Lord of Chaos (The Dragon Demigods #7) - Charlene Hartnady Page 0,3

most part, and that she isn’t too fond of men. She growls at them.”

Gretchen tuts to herself. “That doesn’t bode well. Narrows the pool of potential adopters.”

I can’t make this my problem. I have enough of my own. “Here,” I pull a couple of hundred dollar bills out of my wallet and hand them to Gretchen, “this should pay for her basics until you find her a home.” I peel two more off. “Maybe she could do with some therapy. Can dogs get therapy?” I frown.

Gretchen smiles for the first time since she heard I was here to hand in the dog. “That’s generous of you, and yes, we can organize a couple of sessions with an animal behaviorist.”

We stand there looking at each other for a few, long moments. Then I put a collar and a leash on the dog. “Be good,” I say before handing the leash to Gretchen, who nods.

I walk out. I half expect the dog to break free and to come after me. Or to start howling and barking. She does neither. I heave out a huge sigh. That was easier than expected.

The next day…

It’s been hours and hours. All of the painting at Buns and Breads is done. I even stayed for a beer with the team who helped make it happen. Make that half a beer. It got tedious. I get bored easily.

I can only hope that Stephan and his girlfriend have cleared out by now. I walk into my house, and the scent of sex hits my nostrils. I can hear a couple of heartbeats. Three, to be exact. I enter the room. “What the hell?” I snarl as I see her.

The dog. She’s here. How did she get here?

I hear Stephan’s girlfriend mutter in her sleep. I ignore them, my eyes on the Doberman. She’s fast asleep. Curled up in a tight ball that somehow diminishes her substantial size.

“Fuck!” Stephan groans. I hear him scrambling. It sounds like he’s trying to cover his woman. They’ve clearly been fucking up a storm on my sofa. I can scent condoms, semen – a truckload of the stuff – perspiration and pussy. I feel my hackles rise.

“Relax!” I assure Stephanus. “I didn’t look at your girlfriend.” Why would I? She’s not my type at all. Far too fucking nice. I look up at him. His hair is a mess, and his eyes are bleary. I caught them napping after hardcore sex. Lucky fuck! How long has it been since I got laid?

Too long.

Forever.

No wonder my blood pressure feels sky-high. No wonder I keep getting headaches lately. I need to empty my balls again soon. I get prickly otherwise.

Stephan is grinning like the village fucking idiot. I want to pop him one in the jaw, so I look back down at the dog who sleeps on, seemingly oblivious. “Was she here when you arrived, or did she turn up since?”

“Is that a dog bed?” he asks, frowning. Stephan scratches his head, making his hair worse. “Did you buy that for the dog?”

I wasn’t about to let an animal sleep on my bed, or on any of my furniture for that matter. It’s not like I could let the creature sleep on the floor. I might be an asshole, but I’m not cruel. Then again, I can be cruel but not where an innocent dog is concerned. Of course I bought it! Fuck! I shouldn’t have to explain all of this, so I don’t. “Answer the question!” I narrow my eyes on Stephan.

“Yes. Your dog—”

“Not mine!” I growl at him because my last nerve is on the verge of snapping.

“The dog was here at your front door when we—”

I curse. It’s a choice expletive that doesn’t make me feel any better. “Really?” I say to the beast, who cracks open one eye. “We spoke about this. I don’t want a dog.” I sigh. “I can’t have a dog. You need someone else. Not me.” She wags her tail. Fucking wags it! All of twice, but I’ll be damned if the action doesn’t make me feel guilty. Like I did something wrong.

I didn’t!

Fuck that!

I’ve walked circles around this animal ever since she arrived unexpectedly and totally uninvited. I go to the already open closet. I take out a leash and a collar. I had planned on giving these to Night and Shannon for their dog. I thought they were too nice to leave at the pound. At least they’ll come in handy right now. I put on