“Fuck you.” The guy retreated a step, then sprinted after his friends. Leaving his dog behind.

Rather than following, the dog whimpered, lay down, and watched Bull warily. Obviously, there was no bond between the dog and the owner.

Dammit, I don’t have time for a dog, let alone a fighting dog.

The mud-covered fur appeared to be long—a mix of reddish brown and black. Bleeding from a couple of bites, the dog whined at Bull, appearing more bewildered than vicious. Hell.

Bull went down on one knee and held his hand out, speaking slow and low. “I don’t know much about the Bernese part, but shepherds are good working dogs. You want to come interview for a job at the Hermitage? We’ve got chickens and a kid you can guard. You’d have to set up a truce with the cat.”

At Bull’s quiet words, the dog’s ears perked up, and its bedraggled tail moved back and forth tentatively.

“Then again, the shape you’re in, the cat might win a fight,” Bull murmured as the dog rose and took a few steps forward. The black fur over his back and sides didn’t hide sunken flanks. Bull spotted a dick. No balls.

The dumbass owner had thought to fight a neutered dog?

“You’ll be better off with us,” he said. “Guess a name for you might help.”

The dog inched closer.

“My niece, she’s into those Harry Potter stories. Named her cat Sirius.” Bull reached out slowly. The dog’s thick fur was patterned like a shepherd. Black over his back and tail, dark muzzle and ears, russet around the eyes, cheeks, ruff, and legs. A white blotch of fur marked the center of his chest.

After a second, the dog wagged his tail, bowing his head so Bull could ruffle the soft flopped-over ears. “How about we name you something Potterish to get Regan on our side. Maybe Gryffindor—and call you Gryff for short. If Regan pushes for you to stay, Caz and JJ won’t argue—not that Caz would anyway. Audrey has a soft heart, so Gabe will be in.”

It was amazing how the Hermitage had gone from being just Mako’s sons to adding in women and even a kid.

“Now Hawk, he might be a trickier sell on the surface, but if you whine and show him your injuries, he’ll go belly-up. He knows what it’s like to get beat up.”

A black nose lifted to sniff Bull’s neck. A quick lick told him he had himself a dog. Not what he needed in the least.

Ah, well. At least he got to punch some assholes.