Page 33 of Tech

I nod. "I know, I came to that conclusion on my flight to California."

She squeezes my hand again, and I look at her. Her brows are furrowed, and she asks, "If you've come to that conclusion, then why haven't you spoken to him? He's spent the past week in the basement beating up the brothers. He's hurting, Brook, and uh, honestly, I hate seeing my man with bruises all over him."

There's an undertone to her voice, a bit of a bite, and I can't blame her. I wanted to contact James, and planned to do so when I got home. I'm not really sure what I was going to say, but I knew we had to talk.

I love him so much, and I sigh at the thought of not having him.

"His momma showed up at my clinic yesterday," I admit, causing Sarah's head to swing my way. I look at her and state, "With Nina," then look back at Josy, who's currently stretching in preparation for her race.

Nina.

She still looked like a plastic Barbie doll, but with black hair, and had way too much Botox. She waltzed into my practice like she owned the place, looking smug. Carol, at least, had the decency to look a little guilty.

Not that I believed it; anyone who associates with the bitch is just as bad.

"Okay, Sammy, I think you'll be ready to go home today, boy, and when I say home, I mean to the farm," I whisper to the labrador at my feet. He wags his golden tail, not bothered by the cone around his neck, or that he's now missing his front left leg.

I was driving home from the airport when I found him lying on the road. I spent twelve hours in surgery, trying to save his leg, but I failed. I managed to get a hold of the owner, and apparently, they can't take him back, so now he's mine.

Shadow met him this morning, and they get along, as do her pups, which is a bonus, especially Ivy, because she followed him everywhere until I put him back in his crate. Even now, she’s asleep in the corner, refusing to leave with Sammy still here.

Sammy licks my chin, making me giggle.

Suddenly, the door chimes out front, causing Ivy to look up, her ears twitching.

I stroke Sammy’s head and say, "I'll be right back, boy," before shutting his cage door, and heading out front to see who it is.

I'm technically not open until next week, since I've been in training.

I walk through the door, saying, "Sorry, but we're closed," but pause mid-step when I look up and see James' momma and the woman he kissed, or who kissed him, looking around my practice with a sneer.

I cross my arms over my chest and furrow my brows; the woman looks familiar.

Tilting my head, I ask, "If you haven't got an animal in dire need of a vet, then I suggest you turn around and get out of my practice."

The woman smirks while Carol furrows her brows. She's wearing a blouse and suit skirt, looking completely out of place in my practice, while the bitch is in a mini dress that looks more for the bedroom than out in public.

The woman steps forward and raises a perfect brow at me, stating, "My name is Nina. I'm James' girlfriend. I've come here to tell you to leave him the hell alone." She looks me up and down, sneering at my scrubs. “I suggest you forget he even exists."

I raise a brow, and it hits me— Nina, flipping Nina from high school.

I scoff and look at Carol. Guilt etches her features before it disappears, and she straightens herself, agreeing with the bitch, "Nina is right, Brook. I know you're a lovely girl, but my boy belongs to her, not you. They've been together since they were kids. It's best you don't come back to the club, and uh, I'm sorry, sweetheart, but he wants the cut back."

Nina tenses, her eyes narrowing, and I just nod, trying not to laugh in their face at their failed intimidation.

If James wanted his cut back, he would have mentioned it in the dozens of messages and voicemails he's left, pleading and begging for me to hear him out.

A growl echoes behind me, and I turn slightly to see Ivy slowly walking into the room, before sitting her ass right by my leg, her eyes trained on the two women. I look toward them to see both have paled, their eyes on my dark gray German Shepherd. I smirk.

I clear my throat, placing my hand on Ivy’s head, and lie, "I've already given it to Sniper, so I'm pretty sure he's already handed it back to James."

Like I'd give that to them. It has the nickname he gave me on the right breast. Besides, I need something to remember the happy times with him, along with two of his sweatshirts, and two of his t-shirts.

I can't just switch my feelings off, heck, Blue whines every time I put James’ shirt on, missing him too.

Carol's eyes darken with anger, and she opens her mouth, but I raise a brow and say, "Shut the door on your way out, or I let her go; your little show of intimidation doesn’t work on me."

With one last look at them both, I turn and leave them to stew in anger, whistling for Ivy to follow. She growls once more before I feel her body press against my legs as the front door chimes then slams shut, but I don’t look back.

---