Page 50 of Walking in Darkness

Right as the movie was going off, Hudson’s cell phone beeped, and he read the message. “Chris? I have three volunteers. Two are males, but one is a female. Is that going to be a problem?”

“Absolutely will not be a problem.”

“Good. Dobrogost, Markus, and Roisin are the dragons who volunteered. They are all mistress or sir level, so around six hundred years old. Would you like to meet them tomorrow? I can invite them to have breakfast with us if so.”

“I’d like that,” Chris said. “I’ll have a copy of my territory rules also for you and them. I only have two cabins that are available, though. Will the two males be okay sharing? It’s a two bedroom.”

“They should be fine. I’m sure they won’t mind,” Hudson said. “Dobrogost works in construction, and his nickname is Dozer. Markus is an electrician, and his nickname is Watts. Roisin is a mechanic, and her nickname is Wrench.”

“Nice,” Chris said. “I have a shifter learning to be a mechanic. Maybe your dragon can show him something?”

“I’m sure she’d be pleased to. I’ll be supporting my people while they are in your territory. They don’t have to worry about getting a job, so please feel free to use them if you need to. No one wants a bored dragon on their hands, trust me on that.”

“We’ll treat them like family,” Michail said. “I’ll make sure they feel welcome.”

“Thank you. That means a lot,” Hudson said. “I would also like to offer the use of my personal jet to take you home. It’d be faster.”

Chris frowned. “That’s not—”

“It would also probably be safer,” Grace said, laying a hand on Chris’s knee.

“Chris? Your child is my mate. We’re going to be family. Family should take care of each other,” Hudson said. “Let me do this for you.”

Chris sighed. “Dragons.”

Michail nodded. “Yup.”

“Thank you, Hudson. I accept your offer. And yes, we’re going to be family.” Chris stood and held out his hand. “Welcome to my family.” Then Chris grinned. “Son-in-law.”

Kit hooted.

After Chris shook hands with Hudson, he turned to Connie and stuck his hand out too. “Welcome to my family, my other son-in-law.”

“I think you’ll do just fine dealing with us.” Laughing, Connie shook Chris’s hand.

“Now that we have that settled, how does everybody feel about going to the ocean tomorrow?” Kit asked, still grinning. Look at his pops getting the last word in. Hudson still looked shocked. Kit was loving it.

“That sounds wonderful,” Grace said excitedly. “I can’t wait.”

Kit looked at his two redheaded dragons. “I guess we’re gonna need lots of sunscreen, right?”

Connie stuck his nose in the air. “We’re fire dragons. We don’t burn.Wedo the burning.”

Kit eyed all that red hair. “If you say so.”

CHAPTER THIRTEEN – CONNIE

THURSDAY MORNING was yet another bright and warm California day, the perfect day for Kit’s parents to fly home. Connie had enjoyed visiting with them the past few days.

Since they were returning in Hudson’s private jet, each of the dragons who volunteered to stay in Chris’s territory had packed several suitcases.

Connie would keep an eye on their cabins while they were gone.

They’d taken Kit’s parents to the airport and seen them off. Since it was only midmorning, Kit decided to work until at least noon.

Connie followed Hudson and Kit to Kit’s office, sipping his drink. They’d stopped on the way to the bookstore for coffee and pastries. Almost an hour later, Beckett walked in.

“Good morning, everybody,” Beckett said, a Styrofoam cup in his hand as well. He looked at Kit. “Your parents get off okay?”

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