Page 74 of End Game

She hadn’t heard any gunfire, but her blood was like a thunderclap in her ears. “Anything?”

Ash shook his head, though he continued to surveil the surrounding tree line. She knew with absolute certainty that if she hadn’t been present, he would have gone after the shooter.

The realization made her equal parts thankful she’d insisted on coming and regretful. Just thinking about him hunting a predator capable of blowing off a man’s head made her stomach revolt. On the other hand, allowing a murderer to escape set her brain on fire.

Kayla’s muscles became heavy with her relief. She leaned back against the nearest tire, closed her eyes, and exhaled a long breath. Seconds ticked by, and her mind switched off, like a tunnel of lights blacking out, section by section.

Until a low vicious growl snapped her back to consciousness. She stared into the brown eyes of a large dog of indeterminate breed. Long nose, narrow face, wiry black and white hair, stocky build, matted tail.

The BEWARE DOG sign wasn’t an empty threat to keep strangers away. It had been there to protect idiots like her from dismemberment. Beside her, still facing toward the opposite direction, Ash tensed, then slowly turned his head. His gun syncing with his movements.

Despite everything she’d witnessed since arriving, she couldn’t watch Ash shoot down a dog who’d been trained to protect the property and its occupants. It was a brutal image she didn’t want joined with the others she had accumulated.

The dog’s growls deepened at Ash’s movement. The canine’s gaze banked to the right, then back to their position, as it prowled toward them at an unrelenting pace. Power bunched in the dog’s massive muscles, and Kayla knew it was seconds away from lunging.

Before Ash could twist around to take down the mutt.

So she did the only thing she could. Kayla lifted her gun and let bullets fly.

35

Ash kept an eye on his guest while he waited for the kettle to boil.

After they’d given their statements to Detective Morgan, he and Kayla had watched animal control wrangle the dog into the back of their van. Along with a box full of the pups they’d found denning inside the stack of tires.

The dog hadn’t been protecting Grimball, but her litter. And Ash had almost taken her down.

If Kayla hadn’t rapid-fired those shots into the air, he’d be mangled, the canine mother would likely be dead, and the pups orphaned.

They’d driven most of the way to her house in silence, until Wade had called. She briefed him on what had transpired at Grimball’s.

Although Ash could only hear one side of the conversation, Kayla’s responses made it clear that Wade had wanted to come to her. Ash had taken more pleasure than he should when she’d declined the driver’s offer and told him she would be staying at Ash’s place.

While Kayla had gathered items for an overnight bag, Ash took the opportunity to call Phin to let him know Kayla wouldn’t be returning to the office.

The conversation hadn’t gone well.

“What the fuck was she doing with you?” Phin had asked.

“Do you even know your boss?”

“You should have ditched her and paid the piper later. That’s what I’d do and I’m still standing.”

“Ditched her how, exactly? Kicked her out of my car? Tied her up? Knocked out her driver?”

“Uh, yeah.”

Gritting his teeth, Ash said, “This is a courtesy call, bro. Not an invitation for you to read me the riot act. Something I already know by heart.”

Phin’s tone changed. Softened, as understanding overtook his worry. “What can I do?”

“Keep things running at the firm for a few days.”

“No problem. I have a go-bag in my car for times when I work late and don’t want to trek home. Give me thirty minutes to finish up a few things here, and I’ll relieve you of duty.”

“Don’t worry about it. We’re at her place now, gathering some personal items, then we’re headed back to my apartment.”

“She’s staying with you?”

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