Page 120 of All In

“That, she is.” Tanner laughs, sitting down right in the middle of the floor next to Laken and the mutt.

I vaguely wonder if my blood pressure is high enough to be dangerous.

I don’t want to go out from a stroke.

“She’s trained in English,” Gunner says, walking over to join the group. “You hear a lot about needing to use another language to ensure no one else can give them commands, but that’s bullshit. If your dog is confident enough in their training, they’re simply going to disregard commands from anyone who isn’t you. She’s also proficient in hand signals?—”

“At least, for those twelve initial commands,” Maverick says, squatting down. “She was bred for companionship, just like Nova. She’ll be most content when she can keep her eyes on you.”

“On me?” Laken gasps, her stunning eyes widening. “Is she my gift?”

Maverick and Gunner swivel their gaze to meet mine, and I already know I’m fucked. Just by the look of happiness on Laken’s face and the way the bond buzzes with her excitement.

I force a smile that feels very much like a grimace and focus on blocking my fury from the bond. Their fuckup now has lasting consequences on my life.

Maverick and Gunner better pray they run while Laken is distracted.

I’m going to need a live-in housekeeper.

Possibly two.

A day and a night shift.

Maybe three.

One specifically to follow the mutt around and vacuum up any hair she sheds.

“She’s for you,” Tanner says, like he wants to focus my ire on him when he was finally out of my peripheral vision.

Laken squeals, and the beast lets out a playful bark that’s cuter than it should be, under the circumstances.

I’m going to need an entirely new wardrobe to be kept in a new building on the property where that mutt isn’t allowed access. I wasn’t lying when I told Laken I often have compulsions, and unless I want to obsessively lint roller myself throughout the day…

I’m going to need to get creative.

“What a lovely gift,” I deadpan, glaring at Maverick and Gunner.

“She really is,” Laken agrees, completely unaware of my ire.

I take a deep breath, roll my shoulders back, and aim for the basement.

I have some anger to work off.

“I thought you didn’t like to get your hands dirty?” Locke chuckles as I rinse the blood from my forearms.

I already pulled off my gloves, but there was some splatter…

I scoff. “Make no mistake, I have no problem with gore. I generally work up to this level of carnage, but I’m annoyed.”

My face morphs into a frown.

Why am I suddenly sharing my feelings with Laken’s new alpha?

“On the bright side, we’ve got a wealth of information sooner rather than later,” Locke says. “That’s a positive.”

I concede he’s right with a nod of agreement. “I need to speak to Mercer and pass along the details Braxton spilled about your family’s holdings in New York.”

Adair and Kurran were given sanctuary, first by Braxton, then by Locke’s younger brother, Avan. I expected as much, but having verification is always nice.

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