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They’d driven out of Claymore in a beautifully restored Charger she’d struggled not to drool over. When they arrived at their destination, and Jericho escorted her inside the abandoned firehouse, she’d had doubts. That is until he opened the door.

“This is where you live?” She gaped as she entered the space. And she’d thought his Charger was impressive.

Jericho walked in behind her. “Several members of the guard share this building. We call it The Pound.”

She spun to face him. “The Pound?” Did she imagine it, or did his golden skin pinken?

He cleared his throat, discomfort in his expression. “Since we don’t allow outsiders inside Claymore, there are times when—”

“That’s okay.” She held up her hand, putting him out of his misery. “I get it.”

“The others have orders to keep their distance while you’re here.”

Good. The fewer of Victor’s men she had to deal with, the better. She took halting steps into the spacious room. Fourteen-foot ceilings soared above her head. On her left was a kitchen with stainless appliances and granite countertops. Opposite that was a great room with an iron stairwell that led to the loft above.

Everything was beautifully masculine and yet functional.“Holy Medieval Ax Murder,” she muttered, catching sight of the vast display ofcutleryon the wall. From floor to ceiling glinted an assortment of swords, battleaxes, and daggers. Some were fancy and ceremonial-looking, others ancient and primitive.

Riiight. ’Cause it totally completes the whole industrial chic, man-cave look.Her lips curled, and she caught Jericho’s intense amber gaze. Her smile froze at the realization he’d been watching her explore.

“Impressive collection. I’ve never seen anything like it.” The praise seemed to put him at ease, almost as though her opinion mattered. “It’s yours?”

“This is but a small part of my collection.” Jericho shrugged, pretending indifference while failing to hide the way his shoulders tipped back. “The more valuable pieces I keep at Claymore.”

She nodded toward the wall and cocked a brow. “What’s the matter? Wouldn’t Victor let you hang your toys in his living room?”

Jericho’s lips quirked. “Well, that and—”

From the loft came an ominous thud, like something heavy had dropped to the floor. Did Jericho have a visitor he’d forgotten to mention? A rhythmic tapping noise clacked across the hardwood.

The tapping drew closer, and a massive, silvery shadow slunk down the stairwell.Alex’s heart leaped into her throat. The noise wasn’t aperson.

It was an animal.

And it was big. Really big.Oh, Lord!Whatever it was, it was headed straight for her.

She scrambled backward and collided with Jericho’s broad chest. He wrapped his arm around her waist, steadying her. Sandalwood and leather filled her senses, a heady combination she found strangely soothing.

“Titan, stay.” Jericho’s voice rumbled against her back, sending goose bumps down her arms. He raised his hand, signaling to the beast. Holy hell. Was this intimidating animal Jericho’spet?

“Also yours?” she whispered, afraid anything louder would provoke the thing.

Part rodeo bull, part pit bull on steroids, the creature paused at the bottom of the steps, taking her measure. He was a dark steely gray, the same as a storm cloud. Deep scars slashed his face and body as if something had chewed him up and spat him out. His ragged ears appeared as though they’d been cropped with a pair of rusty scissors.

“Wh-What is it?” She clasped Jericho’s arm like a lifeline. Energy pulsed beneath her fingers, wary and full of concern, except that concern wasn’t directed at her.

“He’s a hellhound.”

No way. Hellhounds were real? She’d heard stories about the horrible beasts, all of them terrifying. She’d thought they were nothing more than folklore.

“Um, I guess he’s here because Victor doesn’t want him chewing up his priceless antiques?”

The beast waited patiently in front of her. Not a threatening stance, more cautious, as though it was unsure of its welcome. She realized Titan was watching her with the same careful consideration she was him. God, his eyes. Deep, soulful, and in their depths lurked something all too familiar. She recognized that haunted look. It was the same one that stared back at her from her mirror this morning. Titan was a survivor.

“What happened to him?” She turned slightly to peer at Jericho.Gulp. Big mistake. Now they were nose-to-nose.

For one frozen moment, neither of them moved.

Awareness rippled through her body.