“My mother didn’t like animals. And later, when…Well. I never got a pet.” She concentrated on picking up her spilled bag, and the light in her face dimmed.

As she rocked, trying to rise, he put a hand under her arm and helped her to her feet.

“Thanks.” She gave him an uncertain look. “I appreciate you bringing me home. So—”

“While I’m here, I want to examine the dog. What’s his name again? Anger? Fury?”

Her smile popped back out. “It’s Rhage—with an ‘RH’.”

Right. Why the hell would she spell a name that way? Shaking his head, he lifted the pup and walked into the living room.

Pretty place. Rainie’d overcome the apartment’s off-white walls and beige carpet by scattering bright floral pillows over her white-denim-covered couch and chair. Artwork of ocean vistas hung on the walls, and the coffee table and end tables were constructed of glass and driftwood. The entire room had a beach-at-sunrise ambiance.

Jake took a seat on the couch and stroked Rhage’s soft fur. The dog was already filling out a bit. Eyes clear. Happy smile.

“Easy, boy. Let me check you over.” He palpated the abdomen. Soft, non-distended. No tenderness.

Rainie sat down beside him, petting Rhage as she listened to her cell’s voice messages. A junk call. A friend hoping to meet for lunch. The closure of a phone account for a Lily someone. Absently, she rubbed her forehead.

The alcohol was probably wearing off. Jake set the dog down and patted her thigh. “Where’s your aspirin?”

“In the bathroom. Do you have a headache? I’ll get you some.”

“Stay put, baby. I’ll find it.” After tossing his suit coat over the back of a chair, he crossed the room, detouring to check out the shelves beneath the television stand.

She had a ton of books, mostly historical and contemporary romance novels. Even the suspense stories were—judging by the covers—still romance. The DVDs were predominantly chick flicks. The Princess Bride DVD had been played so often the cover was cracked. Dread Pirate Roberts, hmm?

Someone was a romantic.

In the bathroom, he rummaged for the aspirin and finally found it under the sink. With two tablets in his palm, he stepped out to an empty living room.

Loud voices drew him to the front of the apartment where Rainie stood at the door, talking with someone.

He stayed back, not wanting to intrude, although—wasn’t it rather late for visitors?

An unhappy realization dawned. For all he knew, she had a boyfriend. Or two. Had a date planned.

But she didn’t sound pleased with the guy. When her spine went steel-post rigid, Jake decided to step in.

On the front step, the man was focused on Rainie, not seeing Jake behind her in the shadowy hallway. The blond was good-looking enough, although his slick GQ impression was ruined by a fucked-up sneer reminiscent of Professor Snape in Harry Potter. The guy told Rainie, “I said this already. You make me happy; I’ll make you happy.”

Jake scowled. What the fuck?

Just in case his female audience missed the point, the guy patted his groin. Had a hard-on, Jake noted. Jesus, what an asshole. If Rainie wanted this guy, then, as a Shadowlands Master, Jake was going to go all Dom on her ass.

“And I told you already, Cory, I’m the office manager,” Rainie said. “Not a whore.”

“You look like a whore to me. Try behaving like one. You fucking go down on me”—Cory unbuckled his belt—”or the only money you’ll make will be from hooking on the streets. Cuz you won’t be working for me.”

“Seriously?” Her voice went higher with her shock. “Cory, are you insane? You can’t run that place without me.”

“I can do anything I want to. And that includes fucking the staff.”

She let out a growl of pure anger, but the asshole grabbed her wrists and yanked her out the door.

Jake shook his head in surprise. Alcohol must have impaired her reactions or she’d have emasculated the guy. Oh well. He stepped around Rainie and punched the asshole in the snout. Cartilage crunched satisfyingly.

“Fuck, fuck!” Hands clapped over his face, Cory staggered back. “Jesus!”

Gently but firmly, Jake pushed Rainie behind him, catching a glimpse of her wide eyes. “Easy, sweetling. Just let me finish this up.”

He advanced on the asshole.

“What the fuck!” Cory’d regained his balance—and discovered his nose was busted. “I’m going to kill you, you—”

Right. A punch to the solar plexus doubled up the idiot. Jake quickly sidestepped to avoid any blood spatter—and hammered an elbow onto the guy’s back over the kidney.

Cory hit the pavement with a pleasant thump. Crying and swearing, he curled into a ball.

Jake considered kicking the bastard’s junk into his throat. No, Sheffield, that would be overkill. He turned to check on Rainie.

Hands pressed to her mouth, she stood in the doorway. Eyes wide and horrified.

Hell. She’d probably never seen a fight before. Might even like the asshole. Well, if she did, he was going to have a long, long talk with her.

Jake cleared his throat to get her attention. “Please tell me you two aren’t friends.”

She shook her head no, then called, “Hey, Cory.”

The asshole had made it up to his knees. “You-you fucking—”

“I quit.”

“And that answers my concern nicely.” Jake guided her into her apartment—pushing a snarling Rhage back—and closed the door. With the pup trotting at his heels, he walked into the living room and settled Rainie on the couch.

Dropping down beside her, he pulled her close. “Your ex-boss is an asshole, sweetling.”

“Yeah. He really is.” When her lower lip trembled, she mashed her mouth into a flat line. “Looks like I’m unemployed.”

“I’m sorry, baby. You know, you could take legal action.”

She shook her head. “The company belongs to Cory’s father. And Bart…he means a lot to me.”

Compassion, again. He was beginning to realize how deep her caring spirit went. “Have you been working there long?”

She stared at the wall, looking little-girl lost. “A few years.

Long enough to feel the loss. Hell. “Do you have a plan in mind?”

Her face was still shell-shocked pale. “I—I guess I start job hunting.”

“What exactly do you do? I know some people.”

“No. But thank you.” Her chin lifted. “I can find work, and I don’t need much to survive. Not anymore.” Her gaze turned toward the end table and a photo. A thin, white-haired woman posed cheek-to-cheek with a beaming Rainie, who looked about eighteen.

The grief in Rainie’s face broke Jake’s heart. Hell, she couldn’t catch a break, could she? “Your grandmother?”

“Miss Lily. She…gave me a home when I was seventeen.” Rainie’s eyes gleamed with tears before she turned her head away. “She’s gone now. So, aside from Rhage, I don’t have anyone to spend money on.”

With a whine, Rhage crawled into her lap, and she buried her face in his fur.

Jake stayed silent, hurting for her.

Yet the more he discovered about her, the more she pleased him. The woman was more than a fun-loving submissive with attitude. She possessed a deep well of character, one he wanted to explore.

Her first thought about losing Miss Lily was regret at not having the elderly woman to care for. And a self-centered woman wouldn’t rescue an injured animal, ruin her suit, risk being bitten—or spend money on it afterward. Someone had a heart big enough to match her abundant body.

Jake glanced at the basket in the corner. Looked like the dog probably had more toys than Rainie—although Jake wouldn’t mind checking her nightstand to see how many toys she did have. Putting that thought away for some time in the more distant future, he tugged on her hair, pulling her attention back to him. A change of subject would be wise, especially since he didn’t plan to leave until he knew she’d be all right. “Your dog looks good, by the way, and I’d guess he’s about two or three years old.”

She turned her head. Paused. “Oh. Right. He’s older than I thought.” As she gently smoothed the dog’s mustache, she asked, “What kind of dog is he? Can you tell?”

“Now, that’s trickier.” Jake studied the beast as he stroked the wavy soft—clean—fur. “Mostly poodle.” Muzzle wasn’t squished. Had a double coat that was fairly heavy. Fur fell over the eyes. Ears flopped. Interesting coloring with black ears and face, white on his whiskers, chest, and legs. “Might be part Tibetan Terrier. That’s a good combination. Smart, friendly, not too hyper.”

“That sounds like my baby. You’re a hero, puppy.” She kissed the top of Rhage’s fuzzy head before smiling at Jake. “And so are you. Thank you for the rescue.” Her grateful expression made him feel as if he could accomplish anything.

Jake managed a seated bow. “All part of the pirate-rescue service. Speaking of which…” He rose and retrieved the aspirin tablets along with a glass of water.

He squatted beside her and set the medicine in her hand. “Take the pills and drink all the water.”