Chapter 5 Who’s a Good Boy?
Who's a Good Boy?
Reena loved hearing his stories about training and what mischief he got up to.
She especially enjoyed his recounting of the great Bacon Rebellion.
Truly, she was the perfect companion. She liked to listen, she didn’t talk back, and she was always up to spread chaos.
A particular favorite was chasing their neighbor Muriel’s cat.
It drove the woman crazy, but she didn’t dare speak against Chuck.
Malachi ensured that, snarling and howling like he was summoning an army of the undead anytime she came near.
Reena’s favorite toilet was Muriel’s begonias.
The lieutenant seemed impressed with his progress and fast-tracked his graduation. Tomorrow was going to be a big day. Chuck and Malachi were going on the news for a local feel-good story, then on their first official patrol as partners. He was actively looking forward to it.
“Off the bed, Malachi,” came Chuck’s irritated voice.
He snorted and rolled over, showing his belly, which she rubbed like she always did. Sucker, he sang and heard Reena’s wheezy laugh.
“Seriously, Mal, you know the rule. Only I get to sleep in the bed.” Chuck rolled her eyes.
He rolled his eyes right back. They had this same argument every night. She didn’t want him on the bed. He wasn’t sleeping on the floor. She would fuss at him. He would whimper. She would smile and say…
“Fine… but this is the last time. Tomorrow you’re in your dog bed.
Got it?” Her lips curved gently; she knew the game too.
Especially since she had never actually bought another dog bed, she laughed as he gave a small happy rumble, then flipped the blanket back and yawned.
She crawled into the bed while he made room for her.
As she snuggled down under the comforter, she smirked when he flopped next to her.
As they did every night, she talked about various things, telling him bits about her life, her friends growing up.
He dutifully listened and would woof quietly at intervals to show he was paying attention.
She would mumble to him until her eyes started drifting.
Tonight was no different. “Goodnight, Mal,” she called sleepily and rubbed the silky spot between his ears.
Goodnight, Chuck, he thought as he started to drift off, too.
He heard the piggy snort, meaning the Chuglet wanted on the bed.
Another thing that wasn’t allowed but was often overlooked.
He groaned as he had almost been asleep.
Dragging himself to the edge of the bed, he gently picked Reena up in his mouth, hating the taste of fur, but not having opposable thumbs limited his options.
Dropping her unceremoniously on the mattress, he curled back up with Chuck.
He laughed when Reena snuggled against his butt and sighed with a happy wheeze.
Her tail thumped a few times before her breathing indicated she was asleep.
The little thing seemed attached to him, as if he were her savior.
In a way, he was. No telling who she would have ended up with if they’d left her there at the rescue center.
The following morning, Malachi and Chuck were up extra early to report to the news station. Leaning down to straighten his spiffy new vest, she gave him some last-minute reminders. “This is it, Malachi, best behavior. No starting riots, no organizing revolts, and absolutely no peeing on anyone.”
He grumbled under his breath and rolled his eyes before licking her hand in agreement.
Fine, but only because you asked so nicely.
He trotted alongside her; the leash held limply at her side because she didn’t actually need it.
It was just the requirement. He stared in interest at the scene around him, always on the lookout for ways to corrupt people despite his promise to Chuck.
After all, he agreed to today only; tomorrow was a different story.
Or when he got back to his man form. The newsroom was a prime location for corruption.
Politics and power plays ruled the day, and they decided what the people heard and thought.
They were directed to a set with a perky platinum blonde woman and a handsome man with thick, coffee-brown, wavy hair that somehow stood tall but looked weightless. Malachi studied him intensely; he didn’t like the way the man was ogling Chuck.
“Officer Charles?” the woman squeaked. “Hi, I’m Candy Morgan.
This is Buck Perkins. We are just so incredibly excited to meet you!
And who is this handsome fellow? Oh my gosh, isn’t he just the sweetest wittle baby ever?
Look at him! Malachi, right?” She squealed in a high-pitched tone and began to baby-talk him.
Malachi stared at her in horror. Oh hell no, that bimbo better not be calling ME a wittle baby.
Wait, is she going to pet me? Ugh! He tried to back up, but Chuck cleared her throat and pulled on his leash, giving him a subtle reminder to act like a dog.
Groaning internally, he sat, then panted and held out a paw for the blonde twit to shake.
“Oh, isn’t he just the sweetest gentleman!” the reporter gushed. She reached out and shook him, then dug her fingernails behind his ears, giving him a good scratch.
Oh, wait, keep doing that! He moaned and leaned into her, scooting closer. He licked her cheek and decided she wasn’t too bad after all.
Buck leaned down. “Big fellow, huh? Bet his bite is worse than his bark, right?” he chuckled before he continued in a smarmy voice that set Malachi’s teeth on edge.
“Officer Kelly Charles, my my, if I’d known such beautiful women were serving on the force, I might have chosen a different career path.
The city’s finest indeed.” He raised an eyebrow and cocked his head in a pose that someone had probably told him was sexy, smiling with all his overly whitened teeth on display.
Even worse, he took her hand and kissed the back of it like the star of the daytime soap opera Reena liked to watch.
Chuck’s mouth dropped open, and she leaned back, cringing at the sheer cheese factor of the situation. She may have been coached by the PR department for the interview, but no one warned her to school her face when Buck acted like—well—Buck.
Malachi coughed to cover his laugh at her reaction.
“Bless you, sweet baby!” Candy cooed at him. She turned a dirty look on her co-anchor, snapping, “Buck, mind your hands. I’m sure Officer Charles wants to keep our interactions as professional as possible.”
“Sure, Candy,” he gritted through clenched teeth. “No offense intended, Officer. Just always good to see strong women in positions that have typically been male-dominated. Very impressive, my dear. The audience is going to love this message of positivity and community outreach.”
Smooth. Malachi admired the man’s recovery, although he still didn’t like the way Buck was oozing on Chuck. Heh, Buck and Chuck. Wait, ew. He grimaced and stuck his nose in Chuck’s hand, trying to nudge her away from the slimeball anchor.
Chuck dropped to a knee and rubbed his head, effectively moving away from Buck. “I know, buddy.” She turned to Candy. “Malachi is a little confused about all the lights in here. Where should we set up?”
Don’t blame me, he huffed as the reporter led them to a set with cozy chairs and decorative tables that were too low to actually be useful. At least the rug looked soft. If you would just let me bite him, the problem would be solved already.
“Shh,” Chuck cautioned firmly. “No biting.” She stopped in her tracks and stared at him; her eyes slightly widened.
Her grip tightened on the leash, and her hand trembled for a moment.
Squaring her shoulders, she continued her march towards the set.
The anchors indicated a chair, and she called softly to Malachi, “Heel, Sit,” she said, before taking her own seat.
He was still too stunned that she seemed to have heard his thoughts to even consider being contrary.
Plopping down with an ungraceful thump, he stared at her intently, chanting, Chuck, Chuck, Chuck, Chuck.
He wanted to growl in frustration. If she heard him, she was doing a good job of pretending she didn’t.
Turning back to Candy, he idly wondered if that was her real name or a stage name.
He was willing to bet she stripped to pay for college because that rack was certainly not real.
Those tits were one hundred percent financed.
He glanced at Buck, who was once again openly appreciating Chuck, and narrowed his eyes disdainfully.
His upper lip lifted slightly, showing one fang.
Buck noticed the stare and leaned back warily.
Malachi slowly winked at the man who jumped out of his chair and swallowed heavily before scurrying away, calling for makeup.
Chuck squinted at Malachi in suspicion, but he let his tongue loll out and panted innocently.
He was a very good boy, and one of these days, she would know how good.
Malachi turned back to Candy and listened intently as they gave Chuck instructions, while the rest of the crew wired her with a microphone.
Another lackey came over and asked if she could brush him.
He turned eagerly to her, knowing it would feel awesome, and he was certainly a creature who enjoyed his comforts.
A small, wicked smile curved his lips as he noticed the tiny crucifix dangling around her neck; he would love to corrupt her.
Sitting perfectly still while she ran a comb through his fur, he waited until she was done, then put his paws on her lap and licked all over her face.