Wild Open Hearts (Bluewater Billionaires) - Kathryn Nolan Page 0,111

Philadelphia because my arch-nemesis, Bitzi Peterson, told me I had to get my dog from your nonprofit. I was going to go purebred, as you can imagine.”

She said this in a whisper, as if the tattooed ex-convicts standing around her were the kind of people who cared about a dog’s pedigree.

“But Bitzi won’t wear anything other than the makeup from that Instagram model. What’s her name? Luna da Rosa.”

My back stiffened. “Luna?” I croaked it out like a teenager.

“Bitzi told me that if Luna da Rosa says this place is all the rage”—she sniffed around again, like she didn’t quite believe it—“then it’s all the rage. And I am nothing if not all the rage, darlings.”

Who the hell was this woman?

“Uh, okay,” I said, hands in my pockets. “What kind of dog companion are you looking for? Beatrix requires a lot of work. And love.”

She lifted a shoulder. “I have love.” She said this with a slight sadness, which piqued my interest. “And a sinful amount of money. Beatrix would live a life of luxury, I’ll tell you that.”

“Beatrix used to have to fight dogs. She was chained up every hour of the day,” I said. “Luxury is fine. Love is more important.”

Victoria turned around, eyeing Beatrix with a new appreciation. “A fighter, you say? Just like me.”

Elián smirked at me from behind Victoria. But I was watching dog and human carefully.

“Would she protect me?”

“Bullmastiffs, as a breed, are very loyal,” I said. “She’ll love you forever.”

She touched the string of pearls around her neck. “I’ve had some things stolen from me quite recently. I had hired a team of men to keep them secure.” Victoria fixed her gaze on Jem. “I think I’ve learned my lesson about hiring men for things, right, darling?”

“Dogs are better,” Jem agreed. “No offense to my boyfriend over there.”

“None taken.” Wes beamed.

I hid a smile, watched Beatrix sniffing her way toward Victoria’s high heels.

“Is she trained?”

“She is now,” I said. “But she’ll need firm direction. Jem, can you let her off the leash?”

Jem did, and Beatrix began wandering off, following her nose on some scent.

Victoria snapped her fingers and said, “Halt.”

Beatrix stopped. Turned.

Victoria pointed at her feet. Beatrix went.

“Sit,” Victoria said, like an empress giving orders.

Beatrix sat. All four of us watched wide-eyed as Beatrix laid her giant head against Victoria’s leg, and stared up at her.

Victoria smiled. Placed a hand on top of Beatrix’s head. “She’s quite a good girl. Very pretty.”

Beatrix wasn’t pretty, but I wasn’t going to disagree.

“Would you like a collar made of diamonds?” Victoria cooed down at her. “I’ll have one made for you as soon as we return.”

“How about I take Victoria and Beatrix around for a bit?” Jem asked. “See how they do?”

I mouthed They’re a match and Jem flashed me a thumbs-up. I watched them make their way through the field, Beatrix staring at Victoria like she was the center of her universe.

“Wouldn’t have guessed that one,” I admitted.

“It’s not always obvious,” Elián said. “You know that.”

I clapped him on the back. “All right then. Back to those new grant applications.”

“Hey, so, since we’re all standing around, Wes and I were wondering when you were going to admit to Luna that you were wrong and get back together so we can have a little goddamn peace around here?”

“Bull’s-eye, bro,” Wes said beneath his breath.

I turned with my meanest scowl—but Elián wasn’t having it. “Beck, I’m your best and oldest friend. You think Scary Beck even has an effect on me anymore?”

“I’m not trying to be scary,” I growled. They both snorted.

After a minute, I cracked a small smile.

“There he is,” Elián said. “Mr. Sunshine.”

“Fuck off,” I said, but it lacked heat. “And you know it was for the best. I might have broken us up early, but we were going to break up eventually.”

“I don’t know, boss,” Wes said, rocking back on his heels. “I think you’re terrified to be in love with her. Because you never had it. It takes courage to embrace love. To not let the shame win. You taught me that.”

When had twenty-two-year-old Wes become the wise owl of our office?

I shifted on my feet, totally uncomfortable.

“Do you really think… like really think a woman like that would love a man like me?”

“Yes,” they said in unison.

“You’re a lovable dude,” Wes said. “Luna owned up to her shit. Apologized. Made changes. Is moving on.”

“You’re the leader of this place,” Elián continued. “You need to own that. Because if we don’t have Big