Page 6 of Carler

"What is going on there?"

"Joe Senior's attacks have not slowed down. We've just gotten better at anticipating them. Have you had any luck in finding him?"

"We did manage to walk in on a welcome party for the new guy, Johnny. Joe wasn't invited, but he sent someone to give a hell of a welcome. We got involved, or Johnny would have died. There are no other clues to follow. I have considered heading back until we find another clue. Staying here must be expensive, and I don't see the point. If nothing else shows up, I intend for us to return in the morning. I just informed Kareth. He will take care of all the details," Viv explained.

"I know it is disappointing, but I think you are making the right choice. We have two people working undercover. Given time, I believe they will find some useful information."

"I'm sure we will see you sometime tomorrow."

They said their goodbyes like acquaintances, even though he did not wish that. Things needed to move on, but he wasn't sure how to do it.

Even Ranger couldn't help with this situation because his mate had no former lover. It was hard to compete with the perfect lover who died before she discovered any of his bad habits. Maybe Viv could move forward and accept Carler as her mate once Doug was avenged.

Heading back to his office, he intended to immerse himself in work and forget that his mate did not want him for the moment. He tried not to take it personally. He knew, at this time, that Viv didn't want anyone. She needed closure on her old life before claiming a new one. The best thing he could do was to help her achieve that as quickly as possible.

There was a knock on his door. He wondered if it would be the next step to assisting his mate.

"Come in!" He directed.

A male entered. He looked dangerous. His eyes were cold, and a scar ran down his neck, just missing his jugular. His hair was white as snow, but he had not been born with it that way.

"Doran, my old friend, I am glad you could come. Have a seat. I'll explain the situation, and you can decide if it is something you can do," Carler explained.

"I was curious to come to this world where many find mates. I have met a few Earth females and find them interesting."

Carler examined his friend. He was huge, even for a dragon shifter. He topped out at seven feet and was broad and muscled. The scar on his neck let everyone know he was dangerous and had survived many fights. Sure, it could have been easily removed and still could be, but Doran kept it as a reminder to be careful who he trusted and watch his own back.

Doran was cold and calculating but the best friend anyone could have if he acknowledged that person as a friend. He was the Emperor's assassin, used only in the most serious conditions.

When he wasn't on assignment as an assassin, he was used as an investigator or to bring prisoners in to face justice. Usually, those from other worlds since they had always been told criminals were rare in their kind. However, recently, they found out that wasn't always true. What criminals of their kind had done was hide their deceit well.

But that didn't matter at the moment. Carler needed Doran to bring Joe Senior to justice. Viv might not appreciate the extra effort but must learn to live with it if someone else brought Joe in.

Carler trusted Doran, but he doubted that Doran trusted him. A partner, a female, had turned on him and tried to take him out. She had been the one who died, but it had affected Doran. It changed him on the inside as well as the outside. It was hard to say if he would ever learn to trust again and how his life would proceed if he could not trust whoever he decided to mate.

Whatever else there was, there was no better male to assist with catching Joe Senior than Doran. It would be more difficult in this strange world. Sadly, none knew as much as they needed, but Carler still felt Doran would be a valuable asset. After all, he had worked on other worlds around the Galaxies and always managed to bring in his man or woman.

"Give me the file and any other information you think I should have. I will examine it and decide if this job suits me. If I take the job, I want to take a two-week vacation after it concludes, regardless of whether I catch the target or someone else does," the assassin demanded.

"Have you ever taken a vacation?" Carler wondered.

"I have not planned one, but I have had time between or even on jobs, waiting for a certain outcome before proceeding. If you wonder if I can relax, the answer is yes."

Carler handed his friend the extensive files divided into two sets and wished him a good day before taking his leave. Now, he sat in his office chair, wondering if the assassin would take the job and how difficult it would be for him if he did.

Carler was sure he would see Viv in a few hours. He needed to pursue her and speed up the process. His dragon was unhappy with him, which was never good.

Another knock on the door. It was definitely not going to be a slow day. "Come in."

"General, we've had another episode. The park closest to us has been attacked. Since the ship is in orbit, they might be able to handle it," Joff, his assistant, suggested.

"Handle it."

Joff was a young Lieutenant hoping to move up in rank. Being his assistant was a stepping stone to something higher and better. Handling matters and doing well would see him get a promotion sooner rather than later.

The young male was bright and capable. They needed half a dozen of him in different positions on the planet as soon as possible. The problem was that only a few were qualified to do the work.

There was nothing wrong with humans except that they did not know dragon aliens existed.

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