Blast from the Past (Men of Severn #2)

Chapter Eleven

Shane Blake

I’ve never thought about what my house looked like to someone else but I’m nervous as I lead Mercy inside. It’s clear that I live alone. My home is clean but sparse. Two navy blue couches, a massive television, and a coffee table are all I have in the living room.

I hear Zeus scratching at the back door, demanding entry, and I know if I don’t hurry up I will have to replace the door. My boy doesn’t like being ignored.

“Give me a minute,” I say, dropping her suitcase inside the door.

The moment Zeus is granted entry he sprints through the house before I have time to stop him. Hauling ass, I try to catch him before it’s too late. But Mercy’s yelp of surprise is enough to tell me I’m already too late.

When I enter the front room I find them on the floor, Zeus pinning her to the ground with his massive front paws, licking the ever-loving shit out of her. Mercy tries her best to stop him and turn her face away, but it isn’t working. The fact that she is giggling uncontrollably isn’t going to stop him either.

“Zeus,” I say sternly. “Enough.”

He stops raining his slobbering kisses all over my girl’s face long enough to shoot a dirty look my way. I see him contemplating ignoring me, but he decides to comply and sits down beside her with a goofy pit bull grin on his face.

“I’m sorry, I should have warned you,” I try to apologize but she isn’t focused on me.

Instead, she hugs the massive beast around his neck before kissing the side of his muzzle. Zeus leans into her body and I have the vague feeling I have just become my dog’s second favorite human.

“It’s fine.” Mercy smiles at me. “He just caught me off guard.”

Reaching down my hand, I help her stand before kissing her. I love that she isn’t afraid of him. Most people are terrified. He’s a big boy and what most people consider to be a dangerous breed, but actually, he’s a softie that likes to cuddle for hours. I feel Zeus shoving his big body between the two of us and release a chuckle.

“Seems he might already be a little jealous of your attention.” I shake my head in disbelief.

“Are you jealous that your dog likes me?” There’s laughter in her voice.

“Probably.” I smile in return. “I’ve never had to share him with anyone.”

“I promise I won’t steal your dog.” She kisses me softly. “Now, show me the rest of this place.”

Taking her hand, I guide her through the rest of my home, Zeus trailing closely behind. It’s not like there’s much to show—two bedrooms, a bathroom, and a kitchen.

“That’s the full tour,” I say sheepishly as I drop her suitcase in my bedroom.

“Stop acting so weird.” Mercy shoves at my shoulder and I chuckle.

Zeus interrupts the moment with a loud bark, trying to get her attention turned back to him.

“Where does he sleep?” she asks, scratching behind his ear.

“The garage.”

“What?” She sounds surprised.

“He doesn’t like being closed in. The shelter rescued him from a fighting ring, and he was always caged up,” I explain. “I tried when I got him, but he just jumps through the window if he can’t get out. I leave the side door of the garage open and that way he can come and go as he pleases.”

She nods but I can see she isn’t happy. I know how she feels, and I would rather have him inside with me, but it is what it is.

****

Mercy West

It’s been four days since I moved in with Shane, temporarily, and I feel like I am losing my fucking mind. When I am allowed to work at the bar, I am watched by one or more of the Blake brothers. Shane has clearly told them what is going on, but no one talks about it. Other than going to the bar, I spend all my time at Shane’s place.

I understand why all of them are being protective, but I need some space to breathe. On a whim, I grab the leash hanging behind the kitchen door. I’m not even sure Zeus is leash trained but I need to get some air, and I think he would enjoy being out of the yard.

Walking out into the backyard I see him lazing beneath a tree. At the sound of my approaching footsteps, he opens an eye and checks me out. The moment he sees the leash he is up and bounding over to me. Stopping, I spread my legs, but I didn’t need to. Zeus abruptly stops at my feet and sits patiently while I clip the leash to his collar.

He doesn’t pull me along as we walk, instead staying right beside me. Even when there are other dogs barking from inside their yards, he remains calm. I wasn’t sure what I was expecting when we started this journey, but I do know I wasn’t thinking it would be this easy.

We approach a park about two blocks from where we started and for the first time, Zeus shows some excitement, moving two steps ahead of me. It’s the middle of the day on a Wednesday and no one is around, so I decide to let him off his leash when we enter the park. He turns to look at me before bouncing off.

Taking a seat on one of the benches, I laugh as he rolls in the grass a few feet from me before chasing a squirrel who runs up into a tree. I am so engrossed in watching him enjoy himself that I don’t hear someone approaching until they are right behind me.

“Dangerous dog to have off his leash.”

A startled yelp escapes me as I jump to my feet. When I turn around, I find Zane standing there frowning at me. Zeus is right beside me in an instant, pressing his weight against my leg, letting me know he is there.

“He’s not dangerous,” I reply when I finally have my pulse under control. “And there is no one else here.”

Zane looks around the park before smiling at me. “Seems we are alone. At last.” He removes a gun from behind his back, letting it rest at his side. “It didn’t have to be like this, you know?”

My blood is cold as it flows through my veins. I’m not sure what the hell is going on here, but I do know I am in serious shit. My phone is in my hand. I was busy texting Shane, trying to get him to blow off work and join us. Fumbling around I hope I hit the “call” button.

“What is going on, Zane?” I ask keeping my voice even.

“I saw you at the fight last week.” He smiles. “So beautiful, so radiant. I knew I had to have you. But then you chose that piece of shit Shane over me!”

His voice has gone up an octave and there is something else in his eyes. Something that makes my skin crawl.

“Zane,” I start but he waves the gun in my direction.

Zeus growls lowly and the gun is instantly aimed at him. Panic overwhelms me and I try to step between them. “Please don’t,” I beg, dropping my phone to the ground and holding my hands in the air.

“Tie him up!” Zane yells at me, throwing the leash I had left on the bench at me, but I accidentally drop it.

Reaching down to pick it up I see that my call has indeed gone through and pray that Shane is listening to every word. Looping the leash around the frame of the jungle gym, I clip it onto Zeus’s collar. A whine escapes him as I move toward Zane. He is about as happy with this situation as I am.

“I don’t know what you want from me, Zane.” My voice is calm and controlled, but on the inside, I am nothing but pure panic. My knees feel weak beneath my weight, and I pray they don’t give out. “I’m just taking my dog for a walk in the park.”

I say this slowly, hoping Shane catches the clue.

“I wanted you!” he yells and Zeus barks, pulling at the leash. “But you gave yourself to him. I fucking saw you!” Zane is clearly not in his right mind. Each word is yelled louder, and he keeps swinging the damn gun around. But it all makes sense now.

The animal heart on my step. The brick through my window. He has been watching me. He must have seen Shane and I going at it like rabbits in the kitchen. I feel dirty and violated knowing he was spying on us in such a personal moment.

He glares at me with blown pupils as he speaks. “I would have been good to you, but now I just want to make both of you as miserable as I am.”