Page 78 of Tempting Her Dragons

Chapter Twenty

Maverick

My arm is wrapped around my mate, and her eyes are heavy. The situation is tense, but I can’t help it—I enjoy having her pressed close.

The office filled up with shifters. Saphira’s brothers’ faces drained of color as we told them the situation. Their attention constantly moved back to Saphira as they worked with the others. They weren’t happy with Ryker, but have calmed enough to work together. I understand both sides of the situation. Saphira needed to open up to her brothers, and I’m grateful we were here with her when she did. They love her and are worried about her. I can smell their sadness and pain through their scent. I have no doubt they will support her once it settles in their mind.

The panthers arrived with their bar manager, Stephan. They explained he was talented with computers, so he was at the desk, several open in front of him. Sally and Mom were huddledtogether, watching everyone. King paced in front of the desk; his energy high.

I’ve been messaging Shade. He finally responded, but he hasn’t been able to pinpoint the twin’s location yet and doesn’t appreciate my constant texting. Shade values his privacy and wants to remain in the background. It isn’t the time to have a conversation about his infiltration into the group and his silence about it. We need to find the threat first. Honestly, I don’t care who he knows or works with. He helped us find Saphira and nothing else matters. It would have been nice to know who we were coming here for, but I can overlook his secrecy.

Saphira is right. This man is human. His brother was human, too, but he caused damage to many women. Their families were affected by their experience and their death. Humans may be weak, but they live in shadows, no one suspecting their vicious ways. Right or wrong, if we didn’t have Saphira, we would walk through the streets, making ourselves a target, asking for his attention.

For two men who have never had anything gifted to us such as Saphira, we won’t apologize for wanting to hide her away, never to be hurt again.

“Brother,” King says. “Take her home.”

“I’m awake,” Saphira mutters.

“Firefly, you’re not.” His face clears, and he walks over, crouching in front of her.

“Research is boring,” she says. “It’s my least favorite part.” She sits up, stretching.

“I’ll stay,” he says. “Get some sleep, go with Mav.” He rubs his thumb over her jaw and straightens.

“Alright.” She stands quickly and sways. We both move to steady her.

“Let us know,” I say, wrapping my arm around her.

“Of course.” He kisses her and squeezes her hand before moving to the desk.

“Take care of her,” Laken grumbles, and I nod. “Night, sis.”

“Night.” Bishop intercepts us, kissing her on the forehead. She leans into his touch and smiles. “Be safe. We love you.”

“Love you,” she whispers. I clasp her hand and pull her through the doorway. I move quickly through the club. The crowd is thinning at the late hour.

Everyone moves out of my way, probably seeing the strain I can’t hide. I’m uncomfortable having Saphira out in the open. I take her safety seriously. I can’t imagine the twin attacking in the club with so many witnesses and various shifters around him. He would be killed swiftly and mercilessly. He could have approached her while we were distracted by her ex-date earlier. He wants to cause chaos and fear.

I open the car door for Saphira, my eyes constantly scanning the area. Once I’m in my seat, I relax slightly, but my anxiety is running high.

“Maverick,” Saph says, turning in her seat.

“It’s alright, baby. I’ll get us home safely.” I glide my hand over her head and then turn my attention to driving.

She quiets and soon I hear her breathing change. I’m thrilled she spent time with King today. I could see the satisfaction on his face as I entered the club and knew he was at peace. He deserves Saphira’s love. For too many years, he has been going through the motions of life, unsure of the future. He wanted me to believe he was happy, but something was missing, for both of us. We had a purpose and a life that should have been fulfilling. Mom loved us as if we were still little boys, and most days, still treated us that way. Her unending love should have been enough.

Saphira is what was missing. We need her now and won’t be able to go on if she is taken from us. I have to be vigilant. I’m incharge of taking care of our mate. I keep my gaze rotating from the road to the mirrors. I don’t need to be followed.

We don’t have enough information about the brother. We can’t even find his real name. He has used numerous aliases. He is talented at hiding. I don’t like going into any rescue without having as many facts about the mark as possible. Many of the images Shade found on camera are of his side profile. He doesn’t hide, but he won’t show himself fully. He has to know they are there. He’s lived years as a ghost, and that’s not possible unless he knows all the tricks of evasion. I’m curious what he is hiding from.

When we take jobs, we know everything about the mark; their family, friends, jobs, and what they like to eat. Shade is very thorough, but we still dig into their backgrounds. I don’t know how the brother was missed. Going into the rescue, we are invisible, erasing any trace of our presence. We fucked up on the job. We allowed a victim to hear King’s full name and to see his face. It’s our fault he is being hunted.

I park in front of the cabin and turn off the car. Getting out, I stand with the door open, looking around the area. I let my senses free, listening for any sound out of place. I hear nothing but animals, and the natural sounds of the forest. Humans have a salty smell to me. I will smell him if he comes.

Saphira doesn’t stir as I close the car door and move to hers. I scoop her up and hold her close. Going up the stairs, I use my mind to open the locks and use my foot to gain entrance. Nothing has been disturbed. The only scents I smell are ours. I kick the door closed and re-engage the locks.

I float, placing her on her bed, and remove her shoes before slipping her legs under the covers. She snuggles into the pillow but doesn’t wake.

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