Page 50 of Witch Bound and Down

Epilogue

Three Hours Later

The parking lot overlooking the Canadian side of Niagara Falls was picturesque in the evening light, tourists snapping photos and couples taking romantic strolls along the viewing areas. It was the perfect location for what appeared to be a simple cargo exchange between business partners.

Big Scorcher and Little Sparky pulled up in their custom dragon-scale painted semi, steam rising from the enhanced cooling system. They climbed out wearing expensive suits and expressions of barely contained irritation.

"You're three hours late," Little Sparky snapped as Bullseye and Hazel approached from the Trans Am. "We said sunset for the exchange."

"Had to make a quick detour," Bullseye said with a grin. "Wedding to crash, you understand."

"We don't care about your personal life," Big Scorcher growled. "Where's our cargo?"

"Right there," Bullseye pointed to Snowman's white 18-wheeler parked nearby. The yeti was leaning against the trailer, arms crossed and looking thoroughly pleased with himself.

"Twenty crates of Bond Buster, as ordered," Snowman called out. "Fresh from the California warehouse, delivered to New York within your thirty-six hour timeframe."

"About that," Big Scorcher said, his expression turning sour. "You didn't deliver to our warehouse in New York City as specified. Niagara Falls doesn't count."

"Actually, it does," Bullseye replied calmly. "The contract says 'delivery to New York' within thirty-six hours. Niagara Falls is in New York. Contract fulfilled."

"That's a technicality!" Little Sparky protested.

"The best kind," Hazel said sweetly.

Big Scorcher's jaw worked silently for a moment. "Fine. Technically, you completed the delivery. But since you didn't deliver to our actual warehouse, we're not paying the eighty thousand gold."

"Fair enough," Bullseye said. "But that means you also can't take my Trans Am as specified in the bet."

"WHAT?" Little Sparky shrieked, his scales flashing with indignation. "But I wanted that car! It was going to be perfect in hot pink!"

"Son," Big Scorcher said firmly, "the boy delivered to New York in thirty-six hours. We can't take his car. That was the deal."

Little Sparky looked like he was about to have a tantrum, but his father's stern glare kept him in line.

"I don't understand why we had to meet on the Canadian side anyway," Big Scorcher grumbled as his associates began transferring the crates from Snowman's trailer to their vehicle. "Seems unnecessarily complicated."

Bullseye pulled Hazel against his side, his arm wrapping around her protectively. "We're getting married," he announced with a grin. "Figured we'd celebrate with a view of the falls."

"Congratulations," Big Scorcher said, his expression softening slightly. "Marriage is a good thing. Settles a man down, gives him purpose."

"Thanks," Hazel said, leaning into Bullseye's warmth.

The transfer was completed in minutes, the dragons securing their cargo with practiced efficiency. Big Scorcher climbed back into the driver's seat while Little Sparky took one last longing look at the Trans Am.

"Pleasure doing business with you," Big Scorcher called out. "Don't take any jobs from us again."

"Wouldn't dream of it," Bullseye replied.

The dragon semi pulled out of the parking lot, heading back toward the border crossing. Bullseye, Hazel, and Snowman watched them go, counting to sixty before anyone spoke.

"Think it worked?" Snowman asked.

"Give it another minute," Hazel said, checking her phone.

Right on schedule, the sound of vehicles approaching echoed across the parking lot. A convoy of official-looking SUVs came from the direction the dragons had gone, followed by several cars marked with the distinctive maple leaf insignia of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police.

In the distance, they could see the dragon semi surrounded by police vehicles, red and blue lights flashing in the growing darkness.

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