Page 33 of Her Dragons

I squirmed free of Jake and stood a few steps back from Garrity, where Jake had pulled me.With the look that I gave the cops, I could have had fire curling out of my nose.

“If we’ve got a grip on things now,” Garrity said, “the two of you need to stay here and mind your phones.We’ll contact you as soon as we know anything about Ms. Turner.”

With so much anger and fear and nowhere to put it, I just turned away and clenched and unclenched my hands, letting them go back to human, while the dragon features disappeared from my face — but the scowl stayed put.

Jake did the talking for both of us.“We’ll be here.And we’ll be listening.You guys can see yourselves out.”

I turned to watch the two cops go for the door and exit the apartment, leaving Jake and me alone.Once they were gone, I faced Jake again — and took out my phone.

“What are you doing?” Jake asked.

“I’m calling my buddy Ross, from the Firewings.”

Jake blinked nervously.“What?Why?”

“Because he can do what we need now, that’s why.”

Now Jake looked off a bit, remembering his meeting with my old friends.Then, back to me, he said, “Wait — you mean Ross, the computer guy?The one that works in IT now?”

“You got it.”

“Why him?” Jake wondered.

“Think about it.A guy who works in IT, who knows how to get into all kinds of computer networks.Ross can hack like an axe murderer in a thriller movie.If the cops can track down where this house of Mark’s is, I’ll bet so can Ross.I’m getting him and the gang over here now.”

Jake looked and sounded seriously worried at that.“Are you crazy?You heard what Detective Garrity said.”

“Do I look like I care what Garrity said?” I snapped.“I don’t give a damn what he said or what he wants.Lily’s in trouble.She could be hurt or worse.She needs us and I’m doing what I have to do to find her.”

“Alex…,” Jake started, ready to throw another worthless argument at me.

“Jake!” I snapped again.“Suppose he’s hurt Lily really bad this time.What if she’s lying in that forest house ofhis, knocked out or worse?That son of a bitch, if he gets mad enough, could break her bones.He could break her head or her neck.What if the worst thing is happening to her out in the middle of nowhere and we never get there?How the hell are you gonna feel then?”

My old friend went quiet for a second while I held up the phone, waiting for whatever half-assed thing he’d say next.

“Call Ross,” he said.

CHAPTER 14

Lily

I was in a locked room where I could see nothing out the window but trees and forest undergrowth.In my surroundings was nothing but a bed, a lamp, a table and chair, a chest of drawers — and my electric piano, which I’d left in the penthouse, with some sheet music resting on top of it.

The piano and music were there for a reason, I knew.They were meant to be symbolic of the “relationship” — it galled me to use that word for it — that I’d had in the luxurious cage from which I’d escaped.They were meant to remind me that when my well-off ex-lover took me in, he promised to support me and care for me and make it so that I never wanted for anything.And all that it would cost me would be to make my whole life about him and only him.I became almost his pet as much as his girlfriend; a pet that he could love or punish as he saw fit.And there were plenty of punishments, and they all hurt and terrified me just the same.That was the gilded-cage life that I’d signed on for because a struggling musician’s life seemed too hard.And Mark taught me what a hard life really was.

How long would he keep me waiting, I wondered.

Then there were voices and footsteps outside, and I sat on the edge of the bed, my every muscle tense with fearful anticipation.My breath felt ragged and hot as I heard the clicking of an outer latch and saw the doorknob turn.I felt as if claws of dread were raking my whole body.

The door swung open and he stepped into the room.Inside, I screamed.

He was dressed only in slacks and an open-backed tank top — the kind of shirt that people call a “wifebeater.”And there was never a more apt use of that name than when that kind of shirt was worn by Mark Reinhardt.

His tank top showed his upper chest and his arms, which were big and powerful even in this, his human shape.His smooth body showed off every muscle.His well-shaved face was rugged looking even without the kind of short beard and stubble growth that Jake and Alex had.He wasn’t balding, but his hair receded just slightly.His eyes and the set of his lips had a smoldering look about them, hinting at the volatile emotions that churned inside him.He looked as if he made his living not cutting down trees, but pushing them over.

The sound of Mark’s voice made me feel as if my bones were suddenly covered with frost.“Hello, Lily,” he said.

“Mark,” I said back.

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