Page 42 of Unseen Danger
“No.” Phoenix angled off the hallway into the living room and turned back to face Nevaeh. “This won’t take long.”
Her ominous statement brought Nevaeh’s heartbeat to a screeching halt. Had she found out about the PTSD flaring up? Jazz wouldn’t have outed her.
Phoenix didn’t say anything. Just watched Nevaeh as if waiting for her to confess.
Survival instinct must’ve started Nevaeh’s pulse again because it thudded in her ears as dread gripped her insides. “Please don’t take me off this job.” The words tumbled out as she took two steps closer to Phoenix.
“You know your PTSD can’t interfere with your work or others will get hurt.”
Nevaeh pressed her hands together. “I owe it to D-Chop to protect him. Like he did for my brother.”
“I understand.”
Despite the unemotional, almost cold lack of light in Phoenix’s eyes, Nevaeh believed she did understand. She’d seen too much of the good Phoenix did for others and the way she treated the PK-9 team to believe otherwise.
“But I can’t allow you to jeopardize the safety of any client or member of this agency.”
“I know. I—” Nevaeh swallowed, fighting for the calm demeanor Phoenix always had. Showing fear about this wouldn’t help her case. “But it’s like you said back when you recruited me. Remember?”
Nevaeh did. Remembered like it was yesterday. It was the day she’d gotten Cannenta and been invited to the work and community that would give her a new life.
Phoenix had shown up unexpectedly that day, too, at Nevaeh’s apartment door. The mysterious, intimidating woman had arrived with a corgi mix and a quiet, sandy-colored dog. The little corgi mix, Cannenta, was for Nevaeh. A gift, Phoenix had said. A rescue trained by a prison inmate to be a PTSD service dog.
Nevaeh had heard such a training program had started at the prison after she’d left. But she wasn’t about to take one of the dogs herself. Not when it would constantly remind her of inmates and the prison—everything she needed to forget.
But Cannenta had settled on Nevaeh’s lap as soon as she’d sat on the sofa, her warm body like a blanket of warmth and comfort.
And Phoenix had spoken the words that changed Nevaeh’s life. “I’ll teach you how to find your courage again. And you’ll learn to use your fear so it’s an advantage, not a hindrance.”
She’d promised a job at Phoenix K-9. A job she had said Nevaeh could do because she would have a protection dog.
Emboldened by the memory, Nevaeh met Phoenix’s cool gaze. “Remember how you said Alvarez would supply any courage, strength, and ferocity I needed whenever mine was lacking?”
She’d never forget the empowerment and hope she’d felt as Phoenix had said those words. “And that’s what Al is doing. He can practically do this job without me.” She gave Phoenix a smile that was probably a little wobbly. “Though I hope you’ll let me keep being his partner.”
Phoenix stared at Nevaeh for another moment. A long, silent moment.
Nevaeh’s throat dried. Should she say something more? Try another pitch?
“We’ll need to do training sessions again.”
Nevaeh nodded as hope sped her pulse. “Absolutely. I’d like that.” The martial arts training Phoenix had given Nevaeh before she’d declared her ready for protection work had been the key to battling her PTSD and restoring her courage. At least as much as seemed possible. Especially when Nevaeh had finished the training, she’d felt so much more in control, knowing she had the skills to handle dangerous situations, even aggressive men.
At least, that’s what she’d believed then.
“I don’t mean your monthly reassessment. I mean intensive sessions with me, three days a week.”
“Got it.” Nevaeh smiled, a more genuine expression this time. “Honest, Boss, I’d love it. I think if I can show myself I’m in top form, I’ll feel better, you know?”
“We start tomorrow.” Phoenix abruptly moved around her and headed back to the hallway.
Nevaeh hurried to follow with Alvarez.
Cannenta’s nails clipped on the vinyl as she appeared from the direction of the bedroom, trotting to catch Phoenix before she left.
The boss turned and squatted to greet Cannenta. She murmured something to the dog that Nevaeh couldn’t hear, then straightened.
She gave Nevaeh another long look. “Do you remember what else I told you? About fear?”