Page 103 of Vetted for Vengeance
I have saved countless dogs. Twenty-four bitches, two dogs, more puppies than we had when this started.
I've also stopped a cruel dog fighting ring by taking out their top man.
But the most important thing I did was the riskiest move of my life. I found enough faith and trust in another person to let him live in both my worlds.
“Why are you looking at me like that?” Noah frowns, dangerously close to becoming distracted from the bottle he's filling. “You're looking like you regret keeping me.”
“Then my face is clearly too tired, because that isn't what I was thinking about.”
“If that's the case, I'm going to need the mouth to help me out a little.”
“I was thinking about the night we met. I went there to ease an itch. Not to save dogs, not to save you. I only thought about myself.”
“That isn’t explaining the regret I'm seeing.”
“It isn't regret. Or if it is, it's regret for not finding you years ago.” I don't bother standing up, just shuffling across to him on my knees. “Last night was the first time I didn't kill for me. It was different. I didn't kill for myself. I killed for you.”
“I don't know what to say about that.” Noah shakes his head a little. Now I'm the one struggling to match the facial expression to his feelings. “That is the most romantic thing anyone has ever done for me.”
“That's a good thing?”
“It's a romantic thing.” Noah bites his lip. “We probably shouldn't do it again, though.”
My heart drops as he practically forbids me from killing. I can't agree to that. I'll give him anything he wants. I'll let him keep a piece of himself from before with as many dogs as it takes. But I can't change this part of me.
“If we make what you do personal, we'll make it dangerous. I can't do that to you.”
My heart drops with relief. I actually break out in a sweat because of it.
“I promise I won't try to change you.” I lean forward and press a kiss on his forehead.
“Change me? You've turned my world upside down. Nothing is the same.”
“It is the same. The box is just very different. You've gone from being in charge of one business, answerable only to the owners, to running a business, answerable only to the owner.”
“A puppy farm and a veterinary practice are nothing alike, but that doesn't mean I'm not happier.”
“If that changes…”
He closes the gap and kisses me. Long, passionate, and with a tongue that doesn't quite know what to do.
I would do anything to keep this feeling. I would kill for him. I would let someone live for him. It's a dangerous feeling, and yet, I have never felt safer.
Chapter forty-eight
Noah
The phone call has me filled with dread from the moment Martha shouts through for me. Bunny shifts in my pocket as I hurry into the office before my nerves give out.
It's not the stalker. I almost wish it were. This is worse. This is the police.
“Hello?”
“Noah Humphries? This is Detective Anderson. How are you and your strays settling in?”
“They aren't strays.”
“Sorry. I didn't mean to be offensive.”
