28| Maverick.

She's still terrified of dogs.

I pause with my hand on the doorknob. I’m not exactly sure why the thought of my wife being scared of dogs has been playing in my head like a broken record.

When I visited Joy before going through with purchasing the mansion, I demanded that she tell me everything she knew about Arnica. What frightened her and what brought delight to her life.

When Joy had mentioned that Arnica rarely walked through their neighbourhood alone after being attacked by a stray dog, I knew I had to forcefully make her meet my guard dogs.

As big and threatening as my boys are, they are also a bunch of softies that thrive on any affection you give them. Over time, I hope she will see that and come to realise that not all dogs are feral.

It all comes down to how their owner treated them.

“Where is my wife?” I ask Devin who’s on guard duty at the front door.

“In the pool house.”

I step inside and turn right toward the French doors that lead to the pool house. There are se