Night Prayers (36 page)

She deserved better.

"Well… I'm serious, Allison. This neighborhood's pretty dangerous —"

A low snarling shape suddenly darted out of the narrow alley just ahead of them. The dog's jaws were open and dripping, its black lips curled back over massive fangs.

Allison spun to meet it head on — her own fangs more than a match for the pit-bull mix.

The animal back-peddled frantically, claws digging into the broken concrete and leaving behind a trail of dog-shit as it took off in the opposite direction. What was left of its cropped tail tucked protectively over its balls.

"You were saying?" Allison asked as she stood up and took his arm. Protectively.

"Nothing at all."

Hugging her tight, Mica ruffled his beard against the top of her head and sighed contentedly.

"What would I ever do without you?" he asked. Allison looked up at him and sniffled. "God only knows," she said.