Page 149 of Wild Card

“No!” I wail, sobbing into his fur. “Please wake up.”

A hand slides between my cheek and Wolf’s neck. “He has a pulse, baby. Let me check him over.”

I refuse to release him. The mattress dips behind me and Talon’s body encases mine, his hands prying so we can both cradle Wolf. He feels over every limb and body part.

“Nothing is broken and there’s no blood. He’s breathing strong.”

“Why isn’t he conscious?”

“We’ll get him help.”

Talon holds us tight, comforting my cries until the tromping of boots and commotion erupts in the living room. The stomping stops, sounding close.

“Get me a vet,” Talon demands.

“On it,” Ace replies, and I finally lift my head.

Ace, Ford, and two men I don’t recognize are like giants in my little room, all staring at me with worry.

“Someone broke into my house,” I say flatly.

“We got that, babe.” Ford’s attempt at sounding calm fails, and I’m reminded of Rowan’s similar situation.

“Why?”

“We’ll find out. But you have to come talk to us.”

“Give us a minute.” Talon’s clipped tone sends a shiver down my spine.

The two men I don’t know leave, Ace and Ford staying planted in place.

“Wynn’s still here,” Ace grates out with the same fierce voice as Ford and Talon.

“He was waiting on Willow when she got home. I don’t take him for this. Find out if he saw anything.”

“We need to collect evidence before they take Wolf,” Ford announces.

“What does that mean?” My voice cracks.

“The team will take pictures of him, scrub his nails, teeth, saliva, anything that may be essential.”

“Why would someone hurt my dog?”

“There are a lot of questions, babe. Let us get started.” Ace tips his chin to Talon before disappearing down the hall.

Ford turns his back to us but doesn’t leave. It occurs to me he’s giving me as much privacy as he can while still guarding the door.

Another quiet sob escapes and Talon curls around me, careful of Wolf.

This time, I’m crying for another reason.

I’ve never felt so protected in my life.

21

TALON

Un-fucking-believable.

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