Page 310 of Mangled Memory
He leans forward, elbows to knees. “It was never about my concern for your mental fitness. You know that. But with Seamus no longer looming over you, I can step back from this manner of protection, and return to simply being an overprotective ass.” A small smile plays on his lips. “Not an overprotective ass with paperwork.”
I drop my hands into my face and release the stress of months of anxiety. The constant questions that plagued me. Whether they had been right, even a little bit. Whether I’d ever be restored to myself.
My mind. My body. My agency. Mine.
“This place is magical. I wish we didn’t have to leave.” My voice is low.
“I’m with you there, Princess. But we need to get on the road… when you’re ready.”
“I’m ready. I’ll grab my purse and meet you in the car.”
We drive home, not using the company jet either way, because we had the time and enjoy the drive. The weather is perfect, and the scenery is sublime. The time flies and, before I know it, we’re pulling up at Cian’s.
“I know he’s capable and smart, but thanks for letting me check on him.” I get out of the SUV a little disappointed that Eleanor doesn’t rush me at the car door to slather me with kisses.
In fact, there’s barking when I knock. Ellie never barks at me. Geez, her whole routine must’ve gotten out of whack when she stayed with us.
“Knock, knock,” I say as I tap on the door and let myself in.
Eleanor finds me quickly and hot on her heels is another baby, who instantly bites at her ears and tries to stand against her back to reach his nose toward us.
“Hello, gorgeous.” I give Eleanor a scratch behind her ears and around her neck. “Who is your new friend?” I squat to look the little one in the face. He’s brown with very little fur, a black muzzle, and black ear tips. He stretches for me and snaps his little baby teeth like an alligator.
I stand, barely avoiding stealing the little guy and running for the car, but just so Eleanor doesn’t feel slighted. She’s my girl, after all.
“Ci, you got a puppy?”
He comes into view from the kitchen.
“I didn’t know you were such a glutton for punishment. Upcoming surgeries. Starting a business. You’ve been home for twenty-four hours and you got a new furball? Is it a boy or girl? And how’s my girl doing with the little one?” I wrap him in a hug, as the untrained pup stands against my leg.
“Nein,” my husband says firmly.
The dog pulls back enough to stand, but whimpers.
I twist my head in curiosity to look at Christian, my brows pinching together in confusion.
He looks to my brother who says, “He’s yours, sis. Couldn’t have you stealing my girl.”
“Our girl,” I correct.
The look on his face is one I haven’t seen in a while. It’s relaxation mixed with humor.
“Fine, our girl, but maybe you don’t take her on your bear adventures anymore.”
“It was one time. I swear I’ll never hear the end of this.”
Then it hits me. I have a puppy. I squat then fall to my butt on the floor, scooping up the little fluff ball and smelling his puppy breath. “Who are you? What’s your name? Are you perfect like Ellie is? I bet you’ll be great in photos. You might need your own Picstagram account. Who wouldn’t want to see you on your adventures?”
I look up to my husband who has a grin plastered on his face. A grin!
“Did you know about this?”
He shakes his head. “Princess, I orchestrated this. He’s a Malinois. He’s with us to bond then he’ll go for training.”
“You’re sending my baby to boot camp?” To the dog I say, “You don’t need that, do you? You’re probably already perfect and don’t need any help. Is that right?”
“Training is a must,” Christian says in all seriousness. “They’re fearless and highly intelligent. He’ll need that honed, and you’ll need to work with him.”
