Page 122 of Primal Dragon

Levi had gone to New York to chase a few leads, intent on cutting through as many strands of Grey’s tangled web as he could.

When they pulled into the garage, they passed James’s car.

“What is he doing here?” Henrik asked.

Quinn swatted him and quickly got out of the car. She went inside, knowing he’d be in their kitchen.

James was pouring himself a cup of coffee when she came in.

“What are you doing here?”

“Whoa. Did you run in from the car?”

“I haven’t seen you in forever.”

He rolled his eyes. “Look, Mom, it’s been like a week. I needed to take some R and R. I was tortured, remember?”

She shoved him a little. “I think you’re mad at me.”

Henrik came in through the door leading out to the garage with the cat carrier and supplies they bought while they were out. The calico meowed insistently.

“What the hell is in there?” James tilted his head trying to get a look inside the carrier.

“Henrik saved a kitten.”

James rolled his eyes. “Of course, he did.”

She swatted him. “Actually, that was how we met. He brought her in for care. Some kids had been totally awful. I couldn’t believe it. The poor little thing.”

Quinn watched James curiously as his gaze shifted to Henrik.

“You’re adopting her?” James asked.

Henrik quietly set the carrier down and pulled the kitten out of it. She clung to him, mewling in a terrified manner.

The siren brought the other two cats into the kitchen, curiosity twitching in their whiskers.

“Henrik wanted to keep her,” Quinn said quietly. “Why are you mad at me?”

“I’m not mad at you. Stop being paranoid. I’m a little frustrated that I missed all the important stuff with you. You found your mate and you’re a fucking dragon now. I’m your best friend and I missed it all. I wasn’t there for you.” He glanced at Henrik and then back at Quinn. “I feel like an intruder in your life.”

Henrik stepped up to James, still holding the kitten. James turned to him and Henrik dropped the kitten in his arms without so much as a word and stepped away.

James immediately seemed to relax a little. His shoulders weren’t as tight, and he bent in toward the kitten to pet her gently. “She’s so small.”

Quinn smiled and rubbed the calico’s head.

“She still needs you in her life,” Henrik said gruffly. “Friends and family are important. She’s reached for her phone a thousand times this week. She can talk to me about stuff, but I can tell she wants to talk to you too. You’ve known her for a long time. I’m still getting to know her. She needs her friends. I would never ask her to give you up.”

James’s brows were raised and he looked skeptical.

“What?” Henrik asked shifting his weight.

“I’m just impressed. Most males with their mates are extremely territorial.”

“If you ever touch her in a way that isn’t friendly, we’ll have a whole different conversation, trust me,” Henrik growled.

James smirked. “I hope that if I’m ever lucky enough to find my mate, that I’ll be as gracious and kind if there is a man already in her life.” He stuck his hand out.

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