Page 69 of His Captive Pet

He held his wife against the bars and dug out the key to the kennel. Samuel barked and pulled at the chain holding him to the floor in the center of the room.

The barking boomed in the room, bouncing off the walls, mingling with growls and Aubree’s screams. If Jorge got that door open, the dog would go straight for Samuel. He’d been trained; he would ignore them all until Samuel was put down.

Aubree twisted to the right, kicking at her captor’s knees then sank her teeth into his bare arm. He let out a howl, but she didn’t let him loose until he gripped her arm. Then she jerked to the left, going after the second guard. He released her as soon as she bared her teeth, but not before she managed to swipe the pistol from the back of his jeans.

He should have kept his weapon a bit more secure. Idiot. He could have dropped it when he fell. And he did fall, right after Aubree swung her foot up into his groin.

Aubree held the pistol with two hands, her finger poised on the trigger. The guard backed away, hands up in the air, his ass still on the floor.

“Fucking crazy bitch,” Jorge yelled and pulled his own weapon from his pants.

Aubree turned her attention to him.

“I’m going to shoot your fucking dog,” he announced and moved his aim from her to Samuel. Aubree didn’t think, she didn’t breathe, or blink. She just pulled.

A bright flash of light, followed by the echoing of a blast before nothing. A dull ringing in her ears, but no sound. She opened her eyes.

Jorge lay on the floor holding his knee, blood seeping through his fingers, his mouth agape. Was he screaming? Why couldn’t she hear him screaming? The dogs were jumping in their cages, but she couldn’t hear a single bark.

The two men she’d freed herself from remained on the floor, staring at the scene, confused on what to do.

“Aubree!” Faintly she heard her name. Turning to the exit, she saw Blake run through the door. He took in the scene as Trevor and Devin ran up behind him.

“Fuck you, bitch.” The words sounded warped, but she heard them then saw Jorge crawl toward the door of the nearest cage. The dog inside bared his teeth showing his white fangs. “Kill!” Jorge yelled over and over again as he worked his key into the lock.

Aubree aimed again.

“Aubree, no!”

Another loud crack, louder ringing in her ears.

But she hadn’t pulled.

Aubree opened her eyes to find Jorge’s wife standing over him, his gun in her hands. Jorge lay limp on the ground, blood starting to pool around his head. The dogs were dancing in their cages, wanting to get out, wanting a taste. Samuel pulled at his chain, trying to get to Blake.

Blake stared at Aubree, his features contorted in fury and confusion. Her hands shook, her whole body trembled until he stepped to her. The men on the floor scrambled further away.

Her head throbbed, the pounding mixed with the ringing. She couldn’t quite catch her breath. When had the air conditioner kicked on?

Blake put his hand over the gun, gently prying it from her grip and tucking it in the back of his pants. He brushed her hair away from her face. More men swarmed the room, armed and wearing tactical gear.

“Well, shit,” one of them said, sounding disappointed they’d missed the action.

“I shot him in the knee,” Aubree said, not looking away from Blake. He nodded. “Samuel.” She pulled back, running to her dog. “He has the key.” She pointed at Jorge while trying to pull the chain free.

“Okay, it’s okay. We’ll get him unchained.” Blake put his hands on her shoulders.

“He was going to shoot Samuel,” she yelled, still unable to hear herself clearly. Her face was wet. Why was she wet?

“Blake, get her out of here,” a deep voice commanded from behind her.

“No.” She shoved at Blake’s legs, but he was unmovable. Like always.

“I’ll get the dog.” Another voice, familiar but so far away.

She tried to yank on the chain once more, but she found herself being lifted up. She wanted to struggle, she meant to twist her way free, but she was so tired. So weak.

“Wait. The woman.”

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