Page 6 of Damaged Souls

He didn’t like this.

“I know you don’t like that, Mr. Reynolds, but it’s the best I can do for now.”

Stroking Wanda’s head, he crouched down and looked into the dog’s eyes. “What am I going to do with you, huh?”

He was going to fucking adopt her for some time.

“How about you stay with me?” he asked.

He was currently living in Maddie’s old apartment, and seeing as he didn’t need to leave, it would be a nice place for Wanda.

“I truly think it would help.”

Chapter Two

Aria sipped at her coffee, which had cooled down a lot. She had just finished a phone call, helped a troubled cat owner, and had her booked for that evening. There were a few minor ailments Aria had been trained to help with. There was also a list of possible remedies that Phil and Andy have given her to use.

With the appointments booked for the day, she got out of her seat and walked around the desk, checking out the waiting room to make sure it was clean. There was no cat or dog hair, but each night she made sure to run the vacuum around the building. She liked to keep it clean and welcoming. She was opening the curtains when Grant and Wanda appeared. He was no longer carrying the large dog, but Wanda was by his side.

“Is everything okay?” Aria asked.

“Yeah, according to the fucking fake doc,” Grant said.

The doors had already closed, but Aria winced. Andy would have heard that insult. It wasn’t the first time the vets had been called fake doctors. Not good enough to take care of humans, so they became vets. It was an insult, and she knew it upset Andy. The woman worked hard at being a vet. Andy had once told her that she became a vet because she couldn’t stand people. Humans were cruel, and there were plenty of other people to take care of them. She was only interested in animals, as they loved with all their being, and were not manipulative or cruel.

Aria had to wonder if it was time she got a dog. She had always wanted a dog, but her sister hated them because they crapped, so they never got one. No matter how many times Aria asked for one growing up, the answer was alwaysno.

Then she moved into an apartment, where no pets were allowed. But now, she had her own place. Her own home. Without her parents. She could have a dog if she wanted.

“Shit, fuck, I shouldn’t have said that crap. Andy’s great. I’m sorry.”

“Is Wanda okay?” she asked.

“I hope the doc is right.” He ran a hand down his face. “I’m going to take her home with me.”

Aria had no idea what the diagnosis was, and so she smiled.

“I … er … your hair is pretty.”

She frowned and ran her hand through her hair. “Thank you.” This was new. She forced a smile to her lips. “Well, you know the drill.”

“You want me for my fucking money again.”

Aria laughed. “You can always send the bill to your brother.”

Grant wrinkled his nose. “Fuck that. He’s already going to be pissed at me for the shit I pulled this morning.”

Aria didn’t have a clue how the Chaos and Carnage MC worked. She was aware Grant was a member. Her parents didn’t like the club. Her mother called them a bunch of thieving thugs. Aria didn’t mind Grant or the other MC members she had seen, which in the past few months had been a lot of them, seeing as they all helped out at the shelter. Grant was the main person she saw, but Bull was terrifying, especially as she had to take payment from him.

Walking around the counter, she sat and typed into the computer. She saw the note from Andy for payment. There was no medication. Just a bill for the time.

She set up the payment and handed the device to Grant for him to swipe his card and type in the number. Once that was done and payment had been processed, she got him the receipts he’d need and smiled.

“It was a pleasure seeing you again this morning, Aria,” he said. He rested his elbow on the counter. “Did you have a good Halloween?”

The memory of Sean struck her.

“Nah, not really. I was supposed to go to a party but that didn’t pan out.”

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