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“Faus,” I cry out, tears falling while I scramble to stand. “Bruce!Faus.”
He’s already biting him. The command is just an echo in the back of the chaos, but I don’t stop chanting it over and over while I run to the kitchen for my phone.
I only make it to the hall when the front door slams open. My heart lurches in my throat at the thought of more men coming through the door.
“Samira!” his familiar voice calls. I can’t relax even knowing he is here. The beat of my pulse rushes through my ears. My throat constricting.
Declan stands in front of me, and all I can do is point toward the living room where Bruce is eating the intruder. I never even got a good look at him, but I still know it’s the scarred man who got away all those years ago. The man from the wedding. Declan barrels past me and toward the screaming and barking.
“Fuck!” he shouts. “Samira, call him off!”
I stand, wide eyed, peering into the living room. Bruce still attacks. The man on the ground is on his back now, trying to shield himself from my good boy.
“Sammy, call him off, doll. I’m here, let me help.” Declan’s words are closer now, but softer, more soothing than earlier.
His hand presses against my cheek. “Sammy. I’m here. It’s okay. You’re safe.”
I chew on the inside of my lip, unable to take my eyes off the dog and the intruder. “Declan?”
“Yes, baby. It’s me. Call Bruce off. Go get him a treat for being such a good boy.”
My entire body shakes. “Bruce,” I say. “Oust.”
He listens, immediately releasing the man and hurrying to my side. I don’t even have to tell him to sit, he just does.
“Declan?” I say his name again, still not sure if he’s really here. I can feel him, can smell him, but I can’t take my eyes off the man lying on the ground to look for him.
“I’m here, baby,” he says. “Get the dog a treat, okay?”
I nod, but I don’t move as he enters the living room. Declan kneels over the man, clutches his shirt, and pulls him up into a sitting position. Blood is everywhere, and I thank god the kids aren’t here to see this.
“What the fuck are you doing here?” Declan asks.
The intruder doesn’t respond. Declan’s hand slams into his face. I stumble back, a gasp escaping me.
Bruce tugs at my shirt, gently leading me toward the kitchen. I follow, and he sits me on a chair at the table. His head nuzzles against my hand, demanding pats. Bruce may have been trained to protect us, but he’s also very good at making sure I’m okay. And when I’m not, he forces me to give him attention until I’m pulled out of the haze, just like he is now.
Get him a treat.Declan’s voice sounds in my head, while Bruce licks at my hand. His dark fur is painted red, and he leaves behind red streaks from his muzzle on my skin.
“Where are the kids?”
I whip my head toward the sound of Declan. He’s beside me, his white dress shirt undone at the top, sleeves rolled up. Blood splatters coat his chest, arms, hands, my line of sight honing in on them, counting each one until I can speak.
“Farm.”
“Good.” He pulls out a chair and takes a seat beside me. He puts a single finger below my chin and pulls it toward him. “He’s the one who killed Ian?”
I nod and press my head against his chest. “I feel like I’m going crazy.”
“I know, doll.” His fingers run through my hair as he shushes softly and kisses my head. “You’re safe now.”
“What are you going to do to him?” I ask.
“Sean is on his way. He’ll take him to one of our warehouses for questioning.”
“And then?”
I’m met with silence. I know his answer, but I ask anyway. “Are you going to kill him?”
