#madking

His girl had been talking about getting a dog for ages.  She could always be found at whatever stop they were in playing with the dogs the other wrestlers had brought with them.  She'd been searching for the perfect fit.  Eddie was certain she'd get something fluffy and cute and small enough to fit into a shoulder bag.  How wrong he'd been.

Tiredly he slumped down at a table in catering occupied by Santana and Ortiz.  He collapsed onto the table covering his face with his arms groaning in exhaustion.  Ortiz and Santana exchange glances awaiting the latest 'story' of his escapades with the Lil woman.  

"Lil mama keep your ass up all night?"  Santana chuckled waiting, Eddie always had one version of the night and she had another.  

"If only," Kingston grumbled sitting up and rubbing his face.  "My back is killing me."

"Damn, get it!"  Ortiz's high-five met with a snarling glare from Eddie.

"Slept on the fuckin' couch," scowling at both of his friends.

"No shit, what'd you forget? Anniversary?  Date night?"

"Didn't forget shit!" Eddie roared.  "It's tha damned dog."

"Fuck, she went through with it?" Santana was already planning all the ways he could screw with Eddie now that his woman would be giving her attention to something other than him.  "What she get a corgi, weeny dog, one of them pomsky things?"

"Nah," Eddie shaking his head, eyes rolling around in his head so annoyed he was ready to blow his top.  "My girl, love that damn woman to death but that woman!   That woman walks into the fuckin' shelter and asks to see the dog that's been there the longest.  This woman God help her picks out the most aggressive, kill you in your sleep motherfucking dog possible."

"So she got a pit, big fuckin' deal." Neither Ortiz nor Santana could see what was wrong with that.

"I love this woman," Eddie made the sign of the cross and looked up at the ceiling.  "Lord you know I'd die for that woman, but she ... that's not a fuckin' dog, it's a fuckin' Grizzly bear panther mix and it won't let me get within five feet of her without snarling and barking like I was the devil himself."

"So..." Santana snorted a laugh.  "You're..."

"Gettin' cock blocked by a damned dog, yeah, yeah I am."

Ortiz and Santana broke out in a fit of laughter calling attention to their table.  They were laughing so hard they struggled to breathe, Ortiz almost falling out of his chair altogether.

"I won't hesitate to beat you both."  Eddie's head in his hands.  "It won't let me near, and I need my sugar."

"So cranky, maybe you need to go fu..."

"FUCK OFF!" Eddie slapped the table pointing at the both of them as a warning.

He was ready to fight.  Sick and tired of being tired, of not having his woman.  Not getting to kiss her whenever he felt like it, hell he couldn't even hug her.  He was agitated without his fix of her goodness.  Ready to smack the hell out of his so-called friends when a commotion arose on the other side of catering.  

Chairs skittered across the cement floor, and people rushed scrambling to get away from whatever was blocking the doorway.  Wrestlers and crew move in a swift motion to flee something.

"The hell ... is ... that?!"  Ortiz sputtered.  

Eddie didn't even have to turn around to see, he knew what it was that had them all afraid.  

Standing in the doorway was a behemoth of a black mass.  Giant paws that held up a muscular body covered in silky fur.  Overly attentive eyes scanned the room, silently barring its teeth in warning to all.  A slobbery tongue licked its mouth as if it smelled its next meal or victim.  Nose high in the air sniffing.

Eddie's table was the only one that hadn't moved, its occupants frozen in place staring at the demon dog.  Eddie felt its moist breath on his arm and its eyes boring into him, judging him.

"Tank, sit."  The massive beast listened, conveniently placing itself between Eddie and her.  

Eddie hardly moved an inch wanting to kiss his woman when the brute of an animal growled.  The beast kept up until his owner sat in Eddie's lap wrapping her arms around Kingston's neck.  Begrudgingly the dog gave up and laid down softly whining not liking where his master was sitting.  

"Sorry bout him," the quick kiss she'd given Eddie turned into one obscenely drawn out.  "Guess he thinks he's the only Alpha," she laughed cracking a joke.

"Tha fuck he is," Eddie mumbled into her neck giving as much affection as he could before the beast could interrupt.

"Give him time," she pouted not liking that neither Tank nor Eddie seemed to like each other.  Kissing her way along Eddie's jaw.  "The poor thing's only known violence his whole life, kinda like someone else I know."

"I know, I know," he sighed running his palms up and down her back.  "I jus miss ya and this is the closest the bear panther has let me near ya in two weeks."

"He's protective," scratching Tank behind the ears.  "I'm gonna get a drink."  Pointing her finger at the dog, "Tank, stay."

The beast canine did as he was told but not without whining, watching her every move across the room unprotected.  Eddie started grumbling to Santana and Ortiz again about his situation when he felt a hard nudge on his arm.  Tank glared at him in concern and back at his favorite human.  Eddie noticed Jericho and his lackeys circling around Y/n.  Tank repeatedly whined, fidgeting his paws as if he wanted to run across the room but knew he couldn't.

"Momma told ya not ta move huh?"  Eddie swore the beast rolled his eyes at him.  "Tell ya what bear panther," scratching the beast's head.  "You go save ya, Momma, scare 'em good.  Go!"

Off the beast stalked silently to get the drop on those that dared near his human.  His breath and low snarl felt before he placed himself in front of her.  The massive dog squared up its body, snarling, muscles flexing.  Sharp teeth glistening in a warning.  With each step Jericho and his stablemates took backward, the dog took a step forward.  

"We gotta problem here?" Eddie stood beside the dog in a unified front.  "My fur child seems to think we do."  Jericho and his cronies ran out of catering without a word.

Tank sat beside Eddie licking his hand, forcing his palm atop its head as if making amends.  His tail wagged as Eddie scratched his fur chuckling, kneeling before the dog.  

"Oh ya like me now huh?"  Both hands scratched behind Tank's ears making his hind leg tap the ground happily.  "Yeah, I'd bite someone to protect yer Momma too."

As she walked through the district she thought about what she would say to her father. What sort of excuse would she use to get him to leave. If she was honest he would stay but she couldn't bare it if he was hurt. She had better think of something the shop was not far now and the sun would be setting soon. Already the cobblestone streets were becoming alive as the Mad King celebrations were taking place. Little ones running rampant with masks as they try to out scare each other. There at the end of the street was the shop. Wasn't big but wasn't small either.

The bell chimed as she entered the shop. The atmosphere was warm and welcoming. The displayed gems and handmade jewelry sparkled from the setting sun in the window. The front counter was empty but she could hear a gruff voice call from the back room.

"I'll be with you in just a moment."

Leaning against the counter, she waited patiently for her father. Her smile grew as he stepped from the back. Looking professional and handsome as always. His smile grew just as big as his daughter's once he realise she was waiting on him. His beard hand gotten longer and his hair was finally showing his age with shades of grey and white running through it. It made him look more distinguished.

"Larka my dear! My sweet darling come here and hug this old man."

His laughter and warm embrace soothed her. The man's great embrace could make you feel as though nothing is wrong. Though she could barely get her arms around his belly she squeezed with all her might. They stood together as he rubbed her back and pressed a kiss to the top of her raven head.

"Ahh, my sweet child what brings you in so late in the day. I thought you and Jacqueline would be off to take part in the Mad King celebrations hm?"

She was reluctant to leave his embrace but she pulled away from her father, offering him a gentle smile. He was so fond of Jace, probably loved her just as his own child. It would worry him to know she was hurt laying up in a bed and hiding out.

"Jace and I have a surprise for you. I'm here to close up shop and send you off on a little vacation to Southsun Cove. Where you will spend a few well deserved days soaking in the sun and laying on the beach."

He roared with laughter as he walked around her to the shop window where he watched the last bit of sun slip behind the wall that surrounded the city.

"Larka I can't go. Who would watch the shop? I haven't been away from here for years lass. I just can't go."

She made her way to his side and slipped her hand into his. She knew he was a bit scared but pushed him on it.

"Please papa. It's a gift from me and Jacqueline. For allowing us to take time away from here and being so supportive. Besides, Jace has told me you haven't been away from this shop since mama passed. Also, I know about Miss Higglesworth from the bakery that you have been spending time with. You should ask her to go with you."

He sighed deeply as he gave thought to the whole thing, folding his arms he turned to look around the shop as he came to a decision.

"Fine lass I will go. I appreciate the gift and I'm sure Miss Higglesworth would love to join me in the sun...Well, I hope so."

He looked giddy as he moved around to gather his things. He took the keys to the shop and safe and handed them off to her. One quick kiss to his daughter's cheek and he was heading out the door to the bakery. Quickly she called out to him.

"Everything is arranged just let them know you have arrived."

Arte de capa para o segundo livro da série Muzumba, do autor Natanael Fona.