Page 6 of Eden and her Mercenary
"Start talking. Who exactly do you work for?"
"Ourselves. But most recently it was the MacGallan family. They run legitimate and not-so-legitimate businesses in Toronto and the greater Toronto area." I watched her face carefully. "But I've got my own code. I don't hurt innocents, and I sure as hell don't hurt animals."
She studied me for a long time before tucking the revolver back into her waistband. "Fine. But I'm keeping this close."
I nodded. "Fair enough. Now let's get inside andfigure out who's after your dog."
In the cabin, Eden sat on the edge of the couch, her back rigid, while I made coffee. Stella lay at her feet, her eyes tracking my every move. The other dogs remained outside in the enclosure, content with the fresh air and space.
"So, these men," I said, handing her a steaming mug. "What did they look like? Any distinctive features, tattoos, accents?"
Eden wrapped her hands around the mug. "Two men. One big, built like a linebacker. The other skinny and wiry. Both white. No visible tattoos that I could see." She took a sip. "The bigger one seemed to be in charge. They drove a black SUV with Ontario plates, all I could make out was BRDT 1."
I pulled out my phone. "Mind if I make a call?"
She tensed again. "To who?"
"My brother. He's got contacts in law enforcement who can run those plates without raising flags."
After a moment's hesitation, she nodded.
Ryker answered on the second ring. "You better be calling to tell me you're bringing breakfast tomorrow."
Chapter 3
Royal
Ilaughed. "Can’t, I’m already back in Ontario. Where is Lily? I thought you would be cooking breakfast for her?”
Lily was the kindergarten teacher that we had been assigned to watch months ago. We were only supposed to keep an eye on her, but Ryker had other plans and fell in love with her. Six months later they were married.
“She went on a trip with a friend. Won’t be back for two weeks.” I could hear the sulkiness in his voice.
I chuckled. “I need a license plate run," I explained, keeping my eyes on Eden. "Ontario plates, first four letters are BRDT and then the number 1."
"The hell you get into now?" Ryker's voice carried a mix of concern and resignation.
"I'll explain later. Just need to know who these guys are."
"Text me the details. Give me an hour." He paused. "You safe?"
"Yeah. At the cabin."
"Keep it that way. I'll call back."
I ended the call and found Eden watching me intently, her fingers absently stroking Stella's head.
"Your brother," she said. "He's in the same line of work?"
"We're a package deal." I settled into the armchair across from her. "Been looking out for each other since we were kids."
Eden's expression softened slightly. "The rescue coordinator Margo, she said Stella's situation was 'very bad.' I've transported hundreds of dogs, and she's never used those words before."
I leaned forward. "Tell me everything from the beginning."
She took a deep breath and recounted the urgent middle-of-the-night call, the text messages offering five thousand dollars, and the chase that led to the abandoned farm.
"When that skinny guy cornered me in the barn," she continued, "Stella attacked. She protected me." Her voice cracked slightly. "A dog that's been abused her whole life, and her first instinct was to protect me."
