Page 7

7

LOURDES

‘Styx’

Bobby takes a seat next to me, his gun on the table. He pulls me close and to my utter surprise gives me a hug. Totally unexpected but, somehow, he knew I needed it.

“Lourdes, girl, you’re beyond safe. Jeremiah won’t let anything happen to you, so don’t panic. Do you want to stay out here or go up to your room ’til they figure out what all the noise is about. I’ve got your back, woman, don’t worry.”

I look up into his face and see the honesty in his eyes. He would risk his life for me. Don’t know how I know, but I do, and that makes me feel a little better. Not that I want anything to happen to him, but knowing I’m being protected from what and who the hell knows gives me a small peace of mind.

I move to the outside and sit on one of the recliners. Instantly, I’m surrounded by most of the dogs, though a few are on what looks to be patrol. I’m under a pergola when a noise catches my attention. I look up to see a fabric of some kind going in between the pergola boards, still allowing the sunlight in, but I get the feeling it won’t let anyone see down on us.

“Bobby, is that material special or something?”

“Yeah, you can still see out, but anyone looking can’t see through it. Gives ya the best of both worlds, which I’m guessing you need at the moment. If you decide to go in the pool or spas, this can be put over that section too. And the pool is heated so no worries about getting hypothermia.”

He grins at me and I smile back. Not sure what’s going on out there but for now I’m chilling, letting my aching body relax in the sunshine. Someone starts sniffing my hair and when I turn, I’m face-to-face with one of the largest dogs I’ve ever seen. The mastiff is gorgeous, but he’s drooling all over. Not sure how much protection he can provide besides sitting on someone. I raise my hand to pet him and he immediately drops his head on my shoulder. Awe, what a good boy. Not sure for how long but I decide to take turns petting all the dogs surrounding me. When people start coming back out, all the dogs except the mastiff and pit bulls are knocked out on the patio. Well, the sentinels are walking the back wall, but the three with me all managed to get on the extra-large lounger, and now I’m practically under each of them. They are making sure, if something happens, they get hit first, which is freaking me out because I definitely don’t want anything to happen to these beauties.

“I see you are getting the full treatment from the three droolers. With those three specifically protecting you, I can honestly say, no one will be able to even get close to you.”

I raise an eyebrow and he chuckles. Everyone is watching our interaction. Not sure why, but I felt the need to give Jeremiah a little nudge. Again, even though I know he’s probably excellent at everything from sex to training his dogs, I have to push.

“So what you’re telling me is I can go back to my place and bring these three dogs along and I’d be safe. Okay, that’s awesome, let’s do that then.”

Jeremiah runs his hands through that thick hair of his, as most of my crew starts to chuckle or outright laugh. Then I push his button unknowingly.

“Or are you unsure that they could do the job?”

Jeremiah swings my way with a wicked laugh. Then he looks at the group from the firehouse.

“Are two of you brave enough and trust me to help with a demonstration for Lourdes?”

Danny is first and Stash is second. Jeremiah walks to them while Bobby is pulling out what looks to be cushions of some kind. When I see both Danny and Stash putting that stuff on, I finally get what’s about to happen. Oh no, shit, no. Me and my big mouth.

“Hey, forget it, I trust you and the dogs, seriously. They both need to work later, so can’t have them getting hurt and ending up in the emergency room. Chief will have my ass since I’m off rotation too. Can’t have three of us down, Jeremiah.”

He walks my way smirking.

“Oh, so now you believe me because your friends are in the line of fire, so to speak. Come on, where’s your adventure? They both are educated with the care of dogs. I’ve been to Danny’s place, and I’ve seen Stash there with his two beasts that he says are dogs. All’s good. Okay, everyone, stay back. Bobby and I will give commands. Danny, Stash, do your best to get to Lourdes, who will be lounging on her chair by the pool. Let’s do this.”

He walks to Danny and Stash, talking to them both as he swings his arms all over the place. Then he heads down to where Bobby is. Everything is still until I see both Danny and Stash trying to sneak up the side of the hill in the back of the property. Seems like they are going to be able to crash our party. Well, until Jeremiah says something in what I think is German. All three dogs’ heads lift and their noses start sniffing immediately. They all get up, making their way to the back property. When almost there, they all split up. Next thing I hear is, I believe it’s Stash, screaming to get him off. He manages to get to level ground while he has the huge mastiff hanging off his shoulders on his back. It looks like that dog could actually open his mouth and bite off half of Stash’s head. My friend falls to the ground again and before I can say a word, Danny comes running up, grabbing the dog by its back legs, up close to the joint where the leg and body come together. He starts pulling the beast off until we hear growling. Oh shit, both pits are approaching Danny from different angles. Danny reaches behind him, pulling out a gun. All the dogs stop immediately, freaking me out. Again, before I can come up with a thought, the mastiff turns around and literally jumps up, somehow, with his back legs kind of trapped by Danny. With his mouth he grabs the gun, jerking his head back and forth until the weapon falls to the ground. When Danny leans down to pick it up, the dog literally opens his jaws and puts his mouth against Danny’s neck. Everything stands still for a quick minute. When Jeremiah says another word in German, the three dogs sit down, tongues hanging out. None of us can believe what we just saw. These dogs are better than some of the men and women on hostage forces. Eventually, everyone starts to clap as Danny and Stash move toward Jeremiah, hands out, smiles on their faces.

“Dude, need to tell me who you used to train them. Damn, would have never guessed such big dogs could be trained to that level. I only say that because protection dogs aren’t usually mastiffs or pit bulls.”

Slowly, I walk toward the group of them, the three dogs surrounding me, walking with me to Jeremiah. When we get there, he reaches in his pocket, then gives each of them a Milk-Bone, which they gladly take and gobble up. Feeling extremely tired all of a sudden, I go to take a seat when I realize the noise giving me a headache is someone, not sure who, screaming from inside. Since I don’t know what all the screaming is about, I ask the question generally.

“What was the screaming about?”

They all look everywhere except at me. Jeremiah is the one who finally shares.

“We had a situation at the gate, but everything is okay. One of my men had to carry a stray dog in because he was hit by a car and injured. The amount of blood freaked Beatrice and the girls out. Contrary to what you all believe, generally, we don’t have guns, bloody dogs, or other crazy-ass shit happening here. This is all new to all of us too. But we’ll get through this. Now, Lourdes, do you want to lie down for a bit?”

Thank God. I nod and before I can even stand, Jeremiah reaches down, picking me up. I put my arms around his neck as his arm is under my knees. Everyone says goodbye as he walks me out. Taking the stairs like I weigh nothing, which is a total lie, he moves like a huge cat. We pass a couple of doors before he opens one and my mouth drops open, even though I’ve been in it before when Beatrice showed it to me. The room is stunning and beyond huge. He walks me directly to what I’m assuming is a California king bed. Once I’m lying down, he removes my shoes and picks a throw, placing it on top of me. He leans down and places a gentle kiss on my forehead.

“Get some sleep, Lourdes. If you need anything, pick up the phone and hit one. That will take you to Beatrice. No, don’t worry about anything. Between all of us, we got you. Sleep now. You need rest so you can heal.”

Another kiss on the forehead before he adjusts my blanket, then he turns and walks toward the door. Right before he leaves, he turns and winks at me. Son of a bitch, I’m in some serious trouble. One of the main reasons I didn’t reach out to him again is because of the way he makes me feel. Can’t trust it, or him, because when you put all of your faith in one person, they are destined to let you down. I’ve learned that the hard way, time and time again, from family and friends.

Before my eyes close, I shift in this awesome bed and curl up. The throw is extremely soft and the fan is going around, moving the air. Last thing I think of was when we were together, I don’t remember coming in this room. Then my mind goes blank as sleep takes over.

Sounds like something is hitting the windows. I shift before it hits me, I’m not in my own bed and that noise is definitely getting louder. Slowly and carefully, I turn and slide quietly off the bed. I reach for the phone, dialing number one.

“Yeah, Lourdes, can I get you anything?”

“Beatrice, it sounds like someone is throwing rocks or pebbles at the windows. Can you get Jeremiah up here, please?”

“Yeah, ma’am. Do me a favor. Crawl to the bathroom, then shut and lock the door. Go to the walk-in closet and in the corner, open that cabinet door. Lean in and pull the hook off to the left. The back wall will open, step in, and close the door behind you. The room is pretty large and it has everything you will need until one of the men can come and get you. Go on now, let me reach out to Jeremiah. You got this, Lourdes.”

What the fuck am I involved with? Guard dogs ready to kill, secret rooms in closets, and men who would die to protect me. What universe am I in? Then I hear something larger hit the window, and I start crawling to the bathroom. Once there, I close and lock the door then follow Beatrice’s instructions to a T. When I close the wall behind me and turn on the light, I’m shocked. It’s like a smaller version of a great room. Seating, television, and even a bathroom way in back. Off to the other side is a kitchenette, and I’m thinking at least one bedroom. Who the hell is Jeremiah Zeon and what or who is he involved with? is my first thought. And my second thought is, if these people are after Jeremiah, why are they focusing on me?