Chapter 2
TWO
Sunday afternoon, Charlie King sat at her desk in the quiet Watchdog office, staring at the expense report from her last client protection detail.
Watchdog charged their wealthy clients bank, which they could afford.
That allowed for what Kyle referred to as ‘the widows and orphans fund’ which let them provide free services to people who couldn’t afford protection otherwise.
It wasn’t called that because it was only offered to widows and orphans—but because widows and orphans are what Watchdog and Mountain Division would create if necessary.
Sundays weren’t usually Charlie’s shift, but the alternative—sitting alone in her apartment—held even less appeal.
Charlie logged another receipt. Hotel in Vail. Meals. Mileage. The work was mind-numbing, which was exactly what she needed. Anything to keep her brain from circling back to the same thought pattern.
You’ll never have your own family. You’re always going to be alone. Who’d want someone like you?
Stop it, she told herself firmly. Just finish the damn receipts.
Her desk phone mocked her. The message light had been blinking when she got it that morning—one new voicemail, received Friday evening when she'd already left for the day. The extension was internal—forwarded from the main Watchdog line. She'd listened to it, and now it kept sticking in her mind.
She lifted the phone receiver and made herself listen to it again.
Might as well.
"Hi. Um." A young man’s voice, familiar but changed, spoke carefully like he was choosing every word.
"This is…my name is Joseph King. I'm trying to reach Charlene King.
I think she might work there? I'm her brother.
" He paused. "Charlie, if you get this message, hi.
I know it's been a long time. I wanted to talk about something.
That's all.” Another pause, longer this time. "I hope you're doing okay."
The message ended with his phone number.
Charlie sat very still.
Joey. Twenty-seven years old now. Practically a stranger, except she could still picture him at eight—scabbed knees, gap-toothed smile, dragging her sleeve so she'd read to him before bed because their father was at the bar and their mum was somewhere else and Charlie was the one who was always there.
She'd been his whole world, once. Before he’d gotten older and fell in line with Patrick and James, their older brothers.
He wants to talk about something? Right. More like he wants something from me.
That was how it worked. Growing up, someone in her family always wanted her to do something—wash the clothes, clean the house, cook the food. And nothing was ever good enough for her older brothers or their father. Eventually, nothing was good enough for Joey, either.
Old news. She wasn't falling for it.
Still, she re-saved the message instead of deleting it, then went back to her receipts.
Her phone buzzed. Kyle’s name flashed on the screen.
“Yeah, Boss?”
“You busy?” Kyle’s voice was relaxed, friendly. “Need you outside at the kennels.”
She straightened, grateful for the interruption. She put her hands on the small of her back and arched it. Her spine popped like gunshots. Too much time spent in boats hitting waves at sixty-five MPH like they were on a washboard road.
“On my way, Boss.”
The late afternoon sun hit her face as she stepped into the training yard by the kennels.
Kyle stood with Alex Hoff, Watchdog’s lead dog trainer, near the obstacle course.
Three dogs sat at attention—Camo, Kyle’s gold-and-black mottled Lab; Mac, Alex’s Malinois; and a younger Malinois Charlie had worked with a few times during training sessions.
Flo.
Seeing the dog, her heart did a stupid little skip, but she kept her expression neutral as she approached.
“Afternoon,” she said, nodding to both men.
“King.” Kyle gestured at the dogs. “Thought you could help us run them through their paces. We’re working on some detection drills.”
“Sure.” She couldn’t help but reach down and pet Flo, who was watching her with those intelligent amber eyes. Don’t get your hopes up. She’s going to the Boulder police department. Just like the others.
They spent the next twenty minutes running exercises. Kyle sent Camo through a drug search. Mac practiced his protection routine with Alex. And when it came time for Flo’s turn, Kyle nodded at Charlie.
“Take her through the obedience sequence. Let’s see how she responds to you.”
Charlie’s pulse quickened, but she kept her voice level. “Flo, heel.”
The Malinois moved to her left side instantly, head up, alert but not anxious.
They moved through the course together—sit, stay, down, recall.
Flo was flawless. Not just obedient, but connected.
The dog anticipated Charlie’s commands, reading her body language like they’d been working together for years instead of a few scattered training sessions.
When they finished, Charlie gave Flo a quick ear scratch and her very own Kong, then stepped back. Professional. Controlled. Even though her chest felt tight with something that felt a lot like hope.
Don’t love what you can’t keep.
She tamped down her expectations like a reflex.
Kyle and Alex exchanged a look that Charlie couldn’t quite read. Kyle was fighting a smile. Alex was full-on grinning.
“What?” she asked, suspicious.
Don’t get your hopes up.
“Well,” Kyle said slowly, drawing it out. “Alex and I have been talking.”
“Uh-huh.” Charlie crossed her arms, bracing herself for disappointment. They’re sending Flo to Boulder PD. Or giving her to Badger since Valkyrie’s having puppies. Or—
“Flo’s finished her basic certification,” Alex said. “She needs a handler for the specialized protection work.”
“Right.” Charlie swallowed. “I heard Boulder PD was interested—”
“They were,” Kyle interrupted. “But I told them that’s a negative.”
Charlie blinked. “You... what?”
“Flo’s not going to Boulder PD.” Kyle’s ice-blue eyes were warm with something that looked like satisfaction. “She’s yours, Charlie. If you want her.”
The world tilted sideways for a second.
Mine.
Flo. Was. Hers.
Charlie felt her face want to split into a massive grin, felt excitement bubble up in her chest like champagne, felt her throat get tight with emotion—
Hide what you love or they’ll take it away.
She locked it all down. Nodded once. “Yeah. I want her.”
Kyle’s eyebrow rose slightly. Alex’s smile faltered just a little, like he’d expected more reaction.
“Great,” Kyle said, studying her face. “She’s all yours then. You two are officially a team.”
“Thanks.” Charlie’s voice came out steady. Controlled. She reached down to pet Flo again, letting herself run her fingers through the Malinois’s fur for just a moment. “This means a lot. I appreciate the trust.”
“You’ve earned it,” Alex said. “Flo’s lucky to have you.”
I’m the lucky one. But Charlie didn’t say it out loud. Instead she straightened, professional mask firmly in place. “I’ll get her set up in my apartment tonight. Start the integration routine.”
The door to the training yard opened and Shane stepped out with his dog, Pete. Shane’s dark eyes swept the area before landing on their little group. He’d been Charlie’s crewmate back in their SWCC days, one of the few people who’d seen her in combat, who knew exactly what she was capable of.
His gaze dropped to Flo, then back to Charlie’s carefully neutral expression. One corner of his mouth quirked up.
“Don’t let her fool you,” Shane said, walking over. “King’s over-the-top excited right now.”
“Shut up, Elk,” Charlie muttered. He was one of the few people who could read her better than she liked.
“Can’t hide it from me, King. I’ve seen you after a successful exfil. Same spark in your eyes.”
“I have no idea what you’re talking about.” But she could feel heat creeping up her neck.
Shane just grinned at her, then looked at Kyle. “Charlie finally got her dog, huh?”
“Finally,” Kyle agreed.
“About damn time.” Shane crouched down and Flo immediately went to him, accepting the ear scratch he offered while Pete looked jealous. “She’s been waiting for you, Charlie. Even a blind man could see that.”
Charlie rolled her eyes, but warmth spread through her chest.
My dog. I have my own dog.
Growing up, she’d wanted a pet so badly.
But her father had always said no. They were too expensive, too much work, and Charlie already had enough responsibilities.
As a SWCC, she wasn’t allowed to train with military dogs—they weren’t exactly made for the tactical boats that came in guns blazing to rescue a SEAL team under fire.
They belonged to the teams, to the mission.
Charlie glanced at Camo, remembering the horrible circumstances under which she’d seen the dog for the first time, and her heart felt suddenly heavy.
She shook off the old sadness. Camo was good now, and hell, so was she. This was a good day. Now, for the first time in her life, she had someone who’d always be happy to see her, who wouldn’t judge her or find her lacking.
Don’t cry, for God’s sake. Do not let them see you cry.
Kyle’s phone buzzed. He pulled it out, read the screen, and his expression shifted from relaxed to all-business in an instant.
“We’ve got someone coming in,” he said, already typing a response. “Woman escaping an abusive situation.” He looked up at Charlie. “You available to stick around? Might need you on protection detail.”
“Absolutely.” Charlie’s mind was already shifting gears, professional mode engaging even as her heart went out with empathy to the woman. “What’s the situation?”
“Still getting details, but it sounds serious. Ben Massey’s bringing her in.”
Charlie’s heart did that stupid skip thing at the mention of Ben’s name.
Focus. Someone needs help.
Kyle glanced at Shane. “You good to provide backup if we need it?”
“Yeah.” Shane pulled out his own phone, thumbs flying over the screen. “April and Kevin are at the movies and heading to dinner after. I’ve got time.”