The Hitman's Guide to Tying the Knot Without Getting Shot - Alice Winters Page 0,44
for the other that you’re not working together. And let me tell you something. When you two act like a team is when you guys do the best work. So talk it through, figure it out, and be there for each other on this. Leland is right in saying that we have to find the person who did this, but Jackson is right in saying that you, Leland, shouldn’t run off and do this on your own. Leland, you’re not alone anymore. I know you’ve spent the majority of your life alone, but now you have Jackson, Mason, Cassel, and me here that all have our specialties and can help. Got it?”
I nod because I know he’s right. “I’m sorry. I am. I’ll work with you guys, but the dogs are staying to protect and attack.”
Jackson smiles at me. “As long as you’re honest with me.”
I nod. “Of course.”
“Okay then, honestly tell me how long we have to keep these dogs?” he asks as one leaps over the back of the couch and skids to a stop in front of Henry before setting his head on Henry’s lap to be petted.
The real gruff-looking one is still staring at me, so I poke him right in the nose. His pointy ears shoot up and he looks highly confused.
“They are staying until you’re safe.”
Jackson sighs. “Henry, we really need to find this guy and soon.”
Fourteen
Jackson
It’s been one week since the shooting. I’m definitely doing better but I’m still on restrictions, as is Leland who is dying to rip the splint off and toss it in the trash. We’ve had the dogs for four days. Four long, long bark-filled days.
At this point Leland knows it was a bad idea. Every noise the dogs hear, they go insane. Cat passes the window at three in the morning? Ten crazed Dobermans rushing for it and barking with all their might.
But I refuse to be the one to make him return them. I need him to do it or he wins, and a winning Leland is not a good Leland.
“I’m surprised you haven’t complained about the dogs in a while,” Leland says as he sets two plates of toast down. One where I’m sitting at the table and another at his spot.
“Nope. Thanks for the toast.”
“Of course,” he says as he swoops in and gives me a quick kiss.
He goes back to the counter for milk as one of the dogs—I think Huntress—just does a drive-by, scooping the toast off the plate without even slowing down. I mean, she’s tall enough her head hangs onto the table as it is.
Leland turns around as the dog casually walks off chomping his toast while I stare at Leland, waiting for his reaction.
His gaze locks on to the empty plate as I eat my own toast and watch him.
“I must have forgotten to make myself toast! How silly of me!” he says as he grabs the bread and slams it down on the counter. “Silly, silly Leland.”
“So silly,” I say as I crunch into my toast.
“Silly, silly,” he says through gritted teeth. “I just… I mean… you haven’t complained at all about them.”
“I kind of like them,” I say. “I love the aroma the most, and that it keeps my mom away.”
“Hmm…” He gets a pleasant smile on his face. “I love that too.”
He looks over as the biggest of the dogs walks up and sits down between us, staring at us. I think he’s on guard all the time. He never plays like the other ones do, and instead, he stares as if he’s waiting for one of us to get attacked so he can eat the perpetrator.
“This one is… interesting,” I say.
“Who? Sarge? He’s an… on dog. He’s always on and ready for the kill. He thinks the kids are ridiculous with all their playing and shit. I find it fun to boop his nose,” Leland says as he pokes the tip of the dog’s nose. The dog is so stoic he doesn’t even blink.
“Don’t do that!” I say in concern.
“Why?” Leland asks as he looks around like he’s confused.
“Because then the dog chomps on your other hand and you’ll have no hands!”
“He enjoys it!” Leland says as he pokes the dog’s nose again.
The look on the dog’s face is extremely concerning. “Oh my god stop. That’s like saying I love it when you tell everyone about the fence!”
His eyes get wide. “I must boop him more, then, if he enjoys it that much!” He starts poking