Page 36 of Innocent Intentions

Benny.

Curled up, content, on a nicer bed than the one at home. A pile of new toys sit beside him.

I freeze.

Did this man buy my puppy a new bed and toys?

I sprint across the room, launching myself onto Benny. He lazily licks my face as I frantically check him over, searching for injuries. He’s okay. He’s more than okay. I bury my face in his fur, pressing kisses to his head.

“I missed you, Boo Boo. I’ll never leave you alone for that long again. I’m so sorry, Benny. I love you.”

Benny stares at me. Not traumatized. Not upset.

He looks… content.

Like he enjoys being here.

I glance at Matty. He’s leaning against the door, arms crossed, watching us with an unreadable expression.

Almost adoring.

That can’t be right. He wouldn’t care about me reuniting with my puppy.

When our eyes meet, his tone is calm, businesslike. “I need to get some work done. You can roam around but stay inside. I’ll have Dotty give you a tour.”

He turns to leave.

“Wait!” My voice rushes out. “Benny needs to go outside. He likes walks. He can’t stay cooped up all day.”

Matty looks at Benny, skeptically. “He doesn’t seem like the high-energy type.”

I double down. “He needs to run around.”

I pull out the big guns, channeling Benny’s puppy eyes.

I see the exact moment Matty caves.

“I’ll have a guard let him out every hour.”

I fake a lip tremble, a Benny classic. “No. I want to take him out.”

Matty exhales sharply. “Fine. But a guard will be glued to your side the entire time. Anything else?”

I shake my head.

He turns and disappears down the hall.

I collapse beside Benny, and whisper, “How did we get here?”

***

I find the kitchen after about fifteen minutes of wandering. I'm going to need a map with the size of this place.

I tried to get Benny to come with me, but he refused to leave his new kingdom of treats and toys.

A warm, aged voice greets me. “Hello, dear. I was wondering when I’d see you.”

Dotty.

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