Page 65 of The Dragon Recruit
Gavin, the human male paired with Robin from Skyhunter, spoke up. “You’re 100 percent sure that Dr. Turner’s concoction will keep us from dying? I know every mission can be risky, but I don’t want to rely on something and make plans around it, only to fail any of you.”
Antony replied, “If it is the same type of gas, then yes, it will keep you from dying. The amount inhaled, however, depends on whether you’ll fall into a coma or not. Your implanted tracker chip means we should be able to find you.”
Gavin raised an eyebrow. “Should? I thought you said they were foolproof.”
“To a point, but if the dragon hunters have spent the last few years devising new technologies and weapons, then we fight the unknown.” He glanced around the room. “This is your last chance to back out of this mission and do perimeter surveillance instead.” No one raised a hand. “Good. Then kit up and in fifty minutes we’ll meet in the corridor just before the outer exit. Dismissed.”
Everyone stood and headed toward their assigned temporary accommodations. Iris hung back with Antony until it was just them and Max. Only once the door shut from the others did Max speak again. “Don’t do anything stupid, brother. I mean it.”
“Likewise.”
Max shook his head and then looked at Iris. “You, too. I might need a dragon guard for a secret dig coming up, and you’re the only one I trust.”
Iris smiled. “I’ll keep that in mind.”
With that, Max left. Antony turned toward her, took her hand and tugged her close. After he cupped her cheek, he murmured, “I know you’re capable and could kick the arses of most of my team, but still be careful, okay? Once this is over, once we find the hidden female dragon-shifters, I want to go on holiday with you. Undress you slowly, make you scream again, and kiss you anywhere you would let me.”
She looped her hands behind his neck and leaned against his hard chest. “I never thought I’d want to take a holiday, but I wouldn’t mind some time with you. Alone. You naked in my bed is my current motivation to get this job done quickly.”
He smiled. “Mine, too.” After nuzzling her cheek, he whispered, “Stay safe, Iris. I’m selfish and want more time with you. A lot more.”
“If you’re selfish, then so am I. Despite your awful jokes.”
Antony tickled her side, and she nearly yelped. He stopped and lightly swatted her bum. “You love them, you know it.”
“Maybe.”
He leaned back and searched her gaze, his expression unreadable. For once, she wished he wasn’t so bloody good at keeping his thoughts private.
Her dragon spoke up.Soon. Soon we can have him to ourselves and he’ll let down his guard. You had better do it, too.
Antony finally spoke again. “I want to say more, a lot more, but the clock is ticking. Let’s get ready and find your clan member and the others so I can share more with you, love.”
The “love” at the end of his sentence made her heart skip a beat. Somehow, this male had wormed his way past her walls. And maybe, just maybe, she never wanted him to leave.
But for the moment, she needed to focus on the assignment and finding Zoe. Only once she was safe could Iris be a little selfish and spend time with the male she fancied.
And so she nodded, and they went toward their separate temporary quarters to put on their gear and double-check they had Scarlett’s backup inhaler medicine, the kind that would hopefully keep them from dying.
Chapter Twenty
It wasn’t long before Antony and Iris met up with the others and headed toward Birkwood Castle. Even though Antony should focus on what Max had discovered a few days ago—a hatch in the woods near the derelict building that led to a man-made tunnel—he kept thinking about his time alone with Iris and how he’d nearly spilled his feelings.
He regretted not telling her how much she meant to him already, how he wanted to know every little thing about her.
And for the first time in a long time, how she was his biggest weakness because if he lost her, he didn’t know what he’d do. Probably spiral and seek out revenge, uncaring about his own life.
Stop thinking like that and focus.He needed a clear head and to not do anything stupid. How many times had he told his new recruits that, during training?
Maybe, just maybe, it was time for him to move to a job that was more behind the scenes than leading missions.
But that was something to sort out later. For the moment, he trekked through the forests near Birkwood Castle, under the faint moonlight, making as little noise as possible. Iris was behind him, and Kai and Trina a few feet further back. They’dall approach in a fan shape, just in case there were sentries. The scouting hadn’t revealed any, but while Max had found one hatch into the tunnels, there was a good chance there were more.
As he approached the entrance, he halted and made the signal for Iris to do the same. Per the plan, they each placed the chain with a small inhaler around their neck, tucked under their protective vests, and then drew their stun guns. Antony had a pistol as well, but would only use it in extreme circumstances. He’d rather not kill if he could avoid it, and not just because of the amount of paperwork.
He waited for the other teams’ flashes of light from small metal disks to signal they were ready. Once all five checked in, he glanced over at Iris. Even though she wore protective gear, including a close-fitting protective cap, she still made his heart skip a beat. She would be beautiful, no matter what she wore.
However, he packed away his feelings and desires. He wouldn’t get anyone killed.
