Page 27 of Whispers of the Dead

The fire in her eyes. The venom in her words. It’s captivating. “Intriguing.”

She quirks a brow. “Intriguing?”

“I had no idea I’m a dreg. You’re wrong about one thing, though.”

“What’s that?”

“Maybe I’ll let you figure that out.”

She tenses when I reach into my pocket and pull out a small vial. “Don’t.”

I hold her gaze when I approach her. “You’ve had a long day, firecracker. You need rest.”

Before I can take another step, a blur of brown fur barrels into the room. Zoey and I both freeze. The dog, Lola is her name if I remember correctly, slips through the open door that I must not have closed all the way. Her tail wags with excitement. The moment she spots Zoey, she bounds straight into her arms and tackles her to the floor in a frenzy of licks and excited whines.

I watch in stunned silence. Zoey, on the other hand, lets out a startled laugh. Her frustration melts into something soft and unguarded as she cradles the dog. “Lola?” she whispers before pressing her forehead against the pup’s.

Well, at least I remembered the correct name, but I’m more curious to know how she knows her.

“What are you doing here, girl? Did you miss me?”

Lola wags her tail so hard that her entire body wiggles. She licks Zoey’s face with all the enthusiasm of a dog reunited with its long-lost owner. It’s…intriguing.

Zoey’s whole demeanor changes. Her hands stroke overLola’s chocolate-colored fur with something I haven’t seen from her yet. A pure, unfiltered warmth.

I step forward and clear my throat to get her attention. “Didn’t realize you two were acquainted.”

Zoey looks up at me from where she’s seated on the floor with Lola in her lap. “She snuck into my cell block once. Jace told me one guy hurt her.”

Her jaw tightens when she brushes her fingers over a thin, jagged scar on Lola’s front leg.

“Of course she did. She’s been getting into a lot of places she’s not supposed to. Did Jace happen to say who hurt her?”

She kisses the top of Lola’s head. “No, he didn’t, but if I find out who, then I’ll cut off his dick next. Unless it’s the dickless guy, then I’ll…I don’t know, cut off his nipples or something.”

A grin spreads across my face. Now I want to go hunt down whoever it was and bring him to her, then sit down and watch the show.

“I’m keeping her,” Zoey announces, bringing me back from thoughts of her castrating my men.

“Excuse me?”

“You heard me.” She lifts her chin with stubbornness while still cradling Lola. “She’s mine now.”

I chuckle and shake my head. “The guys won’t like that.”

“Tough shit. They should have treated her better.” She places a kiss to the scar on Lola’s leg, who licks her cheek in return.

My amusement grows. She’s ridiculous, stubborn, and utterly infuriating. And yet, I can’t get enough. I’ve never taken an interest in Eugene’s affairs before, but now I’m going to need to know everything regarding this firecracker of a woman.

Before I can comment, the door swings open and Jacesteps in. He’s out of breath and his eyes widen when he spots Lola. “Shit. I’ve been chasing her all over this place.”

Another voice follows, and I see the moment Zoey recognizes it because she clutches Lola tighter. Greg steps inside, sporting a black eye, a busted lip, and the facial expression that he hates everyone. Although, except for the lip and the eye, he looks the same as every other day.

“Did you find that damn dog? Eugene won’t shut up about it,” Greg sneers.

Jace grabs Lola before Greg can spot her nestled in Zoey’s lap. “I got her. Let’s go.” Then he pushes Greg out of the room before he can see Zoey.

“Greg is the one you beat up? Nice.”

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