you notice anything unusual, it’s your responsibility to bring it to my or Leo’s attention. If Apollo doesn’t seem ready for a mission, it’s your duty to request an evaluation, extra training, or refresh if needed. Any injury must be reported to me. If we suspect any dereliction in your duty to him, we have the right to remove him from your care. Apollo belongs to Serenity Securities. We will keep all medical records, his shot schedules, and we’ll schedule any procedures needed in any efforts to save his life.”
“Wow, I know you must cover your butts, but I hardly believe anyone you pick has intentions to harm a dog,” Liam said, taking a pen and signing his name.
“You never know,” Cole said, frowning. “Leo wants it made clear he belongs to the company. Which means he’s part of our family. If you hurt him, it affects all of us. Leo won’t hesitate to remove him from your possession.”
“I’d expect nothing less,” he said, pushing the signed paperwork toward Cole. “May I take him with me for the rest of the day and bring him here while we pick up Zeus?”
“I requested a crate be moved to your bunk at the facility. Apollo can be left in your room as long as the door remains unlocked for one of the team to check on him if needed. After you assess Zeus’ needs, you may take him to Addyson’s.”
“Perfect,” Liam said, grinning. “What about toys and stuff?”
“You can take his favorite ball with you and raid the cabinet for additional items. We prefer you take a vest with you when taking him into town. In the summer, Sparky doesn’t make Ice wear it for overheating concerns. We ordered new mesh ones to wear to combat the issue. On missions, Apollo has a chipto locate him if you become separated. I highly suggest you download the app. I have it, and everyone on the K-9 team has it downloaded with each dog’s tag number for easy identification and location.”
Taking out his phone, he downloaded the app.
Cole continued, “During missions, Apollo must always remain at your side. You’re solely in charge of his well-being. You can hand him off to one of your team members for a shower break. We always keep them close.”
“Understood,” Liam said, taking Apollo’s leash and rising. Excitement filled him at the official start of his time with the team. It grew even more when he thought of taking Apollo with him. They already formed a bond, and it grew stronger with each session. Cole instinctively knew who to pair with each dog.
“After PT, unless Leo requests you stay behind, we’ll continue training until we spin up. You’ll report first to Leo and then to me. I’m a firm believer in keeping an open line of communication, like Leo. If you’re having any issues with teammates, the other dogs, or anything else, I won’t be offended if you bring them up at team meetings. We’ll solve them together.”
“Thanks, Cole. I’m looking forward to working with you and Apollo,” Liam said before leaving.
Walking down the hall, he went to retrieve his dog. Satisfaction filled him in not letting his disability consume him. Getting Apollo felt like the cherry on top.
He opened the door and signaled for Apollo to come. The dog raced to his side and followed him to the truck. After he buckled Apollo in, Liam drove to town to pick up flowers for Addy. He wanted to surprise her when she came home from getting Zeus.
Attaching Apollo’s lead, Liam led him into the flower shop. He gazed at the selection, feeling at a loss. Roses seemed too early to give her. Daisies signaled he wanted only her friendship,and he knew he wanted more, much more.Maybe a mixed bouquet?He walked to another fridge and noticed the bouquet with a mix of bright colors. Her house seemed full of neutral tones, but when Addy went shopping, she gravitated toward colorful furniture.
Picking out his selection, he took it to the register. Addy asked him to meet her at Jake’s to help get Zeus in the car. He’d take the flowers and a card and set them on her kitchen counter.
Smiling as he imagined her walking in and seeing them there after he left, he felt giddy. He secured Apollo and drove to Addy’s. He parked his truck, retrieved Apollo and the flowers, and punched in the security code. The light turned red, indicating he entered the wrong password.
“Shit,” he muttered as he took out his phone, checked the pin, and re-entered it. The light blinked red at him again. Frowning, he realized Addy must’ve changed it after he left this morning. He thought for a moment and then entered Sam’s birthday, recalling it from one of the photos on the wall. The light turned green, making him feel punched in the gut.
Pressing his forehead against the wall, he debated leaving the flowers. He sighed and walked in, keeping Apollo next to him. Liam placed the flowers on the counter with the card. Turning around, he reset the security code and walked out.
* * *
Addyson couldn’t stopherself from smiling all day at work. The feel of Liam’s hand, rough and callused, felt incredible against her sensitive skin. His kisses made her weak in the knees, and his spicy scent sent butterflies to her stomach.
When he left her bed this morning, he kissed her gently on the lips and then on the forehead, whispering for her to havea great day. Somehow, it seemed intimate, loving, and safe. A warmth pooled deep in her belly as she thought of him.
