Imperatrix

chapter 45

Jack slowed down till she was walking. The guard opened the gate as they approached.

“Morning boss,” the guy said and she nodded.

She was breathing hard. Glancing at Pablo, she could tell that their run had tired him out. He was laying on his stomach panting. She crouched down beside him and took his hind leg in her hand as she inspected it. The gun wound had healed nicely, but she could tell that it still hurt him a little. There was a faint scar where the wound had been.

He had his tongue out and his stomach rose and fell with each breath. Three years ago a run would have been like a walk for them. But the dogs were getting old, and it was sad. They were approaching thirteen years of age now. Most dogs only lived for twelve to fourteen years. She was sure they would live more than thirteen, but it didn’t help that they would still die one day. How would they go? Maybe in their sleep. She prayed that day would never come.

Pablo whined and looked at her with big brown eyes. Jack smiled sadly and kissed his head, “Aww, mi pobre bebe, te amo.”

Sugar whined also and nudged her with her nuzzle. Jack laughed and kissed the dog, “Jealous much?” she asked as she scratched her ears, the dog licking her face happily.

Pablo looked at them bored, as if saying: Silly women, can’t go a day without cuddling. He got to his feet and limped away and Sugar followed him. Anywhere he went, she went.

She got up and went to get their favorite food: Ollie’s healthy turkey fare. And no, it wasn’t raw meat. What did you think she was going to bring, a chopped limb? They only ate raw meat when she had a victim to tear apart, but every other day, she preferred to give them dog food.

She opened the fridge and took out a gallon of goat milk. Taking their silver bowl, she rinsed it before pouring a little amount of milk for them, it was a rare treat. They weren’t lactose intolerant but that didn’t mean she had to give them everyday.

It was the first time she was giving them milk in weeks, just a little thank you for being such good babies. She opened the French doors in the kitchen leading to the back and carried the plates out. Jack and let out a shrill whistle and seconds later they came running.

They wagged their tails excitedly and trotted around her as she slowly walked. If it were someone else they saw with their plates, they would have given the person a few nips.

Oh, nothing serious, don’t worry.

Just a few scratches and bites. She set the bowls down before them and watched for a moment as they ate. You do not touch the food of a dog when its eating, unless you want it to bite you.

She left them and went into the house. The only other person's living in the house aside from her family was Jose and Ryan, Lucas’s bodyguard. Every other person returned to their family at the end of the day. She didn’t stop them from having a life. They came in the morning and left in the evening except the ones that were on night duty.

There was no one downstairs, so she went upstairs but paused at Lucas’s door. The moans coming from his room was loud, and feeling a little naughty, Jack opened the door. Of course they were too busy getting it on to notice her standing there.

“Ahem, good morning,” she called loudly.

Angela screamed and got off Lucas as she dragged the duvet to cover herself.

“Jesus! Jack, what the hell are you doing here?” Lucas asked still breathing hard.

“I knocked but you two were too busy going at it like rabbits, so you didn’t hear me,” she laughed. “Morning sex can make you deaf, I know.”