The two of them had met once before, years ago, when Naomi had come into town to visit her brother. The three of them had shared dinner at Caleb’s apartment, a night that had felt easy in a way Millie hadn’t questioned at the time.
Naomi looked much the same now. Her dark hair was pulled back with practical care, and she had kind eyes that missed very little. She had the same steady presence Millie remembered, the same quiet attentiveness that had made them click almost immediately.
She was the only member of Caleb’s family Millie had ever met—though she’d known he had five siblings. He was the second to the oldest.
She’d assumed, back then, she’d meet them all eventually.
That had never happened because Caleb had broken up with her, blindsiding her at the time.
Naomi met her gaze, and something like understanding passed between them.
“It’s okay,” Naomi murmured. “Whatever upset the dogs, Caleb and Max will handle it. It’s probably just a racoon or squirrel.”
Millie nodded, though the words barely registered. Her gaze flicked toward the door again, and she pictured herself fleeing.
But was anywhere truly safe? Maybe staying on the move was her best option. After all, it was harder to hit a moving target. Her dad, a hunter, had taught her that.
Her thoughts spiraled, panic rising fast and sharp, until she stood and blurted, “I can’t stay here.”
She moved toward the door, hands shaking, heart pounding as if she were already running. Biscuit was instantly at her heels, tail low, body pressed close like he’d been waiting for the signal.
“Please, Millie,” Naomi called. “Don’t leave. Don’t give in to the panic and let fear win.”
Millie paused, her breaths coming fast. “I can’t do this. I can’t be trapped again.”
“We’ll keep you safe.”
Millie let out a short, brittle laugh. “How can you promise that?”
Naomi held her gaze, unwavering. “I can’t promise nothing will ever go wrong. What I can promise is that you won’t face this alone and that we won’t stop trying to protect you—no matter what.”
The words hit Millie differently than she’d expected.
Naomi hadn’t promised certainty, only commitment. The truthfulness made her feel better. At least Naomi wasn’t glossing everything over and making promises impossible to keep.
The barking outside continued. Millie stood frozen between the door and the table, heart still racing.
She leaned down and rubbed Biscuit’s head.
She didn’t know if staying was the right choice or not.
She only knew that if she left now, she might never stop running.
And she was so tired of waiting for the moment when Garrick would kill her and make it look like an accident. He was the type who’d get away with it.
And he knew it.
chapter
four
As Max walkedaround the outside perimeter of the kennel building, Caleb pushed through the heavy door leading inside the space.
The noise of the dogs barking hit hard in the enclosed area.
He automatically scanned everything, looking for any signs of trouble.
He looked at the long row of runs. All but seven were full. The concrete floors were scrubbed clean but worn smooth with use. The overhead light caught on metal fencing that served as doors for each run, cardboard signs printed with the names of each dog attached to the front.
