Page 77 of Lord of Retribution

In Daniel’s arms was a puppy.

I squealed and almost dropped the glass in my effort to get to them. The little creature was docile but as soon as the pup saw me, he started squealing as well.

“I’d say a match made in heaven, Mr. T,” Brock said, which made my smile wider. I adored the nickname the man used.

“What did you do?” I asked as soon as I reached the two adorable creatures, winking at Brock at the same time.

“You mentioned that you didn’t have a pet so I thought I could bring a smile to your face,” Daniel said, grinning from ear to ear. He noticed the glass in my hand and laughed. “Mickey Mouse, huh?”

“It works. Okay?” I was so shocked tears formed, at least two splashing past my eyelashes. “You have no idea…”

“Are you happy?”

“Are you kidding me?” I was trembling all over and when Brock took my glass from my hand, I didn’t fight him, reaching for the puppy immediately. He was black with long fur and the darkest chocolate eyes I’d ever seem. As soon as he was in my arms, he licked my face.

“It’s finalized, Mr. T. The pup adores Mrs. Thorn.”

“Yes, I believe he does,” Daniel said as he cupped my face. “Anything to make my beautiful wife happy.”

I spun around in a circle, squeezing the little tyke in my arms. “What is he?”

“From what the shelter told me, half black lab and half Irish setter.” He kept his grin as he watched me and that’s when I noticed he had blood on his shirt.

I instantly tensed but kissed the pup on the head, trying to shove away the awful thoughts. “He’s beautiful.”

“Just like you are. What are you going to name him?”

The name came to me instantly. “Zorro.”

“I like that name, Mrs. Thorn,” Brock said.

“Brock, do you mind bringing in a couple bags from the car? I purchased dog food, a bed, and a couple of toys but we’ll need to go back to the store tomorrow.”

“You got it, Mr. T.” He placed the glass on the entrance foyer table, humming a tune as he opened the front door.

After it was closed, Daniel turned his full attention to me, cocking his head, his eyes twinkling from amusement. He quietly stroked Zorro but his eyes never left mine.

“I’m glad I could bring a smile to your face,” he said. “You light up a room when you’re happy.”

“I was worried. And you have blood on you.” To demonstrate, I licked my finger then brushed it across a spot on his neck. He did the craziest thing, grabbing my hand and shoving the same finger into his mouth. I wanted to be disgusted, repulsed from the thought someone else’s blood was splattered on his neck and chiseled jaw, but it seemed he had the ability to make anything look sensual. My breath was skipping, my heart hammering harder than it had before.

After taking a few seconds to suck it clean, he purposely rubbed the tip around his lips before growling. “You’ll learn that underestimating me isn’t in your best interest, little pet.”

“I know what you’re made of.”

“And what’s that?”

“Spice and danger.”

He laughed more robustly than I was used to, gripping my jaw and lowering his head. “I missed you too, my lovely wife.”

Every time he kissed me, I felt like a highschooler who finally managed to snag a kiss from her crush, lightheaded with butterflies swarming in my stomach. As he swept his tongue inside, I felt an entirely different moment shared with the man I’d married. It was almost as if seeing him in a new light had been exactly what I needed to allow the brick wall I’d surrounded myself with to crumble all around us.

The puppy wiggled and huffed from our close connection, finally struggling to get out of my arms. I was the one to break the sweet intimacy, laughing softly before biting my lip. “I think he’s going to be a handful.”

“Just like you are. Come on, let’s get a drink together. And not in a Mickey Mouse cup.” He didn’t seem bothered in the least by whatever action he’d taken, acting as if he was happier than he’d been in a long time.

“Party pooper.”

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