Page 84 of Tempting Her Dragons

“Of course,” I repeat. “All those computers and surveillance, and no one figured out where he is.” I know it’s not as easy as that, but they should have narrowed down the areas to search.

“All those men talk big, but I think they aren’t as good as they think,” Sally says, laughing lightly.

“Uh-huh…” I tilt my head when they share another loaded look. “Where are we going?” I ask.

“We told you,” Sally scoffs. “Coffee.” I cross my arms and lean back. I’ll let this play out. I bet the guys are on the trail and want me protected, leaving me out. The rabbits are hiding the plan, my mates’ and theirs.

We stop in front of my favorite cute coffee shop. I hope Rach is working. She knows exactly what I order. They have a dozen chairs in front and several inside. I follow them across the small parking lot and to a table to the right of the door. We barely sitbefore a waitress takes our order. The ladies are on either side of me, my back to the door.

“Are you in love with my sons?” Roxanne asks, and I choke on the air. Maybe I’m wrong, and this is a way to get me away to grill me.

“I…uh…” I lick my lips. “I would rather tell them my feelings.”

“She is,” Sally says, wiggling her eyebrows.

“I see.” Roxanne smiles. “I see how you look at them and how they look at you.” She leans her arms on the table. “Those boys have been alone for too long, but I understand their anxieties. Have they told you everything?”

“We still have a lot to learn about each other,” I say, hesitating. “They have told me about their childhood and what happened.”

“Good. That’s good.” She pats my arm. “I was afraid they wouldn’t open up. They were little shits after they realized I wasn’t going to hurt them or leave them. Since then, they have been the best decision I have ever made. I love them as if I gave birth to them. All I have wanted is for them to be happy and their life filled with love.” She stops when they bring the coffee and continues after the waitress walks away. “You’ve had it tough.”

“I have,” I say, holding my cup. “We can relate to each other. It breaks my heart, the things they went through.”

“I still see them as little boys sometimes, tied together in that closet.” She sighs and takes a sip. “It’s been hard to push the images away. I can’t imagine the nightmares in their heads. Maverick would wake up screaming.” I press my hand to my mouth. “I couldn’t go to him. I tried the first few times, but he would curl into a ball next to Kingston. He wouldn’t allow me to comfort him. King was the only one he would let touch him. It was heartbreaking. They have relied on each other. I didn’t know if they would accept a mate. I am thankful they are both your mates. I think it would kill them to be separated.”

I swallow hard. “King told me about the rope.”

“Yes, the rope,” she whispers. “I hate that he still wears it. He refused to take it off. When they had been with me for two years, I asked him if he wanted me to cut it off for him. He yelled at me and stormed away. I can understand his attachment, but it’s not healthy.”

“Why does he wear it?” Sally asks.

“It is part of the rope that was tied around their wrists when they were kidnapped,” Roxanne informs her. I sip my coffee and watch Sally’s face drop.

“Shit,” Sally says. “They have been through it.”

“Unfortunately,” Roxanne agrees. “They have come a long way. I know they will find some peace with you.”

“I hope so.” I take a longer drink. “I trust them. I’m surprised. It happened quickly. I see their pain. They are good men. If they didn’t have you after their experience, I don’t want to think about the effect. They love you desperately, and I have lots of respect for you and what you did.”

“I appreciate it, Saphy. They gave me so much more than I gave them.” She curls her hand around her cup. “I was lonely. I haven’t found my mate, and I don’t know if I ever will. I had work and the farm. I had fun when I wanted to, but nothing serious. I didn’t have a family. My dad wasn’t much of one. My mom was beautiful and kind, but she let him walk all over her. He liked to party and drink too much. He had plenty of shifter friends, but they were the wrong kind. One night he convinced my mom to go out with them, which she normally wouldn’t do because she didn’t like any of them. Dad asked her to dance with his friend, she refused, and he insisted. She gave in and when his friend decided he wanted to touch her inappropriately, Dad got mad, even though he made her. A huge fight ensued. They took it outside. My mom tried to step between them and was pushed.” She drops her head. “Mom cracked her head on the side of the building. Instead of trying to save her, Dad tried to kill his friendonly to get killed in the process. All those assholes let her lay in the dirt, bleeding, unconscious, and unable to shift. I was still a teenager and had to grow up quickly.” She turns her face toward the street.

“What happened to the men who did it?” I whisper, feeling her pain.

“I didn’t know until two days later what happened. I thought they left me and I was crushed. I looked for them but gave up. One of the men who was there felt guilty enough to come to the house. He let my mom die in the dirt behind a crappy bar. Once they realized she was dead, along with my dad, they buried them in the woods. They didn’t call the police or tell anyone, not that the human police should be involved. It would have revealed our world. No one cared about the kid they left at home. All of them had been to the house and knew of my existence. As the story unfolded, my heart shattered, but a rage took over. We were standing in the kitchen, and I grabbed a knife. He panicked and lunged for me. We were both surprised as it slid into his stomach. He was my first kill. We lived in the country, so I didn’t have neighbors or friends. I gave him the same treatment they gave my mom and buried him in the woods. The others disappeared, and I left the area. I decided that day to help those who were in my position. The women and children who were trapped or abused. I didn’t want anyone to feel such hopelessness I felt.

“Those boys gave me a purpose. It was the best day of my life when I brought them home. The first time they laughed in the house I had to leave the room and cry in my bedroom. I’ve never heard a sound so beautiful. It took three years. Before that, I would only get a smile out of them.” She turns wet eyes my way. “Seeing Mav look at you this morning was stunning. His face was soft and loving. I am so fucking happy they found you.”

“Roxanne,” Sally whispers. “I’m so sorry.”

“It made me who I am,” she replies.

“Fuck, I’m sorry for your loss,” I say.

“It was a long time ago,” she says. “I told you so you know how much they mean to me, and how grateful I am for you.”

“So you did bring me here for a heart-to-heart?”

“Well, not just a heart-to-heart,” she says.

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