He couldn’t leave her. “Where’s Goldie?”
“She stayed in the wings,” Axel answered. “Said someone had to watch Keely.”
He got that. But he wasn’t letting Zoey out of his sight.
But he couldn’t leave Keely, could he? Or Caspian.
He leaned down to her. “Kiddo, let’s take the doggy to the hospital, okay?”
Zoey had barely nodded when he picked her up. Turned to Axel. “Let’s go.”
Axel had already headed toward the door.
Griffin stood on the other side of the door. “Everything—oh wow, is that—what happened?” He stood back as Axel pushed past him, into the backstage area.
“Mars Sorros was here—he probably went out the back. Get security, and ... stay with Keely.”
Griffin nodded, stepped back for Dawson to follow Axel.
“He’s armed.”
“So am I,” Griffin said.
Griffin headed for the wings, and Dawson pushed out after Axel. Zoey buried her head into his shoulder.
Axel had parked near the back entrance and now opened up the back end, set Caspian inside.
Shoot—Dawson didn’t have a car seat—
“Dawson!”
Goldie appeared from the back door. She stalked toward him, picked up her pace. “Where are you going—”
“My dog’s been shot.”
She glanced at Zoey, then past her to Axel. “Right. Zoey can stay with me.”
He considered for a moment, then shook his head. “I think—”
“Fine. Take Keely’s rental.” She turned and ran back inside.
He set Zoey down, his hand in hers, and turned to Axel. “Where are you going?”
“Arctic Paws Vet Center. It’s right near the Tooth, about a block away, across from the hospital.”
Goldie came back out, holding keys. She pressed the fob, and a nearby SUV barked.
“I’ll meet you there.” Dawson took the keys and tried to breathe as Axel pulled out with Caspian.
He set Zoey into her car seat. Strapped her in. Her big eyes landed on him, and he crouched by the door. “Zoey, everything is going to be okay. I promise.”
She just met his gaze.
God, please let him not be a liar.
He got in, pulled out and followed Axel’s rearview lights onto the highway, off on 15th, east to the airfield—
God. He’s a good dog.His throat tightened.Please.
