Page 68 of Ricochet

“Blue, huh? How’d you come up with that one?”

Tipping his head, Jay toys with the puppy’s tail, not even that disturbing the sleeping dog. “His eyes are blue.”

I smile. “All puppies’ eyes are blue when they’re first born.”

He looks thoughtful for a moment but shrugs. “I just like Blue.”

“Blue it is.”

“He’s my best friend in the whole world.” Jay plants a kiss on top of the pup’s head. “I love him.”

I pat my son’s head, my smile fading to something more serious. “He’ll protect you from the bad guys while I’m at work.”

“But he’s just a puppy.” Jay frowns. “How can he protect me?”

“Well, he can’t right now. But some day, he’s going to be the best guard dog on the block.”

He nods, holding Blue’s tiny paws in his. “Because he loves us, too.”

“That’s right.”

While the memory broke, I paced back and forth, stroking my skull. “Fuck!” Tears welled in my eyes, and I stopped moving, pinched the bridge of my nose to keep them from surfacing. “Fuck!” I kicked an empty flowerpot, sending it crashing into the brick wall of the house.

Once again, I fell to my knees beside him and lifted his head, rocking him as I stroked his ear. “You did good, Blue. You’re a good dog.” I sniffed and cleared my throat, desperate to hold back the agony itching to escape, and buried my face at his ear. “Do me a favor, huh?” Arms tight around his neck, I squeezed my eyes shut, my voice faltering. “Watch out for them for me.”

Just like that, the last thread slipped through my hands. If not for Blue, I could’ve easily swallowed a bullet a while back. I owed him my life. He’d followed me out of the burning house the night of the attack, keeping at my heels as I stumbled along. It’d been his bark that caught Lauren’s attention, as he stayed at my side.

Sliding my hands beneath his body, I lifted him into my arms, carried him inside the house, and set him down in his bed. I’d bury him the next day.

In the meantime, I had to get rid of the bodies.

***

It was nearly midnight when I returned to the mansion. I’d driven the truck just a few blocks over and set it on fire with all of the men inside. No one would find them there. No one would give a shit about them.

I entered my bedroom, found Aubree sleeping, curled in my blankets, her body twitching. Staring down at her bruised face, I stroked a finger across her cheek, and she startled awake, backing herself against the headboard.

I turned to leave, but she struck out, gripping tight to my wrist. “Wait! Please, stay. Please.”

I hadn’t meant to wake her, but I did as she asked, taking a seat beside her on the bed.

Her eyebrows lifted, in a worried expression. “Blue … did he—?”

I shook my head, and she ran her hand through her hair, tears shimmering in her eyes.

She cupped her face in her hands, curling her fingers into fists as she sniffled. “It was my fault. He was just trying to protect me.”

“He was doing his job. It’s not your fault.”

“What have I done?” Pulling her legs to her chest, she wrapped her arms around them and buried her face in her knees. “I’m sorry, Nick. I’m so sorry.”

“No reason to be sorry.” I caught a glimpse of the bruise on her face, and mentally put the focus back on her. Blue was dead. Apologies wouldn’t change that fact, and she didn’t need to torment herself over it. “You okay? That bruise looks pretty bad.”

She ignored my question. “I shouldn’t have … I’m so sorry.” Her eyes shifted back and forth, lip quivering, and I sensed another round of sobbing would follow.

Reaching out, I hesitated a moment before placing a hand over hers. “Hey, it’s okay. You’re safe now.”

“It’s not okay. It was selfish. I was selfish to run from you. And now Blue … because of me …”