“Igotit.” She snapped, squaring her shoulders.
“Okay.” It was then that I realized that Sunny was more of a partner than a victim at that moment. I could count on her to do as I said, not fall apart, not cause extra strain and stress on a crime scene.
The respect, tripled.
The sexual attraction, ten-fold.
“Alright. Let’s go.”
I started down the riverbank but when I didn’t hear steps behind me, I stopped and turned back. Sunny was staring at Brutus.
“What’s wrong?”
She looked at me,” I… ah…” then back at the pit. “I don’t know what to do here.”
“With what?”
“I don’t let Brutus run with the pack. Like I said, he’s a loose cannon, and if he attacked?—”
“Game over?”
She nodded. “Exactly. Not even Thena could hold her own against his weight and jaws, especially at her age. Although she’d put up a hell of a fight.”
“I don’t doubt that.”
We stared at the mutt, his gaze locking on mine as it always seemed to when I was close.
“I’ll take him.” I said.
“You’ll what?” She gaped.
“I’ll let you guys go ahead and we’ll come up a minute later.”
“I…no.”
“You think I can’t hold my own against those jaws?”
“I have no doubt you can’t.”
“Well. Challenge accepted then.” I focused on the dog, but didn’t stretch out my hand. We were about to find out if two alpha males could make it up a hill together.
“No, Jagg, listen. It’s not time to be all macho male. If anything happened…”
“Don’t worry. I won’t sue you.”
“Gee, thanks, but that’s not what I meant.” She heaved out a breath.“Fine.”
“Good.” I handed her my gun. “Take this.”
“I don’t need it.”
“Take it or this isn’t happening. We left yours in the house. As long as you don’t wield it like a damn sword this time, take it.”
She rolled her eyes, then stuffed it into her waistband. “You’ll have to be slower with Brutus. His shoulder wears quickly.”
“We’ll be fine. I’ll be less than ten seconds behind you. If you see anyone, shoot. This is your land, your home, your dogs. Protect it.”
Her eyes narrowed into steely strength. She nodded.
