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Amy was still seething moments after she had hung up with Ashley. It was one thing for Matt to interrogate her about his current girlfriend - maddening as that was - but it was a whole other story to learn he was abusing and neglecting her dog! Lucas had been *hers* - Matt himself had gotten him for her shortly after the death of Mason, the little terrier mix she'd had before him.
She was angry with herself as well. She should have known better than to give Lucas to Matt after the breakup. After all, he had *never* been an animal lover. Sure, he had gotten involved with her charity, A.D.O.R.E., in a small way, but the redhead had always known that was just because of her, and *her* love and concern for animals and their welfare. Hell, Matt hadn't even been that concerned when her doberman, Cody, had been put to sleep when his cancer had gotten too far-gone. Now that she thought about it, he hadn't even seemed to care when Mason had been run over right before their very eyes! She hadn't even had much time to grieve for her second dog as Matt had gotten Lucas for her not even a month after his passing. A true animal person - animal lover - would have understood.
Tears filled Amy's eyes as she thought about her dogs - all three of them. Cody had had it good, living with her and having a full life, although he'd lasted only ten years. Poor little Mason had only been two when he'd been killed. It hurt her heart, but there was nothing she could do. Lucas was the one pet she could save - and she decided right then and there that she was going to get him back. If she had to sneak over to Matt's house when he wasn't home and only Ashley was there, she would - and she knew the blonde would gladly hand the dog over to her. However, she would rather do it face-to-face, when Matt was there. She wanted to give him a piece of her mind!
Ignoring the tears welled up in her eyes, she picked up the phone's receiver again and punched out her ex-boyfriend's cell phone number. She wasn't quite sure she expected him to answer, but then again, he'd been hounding her with calls, so she supposed there was a good chance he *would*.
Four rings later, she gave up, slamming the receiver down just as the voicemail kicked in. Damn him... She didn't want to tell him off in a message, she wanted to do it directly to him!
Amy sat there on her couch, dabbing at her eyes with a tissue. Her doorbell suddenly rang, startling her. She got a sick sensation in the pit of her stomach. It *better* not be Matt...
The emotion gripped her again as she glanced out the window on her way to the door. It was Adam.
The moment she opened the door to him, the redhead burst into tears, sobbing as she sank against him. The blond man was flabbergasted and frowned. He questioned his girlfriend as he gently put his arms around her, entering the house that way.
"What's the matter, baby?" He kicked the door shut and peered into her sad face with concern. "What is it?" he asked when she didn't immediately reply.
Amy shook her head, hating her currently extremely emotional state. Then again, that time of the month was just upon her. Then again still, her pets always choked her up.
"My dogs," she managed as she clung to him. "I-It's my dogs."
The Canadian blinked and slowly nodded, thoroughly understanding. He was the same way where his dogs were concerned, though he'd been lucky thus far that none of them had died like two of hers had.
"Oh, Amy."
"I want Lucas back," she stated firmly, in a strong voice. She raised her head, face still tearstained. "Ashley told me Matt mistreats him. I want him back."
Adam felt his blood boiling at her words. So, that bitter little prick had taken to abusing the dog he'd given Amy? The very pup he'd given her to "replace" Mason before him? It sickened him to think of *anyone* abusing *any* animal... But the thought of Hardy taking out his anger on one that Amy had specifically loved and cherished made him want to ram his fist down the bastard's throat.
He led the distraight redhead to her couch and sat her down. His arms still around her, he held her tightly against him, one hand stroking her long hair.
"Shh... It'll be okay, sweetheart. We'll get Lucas back. I promise you, we'll get him back."