accessed through a code. Still, Killian was more alert than I’d seen him. I rolled both my suitcases into the elevator as he made sure there wasn’t anything hidden in the shadows.
“Should we have stopped at the store for groceries?”
Killian shook his head. “Nah, I had Atticus hook us up while we were out. I texted him a list of things and he picked them up before he took Brutus for a walk. Though if I had to guess, he’s still in my apartment. For a hard as nails veteran, he’s a huge softy and a gossip. He’ll want to meet you in person.”
I smiled as he pushed the button on the elevator. “Really? That’s funny. I hope he’s still here.”
We exited the elevator and Killian opened the locked door and led us inside.
Brutus came running from where he had been sitting on the couch next to a giant of a man who took up more than one seat on the couch with his brawn. Atticus made Brutus look small and that was hard to do.
I dropped to my knees and opened my arms. “Hi, baby. How’s my best guy?” Brutus licked my neck and cheek as I petted him all over. “You miss me? Mama’s got a treat for you. Yes, I do. I’ve got a treat for my good boy.” I dug into my purse and pulled out three slices of bacon I’d pilfered from Mama’s stash in the fridge. She’d cooked a couple packages and stored the rest for use throughout the week. I stood up and pointed at Brutus. “Sit, baby.”
I scrunched my nose and gave him a dirty look. He was right, but still. You always started with sit when you were going to do a trick. Everyone knew that.
“Lie down, baby.” I pointed to the ground and Brutus did so immediately. I whooped and jumped up and down then gave him half a piece of bacon. “Did you see that? He’s so smart. You’re so smart,” I chanted to the beautiful dog.
“Okay now…speak!” I said excitedly but he simply looked at me and didn’t do anything. “Speak?” I tried again, but he didn’t bark. I frowned and turned around. “I thought he knew this one?”
“Addy, he doesn’t know it in English. Gib laut!” Killian said, and Brutus started barking.
I clapped. “Yay!” I said and gave him the bacon as Killian’s friend approached us. The huge guy leaned against one of the large wooden columns and crossed his arms over his chest.
I waved with the bacon in my hand. “Sorry, I’m being rude. Just a sec, m’kay?” I said before looking back at Brutus who was being such a good boy, sitting still and not begging.
“Stay, sweetheart.” I held up my hand.
“Blieb,” Killian whispered out of the side of his mouth but loud enough for me, Atticus, and the dog to hear.
I rolled my eyes. “Blieb.” Stay, I repeated and set the rest of the bacon on the ground then backed away. Brutus didn’t so much as look at the bacon. He looked at me and me alone. “Go ahead, Brutus!” I called with glee and the dog went for the bacon the way I shoveled down tacos.
I wiped my hands on the napkin I held and then went over to Atticus. He was at least six foot four, had pitch-black hair, and a scruffy jaw that needed a shave but still looked mighty fine on him, but that wasn’t what was so startling. Besides his sheer size and brawn, his eyes were a see-through blue-gray that reminded me a lot of my sister Simone’s. He was a magnificent beast of a man. Still, not as hot as Killian but every hetero girl I knew would be wiping the drool off her chin after laying eyes on this guy.
He pushed off the column and put his hand out. “Atticus Rella. You’re Addison Michaels.” His tone held awe. “Brother, I cannot believe you are dating Addison Michaels!” He shook my hand with a huge grin on his face. “You’re fucking gorgeous,” he blurted then looked at Killian. “Fitz man, how the hell did you score Addison fucking Michaels. She’s like, the tippy top of the imagery taped to the tent walls back at base.”
I giggled and went to Killian’s side. “That must be awkward,” I taunted while walking my fingers up my guy’s incredible abdominals and chest. “Jealous?” I continued to tease.