He licks my face, my neck, trying to climb and circle me simultaneously. I laugh, my eyes stinging with tears.
I pull him into a crushing hug. He keeps licking—my hands, my wrists, my face, my neck—any skin he can find.
I grab his face and cover it with kisses while he licks mine. I can’t tell him how much I’ve missed him.
All my bodyguards have formed a circle around us, their guns still trained on Bruno.
I look up at them. “You can lower your weapons. He’s not going to hurt me.”
Bruno looks around and growls. I pat his head, then fix my guards with a frown.
“That’s an order, guys.”
They finally lower their weapons.Can I order them to leave too?
Rosie’s tiny bark makes Bruno turn toward her. She’s yapping at him. He growls back.
“Let go of my dog, lady.” The voice comes first—a hot baritone—then the man.
I stand and take Rosie from Travis. This sends Bruno into a frenzy. He barks wildly, circling me. Rosie answers in her baby voice, squirming to launch herself out of my arms.
“What’s your dog’s name?” I ask, keeping my expression perfectly serious.
He matches my tone. “Bruno.”
I glance down. “Bruno, follow me.”
“Where are you taking him?” the man—whose name I still don’t know—asks.
“For a walk. You’re welcome to join us, if you’d like.”
He nods. Bruno has calmed, sitting at my feet, though his gaze remains unfriendly toward Rosie. My bodyguards sense the situation and spread out to their positions.
I start walking along the path. Bruno stays close, his fur brushing against my legs. The tyrant walks on my other side.
“What’s your name?” I ask.
Let’s see what he says.
“Jonathan,” he replies.
I roll my eyes.You couldn’t even try with the name?
“Jonathan Edwik,” he adds.
I lift a brow. “Uh-huh. And where are you from, Jonathan?”
“Florida.” The word comes out smooth, American.
My brows climb higher. “I see.”
Such a professional liar, he even changed his accent.
“And what’s your name?” he asks.
“Elowen.” I pause, then add with a smile, “From California.”
“Last name?” He glances my way, his stare intensely piercing, even if only for a second.
