Page 71 of His Captive Pet

“Jorge’s dead.”

“Yeah. He is.”

“His wife, is she okay?”

“Yes. Trevor checked on her. She’s fine, so is her little girl. The police are still questioning her, but they aren’t likely to press any charges.”

“And the rest of the dogs?” She fiddled with the edge of the blanket.

“Are you asking me, or your hands?” He tried to put some light into his voice, but she didn’t respond. “They’ve been taken to your clinic. I talked with your boss, assured her that the clinic is going to have some extra security until the dogs can be treated and homes can be found.”

“Those dogs are too far gone. They would have torn us apart if he’d let them out.”

She was probably right. If she was, they’d have to be put down. He wished he could shelter her from the pain of knowing as much as she did.

A tear dropped onto her hand, and she sniffled. He moved to her side, wrapping an arm around her shoulders, but she shook him off. Of course, she wouldn’t want his comfort since he was the cause. He’d failed her.

“The nurse is here. She’s going to get you checked out while I get the car. I’ll meet you in front.” He wanted to touch her, to feel her, but she only nodded, giving him no signal she wanted him. “Okay.” He gave a curt nod to the nurse and went for the car.

The drive to his condo could not have been more awkward than if he had just picked her up off the side of the road. She pressed herself against the seat, away from him and stared out the window. He suspected the only reason she’d agreed to go home with him was because Samuel was at his place, and the reality was she had nowhere else to go.

When they entered his condo, Samuel came bounding for them, jumping onto Aubree and licking her until she laughed from it.

“I’m okay, it’s okay. I’m okay,” she reassured him, petting him and kissing the top of his head. “Are you okay?” she asked, turning her attention to him, checking him over. “Did you take him to the clinic?”

“No, he looked good. Animal control released him to Devin after they took a look.” Blake squatted down beside her, petting Samuel with her and trying to find some way to apologize. But how do you say you’re sorry for almost letting the love of your life get killed without sounding like an ass?

His hand brushed hers over Samuel’s back, and she stiffened.

“I’m really tired,” she whispered and stood up, walking through the living room to the stairs.

“Do you want to take a bath first? I can fill the tub.”

She didn’t turn around, just walked up the steps. “I’ll take a shower and get in bed.”

His girl wouldn’t even look at him. How could he get through to her if she wouldn’t even look at him?

“Okay, then.” He stood in his living room, watching her walk up the stairs. Time. He’d give her some time then he’d go to her and pull her in his arms and promise never to let anything like that happen to her again. He’d be more diligent; he’d be more watchful.

After an hour of talking with Greg about the bar and what would come next with getting Aubree in touch with her house insurance, he decided she’d had enough time alone. He climbed up the stairs, flicking off the lights as he went.

He passed the bathroom and went to his room. Pushing the door open, he readied himself to talk with her and to take in her anger and disappointment.

His bed was empty.

With a heavy feeling in his stomach, he went to the guest bedroom and opened the door. Sound asleep, she had the blanket pulled up to her chin, and her hair, still wet from the shower, splayed out on the pillow.

Samuel lifted his head up and started to get up, but Blake gestured for him to stay.

“She needs you. You stay here with her,” he said and shut the door.

She would never forgive him.

Chapter Thirty

Aubree adjusted her sunglasses on her nose. The morning sun blinded her as she made her way to the clinic. She had called Stephanie when she woke up and told her she’d be over to talk about returning to work.

Blake had been in the shower when she’d slipped out of the condo, but she had left him a note. She couldn’t face him yet. Not after seeing how withdrawn he was at the hospital. She’d broken any trust he had in her, and it wouldn’t be easily fixed.

---