tightened my stomach at the thought something could happen to him because I didn’t listen. “What happened?” “T fell,” I said blandly. “You fell.” “Uh-huh.” “Turn around.” I hesitated, sawing my lip between my teeth. Albert loved the dogs, even though he was prejudiced about the idea of them being fat and lazy. I could only hope he would understand and Khaos wouldn’t be punished. Slowly, I turned and allowed Albert to push up my coat sleeve. I winced when he brushed the wound. He took in the bite mark on my wrist and sighed. “I told you not to go near him, did I not?” The disappointment in his voice made my chest ache. “He had something stuck in his paw,” I explained thickly. “I pulled it out. He didn’t mean to hurt me . . . He even let me pet him afterward.” Albert shook his head. “You are lucky he did not take off fingers. The last man was not so lucky.” I swallowed as I recalled seeing a guard with only three fingers on one hand. I liked all ten of mine right where they were, but it still wouldn’t have changed my mind about helping Khaos—especially now I’d gotten somewhere with him. He may look at me like he was doing me a favor by letting me pet him, but I knew he needed the attention. And dishing out affection was balm to my soul. “Then you believe me? It was just a reflex. He didn’t mean to do it.” “I believe you, but it does not change the fact you need stitches.” He sighed and released my arm. “Go to the house.” “You won’t punish Khaos, will you?” He gave me a long, significant look. “I will not.” I trusted him, but Albert was suddenly not my concern. “Is Ronan here?” “Da. In the house.” The nervousness that twisted my gut manifested a flare of frustration. “Why of all days is this the one you had to return unexpectedly?” I asked. “Can’t a captive catch a break?”