Evan

Shep is pretty badass. I’ve been training him since I found him.

The guys from the station gather ‘round as I show them how well-trained and obedient Shep is, and it’s pretty damn impressive. He’s not your average ‘sit and stay’ type of K9. He’s what we like to call a land shark, a fur missile, a magnificent fucking asset to your side when you’re in need of some serious boom brought down on a total scumbag who won’t submit to your badge and warning.

I’m all about it.

“Where’d you find this guy?” Corporal Walker asks, trying to steal a rope away from jaws that won’t let go. “He’s pretty cool.”

“My thoughts exactly,” I laugh. “He was wandering the woods. I guess he belonged to the old man who lives in the trailer park—Mr. Ford. You knew him?”

Walker’s face sullens. “Yeah. He was badass, too, in his day. Lot of stories from the war. Knew I recognized this guy from somewhere.”

Shep whines at the sound of Ford’s name. I pet his head and kneel at his side. “Don’t worry, bud, you got a home here now.”

“He gave him to us?” Walker asks surprised.

“Well, his daughter didn’t know what to do with him—I guess she’s got a whole gaggle of kids at home and lives out of state … so … I may have offered to lift that burden.”

Another deputy laughs, one of the younger, greener, fresh out the academy boys who has no idea of what circle he’s been hired into. “Did you offer to lift that skirt, too? I’ve seen her a few times.” He whistles loud. “Damn she fine.”

I laugh at him. “No, I didn’t, as she’s kind of grieving her father right now, asshole.”

Truth be told, guys and gals? I didn’t even notice. Samples, I told you already. I’m satisfied with my flavor at home and don’t need to taste anything else.

“Who’s this?” Sheriff Ray Martin steps through the door, glaring at Shep with hands on his hips.

Prick.

The dog instantly jumps to his feet and growls. I pet his head assuring him, even though he’s spot on in his lack of affection.

Oh, how I would love to send this fur missile on a mission to tackle your punk ass.

“He was sort of gifted to our department,” I say, standing up straight, towering a good foot taller than him. He has to look up when he talks to me, now, and I kind of relish in that a bit. “His name’s Shep.”

Ray waves me off. “He has to go through the proper channels to be a K9 deputy, Lacuna. You can’t just drag in any old mutt off the street.”

I’m ready for this rumble with him. I thought it through all night while I was trying to stop myself from thinking about Bella all night. “Figured he could be an asset to the team. Lot of big raids coming up.”

Bite little fishy … come on … bite that bait ...

Walker steps up and offers the same look of ‘in the know.’ The only one of us that’s not ‘in the know’ is deputy “green” who thinks you should try to bang grieving daughters—he’s not in the know, for obvious reasons.

Ray stares down at Shep for a moment and then pans his attention back to me. I might be grinning just a little, because I already know all the thoughts running through his head right now—how bad this could be for ‘moonlighting hours.’

“I need to speak with you in my office.” Ray glares at the dog again and Shep lurches forward, but I tug on his leash. “Leave the mutt with the Corporal.”

The door clicks behind me and Ray makes me wait until he’s got his coffee and a good lean in his chair before he finally offers yours truly his attention.

I’m only so disciplined, motherfucker. Come on …

“You’ve been working out pretty well for us,” he says, sipping at his cup. “I’d like to put you on something tonight. Something a little bigger than our usual …team.”

Boom. Finally. Bring it.

“Sir?”

“There’s going to be a function for Mr. Daylen this evening. Do you know him?”

I shake my head. “No, I don’t.”

“His house will be vacant, since he’ll be busy at the rec center for his charity event. I think we should be sure no one trespasses his house while no one is watching… don’t you?” His brow arches, suggestively.

I nod. “Seems like the proper thing to do, Sir.”

“It starts at seven and runs late. I expect you to be a very good officer of the law and not let anything happen at that house that would cause anyone any kind of trouble.”

“Yes, Sir.”

“You understand your orders, Lacuna?”

“I do, Sir.”

“I expect a full report in the morning. Don’t disappoint me.”

After watching Daylen’s house all night, I realize things are bigger with the dirty cops of Lake County than I thought. I head home, calling Bella to meet me there.

“You look tired,” she says when she sees me walk up the driveway.

“I am.” I hit the key fob on my truck and listen to the two honks of the horn.

“Rough night?”

“The roughest.” I wrap my arms around her before unlocking the front door. “But, I’m glad you’re here.”

“Aw. I’m glad I’m here too.”

I open the front door, and we move inside. I flip on a light to remove my gun and badge and lock it in the safe near the kitchen. “Are you hungry?” I ask.

I like being here with her. Like we’re this couple doing normal shit. If she only knew what I was doing here in Florida, would she still look at me with that spark in her eyes? Or would she run away from me as fast as she can?

Could I even talk to her about it?

There’s only one way to find out, but I don’t know if it’s the right move.

“You look like you’re contemplating something, and it’s not dinner.”

I glance around. “Yeah.” I wrap my arms around her, leaning close to her ear. “Can I trust you,” I whisper against the shell of her ear.

“Always.” I kiss her on the lips, needing to feel more of her.

Before she can say any more, I’m already walking her backwards down the hallway to the shower. My body grows with need but this isn’t the time.

I turn the shower on, and Bella’s eyes watch me. I’ll always love her eyes, so full of mystery and lust. I kiss her again, as I remove her shirt.

She finishes the job for me, removing article after article of clothing. I go slowly, telling her how badly I want her. Telling her how I want this always.

I pull out my phone before I drop my pants on the floor.

Her brow raises, and I swipe through my phone. I smile as I press play, and she looks at me like I’ve lost my mind.

And maybe I have.

Moans and groans sound from my phone.

I remove the rest of my clothes and get into the shower after her.

“I’m going to own your body tonight,” I say to her.

“Always. You own my body always.”

I kiss her, letting the sounds of the water drown out our own personal meeting.

Sometimes I wish I could just go and not have to worry about anyone knowing exactly where I am at all times of the day. Even on my nightly check in calls, I’m getting more and more sick of detailing every second of my life.

When is enough enough?

I’m being pulled from every angle, and then, there’s Bella. She stops the madness, if only for a moment. I like the breath of fresh air. The silence. The everything with her.

A while later, after cleaning up and getting dressed, we take off down the road, not really sure where we’re going, or what we’ll do when we get there, because it doesn’t matter; I’m free with her.