Page 100 of Emerald Malice

I walk around them, marveling at how easy that was. As I venture closer, Remi jumps to alertness, watching me with his hackles raised.

As if the dog needs to be worried about me.

“Whoa, buddy,” Natalia whispers sweetly. “You’re okay.”

He eases back down, and I resist the urge to roll my eyes. “He’s yours.”

Her hand freezes on his collar. “You are shitting me.”

“I most definitely am not.”

She looks at Remi in disbelief. He looks right back at her. I watch it happen right before my eyes—true fucking love.

Which brings me to a new all-time low.

First, I was jealous of that deadbeat numbskull, Byron. Now, I’m jealous of a goddamn dog.

A dog who’s staring daggers at me, oblivious to the fact that it was my damn money that bought him the golden ticket to his cushy new life.

“What’s wrong, pretty boy?” Natalia murmurs fondly. “Why are you so worked up?”

“He’s a guard dog,” I say. “He’s doing what he’s trained to do: protect you.”

Natalia looks over at Leonty, who’s slinking away in the direction of the big house. “I already have a four-man security detail for that.”

“Yeah, well, this security guard—” I gesture towards Remi. “—is the only one I will tolerate in your bed.”

She smiles and continues to pat the dog’s side.

“I figured you could use some companionship,” I add, throwing caution to the wind. “I was hoping he’d make you feel less… lonely.” Her eyes meet mine and something unreadable flashes across them. “He’s also been trained as a support animal. Specializing in PTSD.”

Her cheeks go scarlet. This is the first time I’ve ever brought up her catatonic episode. She shuffles from one foot to the other, focusing on Remi every time she wants to avoid looking at me.

“Okay,” is all she seems capable of saying.

I take a step towards her, ignoring Remi when he bares his teeth at me. “I know you’ve been struggling, lastochka. I’m not ignorant to your pain. I want to do what I can to help.”

Reluctantly, she drags her gaze to mine.

“My priority is that you are safe—but you should know that I want you to be happy, too. I don’t want you to feel so alone.”

Her face softens. The resentment in her eyes dims behind a tentative smile. “He’s a beautiful dog,” she says softly. “Thank you.”

I clear my throat. “At the moment, he only follows commands in Russian. But it shouldn’t be too much trouble to ask Leif or Leonty to teach you some basic phrases. Why don’t you take him for a walk around the grounds, show him his new home?”

Her face falls—or at least, I think it does—but before I can double check, she’s bending to fasten the leash back around Remi’s collar.

“Um… would you like to join us?”

I want nothing more. Which is why I wave her off. “You go ahead.”

She nods sadly, as though she expected nothing else. “Come on, Remi. Let’s take a little walk, shall we?”

“Maybe another time,” I hear myself call after her.

She stops on the spot and glances at me over her shoulder. Her face is unreadable for a moment.

Then, to my surprise… she smiles.

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