Page 123 of I Am Salvation

“Okay. I’ll take the dogs down, let them out, and then feed them. After I find a kennel.”

“Okay.”

I can’t help but watch her as she walks into the bathroom, still naked. God, she’s a beauty. How did I ever get so lucky?

All of this…

All of this is going to cost so much money.

And today is Thursday. I’m supposed to go back to Denver so I can start that job this evening.

Probably won’t happen at this point.

Should I call Antonio now? Or should I wait?

Fuck. Griffin is more important than all of this. People are usually pretty understanding when you invoke the words family emergency.

And if I lose the job, I lose the job. I’ll get another one.

I do a quick search to find a kennel that’s open and make arrangements to drop the dogs off in the next half hour or so.

Then, though I’m tempted to join Diana in the shower, I wait until she’s done. We don’t have time for sex right now, as much as I’d love to.

I give her a quick kiss as she’s drying off and then get into the shower myself. Once I’m done, I get out, dry off, get dressed.

The dogs are both yapping.

Diana scratches her head. “They’re acting weird, Dragon. Didn’t you take them out?”

“Fuck. I forgot. They need to be fed too.”

“I’ll take care of it. You get dressed.”

“Thanks, baby. I owe you one.”

Owe her one? What a laugh. I owe this woman everything.

And if it takes me the rest of my life, I’ll repay every bit.

When Diana returns, I’m fully dressed, and I’ve packed everything up in my duffel. “Are you packed up?” I ask.

“It’ll just take me a sec. Where are the dogs going?”

“It’s called Taos Kennel Club, a couple of blocks over. They can take them for the next couple of days, but they need permission to vaccinate them.”

Diana presses her lips together. “Are they above board? Will they be treated well?”

“I didn’t have time to check out everything, Diana, but I’m sure they’ll be fine. The place had decent reviews, and they insist on making sure they’re up to date on their shots. Since I didn’t know if they were, they said they offer the service.”

She twists her lips. “I just hate to leave them.”

“Look. If you want to stay with them, stay with them. I understand. This isn’t your fight. It’s mine. You should stay here where you’re safe.”

She swallows. “Don’t start with this again.” She places a gentle hand on my cheek. “You’re no longer alone in the world, Dragon. You’re not an island. You have someone who cares about you. Who loves you. Who wants to protect you.”

I look down. “You’re not supposed to protect me, Diana. I’m supposed to protect you. And I’ve done a lousy job protecting the people I love.”

“Dragon, you were eight years old. You couldn’t have protected your baby sister if you’d tried. But you can protect me. And I can protect you as well.”

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