Chapter 18 #2
“You’re officially responsible for Apollo’s care.
You can pick up his chow here weekly. No extra treats unless they’re for training.
In signing this, you agree to care for him properly.
You’ll take him for a yearly exam and a clearance exam after each mission.
If you notice anything unusual, it’s your responsibility to bring it to my or Leo’s attention.
If Apollo doesn’t seem ready for a mission, it’s your duty to request an evaluation, extra training, or refresh if needed.
Any injury must be reported to me. If we suspect any dereliction in your duty to him, we have the right to remove him from your care.
Apollo belongs to Serenity Securities. We will keep all medical records, his shot schedules, and we’ll schedule any procedures needed in any efforts to save his life. ”
“Wow, I know you must cover your butts, but I hardly believe anyone you pick has intentions to harm a dog,” Liam said, taking a pen and signing his name.
“You never know,” Cole said, frowning. “Leo wants it made clear he belongs to the company. Which means he’s part of our family. If you hurt him, it affects all of us. Leo won’t hesitate to remove him from your possession.”
“I’d expect nothing less,” he said, pushing the signed paperwork toward Cole. “May I take him with me for the rest of the day and bring him here while we pick up Zeus?”
“I requested a crate be moved to your bunk at the facility. Apollo can be left in your room as long as the door remains unlocked for one of the team to check on him if needed. After you assess Zeus’ needs, you may take him to Addyson’s.”
“Perfect,” Liam said, grinning. “What about toys and stuff?”
“You can take his favorite ball with you and raid the cabinet for additional items. We prefer you take a vest with you when taking him into town. In the summer, Sparky doesn’t make Ice wear it for overheating concerns.
We ordered new mesh ones to wear to combat the issue.
On missions, Apollo has a chip to locate him if you become separated.
I highly suggest you download the app. I have it, and everyone on the K-9 team has it downloaded with each dog’s tag number for easy identification and location. ”
Taking out his phone, he downloaded the app.
Cole continued, “During missions, Apollo must always remain at your side. You’re solely in charge of his well-being. You can hand him off to one of your team members for a shower break. We always keep them close.”
“Understood,” Liam said, taking Apollo’s leash and rising.
Excitement filled him at the official start of his time with the team.
It grew even more when he thought of taking Apollo with him.
They already formed a bond, and it grew stronger with each session.
Cole instinctively knew who to pair with each dog.
“After PT, unless Leo requests you stay behind, we’ll continue training until we spin up.
You’ll report first to Leo and then to me.
I’m a firm believer in keeping an open line of communication, like Leo.
If you’re having any issues with teammates, the other dogs, or anything else, I won’t be offended if you bring them up at team meetings. We’ll solve them together.”
“Thanks, Cole. I’m looking forward to working with you and Apollo,” Liam said before leaving.
Walking down the hall, he went to retrieve his dog. Satisfaction filled him in not letting his disability consume him. Getting Apollo felt like the cherry on top.
He opened the door and signaled for Apollo to come. The dog raced to his side and followed him to the truck. After he buckled Apollo in, Liam drove to town to pick up flowers for Addy. He wanted to surprise her when she came home from getting Zeus.
Attaching Apollo’s lead, Liam led him into the flower shop.
He gazed at the selection, feeling at a loss.
Roses seemed too early to give her. Daisies signaled he wanted only her friendship, and he knew he wanted more, much more.
Maybe a mixed bouquet? He walked to another fridge and noticed the bouquet with a mix of bright colors.
Her house seemed full of neutral tones, but when Addy went shopping, she gravitated toward colorful furniture.
Picking out his selection, he took it to the register. Addy asked him to meet her at Jake’s to help get Zeus in the car. He’d take the flowers and a card and set them on her kitchen counter.
Smiling as he imagined her walking in and seeing them there after he left, he felt giddy. He secured Apollo and drove to Addy’s. He parked his truck, retrieved Apollo and the flowers, and punched in the security code. The light turned red, indicating he entered the wrong password.
“Shit,” he muttered as he took out his phone, checked the pin, and re-entered it.
The light blinked red at him again. Frowning, he realized Addy must’ve changed it after he left this morning.
He thought for a moment and then entered Sam’s birthday, recalling it from one of the photos on the wall.
The light turned green, making him feel punched in the gut.
Pressing his forehead against the wall, he debated leaving the flowers. He sighed and walked in, keeping Apollo next to him. Liam placed the flowers on the counter with the card. Turning around, he reset the security code and walked out.
* * *
Addyson couldn’t stop herself from smiling all day at work. The feel of Liam’s hand, rough and callused, felt incredible against her sensitive skin. His kisses made her weak in the knees, and his spicy scent sent butterflies to her stomach.
When he left her bed this morning, he kissed her gently on the lips and then on the forehead, whispering for her to have a great day. Somehow, it seemed intimate, loving, and safe. A warmth pooled deep in her belly as she thought of him.
“Addyson?” Kassie called her name.
“Uh, yeah?” Addyson replied, turning around.
Kassie laughed. “I’ve called your name three times, and you stared at your chart and smiled like a loon. Something tells me it has nothing to do with what you’re reading,” she teased.
“I’m picking up Zeus this afternoon. Jake says he’s healing great.
In a few days, he’ll be running like nothing ever happened,” she informed her.
“Thank you again for the check. I bought a couch and a recliner. Tonight. I’ll order a new kitchen table.
Do you know how much the security system costs?
I wanted to repay Serenity Securities. I can’t believe they installed it in one day. ”
“Oh, I’m happy to hear you get to bring Zeus home.
Jake’s amazing with animals. I ended up in the woods by myself and ran into a coyote in the dead of winter.
Rollo saved me, and they bit him. If Chase hadn’t come along when he did, I hate to think of what might have happened. I worried myself sick.”
“Oh, that sounds scary,” Addyson said. “What made you go into the woods all alone?”
“Pure idiocy,” Kassie said, chuckling. “Have you seen Catherine?”
“No. I haven’t seen her for at least two hours. Did you need something?”
Kassie grimaced. “No. I’m babysitting her today. I gave her strict instructions to stay on the sofa and work on her laptop. Of course, she doesn’t listen,” she said, rolling her eyes.
“Hmmm. It seems to me it takes one to know one,” she mused.
Kassie grinned. “Yeah. We’re great at getting into trouble together. I promised Leo not to let her pick up anything heavier than a marker. If you see her, will you let her know I’m searching for her?”
“Absolutely, I leave in another hour. The new admission has settled in, and I’ve ordered his medication from the pharmacy. Did you want me to make rounds on the other floors before I leave? I’m almost done here.”
“If you don’t mind,” she said, biting her lip. “I don’t like Catherine running around after yesterday’s spell.”
“Go. I’ve got this,” Addyson assured her.
“Thanks. I hope all goes great with Zeus,” Kassie said before turning around in search of her friend.
Addyson checked her phone, hoping Liam texted her. When she didn’t see anything from him, she paused. Why didn’t she text him?
Hi. I hope your training with Apollo went great today. Did you want to stay for dinner?
She saw three dots, but he didn’t reply. One of the new nurses approached her, making her slide her phone back into her uniform.
“The patient in 202 says he’s still having pain. Doctor Winters has already increased his pain medication. What do I need to do?”
“Contact Dr. Winters. He’ll reevaluate his patient,” she told the nurse.
When she walked away, she glanced at her phone to see if Liam answered her.
Thank you. I’ll meet you at Jake’s. Let me know when you’re on your way.
Disappointment filled her. The text felt…
formal. It didn’t fit Liam at all. He made her laugh, take chances, and encouraged her to come out from the rock she hid under.
As a patient, she saw him every day and denied her attraction to him.
As a lover, it felt as if she knew him forever.
Their bodies melded together as if they came from the same mold.
Did he not feel the same way? She bit her thumbnail and recalled him taking his finger in her mouth.
His hot tongue glided against it as he sucked it, making it pulse, which grew from her finger and down to her center.
Shaking her head, Addyson slipped her phone into her pocket. She hurried to check the other floors. When her shift ended, she’d meet Liam and bring home her baby, Zeus. What more could a girl ask for?
* * *
Kassie let out a relieved sigh as she found Catherine sitting on a bench outside, eating a bowl of fresh-cut fruit.
“Did you forget how to use your phone?” Kassie chastised.
“I’m fine. I needed time alone to think,” she admitted. “Having Leo home has confused me even more.”
“What did Leo do now?”
“The laundry,” she admitted. “Then, he washed the dishes, vacuumed, and made me breakfast before driving me to work.”
“Was the food that bad?” she teased.