Page 123 of Assassin

If he could have one wish, it would be to stop wars, and no one having to die for a flag.

Or piece of paper.

Coming out here to feed his horses always made him feel a million times better. Animals were pure spirits, and they were always decent.

They loved unconditionally and were perfect.

As the dog barked nonstop, Poe sighed.

Well, they were perfect except for the random junkyard dog that someone dumped on his property.

Case in point, one of the residents of his property. The mangy beast was his now, and he was surly and bitchy.

While he didn’t advocate dumping animals, Rufus was a special kind of annoying. He had to say his name a thousand times a day.

Rufus, don’t piss on the horse’s leg.

Rufus, don’t try to eat the ducks.

Rufus…

It was never ending.

Like now.

“Rufus, don’t annoy the horses,” he said, as the mutt did just that like he had no common sense.

Because he didn’t.

To get the work done, Poe dumped grain in their buckets, and jumped when Rufus went insane, barking like a crazed dog.

He turned so fast, and standing in the opening of the barn was Gamble.

The man was leaning against the doorjamb but had found the strength to get down there.

That was impressive.

“Rufus, stop!” he ordered, but the dog went running at Gamble, and he had to chase him.

Gamble had tried to sleep, but he heard the sounds from outside the man’s home, and he’d been curious.

As Rufus ran at him, Gamble crouched down, landing on his ass when he tipped backward.

When he did hit the ground, Rufus was on him, and Poe nearly had a heart attack.

The dog was barking, and on the man.

“Oh, Jesus,” he muttered, finally reaching him, only to find Rufus was indeed attacking.

With his tongue.

He was licking Gamble, and the man was being mauled with dog drool. His laughter filled the barn, and it was warm, enticing, and something Poe had yet to hear before now.

“I’m so sorry,” he said, grabbing Rufus by the collar and pulling him off of Gamble.

It wasn’t easy either.

He kept explaining.

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