chapter 65

Everly Six months later. “Frankie, get back here with my damn shoe!” I shout, chasing the damn dog through the house. He races up the stairs, my heel in his mouth, while I try to catch the little turd. His short, stumpy legs run a million miles an hour as he tries to evade me. “Frankie!” I screech as he darts into one of the kid's rooms. He peeks over his tiny shoulder, giving me a challenging look before hiding under Valarian’s bed. “Come here, puppy, puppy; give me my damn shoe, or I will make one out of you,” I growl at him. I reach for the squirming beast and grip the heel, and it becomes a game of tug-o- war. “Give me my damn shoe!” “Should have chosen the baby,” Valen says behind me, and I jump, bumping my head before I wiggle out from under the bed. “We have a meeting, and your dog stole my heel!” I snap at him. Valen whistles, and Frankie yelps excitedly. “Now, Frankie,” Valen calls. I see his little head poke out from under the bed with my slobber- covered heel in his mouth, t