Page 10 of Stalwart Ridge Security: Murray
None of it makes sense.Why would Royce deliberately screw with a good running company?Killing his friends?A power play...he would become the sole owner.What if he finds out we’re onto him?He’ll kill us too.Panic starts to consume me.
Something wet bumps against my fist, making me gasp.I look down and feel my chest tighten at the sight of Hank.He places his head on my lap and gives a soft whine.I take a choppy breath and slide my fingers into his fur.
“Good boy,” Murray rumbles and pets Hank’s back.“I knew you were just what she needed.”
I whip my head in his direction and our gazes collide.He brought Hank here for me.When my horse was killed, I swore I didn’t want to have another animal.Getting attached...hurts.The loss I experienced, seeing Goat, all that blood?
But dammit, the comfort and warmth Hank offers on instinct is what I miss.Animals can sense emotions.They flawlessly feel what you’re radiating, and it’s why they are a good judge of character.
I can’t believe Murray would get a dog with the excuse of always wanting one and having the opportunity to take care of it together.The past few weeks we endured a forced proximity due to the necessity of the circumstances we’re caught up in.It’s pretty obvious now that I was caught up in the middle of all of it, and Goat paid the highest price...his life.
While I should hold a grudge, there’s also a part of me stating the obvious; you can’t blame others for someone else’s actions.Jaxie didn’t want to lose her father at the hand of Burk, Nolan, or Royce.Shit.One of those might be dead, but the two others are still out there.
Hank starts to bark and pulls me out of my rambling mind.
“Seamus and Jaxie are here,” Ballard states.
I get up and turn to Hank.“Wanna meet some new friends?”
Barking from outside makes his ears twitch and he runs in the direction of the door.Before I can open it, Murray is there to do it for me.Checking first for any danger before stepping aside.The level of protectiveness is sky-high.I’ve never experienced a man like him.
Warmth spreads my back when he places his hand right above my ass.My heart skips a beat as I turn to look at Murray’s face.He’s ruggedly handsome with the frown on his face, deep dark eyes, a beard, and styled hair pulled back.
The flannel shirt along with his dark gray denim jeans makes his rugged, mountain man look complete.I can’t remember the last time I took a moment to appreciate a man’s features.Let alone think about a man being ruggedly handsome.
A relationship, sex, family life...none of those things ever crossed my mind, nor did I think about it concerning my future.Now, in the middle of havoc this man makes me wonder what it would be like if we were more than roommates.
“Hey there, fella.Murray, whose dog is this?”Seamus asks.
“Ours.Mine and Murray’s,” I state, earning every pair of eyes to lock on me.
My anxiety rises and the panic starts to affect my breathing.Without thinking I reach for Murray’s hand.
Jaxie’s movement catches my attention as she starts to sign.“You two are together now?I’m so happy for you.”
I wince and try to pull my hand away from Murray, but the man tightens his grip.He doesn’t know ASL, but he might read Jaxie’s expression by the way he brings our joined hands up to kiss the back of my hand.
“Are we going to stand here and talk about who is fucking who?Or get inside to discuss the shit we’re all involved in?”Ballard grumbles.
“Shut the fuck up, you jealous asshole,” Seamus snaps and steps forward to smack Murray’s shoulder.“Good for you.Both Elodie, and the dog.Finally.”
Finally.So, Murray did want a dog and didn’t just get him for me.Or did he mean finally me and Murray being together?Has Murray mentioned something to Seamus?My anxiety slips away by the different turmoil inside my head.
Murray is still holding my hand.He’s openly showing affection for me and isn’t correcting Ballard about the fucking...even if we didn’t...yet.Yet?Why did my mind jump to this little fact?
Seamus gives a short whistle.Their two hairless dogs, Macy and Benny, instantly stop playing with Hank to follow Seamus inside.We all follow and while the dogs start to play again, we take a seat at the kitchen table.
Ballard starts to explain what Murray just told us.Seamus takes out his laptop and boots it up.I’m still a bit nervous and need to make my hands busy, so I make a pot of coffee.Jaxie lets the three guys talk and joins me at the counter.
“W-what do y-you think?”she whispers.
I throw a glance over my shoulder and focus back on filling a mug with coffee.“I think Royce might be rubbing his hands together at a plan well executed.Seriously, think about it...he’s known your father and Burk for decades.He knew those two held a huge grudge due to your mother.He had all the ammo to forge a plan to set them up, making him the last man standing.”
Jaxie takes a mug and holds it out for me to fill as she slowly bobs her head.My mind is blown by all of this, and I can’t imagine what it’s like for Jaxie.I lost my horse while she lost her father, the only family member she had left.
“Motherfucker,” Seamus snaps and turns the laptop in Murray’s direction.
I walk toward them and glance over Murray’s shoulder to see what made Seamus curse.
