Page 65 of Destiny of the Dragons

“None of your fucking business,” she said. But she leaned closer to him like she was trying to catch his scent.

Jesse took two steps toward Selene. “Don’t you have a show in two days?”

Jesse worked security for a variety of lounges. Selene must be one of the performers.

Selene looked at him. “You’re one of the asshole dragons that broke Mia’s heart.”

Smoke’s heart sank. That’s where he knew her from.

“I told her to stay away from dragons,” Selene gave Jesse a stink eye. “Use you and lose you. I guess she learned the hard way.”

Smoke grit his teeth together. Mia’s friend meant well, but she didn’t know what she was talking about. “What do you want?”

“I heard there’s another raid coming down the line.” Selene gestured around the warehouse. “The clans think you’re getting too big, and they’re coming to clear you out.”

“Yeah, we got that, thanks,” Jesse said, leaning closer. “Where are you going to molt? You smell like you’re about to set off a thunderstorm. I got a place in the desert—“

“No,” Selene shook her head. She looked scared like Jesse was a viper that would bite her. “I got it under control.”

She turned on her heel. “I’m out. I just wanted to warn you.” She shot him a final look. “I caught her crying her eyes out again, so stay away.”

Her final words were like a bullet into his chest. Smoke turned and went into his office.

He sat at his chair and stared at the spreadsheets on his computer. He wasn’t good at businesses. He had contacts, and he was good in a fight, but running a half way house for dragons was a lot more paperwork than he’d thought it would be.

Jesse stuck his head inside, before deciding it was safe enough to enter. He plopped into the chair across from the desk.

It was silent save for the rattling of the overhead fan.

“This month’s expenditures?” Jesse asked.

Smoke stared at the computer. Maybe he would get the hint and leave him alone.

“She’s a singer. Selene.” Jesse frowned. “Me and Sawyer have flirted with her, but she always tells us off.”

Smoke didn’t respond. He wasn’t sure what Jesse wanted from him.

“I guess she got dumped by her clan or something,” Jesse rubbed his chin. “But she’s gonna molt soon.”

“Yeah.” There, that was a reply.

Jesse grunted. “You know her?”

He shook his head. “No. Saw her for about a minute. Months ago.”

Jesse huffed. “This Mia why you’re extra broody?”

Smoke looked at him. He didn’t want to talk about his feelings, he didn’t want to have sharing time. He wanted to lick his wounds in peace. Ten months ago, he’d done just that.

Today he couldn’t disappear for months.

“It’s over with.”

Jesse kept looking at him. “You’re sure?”

“Yes.” Smoke looked at his computer, willing Jesse to just take the hint and leave.

“Alright, man, I’ll get back to work. But if she’s crying over you, she still cares.”

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