Adrenaline rushed through me as I walked up to the front door of the house Atticus had sent us to. I’d texted to ask for the address, letting him know we had the proper paperwork and I would be going to retrieve Barkley today. His message had been short, clipped even, and I wondered if I’d upset him the other day. A smug smile pulled up at the corners, knowing I’d gotten under the skin of the unflappable man.
“Excited, Lo?”
I turned my head, not understanding his question, and a little weirded out he thought I’d be thrilled about getting to Atticus. When Monroe gestured toward the two-story brick house before us, my cheeks heated in realization. Focus, Loren! This was important.
“Oh, yes,” I confirmed. Taking a deep breath, I knocked on the door and waited. When no one came, I rang the doorbell. A frenzy of barking erupted, one sounding very familiar. I was practically bouncing on my feet as I waited for someone to open the door. Monroe had walked up with me, Wells and Nicco staying back unless we needed them. Atticus had sent over a car to take us, a dog crate in the back as well.
His thoughtfulness was appreciated, only adding to the mystery the man was becoming, and an action I could understand versus his words.
Pressing the doorbell again, I was about to become that annoying person who held it down until someone came, when a voice yelled from within.
“Coming! You can stop with the doorbell already. Fucking hell. Can’t get any sleep in this place.”
A disheveled woman opened the door, and I vaguely remembered her from the art show Jude had been in a few months back. I’d been in such a panicked state, I hadn’t really taken in my surroundings, and yet a hint of familiarity peeked around the edges of my subconscious. She saw me first, looking annoyed at my presence but not placing me either. However, when she spotted Monroe, she straightened and simultaneously began to primp and scowl at the man.
“What are you doing here?” she directed at Monroe, but he said nothing, allowing me to have this.
“I’m here to retrieve what belongs to me.”
“Excuse me?’
“I’m here for Barkley. I believe my ex-husband gave him to you.”
“Listen, lady. I don’t know who you are or what you think you’re doing here, but I don’t have your dog.”
“If you don’t know who I am, then how did you know Barkley was a dog? I could be picking up my child for all you knew since you so eloquently stated you didn’t know who I was?”
She sputtered, not able to formulate an answer to cover her lie, and a feeling of confidence rose in me. Channeling my inner Elle Woods, I thrust the paper we’d printed at her.
“This certificate states I’m the rightful owner of Barkley, who I know is here. Not only do I have evidence indicating the fact, but I can hear her. So you can either hand her over to me now, or I can call the police. Which is it going to be?”
“You can’t prove anything, and the police won’t come for a dog.” She narrowed her eyes at me, crossing her arms.
Raising my eyebrow, I felt vindicated getting to use it on her. “Really? That’s what you’re going with. You see, Christine, it is Christine, correct?” I asked but didn’t wait for her to reply before continuing. “Dognapping is considered a step below kidnapping, and last time I checked, kidnapping was a felony. So you’re looking at, what?” I turned to Monroe, “Three to five years?”
“At least,” he agreed before casually placing his hands in his pockets and being the strong, quiet presence I needed. Christine swallowed, realizing what she was up against.
“But sure, call the cops. I’d love to tell them how my ex lied to me about my dog dying and then hid her out here at his new fiancee’s house. I’m sure there are some other charges we could file as well, like aiding and abetting. So, please, go ahead. You’d be saving me the call.”
Her face went white before she swallowed, looking nervously between us. “Oh! Barkley, you say? I thought you said Parkley. Just a moment, and I’ll grab her.”
She went to shut the door, but Monroe stopped it. “I’d prefer if you left it open, or perhaps we could come in while we wait? I’d love to see my niece if she’s around?”
“Oh, she’s at school, but I’ll leave the door open, habit.” She quickly let go of the door, scampering off to hopefully gather Barkley and send us on our way. The adrenaline I’d used to stand up to her was fading, and I sagged against Monroe. His arm wrapped around me, pulling me close, and I exhaled as the relief hit me. His hand rested casually on my hip, and I found myself feeling supported by just that touch. It only confirmed how vital touch was, something I’d never been given freely.
I could no longer ignore the truth. Every encounter, every piece of affection before these men had served a purpose and never had been an act of comfort. With Brian, it was about meeting his needs, and my mother, always about appearances. My father had been the only one who would regularly offer hugs, but even thinking of them, I’d never felt this at ease. I wanted to believe it was because I didn’t have the same type of relationship with him as I was building with Monroe, but it was more than that. Intimacy wasn’t always sexual, and it was something I was beginning to crave in all my relationships.
I heard nails tapping on the floor drawing closer, and I straightened up. Monroe kept me pulled to him, though, his hand remaining where it was. When she came into sight a moment later, I practically jumped up and down. My feet started to move forward to go to her, but Monroe held me anchored to him, a slight shake of his head not to move. Planting my feet, I waited as patiently as possible for Christine to bring her.
Kneeling down, I greeted my dog, who had gone ballistic, licking me all over. I pulled her close, wrapping my arms around her and burying my head in her fur. The pain I’d felt at losing her lifted, and I realized how much I’d been suffering with her out of my life. I’d been so low before I hadn’t noticed, and the only reason I hadn’t fought him in the first place. Apathy had become my state of being and a dangerous place to be.
Opening myself up to feelings meant all the good and bad ones, and I wondered whether it was because I’d never truly felt emotions as deep before or if I’d been so numb that all emotions now felt more powerful in general. It was hard to tell when the before was jaded, littered with lies and betrayals.
“Thank you for taking care of her.”
My acknowledgment stunned the woman, and she shifted uneasily, handing some items to Monroe. “Yeah, sure. No problem.”
“We’ll be out of your hair now. If Brian has any questions, you can tell him to speak with my lawyer.” She blinked, a look of shock on her face. We’d taken two steps when she stopped me.