Page 72 of Tempting Her Dragons

“Fucker had it coming,” Roxanne points out.

“Where did you get the popcorn?” Saphira whispers to Sally.

“A nice gentleman gave it to me,” she responds, but their faces sober when Ryker growls low.

I don’t blame Ryker. We are assembled in his office with Tim, a man who dated Saph briefly, after he made the mistake of grabbing her arm and hissing profanities at her. Ryker has him under his influence. Tim’s eyes are glazed over, his body frozen in fear, his head devoid of hair. When we first saw Tim, he had a head full of blonde hair.

“Who did it?” Ryker snaps, his narrowed eyes scanning the group.

“It wasn’t me,” Sally grins, and he closes his eyes briefly.

“If I was a dragon, it would have been me,” Mom says.

“I would have,” Saph says. “But he got there first.”

All of our gazes swing to my brother. King is leaning against Ryker’s desk, his arms and legs crossed, his expression bored. I have to look at the floor to avoid pissing the vampire off more by laughing.

“Kingston,” Ryker says dangerously.

“He shouldn’t have touched her or been a dick to her,” he says.

“Of course he shouldn’t have. But he should have been punished in private. I had to call Bash,” Ryker says. “Do you know how often he has to change the humans’ memories in this club?”

“How often?” Sally asks and shoves a handful of the kernels in her mouth.

“Too fucking often,” Ryker roars. “He’s not happy. He had to leave his mate to clean up your mess. Again.”

“When is Bash really happy?” Sally asks.

“When he is with his mate,” Ryker says.

“Am I fired?” Saphira asks.

“Yes,” he says. “Do not come back to my club until you are fully mated and their brand is on your body.”

“Ryker,” King says softly. “I did it. I get you are pissed, but don’t direct your anger at Saphira.” King would hate to fight the vampire, but the bond is guiding him. I knew he was with Saphira the second I smelled her. His scent is inside her. I’m grateful they had time together. It means we are closer to completing the bond and gaining her trust.

“Fuck,” Ryker mumbles and turns to Tim. “You were never here. You won’t remember Saphira or that you dated her. For the rest of your life, you will believe if you try to force any woman tohave sex, your dick will turn green and fall off. Do not come back here. Tonight, you decided to go get a haircut. You had it shaved off for penitence because of all the women you have abused. Be a better man. Now leave.” Tim nods and walks out the office door.

“Amazing,” Mom says. She’s having the time of her life.

“Now, all of you get the fuck out of my office. Saphira, I love you, so steer clear of Bash on the way out,” Ryker says.

“Good plan,” she agrees. I grab her hand and pull her toward the door. Bash appears in front of us, and she smiles tentatively.

“You can’t leave,” Bash says and pulls a piece of paper out of his pocket. “This was on the bar.” He then shows us a knife. “And this was stabbed through it.”

“What the fuck?” Mom asks, stepping close to Saphira.

He unfolds the note. “You took away my brother’s toys. I’m going to take away yours,” he reads.

“Motherfucker,” I snarl.

“Mav,” Saph says.

“It’s the twin,” I say.

“He was here,” King says, cupping my shoulder.

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