Page 98 of Their Stolen Obsession

Sin asked, “Ready?”

I blew out a breath. “Yes.”

The cage opened. I froze. I couldn’t move, no matter how much I wanted to. An instinct I had become accustomed to with dogs, and I thought Duke would lunge at me. Barrel into me at full force and take a bite into my skin, but he didn’t. He nudged his empty bowl with his nose and sat behind it.

“Ah, Liv? I think you should feed poor Dukie here.” Sin cut into my fearful daze. “He’s fucking drooling all over the place.”

I giggled, “He is, isn’t he?”

Dukewasn’tcharging at me with his jaw snapping. Hedidn’tbark while leaving me screaming. The damn pit bull waited patiently like a good boy, starving with an empty belly.

I poured the kibble into Duke’s bowl and watched him attack the food. Hedidn’tbite at me. Not one growl came out of his mouth, and he burped while Ifed the other dogs, who waited for their turn. All the dogs were sweet and happy to be taken care of.

We left all the cages open because we’d be heading outside. The dogs all gathered around us while we petted them, and they’d nudge us with their wet noses. A German shepherd named Scotty dug Saint. He’d jump up against him until Saint bent over and the pooch licked at his face. I laughed uncontrollably at Saint—his face was all scrunched up while slobbery kisses of gratitude lapped into his mouth. Saint rubbed his fur playfully and stood up.

Sin made a friend with a husky, its eyes each a color of their own. One was blue, while the other was brown. The dog’s markings were beautifully unique, and she was a stunner. He’d sit on the ground, petting her, and he didn’t even give a fuck that she playfully bit at his leather jacket that probably cost a fortune. She’d roll over, and he’d give her a long belly rub while her tongue hung out of her mouth in enjoyment.

Dogs barked happily, but I didn’t jump. I was far too consumed with my men having way too much fun with these damn animals. Saint loved cats but had found a new love for man’s best friend, and Sin never was a fan of any animal. Until he got to know them.

“Now that everyone’s acquainted…” Cindy opened the door. “Let’s take this party outside.”

Fifty

Their Universe

Liv

Cindy blasted a loud whistle, and all five dogs darted out into the yard, leaving us in the dust. Saint wiped the slobber from his face, and Sin dusted the fur off him.

I walked outside, and the sun shone brightly down from the clear blue sky. It was a gorgeous day to be outside while the dogs relieved themselves and played with each other. Scotty and the husky tackled one another while two smaller dogs ran through the yard. Duke wandered around slowly, went back and forth, but he made a few circles and took a dump.

“Fuck,” Sin grumbled and rolled his eyes up to the sky.

I giggled. Sin shot me a dirty look.

Saint shrugged. “Who cares?”

“Me. I’m on shitduty. Remember?”

“Better you than me.” Saint chuckled.

Sin pulled a gun out of his waistband and pointed it at his best friend. “I’ll shoot you where you stand.”

Saint reacted. He pulled out a gun too and targeted Sin. Both aimed at each other, and I got right in the middle of them.

“Jesus Christ. Put the guns away,” I whisper-shouted. “Do you want to get us kicked out of here?”

Saint nodded straight ahead. “Well, he fucking started it.”

I peered at Sin. “Do you always have to be intimidating?”

“Yep,” Sin answered. “He deserves a bullet in his ass for laughing at me.”

“Why are you two bringing weapons to an animal shelter, anyway?” I questioned, glaring at one man and then the other.

“Sweetheart, a man goes nowhere without a weapon,” Sin answered with a tilt of his head. “Ain’t that right, Saint?”

Saint agreed, “A-fucking-men.”