by Cora Reilly
“So you never bet in dog fights? I hear some people made millions with it.” Looking at his shabby home, I was certain that he could use the money.
He shook his head. “I don’t care about money and even if I did, I wouldn’t want to win it by letting dogs tear each other apart.”
This man was an enigma.
He gestured me to come closer again. “Come. You need to get to know each other and I don’t have much time left.”
I took a few hesitant steps closer and when both dogs didn’t stir, I bridged the remaining distance between us.
“Get down on your knees,” Growl ordered, and the words brought another image into my head that unsettled me even more than the dogs with their big teeth, especially because it caused my body to heat up. I quickly shoved the image away and crouched down.
Growl took my hand, startling me. Only in the last second could I stop herself from pulling away. His palm was callused and warm. I stopped breathing when he held my hand out in front of the light brown dog’s muzzle. It sniffed, then wagged its tail mildly. Next Growl put my hand down on its back. “This is Coco. She’s eight years old, and I’ve had her for two years.” Coco, seemed like a too tame name for a dog like that.
I ran my hand down the length of Coco’s back. Her fur was soft and I marveled at the feel of the dog’s muscles. She felt strong, even stronger than she looked. I could only imagine what a sight the dog had been in the fighting arena, and pity for her rose up in me again. Her brown eyes were curious and kind. I couldn’t see a hint of aggression.
Growl took my hand again and held it out for the other dog, Bandit, to inspect. He too, sniffed a few times but he didn’t wag his tail or react in any other way. He didn’t seem to care much about my presence.
Growl shrugged. “He needs to get to know you better. Give him time.” He let go of my hand and I withdrew it quickly and rose back to my feet. This was too strange. Growl was acting like we were going to be some kind of strange family.
Growl stood as well, towering over me. “I need to go now.” He grabbed his mobile from the kitchen counter and headed into the corridor.
“Are you meeting with Falcone?” I blurted, following him. The name stung like acid on my tongue.
Growl frowned over his shoulder at me. He didn’t say anything.
“Can you ask him about my sister and mother?” I said, then added. “Please? I’m going crazy if I don’t know if they’re okay.”
“Falcone will either tell me or he won’t. If I ask him, he will be more likely to keep it for himself because it’s an additional piece of power.”
“I need to know if they’re ok,” I repeated.
Growl nodded. “I took the dogs on a long walk this morning, so it’s enough if you let them out into the yard around noon. I’ll take them for a walk when I’m back,” he said, then added. “Don’t try anything. It won’t do you or anyone else any good.” He gave me an expectant look until I finally nodded, before he walked out and closed the door. A moment later I heard the sound of the lock and I was alone.
I approached the door, listening for the sound of his car driving away. Then I hesitated again. Perhaps this was a trick? Perhaps he just wanted to see if I’d try to run if given the chance. Perhaps he was even eager for a chance to punish me?
I blew out a breath and walked back into the kitchen, trying to ignore the dogs, which had returned to their blankets. There were no curtains in the house, so I had a clear view toward the driveway. Growl’s car was gone but I still couldn’t believe that he’d actually left me to myself. My eyes began scanning the neighborhood for something out of the ordinary, but for me everything was. This area was born out of misery.
An old man sat on the porch of his house across the street. He was watching me, or at least Growl’s house. Had Growl paid him to keep an eye on the front door?
I backed away from the window and hurried to the back door that led out into the garden. When I put the handle down, it opened. Growl hadn’t locked it. Since that man was too vigilant to leave his door unlocked by accident, this was either a trap or he knew I couldn’t escape even if I tried. Both dogs appeared at my side, startling me. But they weren’t interested in me. Instead they stormed into the garden and started chasing each other. I stepped outside and took a close look around. The only way to get over the high fence was if I used a chair or table to climb over it.
Since the kitchen was devoid of any such luxury as chairs, the garden furniture was my only option. Though the table looked not stable enough to hold my weight and the chairs were too low to give me a sufficient height advantage. When I tried to move the chairs, however, they wouldn’t budge. I glanced at the ground and found them bolted to the concrete porch. Had Growl done that? But when? Last night while I was sleeping? I let out a sharp laugh, and sank down on one of the chairs. I couldn’t stop laughing. The dogs stopped their game of chase and watched me, obviously unsettled by my laughter. I even scared myself with the sound. Every piece of furniture, even a weight bench were bolted to the ground.
I fell silent and closed my eyes, then slowly let my head fall forward until it rested on my legs. I let the images from last night assault me, hoped that reliving them again would stop them from haunting me. It would take time, I knew that. Perhaps it would never go away.
Talia. Mother. What were they doing now?
I had no way to reach them, no way to tell them I was okay and tell them to be strong. Maybe this was the worst, worse even than being Growl’s prisoner. Something nudged my neck and I raised my head to find Coco standing very close to me, her warm dog breath ghosting over my face. At first I was afraid but then I realized the dog was trying to console me. I didn’t move, worried I’d startle her if I did. “Thank you,” I whispered, though I felt silly talking to a dog. Coco trotted off to where Bandit was scratching at a spot near the fence.
I rose from the chair and glanced around once more, then moved closer to the fence for another check, but with the barbwire at the top there was no way I could get over it. And what would I even do if I got over it? Where would I go? I had no money, no I.D., no mobile. Nothing. I had nothing. And there wasn’t even someone I could run to. Father’s parents had died when I was little and he didn’t have any siblings, and Mother. Mother had never talked about her family. I supposed she’d run off to marry Father. Trish and Anastasia were out of the question as well. Their parents were loyal to Falcone. The moment they saw me, I’d be handed back to Growl.
I was completely alone until I found my mother and sister, and there was no way I could do it without Growl’s help. I had no choice but to figure out a way to turn Growl on my side.
The couple started screaming at each other again. This area was so depressing, I wasn’t sure how anyone could live here by choice. But most people probably didn’t have a choice.
I headed back into the house before my mood could take a further downward spiral. The dogs were still busy near the fence.
“Bandit, Coco, come here!” I called, and surprisingly they both obeyed my command without hesitation and ran into the house. I closed the door and with a deep breath, turned around to face the house. It was bleak and almost felt like an enemy in itself. No decoration, no cozy furniture. This place was only meant for the barest needs. I took a look into the fridge but except for a carton of eggs, and a few cans of coke, that too was empty. I considered preparing an omelet, though I’d only done that once before. I wasn’t really hungry anyway.
I returned into the living room and sank down on the sofa. A spring dug into my butt and the old thing squeaked under my weight. I’d never had to watch TV all day. I’d always been busy with school, friends and hobbies. I leaned back slowly. The only other items in the room were a TV, a TV board, which looked like Growl had found it on the side of the street, and a small table. There weren’t any cabinets, pictures or anything else. Growl couldn’t possibly spend a lot of time here.
I needed to figure out a way to get out of here as fast as poss
ible.
I grabbed the remote from the table and turned the TV on. I zapped through the many channels, but there was nothing even remotely interesting on. I put the remote back down, letting the nature channel run in the background as I got back up to discover the remaining rooms, but I’d pretty much seen them all already. There was the bathroom, my room and that of Growl. He hadn’t locked it despite the weapons decorating his walls.
There wasn’t even a single book in the house. Nor did I see a computer anywhere.
Frustrated I settled back on the sofa and left with nothing else to do, I eventually fell asleep again.
The sound of the lock woke me and I jerked upright. Goosebumps covered my skin. The AC was simply turned too cold. I searched the room for a clock but even that was missing.
It was still light outside, so I knew at least that it wasn’t night.
The dogs were yapping happily and then Growl’s steps sounded. He appeared in the doorway, scanning the room quickly before giving me a once over.
“Everything okay?” he asked suspiciously.
“No,” I said. What a stupid question.
Growl held up a milk carton. “For your coffee.”
My lips parted. “Uh, thanks?”
We stared at each other. He seemed as unsure about the situation as I was. I began rubbing some warmth into my arms. “Cold?”
I nodded. He went away and the AC stopped blowing cold air into the room. Why was he being this way? It made me suspicious of his motives.
“Any news?” I asked when he came back.
His expression tightened. Then turned around and headed down the corridor toward the kitchen. I pushed off the sofa to rush after him. He stood in the open fridge. “You haven’t eaten anything.”
Was he daft? “I’m not hungry.” That was a lie. “What about my question? You met with Falcone, did he say something about my mother or sister?”
“You need to eat,” Growl said. “Starving yourself won’t change a thing.”
“I don’t care! Answer my question, goddammit!”
Bandit let out a low rumble but Growl silenced him with a movement of his hand.
I stiffened. “Not dangerous, hm?”
“What do you expect when you’re screaming at their owner?”
“Come on, it’s not like I’m a danger to you,” I said mockingly.
He glanced down at his bandaged arm, then shrugged. “You’re not, but you’re being disrespectful.”
“You don’t deserve my respect.”
Growl closed the fridge, tilting his head to watch me. Again I could tell that he didn’t know what to do with me. “I’m going to order pizza. I haven’t had anything for lunch. What kind of pizza do you want?”
I crossed my arms and leaned against the doorframe. “I’m not going to eat anything until you answer my question.”
“And I’m not going to answer until you eat something.”
“Does that mean you know more?”
“I do,” he said simply.
CHAPTER ELEVEN
Cara
My fingers shook at the prospect of news about my mother and sister. “Ok. I’ll eat the pizza. Just tell me what you know.”
“What kind?”
I blew out a breath in exasperation but I couldn’t lose it again or he might decide to tell me nothing. “Tuna and onions, I suppose.”
Growl picked up the phone and ordered the pizza for six. That left more than one hour.
He must have seen the dismay in my expression because he said, “Coco and Bandit need walking. If you come along, I’ll tell you everything I know.”
I nodded eagerly and since the only pair of shoes Growl had brought in my backpack were my running shoes, I was equipped perfectly. The moment we stepped out, I realized how trapped I’d felt inside that house. Growl didn’t bother putting his dogs on a leash. They began sniffing the local shrubs as Growl and I walked side by side. It felt strange. I’d been with him for almost twenty-four hours and so far he’d been far more decent to me than I’d have expected. But I had a feeling that had more to do with the fact that I confused him than with mercy or pity. “So?” I began, when it became obvious that Growl enjoyed the quiet of the walk.
“Falcone seems to be content with the punishment he’s inflicted on your family so far. With your father dead, and you with me, he sees no necessity to punish your mother and sister at the moment.”
“So my mother and sister are alright?” I asked in relief.
“For now,” Growl said matter-of-factly.
“Where are they?”
“Your mother is in your old house. I’m not sure where your sister is yet.”
“What do you mean, you’re not sure? What happened to her? How can you be sure Falcone didn’t hurt her if you don’t know any details? What if he gave her to someone as a gift?”
Like he did with me, I added in my mind. I wanted to be there to protect her. It was my job to do so.
“Falcone hasn’t been very forthcoming with information today. After your father’s betrayal he’s even more cautious. But he has some kind of plan and it seems to require that your sister and mother are well.”
“But—”
“No,” Growl said firmly. “That’s enough. I told you what I know.” His brows drew together and he shook his head, more to himself than directed at me. I still marveled at how tall he was, towering a head over me. My eyes traced his muscled arms, inked from wrist until as far as I could see. Especially the skull and the snake barring its teeth gave me the creeps. I wondered how much more of his body was covered like that.
“We should keep going or we’ll miss the pizza,” Growl said.
My eyes shot up to his face. How long had I been staring at him again? His jaw was tight, his eyes filled with a fire that made me nervous.
I quickly walked ahead and he fell into step beside me shortly after. We didn’t talk again.
Growl
Growl staggered into the yard toward his fitness area. He needed to let off some steam and his workout was due anyway.
Something was fucking wrong with him. He had Cara in his house. He was allowed to do with her whatever he wanted, and what had he done so far? Nothing. Something about her made him incapable of just grabbing her and having his fucking way with her.
He’d never forced a woman to sleep with him. Perhaps that was it. He liked it when they fought him, when they bit and scratched and sometimes even screamed, but not because they didn’t want it but because they did. He had no trouble hurting people, hurting women, but this was different. That was his job. And he enjoyed it. There was no denying it. But sex was something else. He didn’t want to force a woman. He wanted the woman to want him.
Of course, many of the whores he’d had in the past probably hadn’t really wanted him either, but they’d done it by choice because they wanted the money. He could live with that. And Lola, she definitely liked him more than her other johns.
He sighed, and put more weight on the barbell. With a grunt, he pressed it up.
The worst was the way he’d caught Cara looking at him today. She liked the sight of his muscles. He was fairly sure she was attracted to him on some base level. She hated him, too, and that was stronger than any desire she might or might not feel for him.
Fuck, he wanted her. The door creaked and Cara stepped out onto the porch. When she noticed him doing his workout, her eyes widened a tad, then they traveled the length of him before she caught herself and looked somewhere else.
Growl groaned inwardly.
He wasn’t one for games. Or for analyzing the subtleties of a woman’s behavior. This was giving him a fucking headache.
Her gaze settled on the porch table. “Did you bolt it to the ground so I couldn’t use it to get over the fence?”
How did she come up with that kind of logic? “No,” he said, putting the barbell into the holder. “I didn’t know you’d live with me. Did you want to use it to get over the fence?” He’d suspected she migh
t try to escape. He’d also known that she wouldn’t succeed.
“Why are there no tables or chairs in your kitchen?” she asked. “And why are there no books?”
Why, why, why. Why did she always have to ask questions?
Growl got up from the bench and stretched his arms. Again. That look. Fuck it. He crossed the distance between them and pressed her against the wall. Her squeak of surprise was silenced by his mouth. He plunged his tongue into her mouth, relishing in the fucking sweet taste of her. And she pressed herself against him. Fuck. She was attracted to him. He knew it. He kissed her harder and put his hand below her skirt, pressing his palm against her crotch. Even through her panties and her tights he could feel the heat radiating off her pussy. He pressed a finger between her folds, rubbing her through the fabric. And she moaned into his mouth. Her wetness was starting to soak her tights, and Growl’s cock sprang to life. Fuck. He wanted to take her right here on the porch until she screamed his name.
Her palms started pushing against his chest and she tore her mouth away from his lips. “Stop it!” she gasped, then firmer. “Stop it!” She shoved him hard, and he yielded, taking a step back and dropping his hand from her pussy. Her eyes were dazed. She glanced at his cock straining against his pants, then at the neighboring houses, and flushed an even darker shade of red. She whirled around and stumbled into the house.
Growl let her, even though it was one of the hardest things he’d ever done. He stared down at his bulge. Cara’s body responded, only her fucking mind was still messing things up. Growl knew now that she’d been wet for him, there was no way he would be able to keep his hands to himself. He wanted to taste her, wanted to make her body overrule her mind.