Page 21 of A Soldier's Temptation
* * *
“Nine-one-one, what’s your emergency?”
“My name is Ariana Nelson. My apartment was broken into.”
“Are you in the apartment now? Are you in immediate danger? Are the intruders still there?”
“I don’t think I’m in danger.”
“What’s your address?”
“Twenty-two eighty-nine Alameda Boulevard. Apartment seven-oh-three.”
“A unit should be there within ten minutes. Are you alone? Do you want me to stay on the line with you?”
“No, I’m okay. I have a friend with me. He actually went into the apartment to check it out.”
“Ma’am, tell him not to touch anything until the officers get there.”
“I will, but I’m sure he already knows.”
“Okay. Are you sure you don’t want to stay on the call until the officers get there?”
“Thank you, but I’m fine.”
Ari disconnected the phone and looked down at Mr. Darcy who was sitting obediently at her side. John hadn’t come back, but she couldn’t hear anything from the apartment either. Whoever had broken in was probably long gone.
“C’mon, Mr. Darcy, let’s see how bad it is.”
“Woof.” He didn’t budge, hadn’t even stood up.
“Come, Mr. Darcy. Don’t make me pull you.”
“Woof.” Still, he didn’t move.
“What’s wrong with you? Fitzwilliam Darcy, you need to listen to me.” But instead of getting up he looked from her to the apartment door and back to her again. It was as if he was saying, John told us to stay so we’re staying. “Whose dog are you? You’re supposed to listen to me.”
“He’s protecting you. I told you to stay put for your protection. I’m glad the dog listened at least.”
“I didn’t go in.”
“Nope you didn’t, but only because he wouldn’t get up.”
Dammit, she was busted. Not only was he a Neanderthal but he had ears that could hear a fart a mile away.
“Whatever it is you’re thinking, you have an evil expression, and it’s kind of creepy.”
“Really?” She growled, and even Mr. Darcy looked at her. “You promised not to go all caveman on me, remember?”
“I promised I’d try. I didn’t count on this.”
“Ugh. It’s not your problem.”
“It is now. What did the police say?”
“They’d be here in ten minutes or so.”
Ari had no sooner said it when Mr. Darcy began howling a sure sign the police weren’t far away. He was practically a professional and had great range. The first time he’d done it, she’d wondered if at some point he’d belonged to a Fire Department, but she couldn’t imagine they’d have let him run away.
