Page 105 of Shifter Marked and Claimed

“She is already mine,” Vedar said in a warning growl.

The man’s gaze shifted to Vedar, and he inhaled deeply as the two men stared at one another.

“I was told she was unattached,” he said smoothly.

“She has accepted a piece of my heart.”

The man’s gaze flicked to me.

“Such a pity.” He turned toward Joey. “I’m afraid this voids our contract. She no longer has value to me.”

Joey’s face turned red.

“Bullshit. Not after everything I did to get her here for you. What about the younger one? I know where she is.”

“You’re not touching Zoe,” I said, surging forward.

Vedar caged me to his back with one arm. The red on his neck spread to his arm, which the suit guy noted with a glance.

“Indeed. I have no interest in the younger one, either. I apologize for this misunderstanding.” He bowed to Vedar.

Joey looked ready to explode.

“The contract didn’t say anything about being a virgin or dating. Only that she needed to be unmarried. There’s no way she got hitched. There are no rings. She’s here. I delivered like I said I would. It’s not my problem you’re getting cold feet. Pay up.”

The suit man’s neck gained a green hue as he faced Joey. He reached up and loosened his tie. The top button of his pressed shirt popped free.

“You’ve worked with our kind for years. Yet, you remain ignorant and foolish,” suit man said.

Vedar retreated a step, pressing me against the closed front door.

“The girl is dragon bound, a state of being that is more permanent than any human marriage,” the suit man continued.

Joey started to look decidedly worried when the guy removed his suit jacket then his shirt.

“You’re right, Mr. G. I don’t know anything. I shouldn’t have lost my temper. You don’t owe me a thing.”

“I’m afraid it’s too late for that.”

The suit man’s pants dropped to his feet as he expanded, and his skin became greener as he grew larger.

The troll, who’d remained quiet all along, slowly backed toward the kitchen.

“Chloe,” I said, pushing at Vedar.

“Spare the girl, please,” Vedar said.

The green dragon immediately stopped growing, his larger head out of proportion with his smaller body. That didn’t hinder his movements, though. He darted forward and chomped down the troll before he could escape.

Joey fell to his knees.

“I won’t make the same mistake again. I’ll find you a new girl. I swear.”

“Your extreme methods will call attention to our kind.”

Without another word, the green dragon ate Joey.

I pressed my head into Vedar’s shoulder blade and appreciated the way his hand rubbed my back soothingly. A soft clink reached my ears, but I didn’t look to see what it was.

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