Page 6 of For the Love of Animals

“What have you named her?”

“No, the first part. You killed a man because he was mean to a dog?”

She shrugged, then nodded. Good grief. Nate made a mental note to donate to the American Humane Society when he got home—there had to be some kind of karma at work.

“Her name?” Carmen prompted.

“Lady, I’m still trying to deal with the fallout from yesterday. The last thing I’ve had time to do is name a dog. Do you know where the nearest animal shelter is?”

She gasped. “You’re getting rid of her?”

“What else am I meant to do? I’m in a foreign country with a job to do, which you’re clearly aware of, and I don’t have time to house-train our four-legged friend. I’m sure the shelter will find her a nice home.”

“The local shelter is overflowing.” Carmen tilted her head to one side, studying the puppy. “What sort of dog do you think she is?”

“I think she’s a goat. She’s already eaten one of my T-shirts and dumped the trash everywhere.”

“Her face looks like a Basset Hound, but her body’s more of a Hungarian Vizsla. I think she’s gonna get bigger. Don’t you think she’s gonna get bigger?”

“Bigger? Great. How do you know so much about dogs?”

“I read a lot of books as a child. Dali. She looks like a Dali. See how her face is kind of droopy like those paintings with the clocks?”

“Fine, call her Dali, but I can’t keep her. I have work to do.”

“That’s what I came to talk to you about. Your job is also my job, and I don’t want you getting in the way.”

Dali began licking Carmen’s face, and Nate had never wanted to be a dog so much in his life, but he forced himself to snap out of his stupor. What was wrong with him? He didn’t get distracted by women. Not ever.

“Your job? You and your…partner?” She nodded, confirming his suspicions. “You and your partner already fucked it up once.”

“Well, now it’s just me, and I don’t intend for that to happen again.”

“You can’t just shoot Lozano from a distance, you know. He’s paranoid about that. Everywhere he goes, he’s surrounded by bulletproof glass or bodyguards or both.”

“Thank you, I’ve noticed.”

Great, now Nate had insulted her. He didn’t mean to, but he had to talk her out of going after Lozano. Not just because he was getting paid two million dollars to kill the man himself, but because he had doubts over her abilities and he didn’t want her to get hurt. Her partner had already shown his lack of competence, and if she’d been trained in the same manner…

“So, what’s your plan?” Nate asked.

“Why do you care who kills Lozano?”

“Money. Pride. Professional reputation. I don’t like to let clients down.”

“Why all the bullshit with hostage negotiation?”

“That’s my day job. Lozano’s more of a sideline. But stop trying to change the subject—what’s your plan?”

“You think I’d tell you?”

“No, I think you don’t have one.”

Nate had expected more fight from her, but instead, she sagged forwards, cuddling Dali like a security blanket.

“I’ll come up with something.”

Or get herself killed. What if…? No, that was a stupid idea. But Nate’s earlier words to Black repeated in his head. Lozano’s men would be looking for a single man matching his description. But what if he wasn’t alone?

---