Standing up, I tossed my empty container into a nearby trash can before picking up the leash I’d left pooled at Hugo’s feet. Despite the two of us only knowing each other for a few hours, Hugo refused to leave my side. Even when surrounded by all the temptations in the pet store, he’d stayed beside me. It made buying a leash seem unnecessary, but I got one anyway.
“It’s going to break my heart to give you up,” I said with a sigh. Was this why Jim didn't take missing pet cases?
He gave a little whine, as if agreeing with me.
“Gale loves you,” I reminded both of us. He gave me another sad look. I shook my head. “Don’t give me that look, it’s out of my control.”
He huffed and then turned away from me. Ouch!
I started walking, and he was quick to follow, suddenly happy again. Keeping our pace slow, I thought over what I’d say to the guys when I got back.
If I was honest with myself, I would’ve been glad to see Marduk and Danzig after Em left. I couldn’t get the image of the mummified bodies out of my head, and I didn’t want to be alone.
Except he hadn’t called or even politely knocked, he’d broken our door as if I was in imminent danger.
If I was being held hostage, it would’ve been romantic as hell. Actually, it was kind of sexy anyway, not that I was ready to admit that.
Because so many people needed to meet Hugo, the walk back to the condo was more of an often-interrupted leisurely stroll instead of a quick journey. When I turned the final corner, I was taken aback to see a stranger carrying the broken door away and tossing it into the back of a nearby truck.
And there was a brand-new door installed in my condo. I was impressed that they’d found someone to fix it so quickly. I didn’t see Marduk, but now that he’d fixed the damage, I was willing to let him explain why he’d caused it in the first place.
Actually, that was a good question, why had he been worried so suddenly that he felt the need to bust through my front door?
Had he seen the bodies somehow? Did world serpents have premonitions or something? If he saw even a part of what I saw today, I could understand why he’d acted so aggressively to get to me.
It pushed me toward forgiveness, and even offering to let them stay for dinner. I hoped they liked spaghetti, since it was the only “fancy” thing I knew how to make.
Finished with the door, the stranger turned and noticed me watching. “Are you Bec?”
I nodded, and we walked over to the stranger. “What’s going on?”
“I’m Wallis, Marduk hired me.” He looked down at Hugo. “Aww, you’re a cutie!”
“His name is Hugo,” I said as the dog accepted Wallis's adoration.
“I got you a really nice door,” he said, petting Hugo “It has a steel core, and reinforced door frame. It won’t stop a vampire, but your average shifter won’t be getting in without a struggle.”
“Uh, great,” I said, still getting used to referencing magical creatures in average conversations.
Giving Hugo a last pet, he stood up and explained that the wood was already primed and ready to be painted any color I wanted. After that came a long explanation of what kind of paint I should use, most of which went right over my head.
“Did Danzig and Marduk leave?” I asked when Wallis paused.
I got a bad feeling when a slight look of concern passed over his expression. “They’re inside. I’m sure you can get the stains out.”
Stains? Had they done more damage to my place while I was gone?
All my peace and forgiveness vanished.
Working myself up into a nice rage, I stomped into the house with Hugo right next to me. I paused when I found a trail of blood going from the threshold into the kitchen. I didn’t follow it because Danzig was lying on the couch with one of my kitchen towels on his face. The cloth was covering his forehead and oneeye. The more startling thing was that the towel was crimson with blood.
“What happened?” I cried, dropping Hugo’s leash to rush up to him.
He opened his uncovered eye and smiled up at me. “I tripped. It’s nothing.”
I leaned over and tugged on his wrist to lift the towel off his face. The angry, jagged cut on his forehead made me suck in a breath.
“You need to see a doctor,” I said. “There’s a hospital not too far away. Can you walk or should I call an ambulance?”
