Chapter Nine

Dalton refused to pay the money, and Emily couldn't help but be extra scared, not for herself, but for her precious pups. The animals at the shelter didn't do anything wrong. They were innocent, but Dalton had assured her nothing would happen to them.

He certainly didn't seem to be worried about himself or being exposed.

The days ticked by, and Dalton also took care of her mother. She didn't have any odd phone calls or unexpected visits begging for money, which was a welcome relief.

She ran her fingers through her hair, as she walked down the long line of kennels. These dogs meant something to her. They were part of her family, and finding them forever homes was important to her.

Since Dalton had given her the rescue, she had taken the role to the next level. She was able to create a more detailed questionnaire, improve veterinary care, as well as employ more people who loved dogs.

During her time working at the shelter, prior to owning it, she had known some people who helped only to earn quick money and weren't friendly to the dogs. For Emily, this wasn't acceptable.

She'd also improved the kennels as well. There were comfortable beds in each one, warm blankets, and she hoped to upgrade the heating system as well. Little by little, she wanted this to be a safe haven for dogs. They deserved it.

As arms suddenly circled her waist, she jumped, but then she felt Dalton's lips at her neck. "You know, if you're not careful, I'm going to start thinking you love these dogs more than you love me," he said.

Emily laughed. "I'm sorry. I know you said everything is going to be okay, and I hope you're right."

"But you're worried."

"Wouldn't you be? I mean, imagine if all these dogs were Zero—" He spun her around, silencing any protest from her lips by slamming his down on hers.

All panic fled her mind, and she forgot, for just a second, what she'd been panicking about. Dalton had that way about him.

She couldn't help but wonder what their life would have been like, if only Dalton had kissed her years ago, or she kissed him. It could have changed the whole course of their lives together.

"Stop," Dalton whispered. "It's because of how much I love Zero, that I've put extra protection detail on this rescue. Nothing is going to happen to those dogs. I promise you, Emily. I know what these dogs mean to you, and I know how much you love this shelter, and I wouldn't allow anything to hurt them. I promise."

Tears filled her eyes, and she cupped his face, staring into his eyes. "Have I told you lately how much I love you?" she asked.

Dalton stroked her cheek with the backs of his fingers. "No, I haven't heard it nearly enough."

Emily couldn't help but giggle, seeing as she told him regularly.

"Can I tempt you to come home?" Dalton asked.

"Yes."

He took hold of her hand, and led her out of the rescue. She closed the door, locking it. Two of Dalton's men were inside, and he insisted they were locked in. They had bathrooms and a place to sit and rest. Plenty of security cameras had been installed, and according to Dalton, the means for staying safe.

She never thought she would be so relieved that Dalton crossed the lines of legality in his life, but she was. He was willing to do whatever it took to keep the dogs safe, and that was more than good enough for her.

They climbed into the car, and Emily couldn't help but take one last lingering look around to see if there was anyone waiting or lurking.

Dalton drove them home, and the moment she stepped through the doors, she was met with the most amazing scents. She was pretty sure there were tomatoes, possibly garlic, and some beef.

"What is that?" Emily asked.

Dalton looked a little smug as he made his way into the kitchen, and there on the counter was a slow cooker. "I did some research and found this amazing slow-cooker beef recipe, with onions, carrots, garlic, herbs, and of course beef."

He took the lid off, and she watched as he put a spoon inside and stirred. The smells were incredible.

"I didn't even know you knew how to cook."

"I didn't either, but it would seem, when it comes to you, I'm willing to try anything." He winked at her and she couldn't help but smile.

"What are we having it with?" Emily asked, to which Dalton scrunched up his face.

Dalton clicked his fingers and spun around, going toward the bread storage box, and came back with a bag of crusty rolls.

"Dinner is served."

"Who would have thought Dalton Moore could be domesticated?" Emily said.

He wagged his finger at her. "No, not domesticated for anyone but you."

She placed a hand over her heart with a gasp. "All of this special treatment, for me? I don't know how I'll be able to handle myself."

"I'll show you exactly how to handle yourself."

The deep baritone of his voice meant he was thinking of something completely dirty, and she couldn't help but feel her body respond.

It was surreal how her and Dalton had turned out. They hadn't talked about marriage or the future, but she knew there was no one else she wanted. He was the man for her.

She watched as Dalton served them both two large bowls of sauce, and they were about to go into the dining room when her cell phone began to ring.

It was the ringtone of a bark, which told her the animal shelter was calling, which was odd. She put her bowl down, and without a second thought, she answered the call.

****

Dalton wasn't happy.

He'd read somewhere, possibly online, or a stupid magazine, that women were impressed by a man who could cook. So, today had been a slow workday, and he intended to show Emily his softer side, which never came out to play. Never. Not for anyone but her.

She'd seen his mean side, admittedly, not to its full extreme. He had always held back, because he always had feelings for Emily.

Dalton needed to bind Emily to his side, to keep her close, because he didn't want to be with anyone else, nor did he want to lose her. He'd already tried to be selfless, and now that she'd come back to him, he wasn't ever going to let her go. So, cooking her a meal had sounded great.

But now someone was ruining his plans, and he was pissed off. His men were not answering. Whoever had called to tell Emily to have the money ready or they'd torch the rescue, had just become his number one enemy.

"You can't go with me," Emily said.

"Emily, you're not going to that fucking rescue alone. I don't know why my men are not answering, but I'm going with you." They had filled a black sports bag with a few sweatpants and sweaters, and he'd placed money on top of it.

He had fifty thousand in cash to give, if he wanted, but he wasn't going to pay some fucker who was threatening his woman. Not a damn penny. If he gave in it would show weakness, guaranteeing they'd be a target again in the future.

No, he was going to make sure he saw the person who would dare to threaten his woman, and then he would fucking kill them. Simple as that.

If they thought he had a weakness when it came to his feelings for Emily, they were mistaken. If anything, what had awakened inside him was a monster. He would do absolutely anything to protect his woman.

They walked out to his car, and Emily climbed behind the wheel. Dalton moved into the back and made sure to stay low. Her hands were shaking. "What if I give them the money, and they still torch the place?"

"It's not going to happen."

"What if they search the bag?" Emily asked.

"Let them."

"There's not fifty thousand dollars in that bag."

"I know."

"How can you be so calm?" she asked.

"Do you think this is the first asshole I've faced?" Dalton asked. He reached out and put his fingers on her arm stroking her. At first, she jumped, but then she relaxed. "Trust me, Emily. I know this is terrifying, but I know what I'm doing."

While Emily had gone to the bathroom, he'd grabbed a couple of guns and a few knives. He was loaded up, and there was no way he was going to lose this fight.

"Dalton, I'm scared," she said. "I've never had to do anything like this before. What if they've hurt those dogs?" She groaned. "Now I'm starting to feel it's more than one person."

He wasn't going to say anything, but he had already come to that conclusion. There had to be more than one for them to be able to incapacitate his men. This was why he'd loaded up. Dalton had already called ahead for backup, and his men would be waiting.

They arrived at the animal shelter, and he couldn't see any signs of a potential break-in.

"I don't know what to do," Emily said.

"Grab the bag, and we go in."

"They said I had to go in alone. You shouldn't even be here." She ran her hands over her face, and he saw the stress. Dalton had enough.

"Stay here!"

Opening the car door, he didn't bother grabbing the sports bag, and made his way toward the entrance to the shelter.

At first, he didn't see any cause for concern, but then he saw the door had been jammed open. Why the fuck weren't his men dealing with this threat? They were better than this.

He stepped into the animal shelter and saw one of his men at the door, out cold on the floor. Dalton made sure he was alive, then moved him out of the way. He headed toward the main part of the kennel, and as soon as he stepped out of the door, he knew he'd been a fucking idiot.

Emily had questioned her mother's motives, and Dalton had believed the woman wasn't capable of exploiting her daughter any more than she already had.

Only, her mother was right there, her hair pinned back, black jeans, a black shirt, and holding a long stick, which had been hitting the side of one of the kennels.

The man holding the big rifle was another matter. Dalton had never seen him before.

"You're not Emily!" The man held the rifle as if he was ready to shoot it. Dalton was pissed off.

"No, I'm not, but seeing as it's my money you want, I figured I should be the one to come and see who is threatening my woman."

Emily's mother had gone pale, and she rushed toward the man. "We have to go," she said.

The man shoved his elbow against her, to which she immediately recoiled.

Dalton had no pity for her. She was getting what she deserved as far as he was concerned.

"I told you to shut your fucking mouth."

Dalton kept his hands at his sides, and watched the two in front of him. They were clearly amateurs.

"I'm sorry, but watching the two of you, I can't help but wonder, how the fuck did you hurt my men?" Dalton asked.

They didn't get time to answer because Emily chose that moment to step through the door, and he heard her shocked gasp as she spotted her mother. He didn't know how he was going to kill her mother, but he would not allow her to continue to hurt her daughter. He'd try to warn her from day one that some narcissistic mothers didn't deserve the air they breathed, but Emily was too kind and forgiving.

He had a feeling that was about to change.