Page 44 of His Captive Pet

Control. He needed to get that shit under control.

He grabbed his phone, ready to call Greg and check in on the bar. Making sure Greg was on solid ground would keep him from spiraling.

“Blake?”

He looked out the front window. No one. The voice was too deep to be Aubree, but maybe she was trying to trick him.

He shoved his phone back in his back pocket and threw open the front door. He made it off the porch in two strides and looked around.

“Oh, damn.” A familiar voice.

Blake sighed.

Trevor.

He jogged around the side of the house and found Trevor standing ten paces in front of the kennel. Aubree stood in the back corner, covering herself as best she could with her arms. The leash had been removed and tossed in the corner, but he wouldn’t chastise her for that.

“Trevor,” Blake called, stepping up to him.

“What is with you and my brother?” Trevor turned halfway to face him, jerking a thumb at the captive woman. His expression was half-amused and half-annoyed at finding Aubree locked up.

“What’s with you showing up where you’re not supposed to be? I told Devin I didn’t want anyone down here.” Blake didn’t explain the situation. Aubree’s eyes were wide, watching them, but he wouldn’t put her at ease, either. Maybe the discomfort would get through to her.

“I just came down to give you a message. Greg called looking for you; he couldn’t get through to your phone.”

Blake checked his phone; no service.

“What’s wrong with Greg?” Aubree asked, stepping closer to the fence.

“Let’s go in the cabin.”

“No. Wait. What’s wrong with Greg?” She kicked the fence, making it rattle.

Blake shot her a warning glance and motioned for Trevor to ignore her and go inside.

“Did she try to stab you, too?” Trevor asked on a laugh as he plopped himself down on the couch once inside.

“No. She’s just—fuck, Trevor, I’ve never met a woman so stubborn as her.”

“Yeah, you have, you just didn’t care to notice.”

“What’s with Greg?” Just because he’d realized how he felt about the hellcat out there didn’t mean he was ready to do any talking about it.

“Your little pet’s townhouse is leveled. An officer came to the bar poking around about her, but when Greg asked to actually see the badge he flashed, he took off.”

“I don’t want this falling back on the bar or Greg. I’ll call him, tell him to close up shop for a few days until we get back.”

“He’s a big boy, Blake. He can handle things until this blows over.”

“And if these assholes go after the bar, trying to draw her out? If this cop was looking for her there, then they’ve made the connection between us.” Blake rubbed his eyes. He hadn’t slept much of the night. Every sound he heard woke him, and he hadn’t been able to get back to sleep until he checked on Aubree. She had shivered most of the night, and if she had asked him for a blanket, he would have given her one. But she wouldn’t ask.

Typical.

Trevor leaned forward, putting his hands flat on his knees. “If they’ve made that connection, then the bar could be at risk, you’re right. But having him shut it down doesn’t change that risk. It only shows them you’re scared.”

“What are we supposed to do? Just hide up here until something changes back there? I can’t risk taking her back to the city, she’s too unreliable.”

“So, keeping her locked up here is your best bet.” Trevor nodded. The sarcastic grin didn’t get past Blake.

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