Page 52 of Strictly Forbidden

While the whiskey was supposed to soothe my nerves, it did very little when we had everything to lose, and the fuckers had everything to gain.

I watched her sleep, wishing things hadn’t turned out this way. As I leaned back, reflective moments shot into my system. Most I never wanted to think about, but the good ones, including training Max were special as fuck. Snorting, I took another sip of my drink. It was crazy to think I was sitting here with a gorgeous woman on the run with the pup I’d spent five amazing months training. I’d seen the look in his eyes the moment he’d seen me.

He’d been struggling with his sense of duty and the bond we’d developed. Could some consider me jealous for the quick closeness he now had with Noel? I’d be lying if I said no. I rubbed my finger across my mouth, now watching his chest rise and fall. I would never forget the first night he climbed onto the shitty-ass cot I was forced to sleep on. At least I’d been given a private cell. I’d come up in the world. The memory was indeed bittersweet.

God, I hated memories.

The darkness in the cell was always oppressive but more so tonight. Max was uneasy, whimpering as quietly as he could. I could feel his fear. It was the same disturbed feeling I’d had the first few nights after being tossed into the joint. I’d become hardened. I didn’t want that for my boy.

My boy.

I had to stop thinking that way. The fur baby with the horrific scars was only on loan. I remained on my back, staring up at nothing in the dark. Lights out. Forced sleep. As if at night the nightmares didn’t take hold, pushing me into a fitful fight with invisible creatures. I’d learned to control them over the years, if only so my roommate wouldn’t beat the shit out of me.

Or attempt to.

That had occurred once and the fucker had learned, his broken nose a testament to my capabilities even in my rocky state of sleep.

Max thumped his tail against the cold cement floor. He’d been provided with a bed, although I wouldn’t call it good enough for my… for the boy. But he refused to touch it. As his whimpers became louder, I couldn’t take it any longer. My heart ached for all he’d been through. We were two damaged souls hoping for a better life. I was worried we couldn’t make a real go of this. He was slow to warm up and four days had already passed. At least he was no longer growling or cowering in the corner.

I had no doubt we were both praying the ugliness that we’d endured would go away.

“Max. Come here, boy. I’ll make room.” I tried to move as much as possible, giving him at least a small space to curl up his big body, but I was a big boy myself. At six foot five, two hundred and thirty pounds, there wasn’t a whole lot of room for my long legs.

He whined for another two seconds then became very quiet. I was certain he wasn’t going to take me up on my offer. As soon as I heard his collar rattle, a smile crossed my face. And when he jumped up on my legs, somehow managing to nestle himself in the crook of my arm, his spine against the wall and his head on my chest, I felt more at peace than I had in years. Long, horrible years.

I closed my eyes and within seconds, I could hear the pup snoring. Maybe we could do this after all.

I took another gulp of whiskey as the memory faded. After that night, we’d become inseparable, the pup responding to every command as if he’d been born to become a support dog. Almost immediately I’d fallen in love with him, the weight that had been strangling for so long slowly fading. I’d had hope, something I’d never wanted to feel again.

And now? Was it all going to be taken away in a moment?

Whatever happened, I couldn’t allow either the beautiful woman or the dog I so adored to be hurt or killed. I’d do anything in my power to stop it.

And if that meant burning down an entire city, stringing the entire mob family and his soldiers up in the city square, then that’s what I’d do.

No one fucked with the people I cared about.

Not any longer.

They had no idea the kind of man I’d become.

I snickered at the thought, fighting off the other visions that I could no longer tolerate.

Of a past that I’d worked so hard to get over, one I’d loved with everything inside of me. Now I was no longer capable of love. Besides, someone like Noel needed a decent, solid man who could provide her with the world if she wanted it. That wasn’t me.

The drink was suddenly empty and I wasn’t feeling any better. As I grabbed the bottle, filling the entire fucking glass with liquor, Max lifted his head.

He used to stare into my eyes for long periods during those times when I thought for certain I was going to lose my shit. He’d been able to calm the beast inside with nothing more than that look.

The very one he was giving me now.

It had also reminded me that all broken things could be fixed one way or another.

I lifted my glass in his direction, fighting an emotion that I loathed.

Sadness and despair.

“You’re a great boy, Max. You found a wonderful mistress and mama dog. I’m happy for you both.” And I was secretly thrilled I had at least a little while longer to spend with both of them. Shit. Now guilt was rushing in, replacing any fucking worthless concept of sadness.

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