Page 124 of Primal Dragon

“I should get out of your hair,” James said. “I just wanted to stop by.”

“How did you get in anyway? I pride myself on having a fortress.” Henrik leaned back against the counter and folded his arms over his chest.

James chuckled. “Your mate just happens to be best friends with a pro thief and a pro at breaking and entering. Even fortresses. You pick up a lot when you’ve been around for as long as I have.”

Henrik sighed. “Would you mind keeping it to ringing the doorbell like everyone else?”

James’s smirk faded into a pleasant smile. “Yeah, I think that can be arranged. I’m sorry. Old habits. Quinn always keeps my favorite foods and coffee in the house.”

Henrik glanced over at Quinn. “Did you stock our kitchen for your vampire friend?”

Quinn sighed. “Henrik, I’m his family. He’s always welcome in my house. Are you saying that’s going to change?”

Henrik grumbled. “You realize that I come from a family with six other siblings. Getting my own house to myself is a miracle all by itself. Now I have to share with your…”

“Are you seriously having middle child syndrome about a guy who basically like a brother to me hanging out at our house?” Quinn poked him in the ribs.

Henrik grabbed her hand and pulled her back into his arms. He looked over at James. “You’re always welcome here, James. Regardless of what my mate thinks of me.”

James chuckled. “Thank you, both. I’m grateful to have the opportunity to annoy you and it’s thanks to a former human and her dragon mate of all things.”

“Come to Miami with us,” Quinn pleaded.

James shook his head. “Maybe next year. This year I’ve got a different date.”

Quinn’s brow rose. “Yeah?”

“Cillian asked for my help with another dilemma. Right now, I feel like I need to pay forward your dedication to rescuing me. I’m meeting him and a dragon named Tristian in a little bit.”

Henrik nodded. “Grey has Tristian’s mate. We’re trying to help, but he’s aiming for a surgical strike. As he should be. Grey’s done a number on Tristian already.”

James sighed. “I hope we can help. Quinn, walk me out?”

She leaned into Henrik’s embrace and kissed him briefly. Then she walked him toward the front door with James. They headed into the cold.

Quinn followed him to his car, and he turned around.

“You’re happy,” he said as he unlocked the car remotely.

“I am.”

“You’ve done a one-eighty from where you were before I was taken.”

“Honestly, James, if I had an inkling that something like this could happen to me, then I would’ve been wishing on a star for it. Being a dragon is certainly interesting. One of the things I’m going to do in Miami is meet a few other dragon mates that were humans first. Hoping it will help orient me.”

“What are dragons doing in Miami? Don’t they belong in the mountains or something?”

“Really? Where’s your coffin?”

James laughed. “Fair enough.” He scuffed his foot against the snow on the driveway. “I’ll be around, but it sounds like we’re headed out of town right away,” he said.

She smiled. “I’ll be around too, aside from Miami. Please don’t be a stranger, just because I have a mate.”

“I promise. Your friendship saved me. You’re not getting rid of me so easily. I just can only imagine the changes that have happened to you and the toll they’re taking on you right now. I’m glad to see that your mate is a good guy. I don’t know Henrik well, but I know him well enough to know he’s a good guy.”

“That’s good to know. I don’t need your approval, but I’m glad I have it.”

James nodded. “Think he’ll bite me in half if I hug you?”

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