Page 9 of Tempting Her Dragons

“That’s so sweet.” I hold my hand over my heart.

“Do your brothers know of your other job yet?” he asks.

“Umm…” I roll my eyes away from his probing stare. I’m not ready to share with my brothers what I’ve been up to.

“That’s a no.”

“I thought we bonded while in the dungeon,” I say. Micah killed a shifter in Ryker’s dungeon a few months ago while we watched. Afterwards, I helped Ryker get rid of the body. He did most of it and I chattered, my rapid-fire questions annoying him.

“They will find out.”

“From you?”

“No.”

“Oh, thank you.”

“Listen, I admire what you are doing,” he starts. “But it’s not smart.” He leans toward me. “You can be the most powerful shifter in the world, but it doesn’t mean you don’t need backup. I’ve been around a while. Shit happens. Be smart and have someone with you.”

I narrow my eyes. “Is it because I’m a woman?”

“Of course not,” he says. “I don’t give a shit what gender you are. Have backup.”

“I understand. I just don’t think they’ll understand.” I shake off my defensiveness.

“You have my number,” he says.

“Yes.”

“If you ever get in trouble, call it,” he instructs.

“I will, Ryker. Promise.”

“Good.” He smiles. “Because I don’t think waitressing is your dream job.”

My lips curve. “Probably not.”

“You will have a place here, always. No matter how late you are,” he says dryly.

“Thanks, boss.”

“You’ve worked with Heath,” he states.

“Yes,” I say cautiously.

“You don’t know what he is,” he says.

“No, and he won’t clue me in,” I pout.

“He won’t.” He turns his head toward the bar. “I remembered smelling something long ago that smelled like him.”

“Are you kidding?” I ask, moving closer.

“No.”

“Are you going to tell me?”

“No.”

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