Chapter One
A peal of thunder cracked across the ominous night sky, a clear indication the horrific storm was making its final approach.
I shifted against the building, trying to catch my breath and secure my bearings. I’d managed to escape, fighting the weakness and nausea from the sedatives the monster had used. But every limb was heavy, every step I took as if doing so in quicksand. It was dark. Why did it have to be so dark? As the first drops of rain hit my face, I relished the stinging sensations, my skin little more than mottled bruises.
After finally catching my breath, I scanned the vast area, searching desperately for any hint of light, praying someone could help me. There was nothing. No people milling the empty street, no sounds of laughter or anything indicating there was other life.
Than him.
The embodiment of evil.
I closed my eyes, my entire body trembling. Hot tears trickled down my face, seconds later turning into racking sobs. Horrified, I slapped my hand across my mouth, fearful he’d hear me. I had to fight, to flee the horrible prison, but I was fearful I had nothing left to give. More determined, I wiped my face with my filthy hands and scooted to the corner of the building, darting my head toward the street.
The place was a deserted town, its buildings housing only members of the homeless. Almost everywhere I looked there was trash and other debris, most facilities dilapidated as if they’d been abandoned for some time.
The place and the horrific night were a carbon copy of… no. I couldn’t go down that wretched road or I’d never manage to escape and this was my one chance.
Seeing no one, I ventured out further, careful with my steps as I headed to what I was certain was a dense forest. I remembered bits and pieces of being brought here, the sedative not strong enough to do anything but keep my mind fuzzy and my muscles too weak to fight.
I took another few gulps of air before dashing across what had to be an alley, giving myself a mental high five when I made it to the other side. My entire body ached, the lack of food and constant beatings taking a toll on every muscle.
As well as my mind.
You can do this. You can do this. Go. Go. Go.
I glanced all around me again, doing everything I could not to dry heave. There was nothing of any substance in my stomach, food a distant memory. At least other than bread and water. I rubbed my wrists, the thick coil I’d broken free from leaving a wound that was itching from the dried blood. A part of me just wanted to accept my fate. That the bastard was going to kill me. But his plans were sick, repulsive. He was using women for something. What? Body parts? Draining their blood?
I’d conjured up so many stories, so many horrors.
I waited, still listening. Still praying. I could see the forest. The trees were real.
Just like in one of my stories.
My God, the bastard had recreated one of my books. I hadn’t realized what he’d done, the lengths he’d gone to until I scanned the deserted street. Sadly, in my book, none of the victims managed to get away. Time to change the ending. With a solid boost of adrenaline, I finally decided I was ready to do this.
But I heard a metallic scrape and froze, sucking in and holding my breath.
And a whistle, a melodic tune that I knew far too well.
He’s coming. Run. Run!
It was the same one he used every time he stomped downstairs into the basement where I’d been kept for days, maybe weeks. There was no night, no day. No light, just darkness and cold.
I could swear even now I could hear his footsteps on the rickety wooden stairs.
Heavy thumps.
I’d never seen his face, but I knew he was huge, very muscular.
I pressed my body against the cracked brick, trying to find an alternative way of escaping. The whistling continued, a happy tune of a kid’s nursery rhyme that had already dulled my senses. I slapped my hands over my ears, trying desperately to drown it out. Another wave of tears and anguish rushed through me.
If I didn’t run now, he’d win. He’d fucking win.
Do it. Do it. Run. Run!
I took off sprinting, doing everything I could to keep from shrieking. Even if there was someone here, they wouldn’t help me. They’d never go against the Claw. I ran hard and fast, even though my bare feet were bruised and bloody. Rocks penetrated my skin, the pain blinding. But I continued. I had to. Going back wasn’t an option. I knew what horrors he’d inflict, the agony that would go on for hours.
I noticed something reflected in the single dingy streetlight still working and carefully headed toward it. It was a metal bar of some kind. A weapon. Oh, dear God. I’d been lucky enough to find a weapon. Snatching it, the cold metal felt solid in my hand, like the only lifeline I might find. No one knew I was here. I wondered if anyone was even looking for me.
The rain began to fall in torrents. Within seconds I was drenched but nothing would stop me. Nothing. I was almost gleeful when I noticed I was close to the forest. If I could reach the safety of the trees, I had a chance. One chance. A stitch formed in my side and I had to stop and catch my breath.
Go. Go. Now.
I followed my little voice, rushing forward.
And straight into the arms of my captor.
My eyes snapped open as I was jerked from restless sleep. My conscience had pushed me to awaken, protecting me against the horrific images as it had done so many times before. I jerked up, making a terrified sound like that of an injured animal. The images had been so real, more so than usual. Why? Why couldn’t I let them go?
So many years had gone by, enough that I should be over the paralyzing fear, but it wasn’t happening. What was wrong with me?
Even now, I played out how I’d managed to escape his grip, using the metal prod as a knife, jamming into his face and neck several times.
Only he hadn’t died.
I scanned my bedroom, hating the darkness even more. As I quickly fumbled to turn on a light, I heard a rumble of thunder and almost toppled the lamp. A slight shriek erupted and I was certain the boogeyman would leap from the shadows.
As warm light flooded the room, I yanked the covers up to my shoulders, still whimpering. There was nothing there. No monster. No villain. There never was. My brain remained fuzzy and I dropped my head into my hands, allowing the sobs to consume me tonight.
I thought I’d gotten better, that I could handle living and being very much alone. But nothing was okay any longer.
The bastard had won.
He’d won.
Just like he’d promised to do.
[divider]
Florence supermax prison
Kage
Some experts said monsters were made, not inherently evil.
They were fools.
The bastards I’d spent years with were pure demons, the worst of mankind. Not that I was too far removed but at least I believed I still had a conscience.
Not these fuckheads.
As I snatched a towel from the prison attendant, I almost laughed seeing how threadbare the clinically white mistake for terrycloth was. Budget cuts. So I’d heard. The truth was that no one gave a shit about the monsters left to die in the only supermax prison in the United States. We were considered the worst of the worst.
Here I was, a former decorated Marine.
That had been a lifetime ago. I was no longer that man.
As I sauntered into the group shower, I knew instantly this morning was that day, the one most inmates dreaded. There were gangs inside the prison walls, affiliations with powerful outside organizations and crime syndicates. The guards, although highly trained, could do nothing to stop the beatings.
Or the bloodshed.
I’d been labeled a killer, taking out the son of the man I’d worked for, which was a fucking lie. I’d taken the fall out of loyalty instead. But it didn’t matter now any more than it had then. The fucking prosecutor had needed a win, especially over a brutal cartel.
So here I was, a caged animal with no rights. If I said a goddamn thing in my defense, my tongue would be cut out as a first strike. The rest would be worse. I had no real affiliation inside the joint, although there wasn’t a soul who didn’t have a clue who I was and where I’d come from.
Those had been the only details they’d gotten correct.
I was considered dangerous, unstable. It was best for the other thugs to think that way. My deranged and brutal actions were the sole reason they’d mostly left me alone. That and the fact I’d crushed two hands, broken six arms, and damaged a fucking kidney since I’d been here. But I sensed everything about this morning was different.
I calmly walked to the shower, tossing my towel before standing under the barely lukewarm water. At least the shit was clear, not brown today. As I grabbed the soap, I noticed two soldiers from a Russian Bratva huddled in the corner. Leave it to the Russians to try to take me out. They’d soon learn the error of their ways.
I found it interesting that so many attempts had been made by different cartels or soldiers from other mafia families. Pick a nationality and they’d attempted. When would they learn?
It wasn’t long before other inmates inside the shower were backing away. While I acted as if I wasn’t paying any attention, the truth was far from it. As a former Black Ops member, I’d learned stealth in my sleep, and had the keenest observation skills of anyone I knew. The bastards wouldn’t realize they’d found themselves in a snake pit of sorts until it was too late.
As usual, the assholes were cocky, as so many of the lifers were. I waited until the right moment, when the Russians had flanked either side before attacking. I didn’t need to carve shanks from spoons inside the joint. My fists and techniques had been turned into deadly weapons.
Without hesitation, I attacked. There was nothing more joyful in this bleak world than hearing the sounds of bones crunching. I threw my palm around one soldier’s fist, crushing it between my fingers as I kicked the crude rusty knife from the other’s hand. As the first guy howled, I kicked him against the cinder block wall and started in on the other guy. Issuing punch after punch, within seconds the guy’s face was unrecognizable.
The first guy tried to come back strong, but he was no boxer. I spun around, kicking him hard in the gut then issuing a final blow to the second dude, watching in sheer glee as he slowly dropped to the shower floor.
When I snapped my head back to the first guy, I was rewarded with seeing fear in his eyes. That wasn’t enough for me. He swung a futile punch and I caught his hand in mine, bending his arm at an awkward angle. The final snap forced the other inmates to gasp.
Before they started cheering.
What a fucking game. There were no guards in sight. They’d likely been paid well to allow this shit to go down. The way of the world, and the prison had a certain ruling system of its own. I doubted anyone close to the prison hadn’t been corrupted.
I took my time rinsing off the blood before grabbing my towel and heading out.
More time in solitary confinement.
So the fuck what?
[divider]Chapter Two
Kage
Chained like an animal.
That’s all I’d been for years, treated as if I was scum on the bottom of a guard’s shoe. As I was led past the other inmates, they screamed obscenities and made threats, nothing that mattered to the faceless men who’d taken the job of trying to keep the peace. Sadly, most of the guards had been bought by one gang or another, eager and willing to follow directions, abusing inmates as ordered.
They mostly left me alone, but today as I was shoved down the ugly corridor, one of two guards was poking me with one of his bully sticks over and over again. It was typical, prisoners with a short fuse launching at them, chained or not. That allowed them permission to beat the fuck out of the man attempting to protect himself.
I wasn’t in the mood to be goaded by anyone at this point. And I hadn’t bothered to ask where the fuck the bastards were taking me. What did it matter at this point? Maybe they were taking me to see the warden where he’d tell me additional time had been shoved onto my record. It was a supermax prison. They could do anything they wanted and no one cared.
As the guards stopped at one of the interrogation rooms, the ugliest and meanest of them snickered before unlocking the door. The hard shove was typical, but this time slammed me against the table.
“That is enough!” Her voice was harsher than normal, the prison psychologist usually very demure. She jerked to her feet, her face reddening. “Not only will I report this to your warden, but I can and will ensure you are tossed out of here on your asses with no chance at receiving your pension if I ever see you abusing a prisoner again. Do I make myself clear, gentlemen?”
I grinned before glancing over my shoulder. The two jerks were shocked and pissed off. Oh, boy, didn’t I feel sorry for them. Not.
“Do you understand?” she hissed. Wow. The woman actually had a backbone.
“Yes, ma’am,” Johnny boy said with a sneer on his face.
“Un-fucking-cuff him. Now.”
She even cursed. Someone must have pissed in her Wheaties. I liked the new Cecilia Daniels. I’d seen her a few times given my… anger issues. She’d been motherly, trying to nurture me into being a good man, reminding me I’d served my country and had been a model citizen. Who cared? As if I could turn over a new leaf now. I was nothing but an empty, enraged shell.
“He’s a dangerous criminal capable of eating your face off,” Mark the shadow said. He was the guard most likely to become a fuck toy for the big cartel lord inside the place.
“I’ll take my chances,” she said. “He’s a human being, unlike the two of you.”
Holy fuck. She was on a roll.
Johnny cursed under his breath as he followed her directions, and it was all I could do not to kick the son of a bitch in the face. When the shackles had been removed, she finally turned her attention toward me, offering a respectful smile. I’d been tough on her during our meetings. Her attempt at getting through the thick block wall I’d placed around myself had done nothing but anger me and I’d made certain she knew it.
It felt good to be treated like a human being for a change.
“Now, get out and I do not want us bothered,” she told them, nodding toward the door.
“It’s your funeral, lady,” Mark said.
“That’s Doctor Daniels to you. It’s about time you boys learn some respect.”
I had to give her more credit than I had at this point. She was damn good at putting them in their places. When they were gone, slamming the door behind them, she rubbed her hands down the jacket of her conservative suit.
While she was older, not quite enough to be my mother, her age wouldn’t matter to the thugs inside here. Most hadn’t seen a woman in years. Any piece of meat was good enough for them.
“Sit down, Mr. Bronson.”
I eyed her warily and she shook her head.
“Please?”
Grinning, I did as she asked, thumping into the chair then rubbing my wrists. The fuckers had purposely ensured that the steel was digging into my skin.
She pulled a bottle of Coke from under the table. It was an odd and very touching move. It was also cold. Ice was considered a possible weapon, the substance not allowed but the bottle was dripping from being nestled in it. Interesting. During the times she’d tried to get me to let my guard down, telling her personal things, I’d spouted off I liked a cold Coke now and again. The fact she’d remembered surprised me.
After studying me briefly, she sat down, yanking a folder from an unseen briefcase and placing it on the table. It was her usual behavior, flipping through the thick pages to discover my latest infraction.
She was normally stressed, which I couldn’t blame her for. Why she’d signed up to deal with savage criminals for her profession had always been a curious thought in my mind. I hadn’t bothered to ask. It wasn’t my place and we weren’t buddies.
“There was an incident in the shower yesterday?” she finally asked.
I twisted the cap from the Coke, chugging down half before I wiped my mouth with the sleeve of my jumpsuit. It was my way of reminding her I was the animal I’d been portrayed as. “There’s always an incident in the shower, Doctor Daniels. You should know that by now.”
“It would seem a couple men suffered serious injuries. It’s funny to me that no one is talking.”
“Yeah? It would seem no one wants to have a target on their backs for snitching. From what I understand, the Russian pricks were treated like the rodents they are. Like I said, no one talks in this place if they want to live.”
She dramatically slammed the file shut. “Mr. Bronson. Do you want to get out of here while you’re still vertical?”
I sneered at her and picked at the bottle’s label. “Unlikely to happen.”
“If your behavior continues this way, you’re damn right.” She leaned over the table far too close to me, something she’d been warned against doing. I could easily smash her face into the table just because I wanted to.
Only I wasn’t that kind of man.
Sure, I’d done some unspeakable things in my day, but I’d never hurt a woman. My mama had done something right.
“So what? I ain’t got nothing.”
She laughed, a knowing sound that was entirely different than normal. “Please don’t treat me like some fucking fool, Kage. You use language as if you’re uneducated, thinking it makes you tough. Right? Well, in my eyes, you’re a shithead who threw away your future and all because of what?”
“I ain’t nothing and you know it.” I looked away, unused to being shoved into a corner this way.
“Oh, please. Your woe is me routine is starting to piss me off. Let me remind you of who and what you were. You’re from a damn decent family who loves you very much, with a sister who worships the ground you walk on. You were the football captain, voted the most likely to succeed in high school and had a full fucking Rhodes Scholarship. You served your country, even earning a Purple Heart for bravery. You had everything going for you. Instead, you chucked that and enlisted in the Marines, where you advanced quickly, earning yourself a Silver Star for your heroic deeds. When you returned, you resumed college life, earning a dual degree in psychology and criminology from Duke, which you promptly wasted four years later.”
I rolled my eyes. “If you know so much about me, why are we chatting?”
“Because this game we’ve been playing for years is getting old. I know why you turned to working for the most brutal crime lord in the country, and why you threw your life away. But for fuck’s sake, is this all you want to aspire to?”
I glared at the woman, daring her to go down a bad path I’d almost strangled her over during our first meeting. She knew the subject that was completely off limits.
“What do you want from me, Doc? A promise I’ll be a good boy inside this fucking hellhole? Let me remind you that the worst of humanity is inside these concrete walls, men most people in the outside world can’t think about without having vicious nightmares. In order to survive in here, you have to become one of them. I ain’t the guy you think I am.”
“You’re also not a brutal killer like they made you out to be. You and I both know you’re covering for someone.”
“Old argument, Doc. Move on.”
She shook her head, laughing bitterly. “You’re a fucking hard man to understand.”
“What do you want, to berate me? To ask me to promise I won’t defend myself again? That’s not going to happen.”
“No. I’m here to offer you a way out.”
I had to admit, in the times we’d met, I hadn’t considered our little chats would help me get parole, which had a slim to nil chance. Now I was the one leaning over, doing my usual attempt at intimidating her.
To the woman’s credit, she wasn’t afraid. Instead, she also leaned forward as she’d done before, lifting a single eyebrow.
“What’s that, Doc? Becoming born again? I don’t believe in God.”
“No, but you do care about two things. Women and animals.”
What in fuck’s sake was she getting at? “Yeah, so?”
Dr. Daniels pulled another file from her worn briefcase, placing her hand over it without opening. “So, I have an opportunity that I think you’re perfect for.”
“What’s that?”
Her expression softened. “There’s a program where inmates assist animals, training them usually over a five- or six-month period to become therapy dogs.”
Snorting, I took another gulp of my Coke. “I ain’t qualified.”
“Yes, you are. What about Jake?”
I shoved the table hard enough that her eyes opened wide. “Don’t mention him again. Another subject that’s off limits.”
“Take a deep breath for me and listen. This particular program is all about saving and nurturing animals who were abused, considered unredeemable. Most were on the euthanasia list, completely unadoptable. This gives them and you a chance at learning about kindness all over again.”
The woman had chiseled into my psyche enough to know I’d press her for more details. “What does that entail?”
“Living with them, feeding them. Walking them. Training them. Playing with them. You will become their guardian and in turn, you’ll be moved to a different location in the prison allowing you access to the grounds. If you’re lucky, the pup will graduate and move onto becoming a support animal for someone in need. And I assure you there are plenty of people who’ve suffered tragedies like you have, some even much worse.”
I eyed her carefully, my heart aching.
“I’m no dog trainer, Doctor. I don’t have any qualifications. We’ll fail.”
“Bullshit. It’s about caring for them, showing them love after what they’d been through. This program is more about providing service animals for people who’ve been through a crisis. A tragedy, a loss, being attacked. If these pups can relearn people are decent, they will be the best companions. Loyal. Loving. Protective.”
“What’s in it for me?”
“Do you really need to ask me that?” she asked, offering a gentle smile. “You need this, Kage. You need to be reminded you’re very human.”
I looked away.
“Plus, if you’re successful and finish the program without an issue, it’s entirely possible you’ll get parole this time around.”
Now I laughed out loud. “They ain’t giving me parole. They’re owned by certain… bad guys.”
“Don’t do that. You obviously have no clue how tenacious I am. I will get you a decent review because I will be there.” She pulled out a few pictures, slapping them on the table. “Take a good look at their faces, Kage. Marty here was shot with a BB gun over and over again, chained to a fence. The collar dug into his skin and he almost suffocated. Lindy Lou was left by her former owners in the backyard with no water, no food. Wally was regularly beaten, his front legs broken. He’s lucky they didn’t need to be amputated. And Max. Yeah, well, Max was set on fire and if it hadn’t been for a Good Samaritan, he would have died. These are a few of the faces who need someone to show them love again. You can be that man.”
I glanced at the photographs, another type of rage tearing through me. One in particular nearly broke my heart. If I had one. I jerked up, moving toward the door. “I can’t do that. I’ll destroy whoever you provide.”
“No, you won’t, Kage. I know better. Please, let me offer you something that will remind you there is still a life for you to live. Please.”
Her pleading was also abnormal, but I couldn’t look at her. “They won’t allow me into the program.”
“Already preapproved.”
I remained quiet.
“Just allow me to bring you one to meet. Just a meeting. Okay?”
I pounded on the door calling for the guards. But as soon as Mark threw it open, I looked back at her. It was one of the toughest things I’d done in my life but as I glanced at the photographs again, I finally nodded.
What the hell did I have to lose?
[divider]Chapter Three
Noel
“You look like hell, Noel.”
Dr. Jeffrey Mallard was considered the best at what he did, highly respected in his field. I’d been seeing him since moving to Colorado Springs on a whim a few years before. The truth was I’d run away from everyone and everything I knew, trying to chase away the nightmares.
That hadn’t worked.
“Well, thanks so much. Is that the kind of bedside manner they teach you in your fancy-dancy school?”
He was sitting behind his throne, as I liked to call it, turning his pen over and over again as he always did. The man’s nervous tic had always gotten on my nerves. “I’m not your gynecologist, Noel, just your shrink. I don’t need to have a bedside manner. I tell it like it is, which is what you need to hear.”
“Someone got up on the wrong side of the bed this morning.” I slid into the seat, refusing to lie down on his comfy couch. The sessions didn’t really help but I continued to come, hoping that maybe one day I could be cured. Yeah, right.
Sighing, he tossed his pen and leaned over his massive mahogany desk, folding his hands together. He was old enough that with his gray hair, he had that fatherly thing going on. He wanted to chastise me for allowing the horrible incident to continue to plague my life while longing to comfort me as well. Neither would work.
“You’re having nightmares again.”
“Yes, hence the reason I called and I’m here.”
He rubbed his jaw, staring at me as if I was a specimen underneath a microscope. “We could try a low dose of antidepressants.”
I threw out my hand before he continued. “I’m a bestselling author, Doctor. I need to be on my mental game at all times in order to create the characters who’ve helped me earn a damn good living. More than you do, I might add. I can’t have my senses dulled because of some ridiculous nightmares.”
“Your ridiculous nightmares are keeping you from leaving your house and living a normal life. You do realize that, don’t you?”
Ridiculous? Did he just call my night terrors ridiculous? It showed how much the man cared. I would usually lash out at any asshole who reacted this way but as of late, I was no longer anything like the vivacious woman I used to be. “I do just fine, Doc-tor Mallard. I have friends. I have a beautiful house with a mountain view. I have money and the ability to do anything I want.”
“Yet, you don’t. When was the last time you went out with your friends?”
I had no answer.
“O-kay. When was the last time you invited one of them over?”
I opened and closed my mouth, uncertain of when that was. Since the nightmares had picked up in intensity, I’d retreated even more into my little world than normal.
The monster had won after all, something I’d promised myself would never happen.
“Fine, Doctor. You’ve made your point but I’m not taking drugs.”
“Then I have an idea for you, one that’s a little avant-garde but I think something you might approve of.” He slid a file across his desk.
I hesitated before bringing it closer. As soon as I opened and read the contents, I narrowed my eyes. “The Abused Dog Rehabilitation Program?”
He nodded. “It’s quite well known and expanding into this area. I think having an emotional support animal, one who will also protect you might be the answer.”
I read the details over a second time and sighed. “Wait a minute. These dogs are all abused then sent to be retrained or rehabilitated by fucking criminals?”
“In the case of the program being established in Florence, Colorado, you are correct.”
“Whoa. The supermax prison?” I knew my mouth was hanging open.
“Yes, Noel. The men chosen are those considered redeemable themselves. As I said, it’s a well-respected program that has a ninety-eight percent success rate. It offers the inmates a reason to rehabilitate while allowing the abused dogs to feel as if someone gives a damn. In turn, they become a loving animal to someone, such as yourself, who needs support.”
“So, you make a call and I get a dog?”
He laughed. “No, it doesn’t work that fast. Since the program is just getting started, it will take a few months for you to receive your pup if you qualify, which I doubt you’ll have an issue with given your record. But I assure you, it’ll be worth the wait.”
My record. As if I’d been the one to kidnap and torture nine women.
Sure, I was no fool. If something didn’t change, I’d end up losing everything I’d worked so hard to achieve, but finding the energy to take care of a special needs animal? I wasn’t so certain.
Still, it was a glimmer of hope in the ugly darkness. I glanced at the paperwork again, finally pushing the file away. This was so tough, as if admitting I had a problem. “Can I think about it?”
“Sure, but don’t take too long. Since I was alerted to the program yesterday morning, the spots have almost been filled. I have a temporary hold on one but only for forty-eight hours.”
“I’ll let you know before then.”
“Strongly consider this option, Noel. You need a companion if nothing else and a dog might be the best way to remind you that not everyone out there is a monster. You will feel safer.”
Was that really possible?
The intelligent girl that I’d always been would easily agree that I already knew that. Unfortunately, the girl still locked inside that horrible dark place was the one controlling everything about me from what I ate to what television programs I watched. I hated the fucker’s control over me. Loathed it.
“I promise you I’ll seriously consider it. I really will.”
“I’m going to hold you to that,” he said. “Now, tell me about the latest nightmares.”
[divider]
“I don’t know, Zoe. It just sounds farfetched to me.” At least my discussion with the good doctor had been somewhat productive. I’d managed not only to invite my best friend over, I’d also followed through with it. I was infamous for cancelling at the last moment.
She popped a shrimp into her mouth as she swirled her wine.
I made funny faces on purpose until she almost choked.
“Stop,” she wheezed. “You’re terrible.”
“That’s why you love me.”
“Uh-huh.” She wiped her mouth and sat back on the barstool. “Give me your laptop.”
“Why?”
“Because I asked you to. Because I’m your best friend who you’ve ignored for weeks and because if you don’t, I’m going to kick your ass.”
“Well,” I huffed. “Since you put it that way.” Thank God I could laugh around her. As I headed to my office, the first rumble of thunder from an approaching storm caught my attention. I closed my eyes and leaned against the wall, doing the breathing exercises the good doctor had shown me how to do. Usually, they didn’t work. Today, they did.
I was even able to smile, lifting my middle finger toward the window. Fuck the storm and the horrible psychopath. I grabbed my laptop, heading back into the kitchen. Zoe immediately grabbed it, lifting the lid. Her fingers flew across the keyboard. She’d been a good friend since I’d arrived, an attorney who’d helped with the purchase of my house. Even if that wasn’t her forte. She was a criminal attorney and someone I could trust without question. She’d simply been doing her cousin the real estate agent a favor.
I’d asked her if she wanted to have a glass of wine and we’d been fast friends ever since.
“I’ve heard about the program,” she said in passing. “I knew it was coming to the area as I was contacted to suggest any of my… clients that could be eligible.”
“Is it any good?”
“Highly successful in other areas of the country. I just don’t know how it will work at the supermax prison. Usually, they only allow minimum security prisoners to handle the animals. The nonviolent types.”
I shuddered at the thought. I knew what the doctor was doing, trying to get me to face and conquer my fears in an entirely different way. It wasn’t a bad idea. I just… I wasn’t certain I had any love to give anyone, least of all an animal who’d been abused.
“Ah. I was wondering why. This makes sense,” she said absently.
The wine tasted better than usual for a change. I took another sip, leaning over the counter, the disco music I’d popped on able to drown out the sounds of the weather. “Meaning what?”
“Meaning, given their success, they’re expanding the program on a trial run. They’re providing the most damaged, abused animals a chance at graduating the program and finding a forever home while also providing a very unique opportunity for a select few convicts.”
“Okay. Meaning what?” I pressed.
“You are so impatient. Meaning there’s a chance a few will get parole because of the involvement.” She studied me as if I was going to break down into tears.
“Not all criminals are psychopaths. Some are inside the joint based on circumstances.”
“Wow. I never thought I’d hear you say that.”
“I write about criminals all the time. I do a lot of research. What the bastard did to me encompasses about point-two-two percent of criminals. Some commit crimes based on tragedies or horrific circumstance and maybe they do deserve a break.”
Where had that come from?
I’d been writing thrillers for as long as I could remember. I think since I’d learned to walk. As the nerdy kid, writing had been my refuge, my way of sliding into a dream world. I never would have believed I could make a living doing what I loved.
She seemed amused, lifting her wine stem and grinning. “Then you know what makes that fucker tick. Or you should. He wants you scared. You need to fight with everything you have, including considering this.”
I brushed a strand of stray hair behind my ear as I did when I was nervous. “Yeah, well, if I don’t start to sleep a few hours a night, I’ll become just like him.” On purpose, I grabbed the knife I’d used to cut the cheese, acting as if I was in a slasher flick.
She laughed before turning the computer around, using a lovey-dovey voice. “Look at those wittle faces.”
I swallowed hard as I looked from one to the other. “What kind of sick fuck could abuse a loving animal?”
“A sick fuck. You have a chance of showing the one chosen for you that all people aren’t bad. And you’ll be helping an inmate society threw away. Maybe your psychiatrist is brilliant. Plus, what could it hurt?”
“What if the bastard inmates teach them to be aggressive instead?”
Her hard look was sisterly. “It doesn’t work that way. These guys are hard as fucking stone, but you’d be surprised how much they melt into a little puddle, full of pride when the watch their fur babies graduate from the program. There’s a ceremony and a dog cake and everything.”
“Don’t they miss the animals?”
“Yeah, of course, but it’s giving them incentive to get out, so they have the chance to adopt a bunch of furry creatures.”
Hmmm. When she put it that way… I chewed on my lower lip.
“What if I get attached?”
She laughed. “That’s what you’re supposed to do and you know what? It’s okay. Besides, the program is just getting started so you’ll have plenty of time to get used to the idea. You know what? In my professional opinion, I think this is exactly what you need.”
“I’m not sure what I need any longer and what, you’re now a psychiatrist?”
“Well, I know what you need and you’ve done your research. You know my job entails driving a sharp stick into the minds of criminals. Now, no more shop talk. Grab the bottle of wine, girl. We’re going to watch a movie. I hope you bought some Chunky Monkey ice cream.”
“Well, duh.”
As soon as I grabbed the wine bottle, she jerked it from my hand, heading toward the living room. It was chilly outside, snow on the ground. I’d started a fire. I glanced at the dogs on the screen, reaching out and touching their little faces. I’d had a puppy as a little girl, a dog I adored with all my heart. When I’d lost him, it had nearly broken me.
Maybe Zoe was right. What could hurt putting two broken souls together?
[divider]
Kage
I had no idea why I’d agreed to such bullshit. I had no business caring for an animal. The fuckers in the joint would likely hurt him. I was pacing the room, one I hadn’t been in for a long time since I didn’t have visitors. I’d refused to allow any of my family to come here under any circumstances, not that dear old Dad wanted to have anything to do with me anyway.
At least there the space offered me time to think. Or maybe just second guess myself. Today was a meet and greet only, a dog preselected for me. I’d already had the grilling session by the warden, the fucker still treating me like an animal. However, Dr. Daniels had talked back to him as well, going above his head to the governor to have me preapproved. Somehow, I had a feeling the asshole would take that out on me.
I’d deal with him. As long as he didn’t hurt the dog, I’d be okay with whatever shit he tossed at me.
Oh, God. I was nervous, which was ridiculous. I was meeting a goddamn animal. As I raked my hands through my hair, I groaned. I didn’t really think that at all. Shit. I couldn’t do this crap. I wasn’t good enough to try to show an abused animal love. How could I when I was so damaged myself?
I was about to head for the door, demanding I be taken back to my cell when the visitors’ door opened, Dr. Daniels walking in. I noticed she had a couple of packages in her hands and a smile on her face.
“I’m sorry I’m late. The traffic was horrific. Plus, I stopped and got a few things I thought you might like.” She placed the bags on one of the metal picnic-style tables.
I eyed them warily. “What’s that?”
“Why don’t you find out?” She backed away but not from fear of me. I could see real excitement in her eyes.
There was no doubt she was putting her reputation on the line for me. Ordinarily I wouldn’t give a shit, but she’d stuck with me, refusing to back down or give up. I had to give her some credit. I moved closer, peering inside. Then something magical or bizarre happened. I broke out into a smile as I pulled the dog toys and a bag of treats from the thick plastic. The items included a tennis ball. God, just holding it in my hand brought back too many memories.
At least they were good ones.
Where I would have shut down just seeing one before, this time was different. Almost as if this was a new beginning, but I wasn’t the kind of man to get my hopes up for any reason.
“You like them?” she asked.
“It’s not what I like. It’s what he or she likes.”
“You’re going to meet Max.”
I lifted my gaze. I wasn’t certain I wanted another boy. A twinge of pain tore through me, but I did my best to ignore it. Wouldn’t do me any good anyway. “Yeah, okay.”
“Aren’t you even a little bit excited?”
“I hate to burst your bubble, Doc, but don’t get your hopes up. Dogs can smell bad people a mile away. My guess is he’ll hate me.”
“Why do you sell yourself short, Kage? Huh? You can pretend all you want to behind these bars, but I know deep inside what you’re made of. If I believed even half the crap said about you, then I wouldn’t have gone to bat for you to get into this program. You deserve this and I have no doubt it’s going to change your life.”
“Who’s he going to if he graduates?”
“That’s yet to be determined but remember what I told you. One rule of the program is that if you’re offered parole, you cannot ever see the dog again. I know that sounds rough, but you will no longer be their master.”
“Don’t worry, Doc. I don’t want to be anyone’s master.” Just then the door was opened and a man walked in with a dog on a leash, a guard right behind him. The poor guy appeared sheepish, as if I was going to take a chomp out of his face.
“Ah, Jimmy. Come on over here.” Dr. Daniels motioned the guy forward.
The dog was staring at me with such sad, wary eyes. I stared back, still uncertain how I felt or if I felt anything at all.
“Jimmy,” she repeated. “This idea is for Mr. Bronson to meet Max.”
Jimmy was so nervous I thought the guy was going to piss his pants. If this had been any other situation, I’d bark like a dog to see if that happened but not today.
Max whined, pulling at the leash.
“The collar is way too tight,” I told good ole Jimmy.
The good doctor lifted her eyebrows and grinned. “Well, why don’t you fix it for him?”
“Are you sure this is okay?” Jimmy asked as if I wasn’t going to be able to overhear him.
She slapped her hands on her hips, turning toward him in a snap. “Why the fuck are you here? This man isn’t going to hurt you. Stop acting like a child. And you,” she snapped, pointing to the guard. “Leave us alone. I’ll come get you when and if I want you.”
I shoved the ball into my pocket, hoping the pup would enjoy playing with it later.
The guard threw me a hateful look then backed away, closing the thick metal door with a hard slam. I wasn’t liked on this side of the prison any more than the other. Too fucking bad. I reached into one of the bags, ripping open the treats, and putting a few into my hand.
The dog pulled at the leash again and I dropped down into a crouched position, wanting to be on the pup’s level. I spent a couple of seconds adjusting the collar so it didn’t strangle him. He was so damn timid, so fearful his entire body shook. Christ. Who was the fuck who’d done this to him?
Jimmy finally leaned down and unfastened the leash. The dog remained wary, taking a few steps toward me then stopping and sniffing. The scars on the poor pup’s back were enough to bring out the vicious man inside of me.
“Max is one of the dogs I showed you before. So far, he hasn’t gotten along with anyone.”
The doctor’s voice was solemn but mixed with hope. I sat down on the cold floor, crossing my legs. “Golden and German Shepherd?”
“Yes,” Jimmy answered. “He was burned by his former owner. That’s not the worst of it.”
It was all I could do not to crush the treats in my hand thinking about doing that to the fucking owner’s head. I kept my eyes locked on the beautiful baby, still trying not to get my hopes up. He hung his head low in defeat, his tail shoved between his back legs. Even with the scars, the dog was one of the most beautiful I’d ever seen.
I finally held out my hand with my fingers curled, which indicated I wasn’t a threat. It took him a little while, but he finally closed the distance, sniffing my hand. When he finally figured out I had treats, he lifted his gaze, his eyes a little brighter.
“You want a treat, Maxie boy?” I asked.
The single thump of his tail was perhaps the most rewarding sight I’d had in years. I opened two fingers, allowing him to nuzzle into my hand, finding the treat. Very slowly I reached out, stroking the top of his head. At first, he jerked it back up, backing away a few steps. The pup was searching my eyes, hopeful I wasn’t going to hurt him. I could sense the doctor was holding her breath, more hopeful than the puppy.
“Here you go, boy. You can have another one.” I offered the treat with my open hand and this time without hesitation, he moved closer. I tried petting him again, breathing a little easier when he didn’t jerk away.
After Max finished eating, he remained where he was, allowing me to rub him behind his ears. I wasn’t used to feeling anything other than cold and dead inside, but when the pup inched closer, dragging his wet tongue across my face, the little fur ball struck a nerve.
Before I had time to really react, Max crawled into my lap, his tail thumping against the floor in a perfect rhythm.
I’d always heard when a dog found his person, he was finally content. Maybe Max had found his.
And maybe, just maybe, we could rehabilitate each other.
[button color=”red” size=”small” link=”https://www.stormynightpublications.com/product/strictly-forbidden-a-dark-mafia-romance/″ ]Read More Info and Buy![/button]