“He responds better to Chloe. I’m sure she’ll be here in a minute.”
“Ruff! Ruff! Ruff!”Kevin continued backing up.
“He wants you to follow him,” Laurel said.
Chapter Twenty
Chloe let Kevin out of the trailer, put a harness on him, and attached the leash. He was good about sticking close to her, but it would be just her luck he’d run off the one time she needed him to behave. Rok was nervous about meeting his brother, and she wanted to be there for him. “Come on, buddy, let’s go potty.”
Outside, she squinted at the bright, late afternoon sun. Kevin tried to make a beeline for a tree planted in the sidewalk, but she guided him down the street. “This way. You’ll like the grass better.” If Kevin went number two instead of just number one, she couldn’t leave a pile of two in front of the theater.
Tail wagging, the dog trotted beside her as she strode to the corner. He took to the leash, an indication whoever had owned him had cared for him and taken him for walks. He was such an obedient, loving little guy. It was amazing he’d survived. If Kevin could speak, he’d have quite a story to tell.
As Grav might. Hopefully Rok’s aide-to-the-admiral brother could fill in the blanks.
At the corner, she automatically glanced both ways before crossing.Old habits die hard.Don’t need to worry about getting run over anymore.
Everything I learned in kindergarten doesn’t matter after the apocalypse,she thought with dark humor.It’s okay to run with scissors, now.
They reached the small park, and she let out the leash, giving the dog more license to wander. He sniffed for the right spot to do his business. She was so grateful she’d found him—that he’d found her. She loved dogs—and cats. All animals—that’s why she’d planned to become a veterinarian. Besides offering companionship, Kevin represented normalcy. Something in the topsy-turvy world remained the same—the love of a dog. Did he miss his people? Probably. But Kevin continued to live his doggy life like normal.
Hopefully, she’d belong to a community again. Some might disapprove of her relationship with Rok, but she refused to reject a kind, decent man because of what other people thought. He hadn’t committed any atrocities. People should be judged on the merits of their actions as individuals. Was that rationalizing?Perhaps. But she had to create a new normal for herself since the old normal wasn’t in the cards anymore.
Did she love Rok? Um…not yet. She’d never been the type to fall in love at first sight. But she definitely like-liked him, cared about him, and was sexually attracted to him.
She checked the time. She’d used seven of the ten minutes she’d said it would take. Kevin had peed three times and pooped once. She retracted the leash. She’d bring him into the theater this time. Other people might enjoy meeting a dog. “Come on, Kevin. Let’s go.”
“Not so fast,” said a familiar voice.
“Zack.” The blood drained from her face as she turned to see a pistol aimed at her chest.
Her knees shook.
“I promised to make you pay if it was the last thing I did.” His expression was one of pure hatred. He raised the gun a notch, and she flinched, noting apropos of nothing he was a leftie, gripping the weapon in his left hand, the star-shaped scar visible on his wrist.
Would she lose her life just as she was about to get one? She shifted an arm to hide the pepper spray clipped to her belt. In a duel between pistol and pepperspray, the gun would win, but the Mace was all she had.Keep him talking. Keep him distracted.“How did you find me?”
“I remembered you’d once said you were headed to Springfield.”
That had been the plan. She didn’t recall mentioning it, but obviously she had. There’d been no cause to guard her words or intentions until the shocking awakening.
“I spotted the signs about the meeting at the Gillioz, and I figured you’d come here. I saw you go in with the Progg. You’re no better than the rest of us,” he spit out.
I’m nothing like you!Kevin didn’t like his comment either. Emitting a low growl, he pressed against her legs.
Stay calm. I have to stay calm.“The Progg called off the invasion. You don’t need to do this. You’re free.”
“I’ll never be free! But this isn’t about the Progg. It’s about Sandy! You killed her!” He shouted. “I loved her! And you killed her!”
Kevin’s hackles went up, and he growled, baring his teeth.
She shook her head. “I didn’t—”
“If you’d died like you were supposed to, she’d still be alive.”
How delusional and fucked up was that?He’s batshit crazy.Pointing out that if anyone other than the Progg was responsible for Sandy’s death, it would be him, Caleb, and Sandy herself, would only goad him.Never taunt an armed man.
“Before you die, you will know what it feels like to suffer.” He smiled. “You care about the mutt, don’t you?” He lowered the gun, aiming it at Kevin. “Bye-bye, doggy.”
