Page 33 of A Savior for the Arrogant Dragon

“I’m going to help Montgomery fix that boat I destroyed,” he said, shrugging his shoulders. “It seemed like the least I could do, and afterward, he’s going to give me a sailing lesson, and I’m going to pay attention.”

Max laughed, “Good for you,” he said. “You want some coffee before you go?”

“Sure, why not,” he said, sitting down at the table. “I don’t have to be there for another half an hour.”

Max filled two mugs, grabbed a plate of doughnuts, and sat down with him, but a phone in another room began to ring before he could even take a sip of the coffee. “That’s the satellite phone,” he said, getting to his feet. “I have to get it. Hopefully it won’t take long.”

He sipped his coffee and munched on a doughnut while listening to Max’s muffled voice in the other room. Then, he got up to refill his cup. A second later, Max came back into the kitchen, “We’ve got a problem,” he said. “Do you know where Kira is?”

His stomach knotted up with worry, “She and Mary Beth have a surfing lesson this morning, but I don’t think it’s until later,” he said. “What’s wrong, Max?”

“Kira needs to call home. They’ve had some problems,” Max said. “Has she told you anything about what’s been going on in her life?”

He shook his head, “And I didn’t ask, God, I’m a jerk,” he said. “Just tell me what’s going on.”

Max shook his head, “I don’t think that’s my place,” he said. “But I think you’d better come with me. If you care about Kira, now is thetime to show it.”

***Kira***

Kira drained the last of her coffee and set the cup in the sink, “Are you about ready?” she called. “We need to leave in five minutes, or we’re going to be late.”

Mary Beth came sailing out of the bedroom, her beach bag over her shoulder and opened her mouth, but a knock on the door interrupted her. Changing directions, she went to the door and opened it. Max was standing on the porch, Simon behind him, and the look on his face made her stomach drop. The smile on Mary Beth’s face faded and she stepped back, opening the door further to let them in.

“What’s wrong?” Mary Beth asked. “I know that look.”

“Maybe we should all sit down,” Max said, then looked over at her, and she felt the like the air had been sucked out of her lungs.

“Just tell us what’s wrong,” she said, bracing her hands on the back of a chair until her knuckles turned white.

Simon was next to her instantly, “Come on, Kira, sit down,” he said, guiding her into a chair. “I’ll be right here with you.”

Max sat down across from her, “I just got a call from your dad, and before you start freaking out, he said that everyone is fine,” he said, giving her a second to let that sink in. “As soon as we’re done talking, you can call him, but he wanted me to tell you that Virginia showed up at their house last night demanding that they hand Kiley over to her. They called the police, and they took her away. Kiley was never in danger; he wanted me to make sure you understand that.”

It took her a second before she could make her lungs work and she felt a little lightheaded, “Kira, it’s okay. Everyone is fine,” Simon said, sinking down into the chair next to her and taking her hand. “I want you to try and take a couple of deep breaths.”

She looked over at him, then down at their joined hands and managed to fill her lungs with air, “That’s good,” Simon coaxed, reaching up and pushing her hair behind her ear. “Do that one more time for me.”

This time her lungs fully expanded, and the fog in her brain cleared, “I think I’m okay now,” she said, then looked over at Max. “What else did he say? Can I call him now? I think I need to go home.”

“That can be arranged if that’s what you want,” Max said. “But maybe it would be safer if your parents and Kiley came here until this is settled. I’m sure we can find a place for them to stay, and I’ll send a private plane for them so they don’t have to worry about passports.”

She felt tears prickling her eyes, “You’d do that for me?” she asked. “Thank you, Max. I knew that Edward and Virginia were unhappy about the way the trial went, but I never thought they’d go after Kiley.”

“I’m going to make a few phone calls and get everything arranged,” Max said, getting to his feet. “I’ll leave the satellite phone with you so you can call home. Let your parents know that a car will be coming to pick them up in a few hours, and remind them to pack for island weather.”

“Hold on, Max, I’m going with you,” Mary Beth said. “I need to use your computer and telephone. I need to get to the bottom of this and find out what’s going on back there.”

Five minutes later, the front door closed behind Max and Mary Beth, leaving them alone, “I have to call my parents,” she said, picking up the phone. “I won’t feel better until I hear their voices.”

“I understand,” he said. “Do you want me to leave you alone?”

She looked over at him and shook her head, “No, I wish you’d stay,” she said. “I’m sure this is all very confusing for you. I promise I’ll explain itafter I call home.”

“Kira, you don’t have to explain anything to me,” he said. “I just want to be here for you.”

“Thank you, Simon, that means a lot,” she said. “But I think you deserve an explanation.”

“But it can wait until after you make that phone call,” he said. “You go ahead, I’ll be right here. I’m just going to get you some fresh coffee.”

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