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“Why?” he growls.
“Because you look ready to kill. You look like you’re going to get yourself into trouble.”
“The trouble isn’t mine,” he snarls. “The trouble belongs to the bastards who took my dog.”
I stand up. “I’m coming with you. I mean it. Don’t try to stop me.”
For a moment, I think he’s going to tell me no. He glares up at me with deathly intent, that soldier’s readiness. Then the corner of his mouth twitches. Is he proud? “Okay, but you’re waiting in the car. I can’t risk you getting hurt.”
“Fair enough,” I reply. “As long as you’re not alone.”
As Fletcher pays the bill, I remember what he said before Charles Malone called.“He said something that—”He was talking about James—a reason his son would care about us being together. He said something thatwhat?But now isn’t the time to ask. A dog’s life is at risk.
In a strange way, I’m almost relieved we’re doing this. Everything else is so complicated and confusing, but an innocent dog… That’s simple. We don’t have to think deeply about that. Our only option is to save him.
CHAPTEREIGHTEEN
Fletcher
I leave the city by the north exit, my girl sitting beside me, wringing her hands together anxiously. I almost told her what James said about falling in love with her at first sight. I was on the cusp of revealing it when Charles called, giving me notions about fate again. It was like fate didn’t want me to ruin what Samantha and I have.
Now, I speed through the outer city, breaking into the countryside with more fields than built-up blocks. My GPS tells me we’re only a mile away. Sweat coats my body, my heart thudding, but only because Samantha is here. Bringing her was a mistake. I shouldn’t feel anything right now except ice-cold intent.
It’s there, my usual fierceness. When the time comes, I can switch off my feelings, fear, and everything else, but what if somebody threatens my woman? I’m not sure I’d be able to be calm. Hell, I almost tore my son’s head off, and that was before Samantha and I had even kissed.
“Fletcher,” Samantha murmurs. “I think you should slow down.”
I glance at the speedometer. I’m going almost a hundred, and there’s a turn coming up. She’s right. I’m not alone now. If I hurt my…
I slow the car, breathing heavily. “Sorry.”
“You don’t have to be,” she replies.
“I don’t want to hurt you,” I snarl. “I never want to hurt you.”
Maybe theneveris going too far. It implies a lot about the future. If Ineverwant to hurt her, does that mean we’ll be togetherforever?
She reaches over and places her hand on my arm. “You won’t. Jeez, you’re burning up.”
“Charles said he could hear barking from inside the farmhouse,” I tell her, hearing the thunder in my voice.
“Does he know that Loki’s in there?”
“Not exactly, but he knows the asshole who stole my dog is part of this dog-theft ring. There’s a good chance unless they’ve already sold him. Or…”
I can’t think about theor. I’ve seen what happens to animals when evil bastards get their hands on them. I’ve seen it too many times and with far too much vivid detail.
“Don’t think about theor,” she says, as if reading my mind. “But if it is theor, then do whatever you must. Just don’t get arrested.”
I take her hand, bring it to my lips, and kiss her softly, tasting her skin. “That’s the best advice you could’ve given me. Thank you, Samantha.”
She keeps her hand on my arm as I drive, maybe to remind me to stick to the speed limit. Finally, we turn off the main road onto a dirt track, the car bumping up and down as we drive between tall trees. I spot Charles’ car. Charles is leaning against it, smoking a cigarette.
I take a moment to turn the car around so it’s facing the way we came. “When I leave, get in the driver’s seat,” I tell Samantha. “If you hear shooting, drive away. If I’m not back in ten minutes, drive away. If—”
“What if you need help?” she cuts in.
I turn, my mind filled with so many twisted images. I see my perfect girl in situations she willneverbe in. I won’t allow it. Echoes of the stuff I saw overseas, all the viciousness, but pushed onto my woman.
