Page 61 of Scarred Ruin

Now I knew she wasn’t close with anyone else in the extended family, possibly because they lived across the country, but I detected a story there.

While it was obvious there’d been some money given she’d attended private school, it didn’t seem as if the wealth had trickled down. Perhaps the expense of the medical treatment. What hadn’t been found was any reason for me to distrust her.

She was exactly as I’d experienced already. A formidable woman who’d made a name for herself in the world of architecture. With a modest bank account and a small apartment, she certainly wasn’t someone anyone could call entitled.

And yet she could hold her own with CEOs and senators.

Mina jumped from the back of the SUV before I had a chance to caution her otherwise. While Kristoff had already run several checks on the rescue facility, including the people employed and as many volunteers that could be discovered, I’d yet to feel comfortable with resuming normal activities.

With Andrey’s death, the underground had awakened. There’d been unfounded rumors and gossip, but nothing tangible. I couldn’t be too careful with the protection of my daughter or of Isabel either.

There was someone somewhere who’d either seen or been told of the time I’d spent with her.

Isabel was out of the vehicle even before I was, rushing toward my daughter. If she was as concerned as I was about safety, she was much better at hiding it.

Mina was oblivious to any concern, happy and eager.

I nodded to Kristoff who’d been told to wait outside. There was no reason to terrify the shelter employees.

Mina was chattering away as I approached. Isabel took the opportunity to walk closer, requiring I look her in the eyes. “I know you’re angry with me, but don’t take it out on your daughter. This is a very special moment that she’ll remember for the rest of her life. Why don’t you make it a positive one?”

A part of me believed she’d crossed a line and one few had ever done, but she was right. I was acting as if a man scorned and that was ridiculous. As soon as I nodded, the smile returned to Isabel’s face.

“Come on, sweetie. Let’s go find your best friend in the whole world.” She took my daughter’s hand, leading her inside.

For a few seconds I felt a crippling ache that almost doubled me over. They were like mother and daughter, something my beautiful little girl had never had the opportunity to experience. By the time I managed to get my shit together enough to walk inside, there were two happy people assisting them.

Yet once I walked in, the air in the facility changed as the two workers looked at me. I’d seen it hundreds of times before.

Fear.

At least the older woman recovered quickly, nodding as a greeting. “So you’d like to see our available dogs?”

“We would,” Isabel offered.

“Come on, Papa. We’re going to look at the puppies now.”

“Sir. I’m Jenny, the shelter’s manager. Do you mind taking a minute and filling out some paperwork? That way we can streamline the process.”

I gritted my teeth but agreed and took the clipboard from her hand. There were the basics needed. Name. Address. And questions about the dog’s living conditions.

Were they going to judge whether my home was decent enough for an animal?

Fortunately, another reminder filtered into my mind before I overreacted.

“That’s all I need for now. You can go right through that door.”

Only a few minutes had passed and even before I walked in, I heard the mournful howls coming from the cages. The compartments where the dogs were being held were not spacious, some with a bed raised off the floor and others without.

There were only a few toys and while the facility was neat and clean, I sensed they barely had enough money to continue what they were doing. I’d never felt despondent about an animal before and doing so now was unwanted.

Yet there was something so special about witnessing my daughter truly happy. I don’t think I’d seen her so enthused about anything. In fact, the only real smile she’d had was because of Isabel coming into her life. I leaned against the wall doing nothing more than watching both girls along with the one shelter worker moving from one kennel to another.

Stories were told about how the dogs had come to live at the shelter, many of which would pull anyone’s heartstrings.

But I wasn’t just anyone.

Every few seconds, Isabel tried to find me with her eyes. Did she honestly think I’d leave?