Page 67 of Junkyard Dog

“It’s beautiful out here,” she mused, looking around as the sun cast incredible shadows. “I forgot how stunning it can be. Too wrapped up in pretty boys and murder scenes, I guess.”

The beast’s ears flattened for a moment, a low growl rumbling through him.

She reached over to scratch his ears, pausing when Butch flinched away for a moment before relenting. “Is this your new hunting ground? You won’t get many bunnies here, but the snake meat must be pretty plentiful.” She took a quick look around, moving her hand under Butch’s chin. “I could definitely come here more often. Would you like that, boy? Fresh steak and water every day?”

Butch backed out of her reach and tilted his head before he barked, knocking the water bowl over with his paw. She leaned over and picked up the bowl, looking toward him. “Is that a no?” she joked, stepping back when Butch flattened his ears and bared his teeth at her. “Don’t you start.”

She tucked the empty bowls into her cooler and zipped it up as Butch circled her, his hackles raised. Slowing her movements to avoid spooking him, she rose to her feet and began cooing platitudes at the dog, frowning when he became more agitated, his stance becoming defensive as he slapped the leash toward her with his enormous paw.

“It’s okay, boy,” she said softly, keeping her attention on him as she made her way down the path, Butch pacing behind her. “You know me. It’s okay.”

She jumped when he snarled in response, stalking closer to her until she resumed her trek to her car. Picking up her speed, she patted her hip where her work weapon usually sat, her fingers flexing when she remembered she was in civilian dress. Butch remained in sight on her left, growling at her every time her footsteps slowed.

“What’s wrong, damn dog?” she muttered, scanning the darkening terrain for any sign of Not-Butch. “I’m not gonna hurt you.”

Butch snapped at her, his teeth grazing her arm before he ducked his head and shoved the collar off his neck.

Her heart leapt into her throat and she drew her arms in tight to herself. She breathed deep to calm herself, her car almost within reach as Butch’s growl followed her to the car door and she jumped in. Her hands shook as she started the vehicle, angling her rearview mirror so she could track Butch while he paced behind her, his enormous teeth on full display until she threw the car into drive and eased onto the road, her heart thumping in her ears.

By the time she hit the highway, her hands had stilled, the adrenaline in her system from Butch’s strange behavior finally waning. She glanced down at her arm, breathing a sigh of relief to find he hadn’t nicked her.

Damn dog.

*

Alex sat onthe ridge, his eyes absently tracking a small snake as Bo padded up to him, nose wrinkling when he took in Alex’s scent. Shaking his head, Bo took up position beside him and scanned the area, his ears twitching as he catalogued the sounds of the desert at night.

Rising to his feet, he wound his way through the harsh stone, ignoring Bo when he chuffed in annoyance and followed suit.

He shouldn’t have approached her.

He should’ve continued his hunt for the missing Pirithous, continued on the path along the mountains where the abandoned rental had been located the night before.

He should’ve tracked her from a distance, stayed out of view until she gave up and went home.

He should’ve let her think Butch had moved on to greener pastures.

With her scent still clinging to him, he broke into a jog as the ground flattened, sand replacing the unstable rock beneath his feet. Bo came up tight beside him, nipping at his hindquarters until Alex relented and launched ahead full speed, his brother in pursuit.

They crossed the main road of the park, dodging the chollas until they made it to the small enclave where he had parked his SUV.

A road Charlotte didn’t frequent during her shifts and hadn’t sought out on her days off.

He prowled the area while Bo transformed and dressed, taking his turn once his brother stood at the ready. He tossed his bag into the back seat, rolling his eyes when Bo climbed in beside him and lit a cigarette.

“I thought you gave that shit up.”

Bo snorted. “I thought you gave that woman up.”

His jaw tensed. “Just wrapping up loose ends.”

“With an ear scratching?”

His foot heavy on the gas, he kept his attention on the narrow road. “Hoping I gave her enough of a scare to keep her from coming out here alone and unarmed until we finish up business. We don’t need her or anyone out here playing animal rescue.”

Bo flicked his cigarette out the window, the cherry bursting behind the SUV in the darkness. “If we see her out here again, I’ll drive the point home,” he stated, putting his feet up on the dash. “Ryan’ll be down Sunday, right?”

Nodding, he turned onto the highway and cranked the music.

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