Chapter 3 - The Unspoken Language
The entire estate held its breath.
Julian Thorne stood on the marble steps, his rain-drenched coat heavy on his shoulders, watching the scene unfold.
Nero didn't look at the guards. He didn't look at the rifles or the flashing red lights. He limped slowly across the grass, dragging his injured hind leg, until he reached Cora. The 140-pound monster collapsed heavily into her lap, burying his massive, scarred head directly under her chin, letting out a long, shuddering sob that sounded almost human.
Cora wrapped her arms around his wet, shivering neck, burying her face in his fur, completely unbothered by the blood staining her sweater.
"I'm here, sweet boy," she wept softly, gently stroking the scarred base of his left ear. "I'm right here. Nobody's going to hurt you."
Nero closed his eyes, his heavy breathing instantly stabilizing as her familiar scent filled his nostrils. He licked her cheek once, a slow, gentle gesture that looked absurd coming from a creature built for war.
Dr. Vance rushed up, holding his tranquilizer rifle. "Miss Walsh, move away from the animal! He needs to be sedated immediately and placed in an iron cage for public safety!"
Nero’s body went rigid again. A low growl began to form in his throat, his eyes locking onto Dr. Vance with pure hatred.
"Shut up, Vance!" Cora snapped, her voice ringing with an authority that shocked even Julian Thorne. She glared up at the veterinarian. "Look at him! He isn't rabid! He broke out because you were trying to force him into a metal cage during a lightning storm while pressing on his surgical wound!"
"He is a dangerous animal!" Vance argued, looking at Julian for support. "Don Thorne, she is corrupting the guard protocols! This dog was purchased to protect this estate, not to be coddled by a criminal!"
Julian slowly walked down the marble steps, his silver cane clicking against the wet stone. He stopped five feet from Cora and Nero.
Nero looked up at Julian. He didn't growl at the Don. He simply pressed closer to Cora, placing his massive paw over her foot as if claiming her as his sole protector.
Julian looked down at the blood on Nero’s bandage, then at the veterinarian, and finally into Cora’s fierce, protective eyes.
"Dr. Vance," Julian said softly.
"Yes, Don Thorne?"
"You are fired."
Vance blinked in utter shock. "What? Don Thorne, I have served your family's kennels for eight years!"
"And in eight years, you never realized that this dog doesn't obey fear," Julian said coldly, his grey eyes locked on Cora. "He obeys her. Pack your bags and be off my property by sunrise."
Julian turned to Vance, his security chief. "Cancel the house arrest orders. Move Cora back into the main staff quarters immediately."
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"Boss?" Vance asked, stunned. "The poison charges—"
"The poison charges are still under investigation," Julian declared, stepping closer to Cora and offering her his gloved hand to help her up. "But as of tonight, no one touches this dog without Cora Walsh’s permission. If Nero trusts her with his life in the dark... I would be a fool not to pay attention."
