“What’s with the big mutts upstairs?”A smile tugs my lips at his obvious haste and discomfort. “Amy and Kujo—two of Jon’s wolf-dogs.”“Why are they camped out in the living room on a hide-a-bed?”“Jon was hurt and recovering under Vivian’s eye. The dogs came to lend healing strength with their presence.”“Well, he’s going to have to introduce me to them and assure the mutts I’m not on the menu.” He turns to show me a rip in his coat. “The big reddish-brown one was damn fast.”“Yup, that would be Kujo. Think he might be part Dogue de Bordeaux mixed with a wolf.”“A what?”“French Mastiff.” At Asa’s blank look, I continue, “Big-ass dog.”He nods and heads down the hall, seemingly preoccupied and uninterested now that the dog in question is no longer an immediate threat.Vivian strolls casually into the underground SCIF facility, cool and collected. She has a relaxed air about her, which has been missing for a while now. A smile curves her Cupid’s bow mouth when she glances my way, “Ready to begin?”I grab my paperwork off the desk and rise to follow.
