Page 40 of Scarred Souls
The pack came in all different shapes, sizes, and personalities, and since their training was complete, most of them would be rehomed soon. I hated to see them go, but once they found their forever homes, it freed up space for new strays to be welcomed into our facility.
Vaughn had remained mostly silent, occasionally talking to the dogs with kind words while giving plenty of scratches behind their ears. Something about a big gruff badass being sweet with these abused dogs made my throat tighten.
“They like you,” I said as I dodged Sadie and McMuffin, who were so preoccupied with their play that they almost tripped me.
“I’m only an asshole to people. Not animals.” He tossed Kramer’s ball, and the long-legged Great Dane crossbreed loped after it. “Are you happy here?”
I cast him a sideways glance. “Why wouldn’t I be?”
“You used to live in a high-rise, wear designer clothes, and study at Princeton. This is…different.”
He meant this was a downgrade from my former lavish life. It was true. Carlos had spared no expense to make sure my needs were met in a way that most would consider luxurious.
“I’m happier living and working in Playa de la Palmera than I’ve ever been in my life.” I answered honestly. “Despite what you might think, material items have never been important to me, especially since I knew how they were acquired.”
I picked up a cute seashell and dusted the sand from it, then turned it over in my palm, tracing the ridged pattern that the ocean had worn smooth. I placed it in my pocket to add to my collection. “And I love working with the dogs. When they come to us, a lot of them have been badly mistreated. We give them a safe place and show them kindness and patience. Mostly, what they need is love and the time to learn that not all people are awful. When they’re ready, they come out of their shells and show us who they really are. It’s rewarding to see that change in them.” I smiled and shook my head when Kramer chased away a flock of seagulls, his favorite thing to do.
Vaughn eyed me with curiosity, like my admission had surprised him.
I laughed. “You were expecting me to be a terrible person, weren’t you?”
“Can you blame me?”
“No.” I tossed the tennis ball for the pack. “Have I changed your mind?”
He scratched the back of his neck. “My opinion doesn’t matter.”
“It does to me.”
“Why would you care what I think?”
“You’re right. I shouldn’t, it’s just—” I halted, not wanting to sound like an attention-seeking brat.
“Tell me,” he grumbled.
“It’s stupid.”
“I’ll be the judge of that.”
I exhaled a deep breath while considering how best to explain. “When I lived in Jersey, I had to conceal my identity, which meant no one ever really knew me. I also had to hide who I was from my father and Jorge, because if they knew how much I despised them, they’d only cage me further. And since arriving in Playa de la Palmera, I’ve had to pretend to be someone else yet again. Since I was six years old, Daphne is the only person I’ve been able to show my true self to. You’re the second.” I glanced at Vaughn to find his dark gaze locked on mine. Some emotion flickered across his face before he looked away. “I guess that’s why it’s important you don’t think I’m a lowlife.”
Vaughn shoved his hands into his pockets, seeming uncomfortable with our real talk. “I don’t think you’re like your dad.”
As foolish as it was, his words made my chest feel lighter. “Thank you.”
“Can I ask you something?”
“I guess.”
He stopped walking, and so did I. “How did you get here?”
I should’ve known this question would come up sooner or later. It didn’t stop my pulse from escalating and a cold sweat from dampening my skin.
I swallowed thickly. “You mean the night Alvarez tried to kill me?”
He nodded.
“Why do you need to know?” I’d rather skip this conversation if we could.