XXX - 145 Enslave: The Taming of the Beast by Cathy Yardley Page B

sound like heavy breathing, coming from a large set of double doors at the far end of the hallway. She instantly realized: these were the doors to Dominic’s suite. A man like Dominic would have another exit, just in case.
If there was a way out, it’d be through these doors.
“Hello?” she tried again, walking to the doors and knocking softly. Of course, the doors would be locked. Who knew what else…
She heard a low animal growl.
It was unlocked, twisting easily in her palm. She started to turn the handle. She opened the door.
She got a glimpse of dark wood paneling and high vaulted ceilings, with dim, recessed lights. Then, snarling white teeth appeared at the door.
Shrieking, she slammed the door shut. Loud, deep, angry barking was barely muffled by the door. Falling on her butt, she scooted a few feet away.
“I see you’ve met Max,” Dominic said drily behind her.
She squeaked, spinning.
Dominic looked haggard, his complexion a bit ashy. His blue eyes were slightly unfocused. “That would be my dog,” Dominic explained. His voice sounded tired. “He makes sure that no one invades my privacy.”
“I was just…”
“I’m sure.” Dominic’s smile was wrong. He wasn’t angry. It was like he barely noticed she was there. “I’ll punish you later. Go on. Go to your room, wait for me.”
It was then that she realized he was holding his side. Without thinking, she tugged open his jacket. There, just beneath his gun holster, was a deep, bloody gash.
“Oh, my God.” She paled. “What happened?”
“Nothing,” he growled, more with irritation than anger. “Just leave, Nadia.”
“This is serious!” She looked at him like he was insane. “You should go to a hospital!”
“Stop,” he said. Now there was anger. “I can take care of this. Hell, I’ve had worse than this. Get the hell away from me, will you?”
“You’re going to stitch this up yourself?”
He shrugged. “If it needs it.”
“You look like you’re going to pass out on your feet,” she protested. “Here, I’ll take care of it.”
“Oh, really?” he drawled.
“I trained to be a nurse in Moscow,” she muttered. “I didn’t like it, but I’m not bad at it.”
He still looked skeptical.
“Besides, I’d get to see you in pain as I pushed a needle into you,” she said, rolling her eyes.
He sighed. “Good point.”
Then he collapsed partly against her, and she propped him up as best she could. Really worried now. He was more hurt than he let on.
She opened the door. The dog was there, still snarling, until Dominic said “Max,” in an exasperated tone. She stared. It was some kind of pit bull mix, she thought…perhaps Labrador. She’d always liked Labradors. It went quiet, growling low in its throat, looking at her suspiciously. Then it sniffed at Dominic, letting out a little whine.
“Get me on my bed,” Dominic said, “then give him a treat from the side of the bed, will you? Otherwise, he’ll be a pain in the ass, and I don’t want him biting you.”
She did as instructed, quailing slightly. Dogs. She’d been afraid of dogs. “Here, doggy…Max,” she remembered. She held out the biscuit.
The dog snapped at her. Squealing, she dropped the thing. Max devoured it in a second. Then he sat, tongue lolling out, looking at her expectantly.
“Should I give him another?” she asked quietly.
“Hell, no,” Dominic said, closing his eyes. “I spoil him enough.”
She sighed. She helped Dominic take his jacket off. When she reached for his gun, he stopped her.
“I may be hurt,” he said softly, “but I’m not stupid.”
She nodded, feeling a little encouraged…and a little disappointed. “Where is your first aid kit?”
“In the bathroom,” he said, taking off the holster awkwardly, then putting the gun in his uninjured hand. She re trieved a well-stocked box, pulling out what she’d need. Her hands didn’t shake, and she felt remarkably calm as she got the needle ready. She stripped off his shirt, examining