That makes two of us.
“So. You said you wanted to chat?”
“If you don’t mind.”
She nodded. “I expected it. But I expected a call, not a drop in.”
“You seem just as territorial about your place as your dogs.”
“I’ll take that as a compliment.”
“You need to lock your doors and windows, despite the guard dogs.”
“Did you go into my house?”
“Never. I’d never set foot inside a stranger’s house without a warrant.”
“Your reputation says otherwise.”
“I’ll take that as a compliment.”
23
JAGG
We fell into step together down the riverbank, the dogs running circles around our feet, their paws kicking up puffs of dust and scattered pebbles. A light breeze lifted off the water, carrying the scent of wet stone and moss, cooler than the sweltering world around us.
Beside us, the river flowed in a steady rhythm—gentle, but constant—the quiet gurgle of moving water grounding the moment. It was the only sound besides the dogs’ panting and the soft crunch of our boots on gravel.
For just a second, everything felt still. Balanced. Like we were walking through a pocket of calm suspended inside the chaos.
“You’re supposed to be taking it easy,” I said.
“I am.”
“Training three monsters isn’t taking it easy.”
“Are you scared of my dogs, Detective?”
“Of those hundred-plus pound trained assassins? You’re damn straight I am.”
She smirked and I found myself staring to get the fullpicture of it. It wasn’t a smile, but the first time I’d seen something close to it.
Breathtaking.
“Well, too bad you’re scared because I was looking for someone to help with attack commands.”
“Based on their display in the woods back there, I’d say they already had their first lesson of the day.”
“No, anactualattack. Attacking another human on command.”
“You know I’m a cop, right?”
“On someone with abite sleeve,not just some random passerby. But, you know,” she shrugged, “I get that they’re intimidating and all…”
“And I get that you’re good at goading people.”
Her lip twitched. That little grin again.
