Page 42 of Tempting Fire

“Look Post, if she were getting better like you said, she would have reached out to one of us. The fact that she hasn’t proves that you’re just letting her hide out and wallow. I know about PTSD. She needs a doctor. She needs a support system.” Even though Drake was practically yelling, she could hear the desperation in his voice. Her heart melted at the amount of caring in her big brother’s voice.

“Drake, I’m not going to argue with you. You’re her brother. I wished we could have met under better circumstances, but we haven’t. You’ll have to trust me that she’s getting better and she’ll tell you what she wants, when she wants.”

“Zarek, you have to understand why we’re here.” That was Evie talking. Chloe gripped the doorknob so hard she thought either the brass would dent or the bones in her hand would break. “We have to see for ourselves. We love her.”

“If you loved and respected your sister, you would have given her the time and space she wanted.”

“She would have been in my face if the positions were reversed,” Evie said quietly.

“I would not,” Chloe yelled from the kitchen.

Three heads swiveled towards her. Evie and Drake rushed forward and Slayer immediately jerked against his leash, barking like crazy. Drake halted, his hands in the air. When Evie continued moving forward Drake grabbed her.

“Settle!” Zarek commanded. He said it again, and this time Slayer must have heard him, because he immediately stopped barking, and sat down. Zarek took the leash out of her hand. “You did good Cupcake.” He dropped a quick kiss on her forehead.

He turned his attention to the dog, “Come Slayer.” He took him to the sliding glass door that led to the backyard. “Out.”

“Zarek, he needs fresh water,” Chloe said. “I ran him pretty ragged at the park.”

“He can wait a few more minutes. We still have a family reunion to get through.”

“That dog is a menace.” Evie said.

“Actually Evie, he’s really well trained. In his mind, we descended on his mistress and he went into protection mode. He responded perfectly.” Drake defended Slayer.

Chloe smiled at her big brother, then looked at Zarek for confirmation.

“He’s right. Russian Terriers are highly devoted to those people they consider theirs, and will go down fighting to protect them. I was happy for you to have that added layer of protection.”

“Well, she’s definitely protected with that dog around. You’re right to name him Slayer,” Evie admitted reluctantly.

Drake and Zarek laughed.

“I really didn’t want you to come,” Chloe said quietly. She looked at the floor, unable to look at either of her siblings.

“We were just discussing that,” Zarek said. “I asked you to stay outside and let me handle this.”

Finally, something besides her family, to focus on.

Chloe rounded on him. “I don’t need you fighting my battles.” She turned back to her brother and sister.

Zarek lifted his hand towards her, but she avoided his touch. “Chloe, I didn’t want you upset.”

“Well it’s too late for that. Poor little delicate Chloe is upset.”

“Hey, I don’t deserve that.”

Chloe let out a breath and sucked in another. “You’re right. I’m not mad at you. I’m sorry Zarek.” She turned to look at Evie and Drake. “I’m mad at you two. If I was ready to see you, I would have returned your million and one calls.”

“Sweets, your voicemail is full, I wasn’t sure I was getting through,” Drake said gently.

“Come on, you texted me twice a day. Didn’t you think that caught my attention?” Chloe said with her hands on her hips.

“And mine? Did they catch your attention too?” Evie asked in the same soothing tone as Drake, only it grated like nails on a chalkboard. Chloe flinched, and Evie caught it.

“It would have been okay if only Drake were here, wouldn’t it, Sis?” This time Evie’s voice had a bit of a bite to it.

“Slayer needs water.” Chloe picked up Slayer’s bowl off the floor and went to the tap to fill it up.