The man squints, but the dog’s growl gets louder, his curled lip baring his teeth.
“You were getting water for this mutt? Stupid thing—he’s always barking. Keeps me awake.”
I wince. “If the dog is too much trouble, I can take him off your hands for you.”
“For fuck’s sake,” Viper says under his breath.
The man scratches his chin. “It will cost you. I was going to use it for dogfighting, but I’d have to sedate it just to get near it.”
From the moment I saw the dog, I had a gut feeling. My instincts were right. It is meant to be.
“How much?”
Viper shakes his head. “That dog ain’t going to the clubhouse until you ask Reaper.”
“Sure,” I reply with my hand out, waiting for him to give me his phone.
Viper raises his brow, then gets his phone out of his pocket, presses a few buttons, and hands it to me.
A deep voice comes through. “Reaper.”
“Hi, Reaper, it’s me, Ava.”
“What are doing on Viper’s phone?”
My eyes widen at the first thing out of his mouth. “He took me to get groceries.”
No reply.
“Are you there?”
There’s a heavy breath. “Yes.”
“Well... you know how you wanted to teach me how to protect myself.”
Viper cocks his head to the side while Reaper answers. “Yes. Where is this going?”
I swallow the lump in my throat. “I had another idea.”
“Hmm... and what’s that?” Amusement tinges his voice.
“Can I bring a dog back to the clubhouse? Please? I’ll look after him,” I blurt. “He won’t get in the way, and I’ll take the dog with me when I leave.”
If it were anything else, it would horrify me to beg a man to let me have something, but this dog is different. I’ve wanted him more than anything else in a long time.
Viper stifles a laugh. “Yeah right. The dog might bite someone, though.”
I narrow my eyes, warning him to be quiet.
“And how big is this dog?” Reaper asks.
Viper’s lips lift into a blinding smile, so I know he heard. He leans down, closer to the phone. “It’s a damn rottweiler. The thing’s massive.”
Reaper chuckles. “Will it make you feel safe?”
“Yes,” I reply sharply.
“On one condition.”
