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CONAN

“ I rish prick.” The sweaty guy throws his fist toward my face.

I duck and send him flying into the table. My phone vibrates in my pocket as I pummel his face.

Surely we’ve dug out most of the Bowens here by now. There’s no way Arthur can afford to send any more guys over.

Just as the guy goes limp, my cell goes off again.

“Fuck,” I hiss, stumbling backward and pulling it out.

I don’t recognize this number.

I answer and stay silent.

“Conan?”

I’d recognize that voice anywhere. I’ve become accustomed to it recently.

“Don’t tell me your next words are ‘fuck off’,” I say, casually making my exit from the latest Bowen victim’s house.

“No.” She sounds like she’s whispering.

“How did you get my number?” I ask.

She chuckles.

“I have my sources.”

Who is this woman really?

“Is Hallie okay, Lily?” I ask, a sudden panic forming.

Why would her best friend be calling me while they’re on vacation, especially when she thinks I’m the enemy? And after Hallie’s drunk call, I don’t know what to think.

“Yeah. I’ve just sent her to the bar. Look, we have an issue, and I don’t know who else to call.”

I unlock my car and get in.

“Anything. What do you need me to do?”

“Okay. So, how are you with dogs? Golden retrievers, to be exact?”

Oh, fuck.

“I’m fine. I’ve met Bertie. I assume that’s who you’re talking about?”

“Yes. Georgia, my assistant, is dog-sitting. And, well, she thought she’d take him to the woods for a walk. She let him off his lead and was busy replying to emails, and…”

“Don’t fucking tell me she’s lost Hallie’s dog, Lily.”

“Watch your tone, Conan. But yes. She’s looking for him now, but I thought, seeing as you… have good hunting instincts and know your way around the woods here, you could help.”

Wow. She can manage to throw a jab at me in any conversation.

“I can’t believe this,” I mutter.

“Go easy on her. She’s only nineteen. She doesn’t even own a dog. She had no idea Bertie’s recall is about as useful as trying to get a fish to swim back to you.”

I bite back a laugh. But internally, I’m stressing. I need to find him before it gets dark.

“Which woods exactly?” I ask.

“Hawke Creek State Park.”

“Tell her to meet me by the entrance in about twenty-five minutes.”

“Okay.”

There’s a pause on the line.

“Is Hallie okay?”

She sighs.

“No, Conan. Not really. I hate seeing her like this. She was just getting her spark for life back again.”

I wince at her words.

“I never meant to hurt her.”

“But you did. Doesn’t matter if it wasn’t intentional. Give her a little time.”

“You don’t hate me? You think I’ve got a chance?” I ask, grabbing my keys.

She laughs.

“I do. And no, I don’t hate you. I hate Ben. But you? I saw you bring my best friend back to life. I know you care. She’s stubborn and afraid to lose people, so she’s going to push you and keep pushing.”

“I’m not giving up. I might be evil, as you probably know, but never to her.”

“Trust me, I’ve met evil. You’re far from it.”

A chill runs through me. There’s more to her than she lets on.

“Lily, when I find him, I’ll keep him with me. I don’t trust this woman with Hallie’s baby. Just let me know when you’re on your way back from the airport, and I’ll drop him home.”

“I’ll send you the pin to the key safe. Thank you, Conan.”

“Any time when it comes to Hallie. Okay?”

I mean it. Even if it’s ten years from now and she’s in trouble, I’ll drop my life to help her. I owe it to her.

I’ll never stop, even if it means being her protector from afar.

“Oh. While I have you. Are you doing anything next Saturday? I’ve got a show at my gallery, but I’m hosting an afterparty at Vibes. I’ve got VIP tickets if you want to come? Bring some friends?”

I know the owners well—or, well, they pay us for protection.

“Sure. Sounds good. It’ll be me and four others.”

“I’ll text them now. Just send over their names.”

“Will do. After I get Bertie home.”

After I hang up, I turn out of the road and follow the GPS.

I’ve always wanted a dog but never had one. But seeing how much Hallie loves Bertie just sold me on the fact I need one.