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Instead of fighting him off, I wrapped my arms around his neck, breathing in his doggy smell. “Whoa, buddy. You need a bath.” At least I could laugh as I sat back, shaking my head to remove the cobwebs. The nightmare had seemed so real, but I was safe.

And I was in a bed in a bedroom I’d never seen before.

Kage’s house. Why didn’t I remember coming here?

Why didn’t I have any memories of getting into bed?

I tugged on the covers, the action driving Tank to move enough I could stick my feet out.

And why wasn’t I wearing any shorts?

Fuck.

I scanned the room, noticing they’d been tossed onto a chair. The door was partially cracked and there were no sounds. Nothing.

Silence.

Just like the savage hero. Maybe that’s what I’d start calling him.

“Where’s your daddy, Tank?”

He cocked his head and I laughed again. I guess we need to find out. Easing from the bed, I noticed there was an attached bathroom, and was grateful there was since my bladder was full.

After doing my business, I glanced at myself in the mirror, moaning as soon as I did. Roadkill on steroids.

I jerked on the shirt, thankful it was long enough to cover my butt since I wasn’t interested in pulling on the shorts. Maybe ever again. I’d find the bag of clothes and take a shower. Maybe that would wash away the horrible dreams and certainty I’d be captured all over again.

Kage had certainly made me feel as if that was a possibility.

I couldn’t think that way. With Tank by my side, I ventured from the room, noticing the set of stairs almost immediately. With tentative steps, I walked down each one, almost fearful of what I’d find. Yet as soon as I was standing in the combination foyer and living room, I was pleasantly surprised. The area was wide open, almost as large as the small condo I had in New York.

Everything was rustic, beams running across the ceiling. There was a massive stone fireplace and windows. My God, the number of windows was incredible. I padded across the hardwood floor, already shivering. When we’d left Dallas, it had felt like a thousand degrees. Now I could swear there was snow on the mountains that were staring at me right outside the bank of windows.

Wow.

“This is amazing, Tank.” I noticed not one, but two large dog beds and dog toys scattered everywhere. He must have read my mind before he trotted over to where three bright yellow tennis balls were near the fireplace, grabbing not one, but two of themin his mouth, trying for the third. He was pleased as punch when he brought them to me, managing to issue a snort as soon as he did. My thoughts drifted to the story about the Marine. How sad. But maybe Tank had been sent to Kage for a reason. To help him with his sanity.

And sadness.

“What a good boy. Maybe we’ll play later.”

If that was allowed.

Rules.

There were a lot of them.

Yes, I understood why, but holy moly, the man was thorough.

And a pain in the ass.

There were several boxes placed in haphazard places. Maybe he’d just moved in. But the place did look very lived in, cozy and warm. Inviting.

Totally unlike the man.

I bit my lower lip as I tried to remind myself that wasn’t fair and found the kitchen instead of tearing him apart in my mind. Dishes were everywhere. To say I was shocked was an understatement.

Crap. He was a messy pig. Nothing could have surprised me more. Even stranger was the fact he had a doggie placemat on the floor with two pristine matching bowls with Tank’s name on one. A soft spot. I’d seen how he’d been with Tank.