Page 62 of Claim

I’m not sure who’s scarier, Mikhail or the terrifying sound of a giant dog galloping closer.

A massive black head followed by a body the size of a horse rockets over the white tile and skids to a stop when it sees me.

Huge jowls pull back to show teeth that seem as long as my fingers when it hunches with a low growl.

“Enough,” Mikhail snaps.

The enormous black dog falls onto his haunches and pants, looking up at his master.

“Ana, meet Hades.” Mikhail reaches out and scratches between the short ears.

“Is he friendly?” I’m not so sure about this. His jaw looks big enough to take off one of my legs in a single bite.

“He is to me. But he won’t bite unless I give him the command. You’re safe.” Mikhail lifts our bags onto his shoulder and steps past Hades.

Who then fixes his eyes on me.

His nose flexes and he stands, inching closer hesitantly.

I am a statue. I’m not sure if I should even move.

“Are you a good puppy? You aren’t going to eat me, are you?” I flatten my palm and hold up so he can sniff me.

Hades pushes at it, leaving a cold wet smear on my knuckles when he pushes his head into my reach.

“You want petting? I can give good scratches.” My nails dig lightly through his short fur over his neck.

Then his tail starts wagging, then his body.

Before I know it, I have a nearly two hundred pound dog flipping onto his back with his tongue lolling as I scratch his chest.

“Traitor.” Mikhail laughs when he reappears. “I suppose that means you’re friends. He generally doesn’t let anyone touch him.”

“Everyone loves a good belly rub.” I smile as I stand, then chase after Mikhail, wrapping my arms around him to run my fingers over his tight abs.

“I think you’re right.” He pauses mid stride, then grasps my wrist to push my hand lower to where his cock is hardening in his pants.

I let out a shriek when he whips around and tosses me over his shoulder.

“Let me show you where the master suite is, and where I have an itch you can scratch.”

CHAPTER 28

MIKHAIL

I’m not sure why,but I’m more nervous than she is.

Probably because my family still thinks that I’m dead.

Enzo has arranged for everyone to meet in my office with the express purpose of sharing news about my whereabouts.

“Expect some reactions,” I whisper to Ana as we step off the elevator. “They don’t know I’m alive.”

She stops in the middle of the hall and clutches my sleeve. “What? Why? How could you not tell them?”

I grip her cheeks between my palms and make her look up at me. “I died to save you. I had to disappear.” Curling my hand behind her neck, I pull her to my chest. “But you’ve made me feel more alive than I have in years. This will make things quite…interesting. Don’t mind my sister, she hates being out of the loop.”

“Oh my god, this is gonna suck.” Ana’s face pales as she walks next to me.

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