“No, but I think it would help you. I’m not sending him away again.”
Fuck.
I take in a deep breath, steeling myself, and slowly start to inch toward Greg, one step at a time. The dog whines as I approach, licking his lips again, ears perking up. Ears up is a good sign, right? Ears pinned back is when I should be prepared to defend myself.
“Alright, then,” I say quietly, reaching out a hand. “Hello, Creature.”
He releases a chuff, and as soon as my hand is close enough, starts covering it in sloppy licks. I grimace, but it feels kind of nice. I’ll definitely need to wash my hands after this, but I don’t mind it as much as I thought I would. “Thank you, Creature.”
“His name is Greg.” Max’s tone is amused.
“I refuse to call him that. It’s a ridiculous name.”
Max only chuckles in response. “Is it okay if he stands and smells you now? He’ll circle you, lick you, maybe paw at you, but he won’t bite you.”
I swallow. “Yeah, okay.”
“Go ahead,” Max tells Greg. The dog lets out ayipof excitement that makes me flinch… and then, he does exactly what Max warned. Runs circles around me, butting his head into me and panting, licking my pants, my fingers, my hands; basically, any part of me he can reach.
It’s a little bit endearing. I slowly sink to my knees and bury my fingers in his fur—he licks my cheek, my nose, my forehead. My lips pull up into a smile. “You’re not so bad, huh?” He lets out another chuff in response.
Max releases a whistle. “Come here, buddy.” Creature abandons me and runs to Max, barreling into him.
I stand back up, wiping my hand against my pants. Max spends a few minutes petting Creature before directing him over to a doggy bed in the corner of the room. I tilt my head as I watch him spin around a few times, then settle in.
“Okay, he’s sort of cute,” I declare.
“I know,” Max says. “Go clean yourself up and change panties; we’re going to grab breakfast, and then go on a walk.”
Creature is absolutely delighted as soon as Max lets him outside. He doesn’t wear a leash, and Max doesn’t seem anywhere near as concerned about that as he ought to be.
“He’s trained to be safe off-leash,” Max explains. “He’ll come when I call.Greg!” he calls out. The German Shepherd comes lopping over, tongue lolling, chocolate eyes filled with joy. He sniffs Max, sniffs me, then looks to Max for direction. “Go ahead,” Max allows, and he launches forward, running through the wilted grass, occasionally pausing to roll around in it.
Max grins, bumping his shoulder against mine. “Very cute, indeed.”
“Why are we out here?” I ask. He hasn’t exactly been thrilled to let me out of the buildings thus far, and for a good reason. If I’m out here, my odds of running away increase—though it would still be one hell of a task.
“Because fresh air and sun will be good for you. You have a Vitamin D deficiency—you need to get out and enjoy the world.”
Enjoy the world. I’m not sure if that’s possible.Case the world, maybe, but I forgot what enjoyment was a long time ago. Now, it’s just survival, and doing what has to be done.
“Besides, you’re not going to run,” Max goes on.
I arch an eyebrow. “I’m not?”
“Nope,” he says brightly. “Because you know I’m going to save your sister, which will bind you to me forever.”
A chord of worry strikes in my soul, and my thoughts return to Alina. Max has another day until our deal is up.
That’s all the time he has—I can’t afford to give him any more. If he doesn’t come through, I have to find a way out. But, for some reason… I think he just might. Dagon is well-connected, but so are the Nighthawks, and the organization holding me captive is better organized.
Dagon rules by fear alone; the Nighthawk’s leadership rules by respectandfear. Everyone seems appropriately afraid of Cain, but I’ve also sensed that the people beneath him are in awe of him. Greyson is respected, feared, and regarded very highly, which bodes well for him. And Max is respected, feared, and I think he may be loved. He has the persona of a nice guy who will laugh and make jokes with you, but if you push him, he’ll break you in half without flinching.
“What are you going to do to protect her?” I ask. “What’s the plan?”
Max’s eyes shadow, so briefly that I think I may have imagined it. Then, his expression smooths out, and he dons a bright smile. “What’syourplan, hmm?”
My brows furrow. “Pardon?”
