6. WREN
I’m still half asleep, not ready to face the guys or anyone, after my earlier confession, when I hear barking. A dog barking. That can’t be right, since the guys don’t have a dog. After a long minute of listening for clues, my curiosity gets the better of me as I slip off the bed and reach for the robe usually to my right. My fingers touch the fluffy material and I smile. One of the guys learned quickly that I enjoy soft, fluffy things. Slippers, socks, pajamas, you name it, if it’s soft and cozy I want it. My bet is on Jax since he is basically a giant teddy bear when it comes to me. Pulling on the robe, I tie a knot around my waist and head towards the noise. I make sure to keep my steps quiet as I descend the steps, the barking noise getting louder as I go.
“Will you keep him down? Wren is asleep and needs her rest. Why the hell did you bring this mutt home? One second you’re saying you just need a drive, then hours later you bring home this, without even talking to us,” Xander sneers. I can hear the disgust in his tone as I pause, pressing my body into the wall. If my sense of direction of the house is correct, I believe the guys are in the living room.
“He’s not a mutt, he is a pure breed German shepherd, and I got him because he is a service dog. He is for Wren.” Maverick responds. “Isn’t that right? You’re a good boy, huh? You’ll protect our girl and keep her safe when we have to go to work, won’t you?” I almost let out a giggle at Maverick’s baby talk to this supposed dog. The man is usually as gruff as Xander. This is a side of him I’ve never experienced, and I’m not sure how I feel about it.
“You don’t think she has enough going on? You had to add a dog to the mix. What if she’s allergic or doesn’t like dogs? You don’t think sometimes, Mav.” Xander exclaims, sounding a bit on edge.
“Maybe she will like him. If he is a service dog, then he is trained to help people like Wren. He could help her get around,” Jax speaks next. He sounds a bit more up to the idea, making me smile. Since I’ve known these men, Jax has always been the one to make me smile. Doing everything he can to do it.
“She has us to get around. I’m not letting her leave this house. Not until we find that bastard, Adrian.” Xander’s words feel like a slap to the face. Who the hell does Xander think he is? Thinking he can just command me to stay in this house. That I’m some kind of pet he can tell to sit and behave. That’s not going to happen.
I’m about to turn the corner and give Xander a piece of my mind when a cold wet nose bumps my hand. I startle, letting out a squeak when I feel a furry head bump me next. It’s the dog. I hear footsteps heading in my direction, but I’m too annoyed with my stupid controlling men to give them my attention now, so I drop to my knees and stick out my hand for the dog to sniff. The furry head nudges my hand again in what I’m guessing is approval, so I lean forward, sliding my hands through his fur and finding his ears, giving it a few good scratches. The dog instantly bows his head more to give me better access.
“Awww, do you like that boy? Does that feel good?” I coo. In answer, the dog drops to his belly and lays his head on my knee. “I think you do.”
“I agree with Xander now. She doesn’t need a dog. She is going to give him all the love and attention.” I can hear the pout in Jax’s words, and I let out the giggle I held back earlier.
“Why is there a dog in the house, anyway?” I ask, even after hearing Mav say it was for me. I move to sit on my butt, but arms scoop me up bridal style.
“Come sit on the couch, and I’ll explain.” Mav carries me to said couch before sitting with me in his lap. I hear the click, clack of dog nails on the hardwood floor before the seat next to us dips and a furry head lands in my lap.
“Get the fucking dog off the couch!” Xander exclaims, but I ignore him and continue my petting session with a grin on my face. I hope it pisses him off because I’m also pissed at him.
“I think she prefers him with her already.” I can hear the smug response in Mav’s voice. Shaking my head at the overgrown children, I wait for an explanation. “Why don’t you get a drink, brother, and calm down a bit? Wren seems to like him, and I can explain my entire reasoning.” I hear a low hum before the clinking of glasses and liquor being poured.
I nuzzle deeper into Mav’s lap, chasing his warmth, when I hear a sudden hiss of breath against my ear. “You keep rubbing up against me like that, and we’ve going to have something better to talk about.” He whispers, nipping at my ear as he reaches between us and readjusts himself. Oops.
Deciding its best not to go there right now, I focus back on the furry body nudging me with his head for more pets. “What’s his name?” I ask as I give in and scratch behind the dog’s ears again.
“Well, his name is Ares, and he’s a 1-year-old German Shepard. They were getting ready to send him to a shelter because he couldn’t pass all his training.” I frown at this, but before I can ask what training, Xander is opening his big month.
“Wow. You couldn’t even get her a real trained dog. You got a dropout, and a young one at that. What good is he, then? If he shits in the house, you’re cleaning his mess-up.” He growls out the last part. Someone woke up on the wrong side of the bed.
“He is trained enough. He was being trained for the police academy program, but apparently, he never caught on. They said he was well-behaved for the most part. He knows commands, and the trainer said he catches on quickly, so training him further for Wren’s needs shouldn’t be a problem.” As if Ares knows we are talking about him, he lets out a chuffing noise. “Look, I know we all want to keep Wren safe, but if it’s not clear enough, Adrian is after more than our woman. We can’t keep her locked up, and before you say anything, Xan, how about we ask Wren what she wants?” When no one says anything after that, I realize Maverick is serious. He wants to know what I think about this situation.
Honestly, I’m a bit too shocked to even answer the question. These men haven’t cared once what I thought about this last month. No, they kidnapped me and told me I had a month to “get to know them”. I was told to give them a chance, and now Maverick was asking for my opinion. The man didn’t even want me here at first, and now he’s the one advocating for my wants. What kind of twisted alternate universe did I wake up in?
“Angel.” Mav whispers, his hot breath caressing the side of my face. “Tell us what you want. I know a lot has happened in your life over the last month and most of it has been out of your control, so how do you want to move forward?” He’s right about one thing. This last month has been completely out of my control, and it feels like it’s just been one thing after another, but I know one thing for sure. I will not roll over and hide, not anymore.
Taking a deep breath, I decide its time I take my life back.
I’m fresh out of the shower and sitting at my vanity when Abby enters the room from my walk-in closet. “OMG, Wren, I would kill to have your closet as my own. It’s basically a high-end retail store in there.”
I giggle at that, since I have no idea what is actually in my closet anymore. “You’re more than welcome to borrow whatever you want. I am pretty sure I don’t know what half of it is, since the guys had someone buy most of it.”
Abby lets out a shriek of excitement. “No way. I love you already because whoever bought that wardrobe has great taste.” I feel her set down something next to me, the fabric soft against my arm. “Oh, I found the cutest baby blue dress that is so you. It says, I’m sweet but also ready to get down to business. Perfect for your first day back. Are you excited?”
Nibbling on my bottom lip for a second, I debate how I should answer. Deciding to go with the truth, I let out a deep breath. “I’m excited to be back at my shop. It’s been forever, but I’m actually super nervous. I know the guys don’t want me to go back yet. Not until they find Adrian, but I’m tired of feeling so afraid, so trapped. I want to get back to my old life.”
“Wren, you know the guys are only worried about you. I’ve only known you and them for a short time, but it’s completely obvious they are obsessed with you. They just want to keep you safe, but I also get you wanting some space, too.” Abby leans forward and wraps her arms around me in an embrace. I have to breathe through the tears, wanting to fall from the sheer sweetness that is this woman. I’m so glad I gave her a chance. The only other person who has ever given me a hug like this is Amber, and with her across the country right now, I didn’t know I needed another girlfriend. “I know it’s hard, but meet them halfway, Wren. They are just afraid to lose you.” She pulls away after that. “Now, go get dressed, so I can work the rest of my magic. We have an hour before we need to leave.”
I do as I’m told, heading for the bathroom before slipping in and closing the door behind me. I take a second to get my emotions under control. The frustration with my men and Adrian not having been found yet feels like this overbearing weight on my chest. I want to scream at the top of my lungs to release it all, but I don’t. Instead, I take a few more breaths before getting dressed. I pull up the pants, buttoning the clasp before pulling the shirt over my head. The fabric is soft against my skin, unlike anything I’ve ever owned prior to meeting the men. I slide my hands down my shirt, making sure everything is in place, and step back out into the room.
“I knew that color would look good on you. Now come over here and let me work my magic. Not that you need it.” If I could roll my eyes at her, and she could see them, I would. I take my seat and let her get to work, brushing on whatever makeup she sees fit to use before she brushes out my hair.
It’s weird having someone who now does all the things I couldn’t do on my own. Before, I would simply run a comb through my hair, then throw it up in a messy bun and pray it didn’t get too tangled. Makeup was a rare occasion, and Amber usually helped with that. My outfits consisted of leggings, jeans, and a few nice shirts. Nothing fancy, just comfy and easy to move in.
After about twenty minutes, Abby is putting on the last few final touches. “Annnnnd done. Voilà.” I give her a smile before standing.
“How much time do we have?” I ask, heading to the bed where I left my shoes. I went with simple flats today, knowing I have a bunch to catch up on today at the shop and will more likely be on the go today.
“About 30 minutes. I’m going to go get ready and meet you downstairs. I think the guys are in the kitchen with Marie, if what I’m smelling is any indicator.” At her word, I take a deep inhale, the smell of bacon and something sweet filling my nostrils. My stomach lets out a growl in protest. Abby lets out a giggle and I follow suit.
“Good idea. I think I need to eat before we go.” I hear Abby’s soft “okay” reply followed by footsteps leading to the door and I second later I’m alone.
Yesterday’s conversation with the guys about me going to work pops up into my mind. Xander being upset at the fact I didn’t want to stay home and be pampered all day. Jaxon grumbling about how Ares was now getting all my attention, and Mav being all smug that I actually agreed with him. The conversation ended with Xander storming out, saying he needed to punch something, then Jax telling me he was going to find me an even better gift.
I’m pulled from my thoughts when I hear a soft whine. I snap my head in the direction of the door. “Ares?” I call out and a second later, a big furry head lands in my lap. “Hey there, boy. Ready to get to work?” A wet, slobbery lick follows my words. “I’ll take that as a yes.” I stand, patting Ares on the head. “Well, boy, let’s go face the three big, bad wolves.”