Total pages in book: 57
Estimated words: 53807 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 269(@200wpm)___ 215(@250wpm)___ 179(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 53807 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 269(@200wpm)___ 215(@250wpm)___ 179(@300wpm)
“So now you’re a veterinarian with the ability to see the future?” he scoffed, as if she were the stupidest woman on earth.
Not reacting to that was easy. Aspen knew not to be distracted by anything Eddie said. She pulled her phone out of her pocket and pressed 911. Turning the device to show him all she needed to do was press the call button, Aspen told him, “You need to leave now, Eddie.”
“As soon as I have my dog. Rexy, get over here.”
Aspen wrapped her fingers around the dog’s collar, in case Rexy followed that command. The dog cowered behind her. His tail tucked between his legs. “He’s not your dog, Eddie. You lost that right the first time you hurt Rexy. Go on with your life. You don’t even like Rexy. Why do you care?”
“You took something of mine. I will reclaim it,” he hissed, walking forward menacingly.
“That’s not going to happen,” she answered bravely, trying to anticipate his next move. Her heart thudded inside her chest as she tried to figure out what to do. There were enough houses around. If she screamed, someone would at least call the police.
“Get away from her!” A slender brunette emerged from the sliding glass door of the house behind Jerico’s.
“Mind your own business,” Eddie snapped.
“I’ve called the authorities. You need to leave,” the neighbor told him.
“I’ve got this, Savannah.”
The familiar voice made Aspen whirl around. Her racing heart skipped a beat at the sight of Jerico looking worn and battered. He was home. She raced to his side with Rexy pacing next to her to fling her arms around his waist. Closing her eyes at the feel of his lips on her hair, she treasured the feel of his coiled strength against her.
“Get behind me, baby.”
She followed his instructions without question as he faced off against the threat. Wrapping her fingers around Rexy’s collar, Aspen put herself between the dog and his former owner. She trusted Jerico would protect them both, but Aspen would do anything she needed to do to save Rexy.
The two men stared at each other, neither moving nor backing down.
“What’s going on here?”
Aspen turned to see two police officers walk into the backyard. Jerico never relinquished his focus on Eddie.
“I’m Jerico Adams. Aspen Randolph is behind me with Rexy. This is our home. This man used to be her neighbor. He abused this dog repeatedly.”
“That’s my property to do with as I wish,” Eddie growled.
“Aspen has records of vet bills and abuse investigations she paid for when Eddie Rivers injured Rexy. Unable to expose the dog to further mistreatment, Aspen sheltered the dog and brought Rexy here when Eddie threatened her life.”
“It’s my dog to do with however I choose,” Eddie stated belligerently. “I can get him back no matter what it takes.”
“That would be incorrect,” one officer stated. Even in the fading evening light, Aspen could see his disgusted expression. “Animal abuse is a crime.”
He met Aspen’s gaze. “Do you have any proof that you’ve gotten medical attention for this dog?”
“I do. Should I get it?”
“Take the dog inside with you, Aspen,” Jerico told her quietly.
Aspen looked back at the officer, who nodded and said, “If you have copies, I’d like to see them.”
Rexy beat her to the door as Aspen ran to get the papers. She’d kept the originals and a copy in her suitcase, just in case. She’d needed them before. Grabbing the duplicated documentation, she raced to the back door. It took some convincing to get Rexy to stay inside as she went back out. Even though the dog was terrified, Aspen knew he would defend her if necessary.
“Those are all lies,” Eddie snarled as Aspen handed the thick folder to the officer.
The policeman looked through it, shaking his head and looking directly at Aspen. “That dog belongs to you. The authorities should have confiscated him long ago,” he told her quietly as he handed the paperwork back. “Hold on to this for me.”
Turning to look at Eddie, he told the menacing figure, “You’re under arrest for animal abuse and endangerment. I’m giving you an official warning that you are to stay away from this house and the inhabitants. I hope they will pursue a protective order as soon as possible.”
“You’re not arresting me for shit. I own that dog. He’s my property.”
The two officers moved forward. When Eddie made a run for his car, they quickly subdued him and put him in handcuffs. Once Eddie was stowed in the squad car, the officer who’d spoken to Aspen returned to where Jerico held her close to him.
“May I take that documentation with me to put in my report? I run an animal rescue and will load the arrest report with all your information. With any luck, he’ll go to jail for several years for animal abuse.”