Page 13 of Carler

With the young girl settling in, it was time for her to return to work. Viv got on her computer and tried to research Joe Senior. It was hard to imagine him coming there. It would be the most dangerous place in the world for him. He had to be faking something because they could easily catch him and, at the very least, imprison him, according to the time he had gotten on the plane. Even with a stop or two, he would be here this evening. She knew that Carler had already sent out information so that someone would check the passengers to see if that man was on board.

"We've received answers from those on the plane Joe Senior is supposedly on. They can't find him or any sign he was ever there," Carler admitted as soon as she walked into the office.

That wasn't a good sign. Was Joe Senior hiding, or had he never boarded the plane? It was important to know the facts, and they didn't know anything. It made her feel nervous and concerned. The only thing making her feel better was that she knew there was a great deal of security, including both cameras and officers, around the airport, and she couldn't imagine how he could get off the plane and into the airport without someone knowing. Ranger would give this a priority since Joe Senior was after his mate.

He'd want Toni to feel safe, but if she knew Joe Senior was sneaking around, she wouldn't. She would also worry about her brother, who Joe had threatened to kill. Everyone knew the old guy would do it if he had the opportunity. Joe was cold and cruel and did not value life at all. If anyone had any true doubt, all they had to do was pay attention to these young kids that he was sending here in the hopes that they would be seriously damaged or killed, and he could use that against Ranger and his people. So far, they had been lucky, but it worried her because luck didn't hold out.

Chapter 4

Where is Joe?

Carler was going crazy trying to find Joe Senior. Johnny, the new mob boss, had even contacted him and asked him if he had any idea where he was. Of course, only because the last time he had been seen was at the airport with a ticket to come to Draconis. Things were beginning to make sense. With everyone in the world after him, Joe had faked a trip here and then snuck out and disappeared. Everyone knew he would have to be crazy to come here. While everyone was looking for Joe, those here wanted him more than anyone.

If there was a way to take him out, Ranger would have done it before they had moved here. The problem was that the eyes of this world were upon them, and whatever action they took, they needed to be careful. On their own planet, Joe would have been long gone. Here, they were trying to be careful not to get any negative press. No one knew they were aliens or believed they were dragons. That was just the way that it needed to stay. This world was not ready for alien dragon shifters.

It was frustrating to him and his other people to have to be so careful. They were used to running things as they wanted, and while they were fair, in a case like Old Joe's, they would have taken him out long ago. Humans would find those actions objectionable. They like to play with their criminals and let them out so they can commit more crimes. Their justice system made no sense to him. What they wanted to do didn't matter anyway because they couldn't find him.

“It's getting late. We really should quit for the day," Viv suggested.

“You're right, I'll just walk you to your room.”

He was concerned about her safety and wanted to push forward his claim and let her know she was his no matter what she thought. He was surprised that she didn't disagree. Maybe she wasn't feeling so safe either since they didn't know where Joe was, and it was possible somehow that he was there. One of the good things was that, as upper management, she was in an area where they needed a code for the elevator to go. Many places had keys that were too easy to misplace, so they decided on codes. Her level was one below his. When the elevator stopped, he exited and walked her to her door.

“I'm sure I'll be safe now," Viv protested.

“I'd rather be sure of that. Come on.” Carler took her arm and led her to her room.

Before she had any idea of what he was doing, he turned her slightly, pressed her against the wall, and gave her a real kiss. This was not the friendly kisses he had given her before. This was the kiss of a lover or a would-be lover. He and his dragon were tired of waiting and wanted to ensure she knew that. It clearly affected her because she tried to find the keys in her other hand.

“We can't do this. It's just not going to work.”

“It will work just fine if you let it. We were meant to be together. Soon, I believe you will also see that."

Carler turned to walk away with a big smile on his face. That had been one hell of a kiss. It would give Viv something to dream about–while he did the same thing.

Carler hummed as the elevator went up. When he stepped out, he almost ran into Ranger, who was heading down.

“Did you find Joe Senior?" Ranger asked.

“No, what makes you think we did?”

“You have a very satisfied look on your face. I thought perhaps things were progressing with the ex-mobster.”

“I'm afraid that's not the case. I feel like I made a little bit of progress with Viv. She might not agree, but I am sure I did," Carler chuckled.

“I'm glad to see it. These human women can be tough on a dragon.”

“That's for sure. It'll be even harder once she finds out what I am and where I'm from.”

“Maybe not. Getting them to care about you is the hardest thing. Once they do, they are more accepting of the other facts," Ranger admitted.

Carler hoped he was right and wasn't looking back on his experience through rose-colored glasses. He couldn't remember when Ranger felt good about where the relationship was going until the very end. That was one of the reasons that even though Ranger had ended up claiming his mate, Carler had not asked him for any advice. Ranger was so busy with his mate that he didn't think he had even noticed that.

Carler decided to go to bed early so he could get up early. Humans had a saying the early bird caught the worm, but he really didn't understand who this early bird was. He was still willing to give it a try. He wished he could go for a flight in his dragon form, but he knew that wasn't possible. He would have to wait. Stripping off all his clothes, he fell into bed naked the way he usually liked to sleep, and it didn't take long before sleep found him.

He woke instantly as the building shook. His first thought was that someone had gotten a bomb through. Dressing quickly, Carler headed downstairs, avoiding the elevator in case it was no longer working. He was certain that everyone would be alerted that something bad had occurred. There was no way anyone could have missed the violent shake, but as far as he could tell, there was no damage anywhere except probably where the bomb had gone off.

“Anyone know what happened?” Carler asked the first security guard he ran into.

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