Page 52 of Dark Torment

OLIVIA

“I can’t believeyou let me bring Sadie to work,” I say to Jonathan. I’m happy as can be, as I sit in the back seat with my girl.

It seems so silly to be as happy as I am, but this all kind of feels like a dream, you know? Like one of those great ones that you never want to wake up from?

That’s what the past few days with Jon have been like, and I’m kind of hoping it never ends.

I know I should be more wary, with his complete admittance of not only stalking me, but being a serial killer. Hell, he has my brother somewhere for frig sakes… but I can’t seem to bring myself to care.

He’s good to me, and he’s great with Sadie.

The fact she’s so happy even after everything she’s been through just completely blows my mind, and it’s all thanks to him.

She’s been through hell her entire life, and for her to not only trust Jon, but to be genuinely happy around him? It’s telling.

I firmly believe dogs know the good from the bad, especially when they’ve come from the bad. It’s why I like animals better than most people. They can’t lie or manipulate the way humans do.

“I don’t like that we’ve been leaving her at home, either. Even with the camera for her to see us,” he says, and I smile. He totally video calls her during the day when we can’t be there and it’s the most adorable thing ever.

Who knew serial killers could be so adorable? Maybe everyone should get one.

Huh. Maybe I’m not as sane as I thought. Could be why Shelbs and I get along so well.

“And you said she needed to be around us. I figured it was the best solution. She really doesn’t like leaving your side.” He smiles in the rearview mirror at me, and I pet Sadie’s head.

“This is going to sound crazy, and maybe I need to be evaluated, but… you make me happy, Jonathan. Grams always told me she wanted me to fall in love with someone who would cherish and protect me,” I whisper. “You’ve been doing that since before we met.”

“Did you just tell me you’re in love with me, baby?” He smirks, and my eyes widen.

“Uh, yeah no. That would be way too insane, given everything.” I cough. “But there’s definitely potential.” I end on a squeak and he chuckles, shaking his head.

“You can tell yourself whatever you need to, sunflower. But I’ve loved you from the second I laid eyes on that picture of you looking all innocent reading a book.” He winks, and I damn near swoon.

I’ve known him a few weeks, and only truly known him a couple of days. It’s not possible to be in love with someone that fast, is it?

Though, Grams used to say she knew Gramps was her forever before the end of their first date. I had asked her one time, “Grams, how do you know you’re really in love with someone?”

She replied, “Sweet girl, you’ll just know. Always remember this simple saying and you will get far in life. Are you ready?” I had nodded, sixteen-year-old me hanging onto her every word, and she smiled. “When you know, you know.”

And I’ve held that advice close to my heart ever since. Maybe it’s the reason I’ve never been able to be attracted to just anyone that’s good looking. Because I was waiting for that connection, and I know I felt it the first time Jonathan walked into my shop.

He makes me feel things that no one ever has, just by being in the same room. I should have known then that he would change my life that day.

“I got Sadie for you, Liv,” he states, pulling into the parking lot and getting out of the car to open the back door for me.

“You—what?” I ask, shocked to heck as his words bounce in my brain.

He got Sadie for me? I can’t even wrap my head around the idea of that.

“I wanted to get you a dog so that you’d feel more comfortable with me when I had to bring you home. It happened sooner than I planned, but I got a dog for you.” He searches my face as Sadie and I get out of the car.

“And Sadie?” I ask on a whisper.

“The second you pulled up her file, I knew you wanted her. Loved her and cared for her in a deeper way than you would for most of the other dogs on that list,” he explains, his voice raspy with emotion.

He got the dog I wanted because he knew I loved her.

I remember the day he said he wanted her. I remember telling him he seemed to read me better than anyone else ever had. Now I know it was because he knew me on a much more intimate level than I ever could have realized.

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