Page 112 of The Enforcer

Magnum was beside himself, knocking me all the way to the floor in his bout of joy. He licked every inch of my face, constantly squealing and I knew the larger-than-life man was watching our interaction intently.

Finally, as Magnum started to come down from his adorable high, I shifted onto my butt on the floor, peering up at Christos. “How did you do this? Why? I mean… This is crazy.”

“Well, I assure you he didn’t suffer during the flight. I think it was the first time in history a dog has had a private jet all to himself. Complete with the pampering I might add. And don’t worry, Luca made certain the people he sent to retrieve your beautiful pup gathered his bed, food, toys, leash. Everything I could think of, but we’ll buy whatever you need.”

I honestly had no idea what to say, although another moment of stark realization hit me. No matter what I said to him, his intention was to keep me right here.

With him.

Magnum followed me, bumping into my leg as I half jogged into the living room. Seeing his fluffy bed and toys strewn about from where he’d already been playing with them brought both joy and sadness into my mind.

And my heart.

I wasn’t equipped to be able to deal with the range of emotions tearing through me.

When Christos entered the room, Magnum stopped moving altogether, his tail no longer wagging. He turned as if an intruder had entered the house. While there was no growl, I knew my pup well enough to realize he was determined to make his own decision about whether the man standing just inside the doorway was trustworthy.

Magnum was an easygoing pup, at least usually. But I’d seen him raise his hackles when he thought I was in danger. The two powerful beings shared a look between them, Magnum refusing to back down.

“You should meet him on his level,” I told Christos quietly.

While he tilted his head toward me, I was happy that there was no look of concern; certainly a man like Christos Nomikos would never feel fear from a dog.

“I got this,” he said almost proudly.

With him, I never knew exactly what to expect. When he dropped onto all fours, I pressed my hand across my mouth to keep from laughing. He wiggled his butt just like Magnum had only minutes before as he crawled closer to the tense pup.

I was ready to grab Magnum’s collar if necessary. Yet I shouldn’t have worried. Within seconds, Christos reached out with one hand, lowering his head at the same time. It took no time for my fur baby to step closer, sniffing first before dropping down and rolling over to expose his belly.

What I witnessed in the next couple of minutes melted whatever last remnants of ice I’d had around my heart. It was as if the two were soulmates.

They started roughhousing, Magnum bringing him one toy after another. To hear Christos laugh in such an uninhibited way kept me mesmerized.

He tugged with one of the rope toys, Magnum growling in happiness. Given my emotions were still all over the place, I had tears in my eyes. The sight of the two of them together was perhaps the greatest surprise of all.

Luca had taken great care in ensuring my baby’s water bowl was filled, a few morsels of food still in his bowl. I made a mental note to thank him.

There was something so comfortable and normal about the moment that I allowed myself to head to the bar, pouring us both a glass of the man’s favorite whiskey. This moment deserved a toast, a celebration of the strangest connection two human beings could ever have.

Christos was still laughing as he jumped to his feet, stroking Magnum’s head while saying something to the little monster that I couldn’t hear. When he finally approached, his entire demeanor was more expressive than I’d seen the entire time I’d known him.

He was happy. Truly happy. Perhaps for the first time in his life.

I handed him the glass, our fingers touching. He allowed the connection to linger, stroking my hand with a single finger. “Are you thrilled?” he asked.

“More so than you know. How did you get him away from my sister? She’s a tough lady.”

“Just like Magnum’s mom. One of the two men I sent to retrieve him found a connection with her. From what I know, he promised her he’d show her around Athens when she visited.”

“Did she agree?”

“You’ll need to ask him, but since Magnum is safe and sound, I believe so.”

“You do know he sleeps on the bed with me. Right?”

“Well, he’ll need to fight me for the middle of the bed.” He crowded my space, shaking his head so slowly I barely noticed it moving. “I like seeing you smile.”

“Around you I tend to do that.”

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