Chapter 399
“Woof (Don’t come any closer.)
Normally, 98K would be jumping all over Charlotte the second he saw her, but today, the poor dog just shrank back into his doghouse, looking miserable.
“Woof, woof, woof (I’m scared.)
Charlotte pressed her lips together and ignored his protests. She marched right up, reached in, and scooped 98K into her arms, holding him tight against her chest.
“Arf, arf (Somebody save me.)
Pinned in Charlotte’s arms, 98K looked like a hostage, his eyes wide and pleading, completely helpless.
Anthony came out just in time to catch this all-too-familiar scene. He pinched the bridge of his nose and let out a sigh. Tomorrow, he decided, he was sealing that window for good.
“Anthony, don’t,” Adonis called out, seeing Anthony about to step forward. “When Charlotte’s like this, she’s ten times stronger than usual. She doesn’t recognize anyone right now. She won’t even let us get close.”
She doesn’t recognize anyone?
Anthony glanced at Adonis’s messy hair and let out a small, knowing smile. “Didn’t you say you two are the ones she trusts most?”
Adonis ran a hand through his hair, trying to keep his pride intact. “Trust me, when she gets like this, nobody stands a chance.”
“Oh really?”
Anthony’s reply was calm, almost amused. With Jackson and Adonis watching, he slowly made his way toward the doghouse.
Adonis folded his arms and grinned, a little too pleased. “He has no idea what he’s getting himself into,” he muttered. Maybe it was time someone else got a taste of Charlotte’s wild side.
Two minutes later, Anthony was standing on the soft grass in his house slippers, getting closer to Charlotte, who was still crouched in front of the doghouse, clutching 98K for dear life.
“Lottie?” he called softly.
No response. Just like before, words didn’t mean a thing.
He waited a few seconds, then reached out, his voice gentle and coaxing. “Come on, sweetheart. Let’s go back inside.”
Charlotte’s eyes flickered when she saw his hand, but she just hugged 98K tighter, refusing to let go.
Adonis burst out laughing, unable to help himself. So much for Anthony’s special place in her heart.
Anthony frowned. Usually, Charlotte was easy to soothe. What was going on tonight?
He stepped a little closer, letting his warm palm rest on the back of her head, fingers running gently through her hair. “Lottie, let’s go home.”
His hand slid down her back. He pulled her into his arms, patient and steady, whispering, “Whatever happens, I’ll always be here with you.”
His low, comforting voice and familiar warmth finally seemed to reach her, Charlotte’s tense body slowly softened. She let go of 98K and wrapped her arms around Anthony’s neck, burying her face in his chest.
5
“Sweetie.”
Anthony gave a soft laugh and kissed her forehead, then lifted her up into his arms.
Adonis, who had been so smug a second ago, looked like his eyeballs might fall right out. “I’ve never seen anyone get close to Charlotte during one of her episodes. Not once. Not in all these years.”
Maybe Anthony really was something else.
Jackson, though, couldn’t shake the feeling that something was off. Charlotte’s condition was all tied up in what happened five years ago She couldn’t heal herself, not even a little. But around Anthony, she let her quard down completely and just melted.
Could he be the answer she’d been looking for? Did they really know each other five years ago? No way… Charlotte couldn’t have fallen for Anthony way back then.
Could she?