Chapter 1

The last thing I saw was Thunder's jaws, bloodied, closing in.

My daughter, Sophia, her small body broken, lay a few feet away.

The Australian Cattle Dog, Old John's prized beast, had already finished with her.

Now it was my turn.

Pain, then darkness.

Then, light.

And a bark.

I gasped, sitting bolt upright. My heart hammered.

The same rough, wooden porch. The same faded paint on the railings of my small house on the edge of town.

And Old John, my ex-father-in-law, standing there, a thick chain in his hand.

At the end of the chain, a dog.

Thunder.

"Heard you were back in town, Isabella." Old John's voice, gravelly and smug. "Brought you a little housewarming gift."

My breath hitched.

It was him. Younger, leaner, but still Thunder. His blue merle coat, the intelligent, predatory gleam in his eyes.

He whined, a low, eager sound, and strained against the chain, trying to reach me.

Just like before.

The memory hit me, sharp and brutal.

Thunder, lunging. His teeth sinking into my thigh, severing the artery. The hot gush of blood. Me, falling, unable to move, watching him go for Sophia.

"He's a good one," Old John was saying. "Purebred. Cost a pretty penny. Lucas, Mark's brother, found him for me. Thought he'd be good company for you and little Sophia."

He tugged the chain. Thunder sat, but his eyes never left me.

I remembered the feel of his fur, matted with my blood.

The sound of Sophia's screams, then silence.

"Mark tells me Sophia's a bit scared of dogs," Old John said, a smirk playing on his lips. "This one will toughen her up."

He knew I was terrified of dogs. A childhood incident with a neighbor's German Shepherd had left me with a permanent fear.

Last time, seeing Thunder, this hulking, powerful animal, I'd broken out in a cold sweat. I'd told Old John, pleaded with him, that dogs like Thunder weren't allowed in town limits. That they were considered dangerous.

He'd laughed.

And Thunder, that damn dog, had understood. He'd marked me.

In front of Old John, or my then-husband Mark, he was a model of obedience.

Alone with me, he was a different creature. Growls rumbled deep in his chest. His teeth would flash if I turned my back.

Old John gave the chain a sharp jerk. "Go on, boy. Say hello."

Thunder bounded towards me.

I flinched, stumbling back.