had to run her off last night. I’m not much of a dog person. If I had known she was yours…” I shrug.
He makes a noise that tells me he’s thinking it through. “I see.” He nods a couple of times. “You don’t happen to know where she went? A general direction?” He looks around us.
I shake my head. “No clue. I’m going to tell you what I told her. I’m not interested in getting involved in whatever this is. It has nothing to do with me.”
He laughs. “You spoke to Nia?” He lifts his brows. “You know she’s not just a hound, then?”
“I know, and yes, we talked.” I fold my arms. “We had a whole conversation.”
“I’m sure she had plenty to say.”
“I told her that I’m not interested in hearing her story. I want to stay out of it. The same goes for you, too.”
“You’re right not to get involved. Here’s the thing, though. Nia can be tenacious. She doesn’t give up easily.” He rubs his chin. “I have a feeling she’ll be back here.”
“I made myself crystal clear when I asked her to leave,” I say.
He makes a face. “Still, she really doesn’t give up easily. Nia can be like a dog after a bone.” He chuckles. “I’m going to give you my contact details. If she returns, you call me, and I’ll come and get her off of your hands.”
I nod once. I have no intention of calling this prick. Just like I would never have let Nia get the lethal injection in the shelter. I won’t hand her over to this jerk either. When I say I don’t want to be involved, I mean it.
“She can also be very persuasive,” he says, winking at me like a grade-A sleazeball. Like we’re sharing a secret. “Nia is a very beautiful woman.”
My jaw tightens, but I somehow manage to keep myself from grinding my teeth. I keep my eyes on his.
His voice drops a few octaves, and his eyes narrow. “She also happens to be mine. I own her.” His whole body visibly bristles. The muscles on the sides of his neck lift. His eyes harden. A vein pops up on his forehead.
“I think maybe she feels slightly differently about that.” I can’t help the retort.
His eyes narrow. They are blazing. “I don’t care what Nia thinks. She’s my dog…my pet. I want her back…untouched…unharmed. I need to be very clear about that.”
“I told you I don’t want to get involved.” I wish to god that he would stop talking, already. He’s pissing me off, and in a big way.
“Too late! You’re already involved.”
“You said I should call if she turns up. Give me your number, and you can be on your merry way.” I smile at the cocksucker. I’m sure I look as feral as fuck. I don’t care.
He smiles back, still tense. “Of course. The day is wasting.” His whole demeanor changes. “If you have a pen and paper, I’ll write it down for you.” He peers into my house, his eyes darting around the living room. He wants to be invited inside. Wants to snoop around. Fuck that!
“Fire away! I have a fantastic memory,” I say.
He lifts his brows. “You sure about that? Your life could depend on it.”
I nod. “Very fucking sure.”
He recites his number. I nod. He looks skeptical. “You sure you won’t forget in a day or a week?” He narrows his eyes. “I won’t be happy if you forget, or if you don’t get in touch. You don’t want to see me in a bad mood…I can tell you that much. Terrible things happen when I’m mad. I would make your—”
“Might be better if you didn’t threaten me,” I tell him. Before he can say anything, I repeat the number to him. “I won’t forget. I don’t want to be involved. I don’t want the hassle. If the hound is your property, then who am I to get in the way of that? You say tenacious; I say irritating as hell. You say persuasive; I say manipulative. No thanks! She’s all yours.”
He smirks. “Nia’s quite a tasty little thing and proving to be more difficult to break than I thought she would be. That smart mouth…” He shakes his head. “I’ll get there in the end. It won’t be long, and she’ll heel and fetch…do anything I ask of her, and right on command.”
“I’m sure she will.” I shrug.
“I’m glad we’re on the same page here.”
“Now, if you don’t mind…”