“Audra, the team is waiting for you to brief them,” Diggssaid.
“And I will after you take me to seeTrigger.”
Diggs stared at her so long, she began to think he was going to deny her request. And if he did that, the man better be ready for a fight. Trigger was all she had left. If he thought she’d go so much as a day without checking on him, especially after he’d been so savagely beaten, Diggs was about to learn a very hardlesson.
But then his stiff shoulders slumped and he let out a huff of air. “Audra, I’m not sure it’s safe for you to see him rightnow.”
“What do you mean?” A wave of unease crashed overher.
“I think the beating may have aggravated some of Trigger’s PTSD. He wasn’t himself lastnight.”
“Is he going to be okay?” her breathhitched.
“Yes.” Diggs took her arms in his massive hands. “He’s going to heal. He’s just . . . a little wary ofpeople.”
Or he was freaking out because she wasn’t there. “Take me to him,please.”
“Alright, I’ll take you to him. But I need you to stay behind me until I make sure it’sokay.”
Audra didn’t bother replying to that ridiculous request. Instead, she grabbed Diggs’ hand and pulled him from the room, gesturing for him to hurry up and lead the way. He went two doors down and stopped, peering through the small glass window. Audra squeezed up next to him, peering through the window and seeing Trigger immediately. He was holed up in the corner, his body visibly shaking. She let out a cry and grabbed the door handle, but Diggs stopped her before she could goinside.
“The worst thing you could do is go in there in a rush or panic. Be easy. No fast movements. And Audra, if you don’t stay behind me, the deal isoff.”
“Can’t you see he’s scared?” They had left him alone in this cold, sterile lab, with so many unfamiliar sights and sounds that he was probably freaking out. He neededher.
He’d needed her lastnight. . .
“Yes, I can and I understand why you want to go in there, but I’m not wavering on this. Stay behindme.”
“Okay, I will.” She acquiesced, but only because she didn’t want to delay anylonger.
“Here we go.” Diggs eased the door open, entering the room withcaution.
Audra stayed close, but with Diggs’ massive shoulders blocking her view, she had to lean sideways to keep the dog in sight. The moment Trigger spotted Diggs, he started togrowl.
Diggs stopped just inside the door and held his hands out in a nonthreatening manner. “Easy, boy. Easy.” Then he reached into his pocket and pulled out a napkin, unfolding it to reveal crisp strips of bacon. “This is how I got him to come to me lastnight.”
Diggs crouched down and Audra placed a hand on his shoulder, completely in awe of Diggs’s compassion. She didn’t know any other person who would make that kind of effort. He continued to amaze her, and her heart swelled in reaction to his kindness. “Thank you,” shewhispered.
But Diggs didn’t react or respond. He kept his gaze focused on the dog, dangling a long strip of bacon from his fingers. “Come here, Trigger. Comeon.”
Trigger’s lips pulled back and he snarled, his black eyes wild. This wasn’t like him. He’d been wary of Diggs before, but the ferocity rolling from his body now could have been seen by a blindman.
She had to do something. He’d been comforted by her before, maybe she could reach him again. “Trigger, it’sokay.”
Trigger’s gaze shifted to her and his snarling eased. Encouraged, Audra tried to step around Diggs, but Diggs threw out his arm and blocked her. Triggergrowled.
“Diggs, put your arm down.” Audra kept her focus on the dog and her voice gentle. She wanted to believe that he felt connected to her and that she could calm him, but his gleaming white canines and crazed look held herback.
“Get behind me,” Diggssaid.
“I won’t go any closer. I think he wants you to stop touchingme.”
The muscles in Diggs’ back tensed, but he slowly lowered hisarm.
Audra tried again. “Come on, boy. It’s me, Audra. You rememberme.”
Trigger’s growl eased but his ears stayed upright and forward, and his stancedefensive.
