Page 17 of Ruthless Beasts

“Do you want to throw the ball for her?” Mercer asked, holding up the slobber-covered ball.

I reached out and took it, happy to play with her. I never had a dog, but I always wanted one. My father always thought pets were useless unless they served a purpose. No dog meant to guard could be affective if a single treat made them beg. Maybe it wasn’t a pet I wanted, just affection, because I would beg for that and my father still found me useless until he found a purpose for me to serve.

My hand went to my stomach as I closed my eyes, fighting against the feelings that came with that thought. He really went the extra mile to get what he wanted. That thought soured my mood a little, but I couldn’t dwell on things I couldn’t change.

“Where you at?” Mercer asked, a brow rose in question.

“What do you mean?” I blinked a few times, clearing my mind before meeting his eyes. I didn’t miss his eyes roaming from my hand to my eyes.

No.

I dropped my hand quickly, then distracted him by throwing the ball. After throwing it, I watched Lady run after it before I answered, “Just thinking.”

His eyes landed on my stomach for a moment, “Care to share?”

“No.” I sighed. “Your housekeeper seems nice.”

Nice change of subject,I thought,a neutral ground.He laughed. “When she’s not busting our balls about something.”

“She would never.” I shook my head, laughing. “She’s sweet.”

“Give it time,” Ace added, not taking his eyes off the dog. “He won’t let you keep her.”

“I’m not dropping her off at the pound.” Mercer picked up the pup, laying kisses on the lucky girl's face before continuing the conversation with his friend. “Besides, when I can’t take her along with me, she could keep Bellamy company, right? The two girls in the house, bonding?”

I was torn between fear of getting attached, just to have it ripped away, and joy at getting to be part of having a real dog. It was my childhood dream come true. “Do you mean it?”

“Sure.” He beamed at the dog. “Plus, I’ve already got everything for her. I can’t take it all back just because Adam is a killjoy.”

Ace held up his hands. “That’s your battle, then. Good luck.”

Mercer handed the dog to me. Her weight was light for something that would someday grow into a beast of a thing. I laughed as she squirmed in my hands before placing a kiss on her head. Then I sat her down, running around playfully so she could catch me.

Fifteen minutes of playing with the pup, and I was more worn out than she was. I snatched her up, laying too many kisses on her head, before offering her up to Mercer. “Your lady, good sir.”

Amusement danced in his eyes as he reached for the pup. “She thanks thee for draining some energy.”

“Drained.” I laughed. “No. That girl is ready for round two.”

He held the puppy up, kissing her aggressively. “Energy like your daddy. We could go all night, can’t we, baby?”

“Bruh,” Ace spat, “you can’t say that with her here.”

“What?” Mercer asked, like he hadn’t even realized what had left his mouth. When he processed it, his eyes went big. “Shit. Sorry.”

“He’ll have your head in a sack if he hears you talking like that.”

“He’ll never know.” He tucked his dog under his arm before he turned toward the house, signaling playtime was over.

He’ll never know. Except when I looked up, feeling the weight of eyes on me and seeing my husband standing there, his eyes hard as they watched, I had a feeling he knew more than we thought.

CHAPTER SEVEN

MERCER

I woke to the cold tongue of a puppy lapping at my face. I kept my eyes closed and let her lavish me with attention for a minute, then I wrapped my arm around the fur ball and rolled, play wrestling with her. I always wanted a dog. The time and place never seemed to align, but if not now, when? When would I allow myself to have just a single joy in this life if I didn’t finally give in?

My mother would have loved her, I think. She always was an animal person.

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