Free Once Upon a Pet Show (A Redpoint One Romance) by J.A. Marlow Page B

for Penny."
    Well, at least he'd remembered the daubpup's
name right. "Uh, Vallory."
    "And if you have an issue with me, take it up
with security," Vallory continued.
    The creature on his leg reached his knee. He
deepened his voice and said with the same tone he used when
coaching the Fifth Ring Youth League soccer team,
"Vallory."
    She responded the same as his team, giving him
her full attention. He pointed down at the baby that was now making
headway on scaling his thigh. How was it doing that? He could feel
the movements, but no claws. Or maybe its claws were still tiny
enough to not go all the way through the fabric of his
pants?
    A corner of her mouth tried to quirk into a
smile. "Let it climb. Daubpups love to climb and I don't want to
ruin the learning experience."
    He was now a learning experience?
    "Don't divert the subject," Mr. Pyman said,
his voice still loud. His face was well on the way to turning a
bright rosy red.
    "What subject?" Vallory demanded. "You accuse
me of being a thief but have no proof." She hugged Penny. "I have
proof I had to find my missing daubpup. The subject is
done."
    Mr. Pyman took a step towards her. "Look at
you. You aren't even dressed like an exhibitor. Why are you really
here if not to steal pets?"
    "Now, now," Ms. Mishley said, the wringing of
her hands growing more frantic. "No need to do this. Really. She
had a missing pet herself, Noah."
    "I wasn't aware there was a dress code here.
Should I go to the principals office?" Vallory taunted.
    Okay, this needed to end. Yes, she could
defend herself, but Ms. Mishely was right. This was not the time or
the place. He ignored the little voice inside him telling him that
he was motivated by something else. Such as wanting to protect
her.
    With the baby now up to his waist, he felt
safe enough to move. At least, slowly. His movement was notice, and
not just by Mr. Pyman. He must be glowering to judge by Ms.
Mishley's quick step back and her nervous expression.
    Mr. Pyman didn't back up, but then Damien
hadn't expected him to. Mr. Pyman wasn't the type.
    But then, neither was Damien. Not since a
teen. He took a step forward, putting himself in Mr. Pyman's
personal space. The man took an involuntary step back, and then his
eyes flashed in annoyance as he realized what he had
done.
    "The show is still open, and we are blocking
the attendees," Damien said, keeping his voice firm, but not loud.
He didn't need to be loud to get across the words. "This ends now.
If you have an issue with Ms. Schist, then take it to
security."
    His authority may have been diminished by the
humming baby daubpup that was now nuzzling his ear. But, he kept
his gaze steady and clear, his shoulders back and legs
planted.
    Mr. Pyman took another step back, having
received the signal. He looked past him to Vallory for one brief
moment before turning on his heel. He said over his shoulder,
"Consider this reported, Ms. Schist."
    With his departure a collective sense of
relief went through those still remaining. Other voices rose in
conversation, and the milling crowd started to move
again.
    "Oh, thank you," Ms. Mishley said, taking one
of his hands into her cold ones. "It was not going
well."
    "No, not at all." Only then did Damien see the
dark-blue suit of one of the security guards. Mr. Pyman would not
be the only one to have a word with them. "Did I hear it correct? A
third pet-napping?"
    "Oh yes. Right in the middle of the crowd."
Ms. Mishely's eyes went wide and she glanced down the aisle,
whispering, "No one knows how they could have done it, and the
security cameras show no one leaving the building with it. Everyone
is worried over their pets."
    "I would like to see them try for Penny. There
isn't a cage that can contain her." Vallory tried to smile, but it
didn't go all the way up to her eyes. The bright red spots on her
cheeks were starting to fade, leaving her looking pale and wane.
She opened the front main door of the enclosure and set Penny
inside.
    Penny whirled