Page 11 of Quid Pro Beau

“You’re coming home with me. I’ve got an extra bedroom, and I’m at the sanctuary most of the time, so you’ll have the house to yourself. Well, you and Mouse.”

“I can’t put you out that way. We barely know each other.”

“It’s not putting me out. Remember, you’re helping me with Mouse. Also, your brother would kick my ass if I let you end up homeless.”

I have a feeling that ass kicking is coming to me for one reason or another.

Daisy sniffs and nods. “If you’re sure.”

“I am.” I turn my focus on the grey-haired woman. “We’ll be out of your hair in twenty minutes. But I want to go on the record as to saying this policy is ridiculous. Also, you made a pregnant woman cry. Did you want to kick her dog too while you’re at it?”

I don’t give the indignant woman a chance to respond, I turn Daisy and Mouse towards the cabin and we disappear inside.

Nearly two hours later I have both of them settled at my rental house that’s nestled on a quiet tree-lined street not too far from downtown. It hasn’t been updated in years, but it has great space, and the backyard is perfect for dogs.

By the time I make it out to the sanctuary I’m in a foul mood, still pissed about Daisy effectively being evicted. I storm into Dane’s office; the door slams against the opposite wall.

He just raises an eyebrow in response.

“Do you know who owns those rental cabins?”

“Well, a local family owned them for years but sold them about nine months ago, I guess. To some rental management company. Why? You look madder than a wet cat.”

“They evicted Daisy,” I say. “Some bullshit about needing a thirty-day notice from the leasee for someone else to sublet.”

Dane's office isn't big enough to pace but I'm still prowling around the small space.

“So we need to find somewhere for her to stay?” Dane asks.

“No. I solved that already. I was just hoping there was someone in town I could yell at.”

“What do you mean you solved it. Where is she?”

“At my house,” I say.

“Because you're clearly a moron or you have a death wish.”

I shrug. “It was a problem. I solved it. That's what I do.”

“And in true Grenadier form, you’re being about as subtle as a wrecking ball.”

“It’s not a big deal, Dane. I'm out here most of the time. Pretty much just go home to sleep.”

“Uh-huh,” Dane says, clearly unconvinced. He pinches the bridge of his nose. “Look, Beau, I know you were displaced all the time as a kid, so you can't really appreciate the protectiveness a brother feels over his sister. But surely you realize that you are playing with fire with this girl.”

“I’m not going to touch her. I know she's off limits.”

“You sure about that?” he asks.

“Yeah. Also, maybe what I'm feeling is that brotherly protectiveness over her.”

Dane nods slowly. “Sure. So I guess that means you didn't notice her tits?”

I turn on my buddy, lean forward and brace my hands on his desk. Anger, hot and thick surges through my body and I may or not be breathing fire at this moment.

“Don't you fucking talk about her like that. And keep your fucking eyes to yourself.”

He watches me for a moment, then points behind me. “Sit down, Ranger.”