Page 61 of Avenging Azalea

What had I expected to happen? That was the biggest question because the idea that I’d be satisfied with once and never pine for him again was absurd. My heart longed for his love.

The scene played out like a rom-com when I was alone in my room at night. The newest version even included the arranged marriage and Titus walking away from the contract that bound him and choosing me. It was a happy ending that left us kissing as the credits rolled. But what happened after the credits?

What happened when his family found out and didn’t approve of me, my zero wealth, power, or prestige? I had nothing to offer him. What happened when I couldn’t hide what was done to me? How would I explain waking up in a cold sweat multiple times a week? What would Titus think of me when he found out how I’d so casually let my stepfather use me? I’d hardly put up a fight. The very first time he drove me to a motel, I’d resolved myself to being whored out to keep my family alive, as if that was normal…something all kids dealt with in their lifetime.

My hands tightened on the steering wheel as I sucked in a deep breath, the shame once more clawing at my throat. Tears stung my eyes, but I bit my lip to keep them at bay. There was no going back and fixing things. Hell, even if I could go back in time, the reality was…I didn’t know if I could or would do anything differently. That was the most disturbing realization.

Sheba’s cold nose touched my neck, startling me out of my thoughts. She laid her head on my shoulder like she could sense that I was spiraling.

“Thanks, girl. I love you, too,” I said and scratched her neck. “You think I should talk to someone? Do you really think a therapist could help me?” Sheba remained quiet. Glancing in the rearview mirror, my heart felt better just looking into her amber eyes. They were almost identical to Titus’s. “I’m not sure anyone can fix the dead space inside of me, girl. The only person who fills that hollow ache is marrying someone else.”

As I drove closer to Small Paws, I kept my eyes peeled for the strange car, but it was gone and replaced by the typical BMWs and Land Rovers. Pulling into the parking lot, I got out and opened the back door for Sheba. There was no need for leashes with Titus’s girls. They were insanely trained. I had no idea how he got them this way. When we got Holly and Hailey, he took them everywhere with him, but at home, they were allowed to sleep, eat, and roam the backyard like any regular dog.

Not once did I ever see him working with them, and yet, they had dozens of commands and never stepped out of line. It was like he spoke to them telepathically. As ridiculous as it sounded, it was the only thing that made sense.

Unlocking the front door, I stepped inside and turned on the lights. We didn’t open to the public for another hour, and the overnight tech would be long gone by now. I was counting on the quiet time to introduce Sheba to Winston.

We walked into the back, and I froze. The motion sensor light was activated. I listened for unusual noises but didn’t hear anything.

Sheba picked up on my sudden tension. She pressed herself up against my leg and waited for a command. She might be an older girl now, but she was a German Shepherd still in great shape and knew her job.

“Hello?” No one answered.

I crept past the kennels and toward the employee area, searching for anything out of place. Just when I was ready to blame an overactive imagination, the bathroom door opened right beside me. I screamed, and the man rubbing his damp hair with a towel yelled as Sheba jumped into action, tackling him to the floor. At the last second, I recognized Dr. Taylor.

“Xet. Ryadom!”

Sheba stopped just short of sinking her teeth into Dr. Taylor’s neck. His eyes were as wide, and his chest was heaving as Sheba pushed off and sat beside me.

“Oh my god. I’m so sorry.” Squatting, I checked his head to make sure he was okay. “She’s trained to protect me. I didn’t think anyone was here,” I said, rambling. Then I realized that Dr. Taylor was still damp and only wearing a towel around his waist. It had fallen open and showed off everything. “Oh my god, you’re naked.”

Jumping up, I slapped my hand over my eyes.

“Fawn, it’s fine. I’m covered again,” Dr. Taylor said. I scissored my fingers open to be sure.

“I am so, so sorry. Please forgive Sheba,” I begged, terrified he was going to tell me that I needed to destroy her, or he was going to press charges, or whatever else he thought of to punish us.

He smirked and shook his head. Sheba was staring up at him like the perfect soldier.

“No harm done. I just saw my life flash before my eyes, that’s all,” he said, and my cheeks heated.

“What are you doing here this early? I didn’t see your truck, which is why I thought I was alone.”

“I ran to work. I’m training for a triathlon, and this way, I get a ten-mile run in twice a day, even on busy days.” I cringed, and Dr. Taylor laughed. “I take it you’re not a fan?”

“I’m not a fan of running that long for anything,” I said, and my blush made my ears burn.

“So, I answered your question, now it’s my turn. What are you doing here?”

“I wanted to introduce Sheba to Winston while it was quiet and I had time to spend with them. I thought she could help him feel more confident.” I shrugged and ran my fingers through the midnight black fur on her soft head. “Titus always trains his dogs in pairs. Sheba lost Shadow a while ago. She’s never gotten over the loss, and I thought it could help her too.”

It was easy to see why he’d been dubbed Doc Hottie. He was more toned than I’d imagined under his scrubs. I forced my eyes to stay on his face.

“I see. Well, I better get some clothes on before anyone else arrives,” he said, and the mortified feeling flooded my body.

“Yes…sorry.” Turning, I made a beeline for the back room. “Could you be a bigger idiot,” I mumbled under my breath, wanting to crawl into a hole and just stay there for the rest of my life.

“Hi, Winston,” I called out as I walked over to the bag of kibble and scooped some for him. Sheba took her cue when I pointed to a spot near Winston’s kennel. She looked regal, like Anubis, with her legs out straight, head up, and overly large ears.