Page 6 of Caught in the Crossfire

And maybe Nicole would be as dead as the real estate agent.

“I knew something was wrong. She’d never leave Cosmo that long.” Nicole raised her head. “What am I going to do about Cosmo? Going to a shelter is out of the question. He hates to be caged.”

“We’ll figure something out. My first priority is you.” Mason loosened his hold and nodded at the EMTs.

“But Cosmo is in my SUV.”

“I’d take him home with me, but my apartment complex doesn’t allow pets.” Dawn moved aside.

“Can you take him with you, Mason?” Nicole gripped his hand. “Please?”

“I didn’t drive here.” He should have insisted. “I was repairing a leak at Lincoln Creed’s home when Ethan called. Linc drove me.”

Dawn’s eyes widened. “He’s here?” Her cheeks flushed.

Huh. That was interesting. Mason wondered if the groomer was interested in his friend. Linc’s voice drifted up the stairs as he spoke with Ethan and the flush on Dawn’s cheeks deepened.

Maybe Linc would help out with Cosmo. If that wasn’t possible, he’d find someone else to foster Cosmo for a few days until he and Nicole found permanent accommodations for him.

Mason stood and kissed the back of Nicole’s hand before releasing her to allow the EMTs access to her. “I might have a temporary solution for Cosmo. I’ll be back in a minute.”

He glanced into the master bedroom as he walked toward the stairs. His hands fisted when he saw the blood-splattered room and Riva’s torn and bloody clothing. Who would do that to her, to any woman? Ethan and Linc turned toward Mason as he descended the stairs.

“How’s Nicole?” Linc asked.

“She has a cut on her head that might need stitches.”

“I’ll drive you to the hospital so you can be with her. Nicole shouldn’t be alone.”

Mason stared at him as goosebumps surged up his back, and the truth hit him with the force of a blow from a sledgehammer. Nicole wasn’t safe.

CHAPTER THREE

Mason moved closer to Ethan so his voice wouldn’t carry upstairs to the women. “Is Nicole in danger?”

“She’s a loose end.”

A loose end a desperate man might kill to silence. What had Riva stumbled into? Mason’s jaw clenched. No matter what it was, no one was going to hurt Nicole again. They’d have to go through him first.

“Smooth, Ethan,” Linc muttered with a dark look at the police chief.

“He needs to know the truth. Nicole isn’t safe. For that matter, her friend isn’t safe, either.”

The PSI instructor frowned. “Who’s her friend?”

“Dawn Metcalf,” Mason answered. “She works at Pet Palace. Dawn’s upstairs with Nicole.”

“She came with Nicole to bring Cosmo to Riva.” Ethan glanced toward the open front door. Cosmo barked continuously. “I’ll have to contact the humane association. We can’t leave him in Nicole’s vehicle.”

Mason sighed. “You can’t send him to the shelter. Cosmo hates being crated. Would you be willing to house Cosmo temporarily?”

Ethan shook his head. “My work schedule is too erratic, and I can’t saddle Serena with more responsibility. What about Alex? He already has a Lab. He might be willing to take Cosmo in for a few days.”

Alex Morgan was one of Rio’s teammates. His Lab, Spenser, loved socializing with other dogs. “That’s a great idea. Spenser would have a blast with Cosmo.”

“I’ll call him,” Linc said. “If he agrees, would Josh be able to drop off Cosmo?”

“That shouldn’t be a problem. Josh patrols that area anyway.”

---