Page 74 of Avenging Devil: Part 2

I think of Token back in San Diego and suppress a grin, thinking it’s highly unlikely that any of the Utah men would be given blow jobs while they’re working. Despite the lack of that perk, Token would be green with envy.

There are two occupants. Swift gets to her feet and comes across. “Saffie. Niran. It’s good to see you.” She points behind her. “This is Gears.”

Gears nods and mock salutes me. “Good to see you again, Saffie.”

There’s a snuffling sound and a happy looking black spaniel appears. His tail is wagging like crazy. Swift sighs, and bending down, gives him a stroke.

“This is Apollo, or App for short,” she informs us. “He’s my hearing dog.”

Saffie’s eyes brighten and at the same time, she looks curious. “Hearing dog?”

Swift claps her hands to either side of her head. “I’m deaf. He’s my ears when I don’t wear my hearing aids.”

“Can I pet him?”

“Sure.” Swift beams at her as Saffie bends down and ruffles the dog’s ears.

App is obviously in doggy heaven and lapping it all up. Saffie’s brow creases. She stares at Gears, looking like something’s just clicked.

“What happened to the dogs?”

“Fuckin’ dogs,” Stormy moans.

Gears grins. “They’re kennelled out back.”

“You brought them here?” She looks astonished.

Raising and lowering his shoulders, Gears expands, “Sure, they’re well-trained dogs. We could use them around here.

“As long as you keep them out of the clubhouse.” Swift points a warning finger at him.

“Yeah, yeah.” Gears rolls his eyes. “I won’t let them eat App.” Swift snorts, and I’m half expecting her to say App could take them on, but Gears continues with a shrug, addressing Saffie, “I suppose, technically, you’ve got more claim to them. You want them?”

“Me?” Saffie squeaks and then looks at me.

When I cock an eyebrow at her, she realises I have no idea what she’s talking about. “They’re the Wolves’ dogs. They sent them after me, but I’d already befriended them, so they took the role of protecting me.”

And now I’m grateful to a pair of canines. It does make sense of the words I’d heard when I first knew she was alright. Dog slobber. I’d begun to think I must have misheard.

“They’re good dogs,” Gears says. “Though I suspect they’d tear a man to shreds if you gave them the right instruction.”

I try to read her. Does she want the darn things? On my part, I’m not so sure I want to take potentially vicious dogs back to San Diego. As I’m trying to get a bead on her, she’s doing the same to me.

Eventually she comes to a decision. “I think they’re in the best place, if you can keep them.”

Thank fuck.

Swift grins. “Gears is going to bring in a trainer. They might be able to help us on missions.” It seems as long as they’re no danger to her precious hearing dog, she’s got no problem with them.

She’s also right. They could be useful. I’ve seen some of the shit military dogs can do.

“As long as they don’t fuckin’ shit everywhere,” Stormy groans. “One dog’s enough. I’ve had enough of dodging landmines when I go out back.”

“That’s what prospects are for,” Gears informs him.

His words remind me of doing that task for the Wolves. I don’t envy the poor prospect. Inwardly, I chuckle at how things have worked out, and that I could never have dreamed the Wolves’ dogs would end up working for the Devils.

Grinch coughs from behind us. “Now you’ve seen mission control, are you hungry?” He’s obviously bored.

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