My excitement curdles. “But it’s not exactly easy.”
I let my head fall back onto the mattress with a soft thump.
Even if I manage to get out of the house, the outside security won’t let me past the gate.
Rosie licks my ear with her tiny tongue. I smile and turn my head, pressing my cheek into the mattress. She licks my nose. I giggle.
I sit up, decision made.
“Let’s go for a walk. We’ll see what happens.”
I throw on my outdoor clothes, scoop her up, and head downstairs.
“Where are you off to, Weni?” Uncle’s voice stops me at the front door.
“Rosie and I need some polluted air from your park.”
He chuckles as he approaches, stroking my head, then Rosie’s.
“Don’t stay out too long. It’s cold.”
I nod. “See you at dinner.”
He smiles.
I walk out. The security follows me past the gate. Some reach the park ahead of us; others hang back, five feet behind; the rest fan out to sweep the surrounding area.
One of the bodyguards who reached the park before us comes out and approaches me.
“Miss, you can’t go into the park just yet. Wait a moment.”
I frown. “Why not?”
“There’s an aggressive dog inside. Lefin and Depher are asking the owner to leave. Once they’re clear, you can go in.”
“What do you mean, ‘aggressive’?” I’m sure he doesn’t mean rabid—those don’t have owners.
“He’s barking at everyone who enters. Lunging at anyone who gets close.”
“I won’t go inside. I just want to see what an aggressive dog looks like.” I tell him, then keep walking.
At the park entrance, three of my bodyguards stand with their backs to me, blocking the dog and its owner from view.
“They shouldn’t allow dogs in this community,” a woman gripes to her companion as they hurry past.
I turn to Travis. “We’ll find another spot. Let the dog and his owner be.”
His eyes dart to something behind me. He steps forward, body tensing.
I whip my head around, a husky is barreling straight toward me. Before he can reach me, Travis’s gun is up. The other guards follow suit.
“Don’t shoot!” I scream.
Just in time, the husky reaches me. His front paws slam into my stomach, then drop, only for him to circle and launch himself up again, chest heaving.
I quickly hand Rosie to Travis and drop to my knees.
My Bruno.
