Chapter 1 - THE DOG WHO SAID NO
The 130-pound Cane Corso ignored the most feared man in Boston and sat on my foot.
Three seconds later, he stared behind his billionaire owner and growled like he had just seen the devil.
Every armed man in my store reached for a gun.
That was when I knew the dog hadn’t run away.
He had escaped.
Ten minutes earlier, I had been closing Second Chance Pet Supply when Titan crashed through my front door.
Rain hammered the windows hard enough to blur the street outside.
The enormous black dog came through the doorway dragging half a broken leash, his expensive leather harness twisted sideways.
He nearly knocked over a display of dog food.
Then he saw me.
He stopped.
I stopped.
For one long second, we stared at each other.
“Okay,” I whispered. “You’re either lost or I’m about to have a very bad night.”
Titan’s chest heaved.
His paws were muddy.
There was a streak of blood beneath his shoulder.
Not much.
Enough.
I had spent six years volunteering around rescue dogs before opening my store. I knew the difference between aggression and terror.
Titan was terrified.
I lowered myself slowly.
“Easy, big guy.”
He took one step toward me.
Then another.
And pressed his giant head against my hip.
That was when four men came through the door.
All wearing black.
All armed.
The first one pointed at Titan.
“Move away from the dog.”
I straightened.
“Who are you?”
“Security.”
“For who?”
“That isn’t your concern.”
He reached for Titan.
The dog exploded into a growl so deep the shelves seemed to vibrate.
I stepped between them.
“Don’t touch him.”
The man stared at me.
“Ma’am.”
“My name is Nora.”
“Nora, move.”
“No.”
His jaw tightened.
“You don’t understand what you’re standing in front of.”
“I understand he’s shaking.”
“He is a trained protection animal.”
“He’s still an animal.”
“He belongs to Roman Calder.”
That name hit differently.
Roman Calder.
Hotels.
Shipping terminals.
Waterfront developments.
More money than some small countries.
And rumors.
A lot of rumors.
Before I could answer, the bell above my door rang.
The four men immediately straightened.
A tall man entered wearing a charcoal overcoat over a black suit.
Rain glittered across his shoulders.
A thin scar cut through one eyebrow.
He looked first at Titan.
Then at me.
“Move.”
His voice was quiet.
That somehow made it worse.
I knew who he was.
Still, I said, “No.”
One of the guards almost choked.
Roman studied me.
“Do you know who I am?”
“No.”
His mouth barely moved.
“You’re a terrible liar.”
“Occupational hazard.”
His eyes shifted toward Titan.
“Come.”
Titan’s ears moved.
Roman extended one hand.
“Titan.”
The dog glanced at him.
Then deliberately sat on my right foot.
The entire store went silent.
Roman’s face hardened.
“Titan. Come.”
Titan leaned harder against my leg.
I looked down.
Then back at Roman.
“Well.”
One guard gave me a death stare.
I ignored him.
“That seems pretty clear.”
Roman took one step forward.
Titan’s breathing instantly changed.
Fast.
Shallow.
Panicked.
“Stop,” I said.
Roman actually stopped.
I crouched beside Titan and lifted the edge of his harness.
The skin underneath was raw.
There were strange circular burns near his shoulder.
My stomach tightened.
“Who put this harness on him?”
Roman frowned.
“It’s his normal gear.”
“No, it isn’t.”
I touched one of the burn marks.
Titan flinched.
“He’s been shocked.”
A guard behind Roman shifted.
Titan heard it.
His head snapped up.
His entire body turned rigid.
The dog stared over Roman’s shoulder.
Not at all four men.
At one.
A broad man with gray at his temples.
Roman’s security chief.
Adrian Vale.
Titan growled.
Vale slowly moved his right hand behind his jacket.
I saw a tiny black object between his fingers.
A remote.
“Roman,” I whispered.
Vale pressed the button.
May you like
Titan screamed.
Then every light in my store went out.
