Page 24 of Dragon's Code

There’s no way she’s making small talk. She’s on a mission.

“Vacation. I just needed a break, maybe a show, some good shopping. Nothing too special,” I reply. “How about you?”

“I’m here on business, unfortunately.” She pouts like she’s a professional.

“What do you do?” I ask.

“I’m a consultant. I’m working with Kashton here to ensure that there is no funny business.”

I know better than to say anything that Kash told me about his job here, and I’m not about to ruin anything for him.

“Kash doesn’t do funny business,” I say.

Jasmine gives me a placating and fake smile. “I’m sure you haven’t known him as long as I have.”

Kashton growls, like legitimately growls. I’ve never heard that noise out of him.

I gape at him.

Jasmine puts her hands up. “Relax, Kashy.”

I slam my hand down on the table, ready to put an end to this bitch. “I don’t know who the hell you are, Jasmine No-Last-Name, but he clearly doesn’t want you around here right now. Respect his wishes or I’ll make you leave.”

Jasmine gives me a vicious grin, showing all her teeth. They even seem a little pointed for a second, but I’m clearly just emphasizing her villainous tone in my mind. “Really, little human, and just how do you intend to do that?”

“Little human” catches my attention, but I file it away to ask once we’re out of this situation.

“Do you really want to find out or respect our wishes and go the fuck away?”

Jasmine’s smile folds into a thin lipped, polite smile. “As you wish, Athena. I’ll see you around, Kashy.”

This time I snarl. Nothing like the animalistic one that Kash put out a minute ago, but still worthy of her scurrying away. Rushing in my ears and my heart in my throat give me pause. What the hell just happened to me?

A hand on mine startles me, until I find Kash staring at him, his hand covering mine in a soothing manner. I blink at him.

“Who the hell was that piece of work?” I snarl under my breath.

“She’s a spy for a member of the older section of the board.”

I run my hands on the tops of my thighs. “How long have you known her?”

“Unfortunately, all my life.”

I clench my teeth, feeling a pang of pain in my jaw from the tension. “I really don’t like her. Why is she acting like a jealous girlfriend trying to make sure I know that the two of you slept together?”

Kash’s hand tightens on mine. “We’ve never slept together. We’re not even friends. She’s been around because our fathers have worked together since we were born. We ended up at a lot of the same functions. She likes to sleep with all the sons of her father’s business associates, but I’ve never touched her. I don’t like her.”

I try to shake off my frustration, anger, and dare I say, a little jealousy. I don’t like that she’s known him longer than me, which is a petty, stupid thing. We didn’t even live in the same country most of our lives. I’m being stupid.

“She’s going to be here all weekend?”

“Probably. She’s determined to find something she can take back to her father and the old board.”

I take a sip of coffee and it’s so good it relaxes me a little more.

“I’m sorry, Athena. Let’s not let her ruin our day. You want to hit the streets to do some shopping?”

“Yeah, but first I’m finishing this coffee.”

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