Slash

By Linda Mooney

Officer Sonia Sparrow is an introvert of sorts, spending her workdays on the force, and her off days alone. But lately it seems she's acquired a new partner. A dog, that she's dubbed Slash, keeps showing up in the nick of time to save the day.

Michael Masson, a former Marine, is looking for a quiet life, but he can't help the desire he still has to serve his country. Having been burned in love once before, he's vowed to never show his other side to anyone else. Instead. he chooses to spend his life roaming the country and not getting close to anyone. But when he spies the female police officer in trouble, he can't just sit back and let it happen.

Sonia has been burned in relationships in the past as well, and if she can't find a trustworthy man, she's decided a dog would be the perfect companion to keep her loneliness at bay. What she didn't bargain for was getting both.

The truth is almost too farfetched, but Michael is determined to make her believe. He hopes this new partnership will not only heal old wounds, but evolve into a deep and loving relationship for the both of them.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Linda Mooney
• Release date: Jan 3, 2019
• ISBN: 9781941321904

Linda Mooney

Linda loves to write sensuously erotic romance with a fantasy, paranormal, or science fiction flair. Her technique is often described as being as visual as a motion picture or graphic novel. A wife, mother, grandmother, and retired Kindergarten and music teacher, she lives in a small south Texas town near the Gulf coast where she delves into other worlds filled with daring exploits, adventure, and intense love. She has numerous best sellers, including 10 consecutive #1s. In 2009, she was named Whiskey Creek Press Torrid's Author of the Year, and her book My Strength, My Power, My Love was named the 2009 WCPT Book of the Year. In 2011, her book Lord of Thunder was named the Epic Ebook "Eppie" Award Winner for Best Erotic Sci-Fi Romance. In addition, she write naughty erotic romances under the name of Carolyn Gregg, and horror under the pseudonym of Gail Smith. For more information about Linda Mooney books and titles, and to sign up for her newsletter, please visit her website. http://www.LindaMooney.com

Book preview

Chapter One

Coffee

Officer Sonia Sparrow glanced at the display on her patrol car’s dash and grimaced. It wasn’t even eleven o’clock yet, and she was already dog tired.

Nothing like an all-out, knockdown, domestic disturbance first thing on a girl’s shift to drain your energy.

She needed a cup of coffee or she’d never make it through the night. Fortunately, she was just a few blocks away from her favorite convenience store where she knew they brewed a halfway decent cup.

Six two two.

Six two two, go ahead.

I’ll be seven at the Git-n-Go on Peeler.

Ten-four, six two two, the dispatch operator acknowledged.

She pulled her squad car into the parking lot and stopped almost directly in front of the entrance. There wasn’t much customer traffic at the moment. One car was pumping gas, but that was it, other than the guy standing at the far end of the sidewalk. She gave him a quick speculative glance, sizing him up. From his dirty, mussed appearance, he was either homeless or on the verge of it. The guy returned her gaze as he took a drag on his cigarette but made no comment.

Striding into the store, she was immediately accosted by Patty, the clerk who worked the night shift like she did. The woman must have seen her drive in. She was waiting for her at the entrance.

Officer Sparrow! Oh my God! I was just about to call the police!

Sonia tensed. The woman was distraught to the point of tears.

What’s wrong?

Did you see that guy out there? The one who looks like he just crawled out of the dumpster?

Yeah. He’s standing at the end of the sidewalk and smoking a ciggy. Why? Has he done anything?

The woman glanced over Sonia’s shoulder. He was in here, looking around, but he didn’t look like he was going to buy anything. So I asked him if there was something he needed. If I could help him. Her eyes widened as her face paled. He told me if he needed anything, he’d cut it out of me.

The tenseness hardened. He said he’d cut it out of you?

Yeah! The woman vigorously nodded her head. I told him if he didn’t leave, I was calling the cops. He finally left after another customer came in, but he’s still hanging around. Officer, I’m afraid he might try to do something after you leave, and I’m alone here.

Did he show you a weapon of any sort? Like a knife?

No.

Can you describe him? Although she already had an idea the clerk was talking about the man outside, she needed to be certain.

Uhh, tall and skinny. Middle-aged white guy with a scraggly beard. He has on a dirty white t-shirt and ragged blue jeans. She wrinkled her nose. He smells, like he hasn’t had a bath in a while.

Sonia mentally nodded. That was the same guy she’d seen standing at the corner of the building. His remark about cutting her could have been an empty threat, but she couldn’t make that assumption. Don’t worry. I’ll go talk to him.

Giving the clerk a reassuring smile, Sonia exited the store and casually approached the guy who continued to watch her. He didn’t appear overtly threatening, but she knew from experience that looks could be deceiving.

He didn’t step back or try to avoid her as she drew nearer. She got the impression he’d been waiting for her. Pasting a smile on her face, Sonia kept her guard up for any sudden movement. The man continued to smoke, his other hand perched on his hip as if nothing was wrong. The tips of his fingers were nicotine stained.

Good evening, sir. I’m Officer Sparrow. How are you doing this evening?

None of your fucking business.

She got a lot of disrespectful replies while on the job. A lot of hostility. It came with the badge. Undeterred, she tried again. May I ask your name, please?

No, you may not. His voice was gravelly. The voice of a heavy smoker.

Well, the clerk inside the store informed me that you were asked to leave the premises. Unless you’re here to purchase something, you need to head on home. She kept her voice low and polite while keeping the smile in place.

I’ll leave when I’m finished with my smoke, okay? The first hint of antagonism came through, although his body posture never changed. A slight breeze blew around them. Standing downwind, she caught the rank odor of body sweat and something else. Something noxious and unfamiliar.

She took a stance in front of him and hooked her thumbs into her belt. Actually, what you’re doing is loitering, sir. The clerk has asked you to leave, and she has every right to do that. So I suggest—

His movement was butter smooth as he reached into his back pocket or waistband with the hand that had been on his hip and pulled out a knife. Not a big knife. More like a steak knife, with a serrated edge. But anything with a blade was potentially dangerous.

It was her against him. But if he was under the influence, she couldn’t take the risk. Keying her mic, she requested backup at her location.

Ten-four, six two two.

She stood her ground, careful not to make any further advancement, so as to not give the man any reason to assume she was a threat. Sir, please put the knife down. Still polite, but with a touch of what she referred to as her mom voice. Authoritative yet firm.

The guy dropped his ciggy instead, his gaze never leaving her face. His pupils were dilated, and he seemed to be breathing heavily. She suspected there might be something laced in the tobacco he was smoking.

Sir, she began again.

Get away from me, cop, he softly threatened, tightening his grip on the blade.

Drop the knife, she reiterated. It was imperative she keep the situation from escalating and detain the guy long enough for her backup to arrive. Just drop the knife. I’m not here to hurt you, so there’s no need for you to defend yourself.

He launched himself at her without warning, knife raised over his head. Training took over, and she raised one arm to block the weapon. At the same time, she reached for the Taser on her belt. She didn’t want to reach for her gun, even though she had every right to defend herself.

The man was slight of build, but when he slammed into her, he was solid muscle. The force of his attack knocked her against the side of the store. She managed to pull the Taser free, but the man slashed downward with his knife. The blade struck the device, striking it point-blank. She heard the snap of metal as the Taser was knocked from her hand. The device went flying into the parking lot, but she couldn’t go after it. Not when the man was trying to get her pistol out of the holster. Either he wasn’t familiar with the strap keeping the gun secured, or he wasn’t able to reach it. She had to keep him from getting possession of it.

She swept his legs out from under him with a kick. He went down, dragging her with him. She landed on top of him, when he managed to shift to the side. Sonia hit the pavement with a jarring thud. She continued to grip his t-shirt with one hand and hold onto the wrist with the knife as the man raised a fist to bring it down onto her face.

She was unprepared for the missile that plowed into them both. At the same time, she heard a deep, animalistic growl as the man was rammed in the side, knocking him off of her. She sat up in time to see the huge, furry shape take the guy down, and realized a big dog was taking him on.

Grabbing her pistol, she got to her feet and aimed it at the pair. It was clear from this angle the dog had the man by the arm. The arm with the knife. The guy was beating the animal about the head and face with his free hand, but the hound was relentless, keeping a vice-like grip on the guy’s arm. With every shake of its head, blood droplets flew, and the man screamed louder with pain.

Stop fighting! Stop struggling! Dog! Stop! Dog! Stop! She had no idea if the dog would obey her. To her surprise, the animal released the man and moved away, backing up in her direction as it never took its eyes off of the man. It stood stiff-legged, head down, as it continued to growl softly. If she didn’t know any better, she’d swear the dog was protecting her.

The man clutched his arm, soaking his t-shirt with blood as he moaned and rolled from side to side. Sonia kept her gun pointed at the man as the store’s clerk exited out the door.

Go back inside! she yelled at the woman.

Do you need me to call for help?

I got backup coming. Get back inside. She could already hear a car pulling up behind her. She trusted it was her backup and not a customer, but she wasn’t about to turn her head to check. Fortunately, the lights from the squad car reflected off the glass windows. The car braked, and Officer Franco Morin hurried up, identifying himself to notify her.

Sonia nodded toward the man. He was loitering. I asked him to leave, and he pulled a knife on me. I tried to tase him, but he knocked it out of my hands.

Why is he bleeding? Six eight five, we need an EMS at the Git-n-Go, thirty-four oh seven Peeler. The officer bent over to check on the suspect.

Sonia pointed beside her. That dog came to my defense. If it wasn’t for him, I—

Morin glanced up, looked around, then frowned at her. What dog?

She checked. The animal was no longer there. He’s gone.

Morin snickered. Guess he figured he’d done his good deed for the day and left. Sir, those are some pretty bad bite marks. They might leave a few scars.

A distant siren informed them of the approaching EMS. Ahead of the paramedics, another squad car turned into the store’s parking lot.

Seeing that Morin had the man in custody, she holstered her weapon and went in search of her Taser and the knife. A quick check around the place didn’t reveal any sign of the dog that had come to her rescue. Sighing, she shook her head as she retrieved her device.

It was going to be one of those nights, and she still hadn’t gotten any coffee. But at least she had a mystery to mull over until she finished her shift. Like, where had the dog come from? Where did it go? Was it from around here? Did it belong to someone? More importantly, why had it attacked the man and not her?

I may never find out, but I can live with that. At least there’s proof I didn’t invent the whole thing.

And this was only the beginning of her shift.

Chapter Two

Michael

He hurried around to the rear of the convenience store to grab his things and get out of there before the cops tried to detain him, in