Arilyn smiled and slowly knelt. Pinky began to shake with mini convulsions, a high-pitched whining beginning from her throat and growing into a panicked howl. Arilyn settled her on her lap, her hands stroking her small body, and allowed her to get used to Robert’s presence. The howling went on for a while, but Arilyn never moved, and neither did Robert. As if he understood how important it was to remain completely still, Robert barely breathed, keeping his submissive posture.
Finally, the howling stopped. Pinky stared at Robert, who didn’t make a move to attack her, and calmed.
Stone let out a breath. “My ears won’t recover.”
Arilyn kept soothing the dog and whispering low nonsense. “It’s the only thing she had left, I think. Her voice. They’re going to be okay together, but I think we’ll keep Pinky separate for a while. Build up her level of safety. Can you take Robert to his bed and give him a dog treat? His purple bunny squeaker should be there, too. Tell him to stay.”
Stone followed her instructions, and Pinky’s body finally relaxed as Robert trotted off.
Arilyn pressed a kiss to her tiny head. “You did so good. You were very brave. Now, I have an extra dog bed so I’ll set you up where you’ll feel safe.”
They fixed up the separate spaces and finally both dogs were happily settled. Stone went to the refrigerator and pulled out an IPA. “I’m sorry, Arilyn. I shouldn’t have brought her. Do you want wine?”
“Yes, please.” She let him fix both drinks and leaned over the counter. “I’m glad you brought her, Stone. She’s doing so much better. Because of you, she gets to have a real life.”
“Well, it’s only a week left. I guess I can handle one more week.”
She didn’t answer, just sipped her wine. His voice held a tinge of regret, and Arilyn knew he wouldn’t give her up. But he didn’t realize it yet. He needed to figure it out on his own. “How was work?” she asked.
He tipped the bottle back and drank. Wiped his mouth. “Fine. We found a stolen car, which was so fucking exciting I thought Devine was gonna have a heart attack.” She laughed. “Anyway, ended up being a kid dared by his friends, but for a while it was like being back in the Bronx, having a car chase.”
She traced the rim of the wineglass with her finger. “Do you miss the Bronx?” she asked. “I mean, I know it was tough, but you got used to being challenged all the time. You nabbed real criminals, made a difference. Would you ever want to go back?”
He scratched his head. “Hell, no. Sure, it fed my ego a bit. I was always on, the rush of adrenaline kept pushing me for more. I worked around the clock, needing the hit like the junkies I busted. But I like Verily. I like what it represents. I have a real life here I wouldn’t want to give up.”
Happiness flooded her. She kept her head down so he wouldn’t catch how much his words meant to her. “I’m glad.”
“Are you?” He studied her thoughtfully and placed his beer down. “Why?”
She shifted her weight. “Because you’re good for this town.”
“Anything else?”
“Because I want you to be safe and like where you live.”
“Hmm. I think there’s more here you’re not telling me.” Her breath got trapped in her chest and she fought for oxygen. “There’s a selfish reason you want me to stay.”
She opened her mouth to answer, gave a squeak, and tried again. “Nope. Just want you to be happy.”
His eyes held amusement. Slowly, he opened the freezer, took a cup, and began filling it with ice. “I think you like torturing me. Forcing me to exercise in a hundred-degree room while I watch you parade around half-naked. Tempting me with your gorgeous body on display, flaunting what I couldn’t taste and touch, while you called me ‘Officer’ in that snotty tone.”
Her skin heated. She watched as he took the half cup of ice and set it on the counter. “I didn’t think you liked beer with ice.”
“I don’t. I have another use for this. You’ll see in a minute.” She looked at the cup. Worry creased her brow. There was something almost threatening about his tone of voice. “You were hot in that room with me, weren’t you, Arilyn?”
“Yes. That was the point. Pumping the temperature helps release the toxins. I bet you felt amazing afterward.”
“After a cold shower, I did. Will you take off your clothes for me?”
She stared at him. A shiver of trepidation raced down her spine. “Am I going to be naked again while you’re dressed?”
“Yes.”
“Why?”