Page 66 of Dragon in Boots

“Nope,” said MF.

“Nuh-uh,” said Bonbon.

“I wonder where they are. I haven’t seen them since Dallas.”

“Maybe they stayed there to explore,” MF offered.

Who knew? “Hopefully they will show up soon,” Damien said. “Because the Uchben will attack the warehouse tonight, and we must get there before they do.”

“Okay, so what’s your big plan?” MF asked.

“Simple. We go in, find Amelia and Miguel, kill anyone who gets in our way. Then we run.”

MF bobbed her head. “Yep. That’s simple.”

He shrugged. “It’s a classic. Always works.” Except when it doesn’t.

CHAPTER TWENTY-FOUR

With shaking hands, Jac finished setting her trap in the small building where they stored dry foods, hay, and other supplies for the animals. It was sometimes used as a quarantine area, too, when animals first arrived, thus the cage in the corner. Not that she intended to use it on Heebie, but the cranky tiger temporarily placed inside would make for a great distraction.

With everything ready, and one thirty a.m. approaching, Heebie and Dash would arrive at any moment.

Feeling anxious, she went outside and gazed up at the moonlit sky. “Where the hell are you?”

“Hey,” said a deep, familiar voice from behind.

She jumped in place. “Gack!”

A silhouette emerged from the shadows.

“Dash?” She squinted.

“Yeah.”

“Oh my god. Are you okay? Where’s Heebie?” she asked.

“On his way.”

“He let you come alone?” Seemed a little odd given that Dash was on the chopping block and might run.

“He knows I won’t break my word.”

Her eyes narrowed. “How do I know it’s really you?”

“Heebie has an accent, and he can’t do pelvic thrusts like I can. No one can match my moves. Should I demonstrate?”

“No. That’s okay.” She didn’t need the sexy distraction right now.

“So,” Dash said, “Heebie says you want to put me in a cage and study me as some sort of mating gift?”

“Not exactly. Come here. I want to show you something.” She waved for him to follow her inside. “By the way, how was the show?”

“Tasty,” he replied, walking behind her.

“I meant to ask how it works. How do you get nourishment from attention?”

“Everything in its most basic form is energy. Attention is no different,” he said.

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