Page 20 of Delivered to My Dragons

It was no chore to eat the food she prepared. My dragon was thrilled that his mate wanted to feed him, although he made it clear he would be happier providing for her and the hatchling. He saw the babe as his and not as the bear’s cub. I wanted to feel the same but reserved judgment until Iris let us know she was here to stay.

After we finished eating, Keir and I both went to work cleaning up. Since just about every pot and pan and bowl in the kitchen had been used, it was a two-dragon job. And we would not hear of Iris helping after all her labors getting everything ready.

When the dishwasher was running and all the things that did not fit in it were washed and dried and put away, along with a few leftovers, Keir sat on the stool next to Iris. “We need to go into the office for a bit and were wondering if you would like to join us.”

“Wouldn’t I be safe here?” She chewed on her lip again, leaving it bee-stung and rosy. “I hate to think I am interfering with your business.”

“Yes, you’re safe here, although we’re happier having you in our sight while danger is still out there,” I said, leaning on the counter across from her. “But that’s not why we are inviting you. We just wanted to show off a little, let you see what our business is like, and why we are the perfect bodyguards for you. But if you’d rather stay behind? We won’t be long.” Especially if she didn’t go with us. In fact, if she stayed, so would one of us. A glance at Keir confirmed he agreed with me.

“In that case, I’d love to go.” She smiled at us both. “I should probably change.” She unwound the apron to reveal jeans and a black tank top, low black boots and a fuzzy cardigan. “Except I don’t have any real business attire.”

“You’re coming as a guest, so nobody expects you to wear a suit—not that anyone does there unless a particular assignment requires it.” Keir patted her hand. “But you look perfect anyway.”

“At least let me go brush my hair and put on some mascara.” She hopped off the stool then wobbled a little, and my friend steadied her.

“As I said, you’re perfect, but go do whatever you need to, to feel comfortable. Be careful on the stairs, all right?”

“My center of gravity is a little off, but I will be cautious. Really, I’m not that graceful on the best of days.”

After she disappeared upstairs, we went to change from lounge pants and T-shirts to jeans and T-shirts. We rarely went on any actual assignments anymore, with a staff for that, but on occasion either because our other staff was booked solid, the job required special skills, or the clients requested us, we did.

The office occupied a low building just outside of town with nothing but a small plate on the door to identify the business at all. We didn’t get walk-in business, although we did see clients or their representatives by appointment. I parked in one of the two partner spots near the door and under the spreading branches of an oak that kept the car cool. “Ready to see where the magic happens?”

Iris giggled and stretched out an arm. “Lead the way. Your office is in this building I take it?”

I met Keir’s gaze again. He cleared his throat. “Our offices are the building. What you can see and two levels underground.”

Chapter Sixteen

Iris

Their home was very nice, and they had the private jet, but somehow it hadn’t sunk in for me that those things indicated this much wealth and success. “Three levels? It’s a pretty big organization, then.”

Nix shrugged. “Compared to some of our relatives, it’s small potatoes, but we like it.” I followed them up to a double door that clicked open as soon as we stood in front of it. “After you, Iris.”

Either there was something that registered who was at the door, or someone was watching from inside. Either way, security was certainly at a premium. I stepped into the cool interior of the building and found myself in a small foyer with another set of doors in front of me. “More security?”

“Absolutely.” Keir approached the second doors, which also opened for him. “It’s our job, after all. Some of it is for clients to feel safe, but mostly it’s just how we operate. How would it look if a prince came for a meeting and the very people he wants protection from came in and assassinated him at the conference table?”

“Bad?” Maybe worse. I followed the two into a long hallway with doors on either side. “Which are your offices?”

“We aren’t on this level.” Nix strode to the side of the hall and palmed the wall there. The wall melted away. “Come on, and we’ll show you.”

This was getting wild. I stood between them facing the former wall, and it reappeared in front of us. “Wow.” Then the floor moved downward, and I grabbed an arm of each dragon. “We’re in an elevator?”

“Yes. Also, a little show-offy, but the clients are impressed, and that makes them more willing to pay our rates.”

“Which aren’t cheap,” I assumed.

“We are the best,” Keir stated in a level tone. “So, no, never cheap, just good.”

The elevator stopped after a few seconds, and Nix placed his palm on the front wall, which, of course, dissolved to allow us to exit. I had no idea how it worked, but stashed that question for later. There was so much more to see, a suspicion confirmed as we walked down a hallway that looked like something out of a sci-fi novel. Lighting gleamed through walls of stainless steel, although it couldn’t be steel if light came through it?

So many questions. We had not encountered any people upstairs, so they must have been behind the closed doors, but on this level, the doors were open, leaving me free to peek inside as we passed. A gym with people working out. A tech area with computers and all sorts of machines I couldn’t identify. A large conference room with a group of men and women seated around an oval table captured my interest. “Are they all bodyguards?” I asked after we had moved to another section of the hallway. The very idea that women could hold this position was exciting. Empowering. “Even the women?”

“Of course. Many of our clients prefer bodyguards they feel comfortable with. Our employees hit all those markers.” Nix leaned in close. “Some of those men and women are non-binary or describe themselves in other ways. We hire based on skills and not appearance or physicality.”

My mood was lifting with every word. “Are they all shifters?”

---