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"Whoever I tell him to."

"Just like that?"

"Just like that," Lawson says, adding another bit of tape. "He came from Mad Dog Security, out of Stone River, Georgia. When he's working, he knows his job."

"How does he know?"

Lawson lifts a hand, palm down, and Havoc immediately sits.

"He knows sign language?" I ask incredulously.

"He knows hand signals. And commands. Watch means pay attention. Stay means don't move from where I put you. Guard means hold position with a person or object I assign him to keep safe."

"You mean he'll just stay there?"

Lawson nods. "He plants himself by the object I point to and makes sure nobody gets to what I told him to guard unless I release him."

I find it all fascinating. And wonder again why Lawson has such a dog. I'm very aware that he didn't answer my earlier question. "And if someone tries?"

Lawson smirks a bit.

"They'll wish they made better choices."

A chill slides down my spine. Not fear but…wistfulness? Hope that one day I might be as intimidating and poised as this dog?

Really? Am I envious of a dog?

"Havoc, guard," Lawson says, pointing at Chopper.

The dog closes the distance and sits himself beside Chopper—who has already lost interest in me and fallen back to sleep during our talk. I swallow hard, aware that my feet are very close to Chopper's exposed underbelly. "What happens if my foot slips off the stool?" I ask in a low voice.

"Raise your foot, but don't touch Chopper."

A huff escapes me. "I don't think so."

"Violet, raise your foot, but don't touch Chopper."

I glare at Lawson but take a breath and slowly raise my knee so that my foot comes off the lower rung of the stool. I hear a low growl of warning. Which is why I slowly put it right back down.

Lawson moves to tape up my other hand.

"Had you tried actually touching Chopper, we'd be taking you to the hospital now."

"So the big, scary dog guards the house hippo?"

Chopper lets out a loud snore and snuffles as he rolls to one side.

I laugh softly.

Lawson's gaze seems to soften, but his voice stays matter-of-fact.

"The house hippo is a loved and valued pet and mascot. The point is that Havoc isn't in charge. I am. He will hold the position until I release him."

"Even if something else happens around him?"

"Unless the threat comes directly at what I told him to guard, yes." Lawson doesn't turn his head but focuses on wrapping my hand. "Havoc, release."

I watch as the dog visibly relaxes and goes down into a resting position with his head held high.