Page 22 of Sold to the Enemy

Selma gasped and she happened to glance past his shoulder and as she did, she frowned. “I know this place.” She pulled out of his touch and then turned around to see the sign for the animal shelter. “Drago?”

“I know I can’t keep you at home, serving me all the time. I want to, but I’m not going to force the issue.”

“You brought me back?”

“Yes. I figured you could show me what you’re missing. Also, I wanted to give the maids a chance to earn their keep. You seem to have damaged multiple dusters, and it’s kind of driving them crazy.”

****

None of the maids had complained about his woman. Drago had only joked to lighten the mood.

There had been a few occasions over the past couple of months that made him want to kill George Kent. He kept a close eye on that son of a bitch. The man was having a hard time dealing with being the weaker one.

Drago had taken everything from him, and now he even worked for him at one of his casinos, but he wasn’t in charge. He had no intention of ever putting him in a position of power. George worked for one of the men Drago trusted.

He wanted George close in case Selma ever wanted to build a relationship with her father. So far, he hadn’t sensed any yearning to do so, and he wasn’t going to encourage it. He hated George, and the more he had come to learn about the older man, the more he hated him.

George had delved into human trafficking. Men and women had been forced into positions to earn George money. Drago had seen firsthand that kind of shit growing up on the streets, and he’d always hated it.

Over the years, as his reputation grew and his turf expanded, men and women alike had reached out, hoping to make deals for people. Drago always surprised them and made it his mission to shut them the fuck down. Some people would attempt to joke that he was a bad man with morals. They never finished laughing.

Climbing out of the car, he saw the excitement on his wife’s face. He hadn’t seen that look on her face before. She grabbed his hand and pulled him along. It was easy to keep up with her, even though she was rushing in her excitement.

Stepping into the main shelter, he noticed how clean it was, but it was only the reception. There was an older woman on the front counter who gave a little squeal and rushed around to pull Selma into a hug.

“Damn it, Selma, I have missed you.” The older woman gave her a squeeze. “I was close to calling the cops but then I was told you had a family emergency, and then I heard rumor of marriage, or something.”

“I was married,” Selma said. “Eve, I’d like you to meet my husband, Drago Jones. Drago, I’d like you to meet the woman who rather than retire, decided to open a shelter for dogs and cats.”

“Well, well, well, I forgive you, Selma, for not coming by.” Eve let out a whistle.

“Eve!”

“I’m old, not dead, and I know that is one fine man.”

Drago burst out laughing and took the elder woman’s hand, kissing her knuckles. “It’s a pleasure to meet you.”

“And it’s about time you decided to pay us a visit. I know my girl here has a soft spot for all the pets, but she cannot take them all home,” Eve tutted.

“Can I show Drago around?” Selma asked.

“Sure thing. Your man has already called ahead to ask if you could. I told you, Selma, you’re always welcome here. I owe you.”

He watched as Eve pulled Selma in for a hug. The two women were clearly close and he felt a little guilty, even though it was only a smidgen, for keeping the two women apart.

He wasn’t going to feel too guilty. Selma was his.

His wife took hold of his hand and led him through some doors, taking them out back.

“What was that all about?” Drago asked. “Why does she owe you?”

Selma stopped and let go of his hand, rubbing her own together. They were not rubbing together in glee, but he saw the nerves.

“It’s…”

“A long story?”

“Not long, no, ugh, when I first got here, I was a newbie, and even though my dad never let me have dogs, I loved them. This is like a dream job to me, and when I was here, I happened to notice the way the dogs were reacting to one of the workers here. When I first arrived, I was just a volunteer. Eve had already gotten the max workers here. Anyway, I noticed how the dogs acted around this one woman, so I … ugh, kind of hid and watched as she abused the dogs. I caught it on camera and showed it to Eve. It was the kind of stuff that makes your stomach hurt. They’re defenseless animals. They don’t deserve abuse.”