Page 29 of Hellhound AU

Riley nodded her head in agreement, although I wasn’t sure how Rowan was supposed to know who was “truly evil” and who wasn’t. Maybe he had some pics from his brother-in-law’s research.

“Great,” I said, dunking a fry in my milkshake. “That means I get to be the loudspeaker person. Perfect.”

“Uhhh…” Rowan started, and I just knew my boo was gonna give me shit about taking that role.

Riley cut him off. “He’ll be fine. I’ll be there with him. I’ll make sure no one gets close. From the layout it looks like there’s an office or something on a second floor overlooking the factory. He can stay up there.”

“I’m sure it won’t be empty,” Rowan argued.

“What, do you think I can’t take care of a few people and make sure your boyfriend here doesn’t get hurt?”

Rowan blushed adorably at me being called his boyfriend, but he didn’t correct Riley. “I’d just feel better if Milo was with me.”

“Oh, boo, that’s so sweet. But sometimes we’ll need to split up on jobs, and I assure you that I can handle myself.”

Rowan looked mildly alarmed and like he didn’t trust that sentiment, but whatevs. I’d been keeping myself safe for a long time before he came along, and as much as Ilovedworking with him, I also wanted to be able to work on my own if I felt the need. Best to set that precedent early in our relationship (since we were, apparently, dating).

We finished the meal, talking over the logistics of everything. Riley pointed out that we should wait until at least one or two dog fights were done before we did anything, because theremight be people who came late. I understood her logic, but I hated the idea of any dogs being hurt.

“And what are we doing with all the dogs?” I asked belatedly. We still had to figure out how to deal with the puppy mill guy, too.

“Troy is gonna call the authorities to report everything when I’m done, and he’s found a couple organizations to mobilize to take care of the puppy mill dogs as well as the ones from the fighting ring. He’ll actually call those first, so they’ll be here ahead of the authorities. Not that we don’t trust the authorities or anything, but they won’t have a clue what to do with all the animals.” Rowan shrugged.

“Looks like we’re set, then. And you’re sure we can’t kill the puppy mill guy?” I asked again.

“Nope. But the authorities will take care of him. Troy found some evidence to connect him to the illegal dog fights, and he’ll go down for that.”

Good. So everything was settled, and we just had to wait until evening. We all looked at each other as we finished eating.

What the hell were we gonna do with the rest of the afternoon? I knew what I’d do if it was just Rowan and me, but his sister was here, too. How did one entertain a harpy?

“I can’t believe you guys made me get a pedicure,” Rowan complained for the hundredth time.

“Shut up, you big baby. You were half asleep when they were giving you a foot massage,” Riley said distractedly.

We were watching the entrance to the warehouse. People were parking in an abandoned lot that was shielded from the mainroad and heading into the warehouse, and there was quite a crowd. It made me disappointed in humanity.

Sometimes people were assholes.

The dog fight was scheduled to start in ten minutes, and although there was still a steady stream of people heading in, I was itching to head in, too.

“I think we should get into position,” I stated.

Rowan sighed. “You sure you don’t wanna come with me?”

“Aww, boo, so sweet, but you know sometimes we’ll need to work separately in this partnership.” I wiggled my eyebrows when I said partnership, and Rowan predictably and adorably blushed. He was just too easy.

He looked at his sister, then at me, then at his sister. He leaned in and gave me a kiss, then he glared at his sister, daring her to say something, before he ran off into the night.

“He’s so sweet,” I sighed.

“If you hurt him I’ll eviscerate you,” Riley said.

I smiled at her. “We’re gonna have little Rowans and little Milos together.”

She looked at me oddly. “You know you can’t have babies, right?”

“You know that harpies don’t exist, right?” I shot back.