Gem’s eyes popped open, sleep fading as she went to look behind her, flinching at the warning rumble coming from Fang. “What’s he doing? What’s wrong?”
“Don’t move.” I held her down with my hand on her shoulder, never taking my eyes off the dog. We shared a long stare. I cocked my head; he cocked his. I looked at Gem, he looked at where I touched her.
I risked another bite as I leaned down and kissed Gemma on the cheek.
“Kas...what’s he growling at?”
“Me.” I rose again, never taking my eyes off Fang. “He’s growling at me.”
“Okay, well that’s not good.” She tried rolling over again, but I stopped her. “We’ll put him in the living room. He has his own bed. He’ll be fine.” Gem sat up, her breasts bare and eyes blinking back tiredness.
Fang instantly stopped growling. Licking his muzzle, any sign of aggression faded and he lay back down again, looking damn right pleased with himself.
Huh.
He’d threatened me while he’d deemed her at risk, yet he’d stood down the moment he knew she was aware.
Fuck.
I stood staring at that damn dog.
I understood him.
I was him.
A crazy laugh spilled from my lips.
“What are you laughing at?” Gem threw me a scowl. “This isn’t funny, Kas. He’s been the best boy through all his treatment and outings today but if he’s aggressive, then he can’t be trusted.”
My laughter faded.
I crawled onto the bed and smacked a kiss onto Fang’s head. “Thank you.”
The dog yawned with a whine as if to say “took you long enough, idiot.”
Flopping onto my back, I yanked off my towel and slipped under the covers nude.
Gem’s eyebrows rose. “What...what are you doing?”
“I’m sleeping in here with you. Forever if you’ll have me.”
“But you literally just said—”
“That was before.”
“Before what?”
“Before I understood what Fang was telling me.”
Gem looked between the dog and me, the big bed crowded with all three of us. She sighed, shaking her head. “Forgive me if I sound stupid, my brain has already gone to sleep, but what precisely did the dog say to you?”
“He told me he has my back.”
“He told you that.”
“In not so many words, but yes.” I ruffled Fang’s head as he licked my wrist.
“I’m so lost.” Gem gave up, lying back on her side and hugging her pillow. “Explain it to me in the morning.”
Rolling onto my side, I pushed Fang down the bed a little so I could spoon Gem from behind. The dog fit perfectly by our legs, letting out a little huff as if to say he approved of this position.
“I’ll explain it now, so you know you never have to fear me again.”
“I don’t fear you, Kas.” She snuggled closer, her body feeling so incredibly good in my arms.
“When I sleep, I’m a danger to you. That’s a stark truth that might take years to rectify.”
“So you’re not staying?”
“No, I’m staying. For all the nights, as long as we both shall live.”
She sighed again. “Then I still don’t get it.”
“Some nights, I’ve been so close to coming to you—in my sleep and when I’m awake. I’ve caught myself in a nightmare, slamming back into consciousness right outside your bedroom door. Those are the nights I sleep outside, doing my best to get some space from you, just in case I do something unforgivable.”
“And I’m grateful.” She yawned. “So grateful.”
“Other nights, when it’s almost unbearable out there on the couch by myself, I look for things in your house that could restrain me. I’d be willing to wear a rope, a cuff, a damn chain again if it meant my hands would be kept away from your lovely neck and we could sleep safely side by side.”
Gem twisted in my arms, our faces almost touching. “I never want you restraining yourself, do you hear me? You’re not going to be trapped again, Kas. Even if it means my safety.”
“You’re not listening. Now, I don’t have to be.” I kissed her gently. “Fang is my restraints.”
She pulled away, her eyes searching mine. “Fang?”
“He growled at me because he thought you were asleep and therefore helpless to prevent whatever I was going to do to you. I might have been the one to free him, but he’s chosen to protect you.” I laughed again at the perfection of it. “I told you, Gem, we recognized each other. He knows what I’m capable of because he’s capable of the same thing. He loves and trusts both of us but he’s loyal to you. Loyal...even if it means going against me.”
Her eyes slowly tightened with understanding. “You’re saying...if you woke in a nightmare and tried to hurt me, Fang would hurt you back.”
I nodded. “I know without a shadow of a doubt, if I try to lay a finger on you in violence, his teeth will be at my throat.”