Page 17 of A Fighting Chance

The moment Zeus is granted entry he sprints through the house before I have time to stop him. Hauling ass, I try to catch him before it’s too late. But Mercedes’ yelp of surprise is enough to tell me I’m already too late.

When I enter the front room I find them on the floor, Zeus pinning her to the ground with his massive front paws, licking the ever-loving shit out of her. Mercedes tries her best to stop him and turn her face away, but it isn’t working. The fact that she is giggling uncontrollably isn’t going to stop him either.

“Zeus,” I say sternly. “Enough.”

He stops raining his slobbering kisses all over my girl’s face long enough to shoot a dirty look my way. I see him contemplating ignoring me, but he decides to comply and sits down beside her with a goofy pitbull grin on his face.

“I’m sorry, I should have warned you,” I try to apologize but she isn’t focused on me.

Instead, she hugs the massive beast around his neck before kissing the side of his muzzle. Zeus leans into her body and I have the vague feeling that I have just become my dog’s second favorite human.

“It’s fine,” Mercedes smiles at me. “He just caught me off guard.”

Reaching down my hand I help her stand before kissing her. I love that she isn’t afraid of him. Most people are terrified of him. I feel Zeus shoving his big body between the two of us and release a chuckle.

“Seems he might already be a little jealous of your attention.” I shake my head in disbelief.

“Are you jealous that your dog likes me?” There’s laughter in her voice.

“Probably.” I smile in return. “I’ve never had to share him with anyone.”

“I promise I won’t steal your dog.” She kisses me softly. “Now show me the rest of this place.”

Taking her hand I guide her through the rest of my home, Zeus trailing closely behind. It’s not like there’s much to show, two bedrooms, a bathroom, and a kitchen.

“That’s the full tour,” I say sheepishly as I drop her suitcase in my bedroom.

“Stop acting so weird,” Mercedes shoves at my shoulder and I chuckle.

Zeus interrupts the moment with a loud bark, trying to get her attention turned back to him.

“Where does he sleep?” she asks, scratching behind his ear.

“The garage.”

“What?” She sounds surprised.

“He doesn’t like being closed in. The shelter rescued him from a fighting ring, and he was always caged up,” I explain. “I tried when I got him, but he just jumps through the window if he can’t get out. I leave the side door of the garage open and that way he can come and go as he pleases.”

She nods but I can see she isn’t happy. I know how she feels, and I would rather have him inside with me, but it is what it is.

***

Mercedes

It’s been four days since I moved in with Alistair, temporarily, and I feel like I am losing my fucking mind. When I am at the bar working, I am watched by one or more of the Chance brothers. Alistair has clearly told them about what is going on, but no one talks about it. Other than going to the bar, I spend all my time at Alistair’s place.

I understand why all of them are being protective, but I need some space to breathe. On a whim, I grab the leash hanging behind the kitchen door. I’m not even sure that Zeus is leash trained but I need to get some air and I think he would enjoy being out of the yard.

Walking out into the back yard I see him lazy beneath a tree. At the sound of my approaching footsteps, he opens an eye and checks me out. The moment he sees the leash he is up and bounding over to me. Stopping, I spread my legs, but I didn’t need to. Zeus abruptly stops at my feet and sits patiently while I clip the leash to his collar.

He doesn’t pull me along as we walk, instead staying right beside me. Even when there are other dogs barking from inside their yards, he remains calm. I wasn’t sure what I was expecting when we started this journey, but I do know I wasn’t thinking it would be this easy.

We approach a park about two blocks from where we started and for the first time, Zeus shows some excitement, moving two steps ahead of me. It’s the middle of the day on a Thursday and no one is around, so I decide to let him off his leash when we enter the park. He turns to look at me before bounding off.

Taking a seat on one of the benches I laugh as he rolls in the grass a few feet from me before chasing a squirrel as he runs up into a tree. I am so engrossed in watching him enjoy himself that I don’t hear someone approaching until they are right behind me.

“Dangerous dog to have off his leash.”