Total pages in book: 101
Estimated words: 98255 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 491(@200wpm)___ 393(@250wpm)___ 328(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 98255 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 491(@200wpm)___ 393(@250wpm)___ 328(@300wpm)
“So, they are together?” Aria asked, reaching out to stroke down the backs of both dogs. She had come to love them instantly these past couple of hours being alone with them. They were simply gorgeous.
“Yeah. We think they helped to protect one another, you know, that kind of shit,” he said.
She had come to notice he liked to curse a lot, but she didn’t mind at all. It was refreshing being around someone who didn’t hold back, who just said and did what he wanted.
Grant reached out and stroked her cheek. “How are you today, beautiful?”
Her face heated up and he chuckled. Realizing they were not alone, she tried to duck her head.
“Don’t give a fuck about them. I don’t.” He shrugged.
“Fuck off, Grant,” one of them said.
Grant didn’t offer a single introduction. Aria didn’t know why but she chose not to push it or him.
Bull cleared his throat and Aria had no choice but to get up and step back. Andy waited at the desk and she took her place at the reception. This was her job.
Grant got to his feet.
“We have no more spaces at the shelter.”
“I’ll take them.”
“Grant, come on, we both know they’re going to be difficult to rehome.”
“I don’t give a shit how complicated it is. They’re good dogs and I’m not going to put them down.”
Bull ran his hand down his face. “For fuck’s sake. Does it sound like I want to put them the fuck down?”
Grant glared at his brother. “I don’t know, but I seem to recall when it suits you, you’re more than happy to kick out what makes life hard.”
“This is just like you, bringing club business here when it doesn’t have to be. I’m not going to kill the fucking dogs, Grant.”
“We’ve got a couple of guys down south, they’ve opened up their own dog shelter,” one of the other guys said.
He had been quiet up until now. Aria looked at him closely and saw he wore the VP patch. She was sure up until a few weeks ago that patch had been on Grant’s jacket. She had certainly stared at his chest enough times to remember.
Grant went quiet and then he seemed to nod. The dogs were going away. Far away. She wasn’t going to see them again.
“I’d like them,” Aria said, speaking up.
She didn’t have any control over her lips, the words just came out and she couldn’t stop them. All the men turned toward her.
“Aria?”
“I mean it, I’d like to … have them. Adopt them. I don’t want them to go out of town,” Aria said. “What do I have to do? What paperwork do you need?”
With Bull’s full attention on her, she had never been more scared.
“You do realize these dogs were once part of an illegal fighting ring that was based here in this town,” he said.
She had heard the report in the local newspaper. The Chaos and Carnage MC were only mentioned in regard to rehoming the dogs and of course taking over the general running of the animal shelter.
“I understand.”
“I’ll help her,” Grant said.
He still held the dog leads in his hands and moved through the men, coming to her. He wrapped an arm around her waist, pulling her in close.
Bull stared at them. “So this crap is true, seriously?”
“Don’t start, Bull,” Grant said.
The one with the VP patch put a hand on Bull’s chest. Aria had no idea what was going on and was a little unnerved about it. The VP whispered to Bull who then nodded.
“We’re going to take the dogs,” Bull said. “And you’re going to have to visit the shelter, multiple times. We need to make sure you’re ready to deal with these dogs and that they’re happy with you.”
“Come on, Bull, what the fuck?” Grant asked.
“Rehoming is fucking serious, Grant. Just because you’re … none of that changes things,” Bull said.
“It’s fine. I’ll do it.” She pulled out of Grant’s arms, rushing behind the desk and grabbing her cell phone. “Just tell me what I need to do and I’ll do it.”
****
“What the fuck was that?” Grant asked.
He had pulled up into the Chaos and Carnage MC parking lot. It had been a couple of weeks since he had come back to the clubhouse, since he had been told he’d been stripped of his patch.
“You know the rules, Grant, and just because you’re fucking her doesn’t mean she gets special privileges. How do I know she’s not going to dump those dogs once you’ve had whatever fun you’ve been playing?” he asked.
“First of all, don’t ever talk about her like that. Do you fucking hear me? I’m not fucking her, and second, Aria would never do that.” He took a step toward his brother, then another, until he was close to Bull’s face. “Unlike you, who tosses people aside when you think you’re making the right choice.”