The Concrete Dog

{When a Wolf Speaks, Things Happen}

Trace savored every bite of the excellent food his future wife produced for dinner. Happiness filled every corner of his body as he took another forkful of broccoli into his mouth until he looked at his future wife.

Lauren pushed the delicious fish and vegetables around her plate as her mind wandered. Alice would call her aunt and uncle and put them in danger. A feeling of drowning in fear and guilt filled her body, and Lauren set her fork on her plate. A soft sigh escaped her lips.

"She's going to call my aunt and uncle."

"You need to call them." Lauren looked across the table at Trace, staring at her.

"I know and want to, but they will come here and make things worse."

"Worse,"

Lauren leaned back in her chair. "They are protective of me, maybe too much. They feel responsible for me, and I don't want them hurt. They will come here and try to take me home if I tell them what is happening."

Trace watched the caramel skin on her forehead wrinkle with fear and anger. She told him she wanted to be independent, not a damsel in distress. However, the situation forced on her made her what she professed she wasn't.

"Are you sure they would come here?"

Lauren nodded. "My uncle is a lawyer, and my father was his younger brother. So he would move heaven and earth for me."

Trace nodded. "Call them. I will talk to them and assure them that you are safe," he said, wiping his mouth with his napkin.

Lauren shook her head. "I can't tell them about what Parker is doing."

"What are you going to tell them?" Trace asked.

She thought for a moment. Then, "I don't know."

Trace sighed. "Tell them the truth because that is what I will tell them when I speak with them."

Lauren raised an eyebrow. "We can't tell them about getting married. They would freak out and come here. So, I am telling them about Parker and your help, which will keep them feeling secure about my safety. Are you going to tell them about your life?"

"Yes, it's what's keeping you safe."

Lauren stared at him for a moment. "I don't know how they will react to that news."

"Let's call them and find out,"

"Hey, my little Lauren," Wilfred's happiness flowed through the phone.

Trace watched her pace their bedroom as she talked with her uncle Wilfred and aunt Mille. "Hi,"

"Oh, you don't sound happy," Mille's voice filled the speaker.

Lauren sighed. "Something has happened, and I had to leave work."

"Oh, are you coming home?" Wilfred asked.

"I don't have a car."

"What happened to your car?" Mille asked.

Lauren sighed. "The company's vice president had someone damage it because I would not date him."

"What," their voices were in unison and filled with shock and anger.

"I am coming to get you. You don't need that type of harassment in your life."

"There's more,"

"What, Lauren," Mille's voice was full of concern.

"Parker is involved with something illegal, and I am sure the women who work for him are his target."