Page 7 of Tempting Her Dragons

“Instead of Ryker’s version,” Bishop adds.

“Is Ryker still mad?” I ask, turning on the coffee pot.

“Ryker is Ryker,” Laken grumbles.

“He forgot about it when he went home,” Bishop says, and I look over my shoulder with a raised brow. “He found it funny once the humans’ memories were changed.”

“Laken, you can’t lecture me,” I point out, angrily sliding a pod into the machine.

“I can’t?”

“No, you know why.” I grimace at their protective brother stares. “Alright, it wasn’t smart, but the guy was asking for it.”

“I’m sure he was,” Bishop says.

“But that’s when you tell the vampires that own the club, and they kill the guy. Or they call your brothers, and we kill him,” Laken says.

“Or,” I start, slamming my cup down. “Your dragon shifter sister takes care of the asshole.”

“Sis, we worry,” Bishop says.

“We don’t want you to get hurt.” Laken steps beside me, putting his hand over mine. “We want you protected at all times.”

“I know.” I lean my head on his shoulder. “I love you both for it, but sometimes I can fight my own battles.” I have to tell them what I do, but the words get stuck in my throat. How would I start?Just letting you know I kill men in my spare time.

“It’s hard for us to allow that,” Bishop admits. “We didn’t do our jobs as your brothers well for years.” I can’t tell them now—they will freak out. I’ll have to work up to it.

“That’s not true,” I deny. We all handled the death of our parents in different ways.

“It is,” Laken agrees with Bishop. He ruffles my hair. “How did it feel? Setting his hair on fire.”

“Fucking fantastic,” I say, my laughter muffled by his shirt.

“I wish I could have seen it,” Laken says.

“We’re supposed to be giving a lecture,” Bishop reminds him.

“We’ve never been great at those,” Laken says.

I lift my head, propping my chin on his chest. “The smell was awful.”

“I remember,” Laken grins.

“Did it all go up in flames? Or just some?” Bishop says, his humor locked behind twinkling eyes. I ease back and purse my lips.

“All of it,” I whisper before laughing. “It wentwoosh.” I slide my hand over my head.

“Shit. I’m sure he won’t return to the club,” Bishop says.

“Probably not,” I say when I get control of my humor. “Where’s Penny?”

“She is cooking,” Laken says.

“She won’t let us hire a cook,” Bishop says, sitting on the stool.

“Why would you think she would?” I ask, bending down to sniff the coffee as it drips into the cup.

“She’s pregnant,” Laken says, crossing his arms.

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