I watch the two argue about how Kyle is killing Jax, a beautiful husky with the most beautiful silver blue eyes I’ve ever seen. But while the two stare each other down, I feel myself needing to step in.

Before I can say anything, Kyle steps up. “Okay. Let’s get Jax some food.” They work together with Sam ending the transfusion and I Kyle offering some canned food to the pretty husky. He talks quietly to the dog and I realize it’s his dog.

The rude guy was risking his own dog’s life to save mine.

I walk over, needing to thank Jax, who has his head down as if he’s too tired to lift it. “Good boy,” I say as he licks up some wet food. Beside me, I feel Kyle tense up. “Thank you,” I whisper to Jax, while reaching out to pet him.

He offers my arm a weak lick and I smile.

“Sam,” Kyle says, and I listen to him without saying anything. Something tells me that the only reason I’m even allowed back here right now is because I’m staying out of the way and quiet. “Please X-ray Sentinel.”

She’s quick to do so and I sense that he’s got something to say to me. When we’re alone in the room – save for Jax, who’s paying us no mind while there’s food in front of him – he turns to me.

“He’s in rough shape. If he lasts through the night then we’re pretty well out of the woods.” His voice is the kindest I’ve heard it, and I know the dire news is affecting him too.

I want to thank him, to tell him no one has ever been so kind to me, but my voice won’t work.

Kyle studies me. “I’d like to take him home for the night.”

Frozen by the words, I realize I hadn’t let myself think ahead at all. I have no plans. Nowhere to stay the night. Not really even enough money to get something. And even if I did, my truck is back at the grocery store.

“I’m not from around here,” I say, not willing to give away too much information. He doesn’t need to know the sordid details of my past or why I’m just passing through.

He lets out a sigh that’s so frustrated I’m instantly up in arms. “Do you have somewhere you can stay the night?” he asks, clearly annoyed but doing his best to keep it in check.

My cheeks burn in shame as I try to figure out how to tell him I’m broke, that this wasn’t part of my tightly managed plan. I’ve got enough money to make it to the place I’d decided to run to. I’d chosen the farthest I could run and still somewhere I could get a job and maybe disappear.

Everything I have has to go to that. Miserable, I shake my head. My life hasn’t been easy. I don’t have an amazing, well-paying job. He doesn’t understand what it means to scrimp and save, all the while under the thumb of someone who refuses to let you have any freedoms. My freedom is the only thing I’ve got; I don’t want to give it up for anyone.

Except maybe Sentinel.

He studies his dog, who’s alternately licking food and his owner’s knuckles. There’s a tension in the air that bothers me. Is he really mad at me that I’m not able to just drop money wherever like he can? Hell, if I was the only vet in a town full of people, I bet I’d have deep pockets too. Not everybody just gets life handed to them.

Besides, if he’s as much an ass to everyone else as he is to me, then he’s damn lucky he’s the only vet in town.

He lets out a sigh and I see his jaw working like he’s clenching his jaw against whatever words are trying to come out. His hands ball up and his knuckles go white before he finally releases them with an exhale.

“I’ve got a place you can stay,” He says through gritted teeth. He sounds as excited at the offer as I feel about it. There’s no way in hell I’d be able to stay under a roof with this guy. We’d be at each other’s throats in no time.

Damn it. I promised myself I’d never owe any guy anything again. And not only is he helping me save my dog’s life, he’s offering me a place to stay. And he clearly doesn’t even want to. What the hell is with this guy?

“I don’t need your charity.” I spit the words with all the venom I feel and he looks at me sideways.

But he doesn’t say anything. At first.

“Oh no?” He asks, arching an eyebrow at me. “Then where are you going tonight?” What he doesn’t say – but I hear – is how am I going to pay for the vet bill.

I stare at him, trying to sort out the anger rising in me. I want to slap his pretty face. But as his blue eyes stay locked on my face, I just freeze in shock and pain. How dare he be so rude to me?

I’m a fucking survivor! I don’t need some asshole taking cheap shots at me. I’ve lived through so much worse than this pretty boy, silver spoon, spoiled little bitch has ever even thought about. What’s the worst thing he’s ever had to deal with? His rich daddy-o paying his way? Or maybe they made him work while he went to Harvard or whatever rich boy school he went to. Ooooh, he’s totally one who can understand how hard life can be.

But even as I prepare a sharp retort, I feel tears sting in my eyes. And I hate myself for it. His blue eyes are still locked on my face as if daring me to say something, anything.

“I’ll find a way to pay you back,” I whisper.

To my horror, he snorts.