Page 36 of Firedrake Betrayal
Lips flat, Dominik leads the way out of the plane. “Perhaps. He likely knows enough influential people to cover this up.”
“But people would have seen a dragon in the sky. If someone took a picture…”
Dominik shrugs halfway down the stairs. The heat of the sun is unbearable and I regret wearing long sleeves. It had felt like a good idea when I shivered as we emerged into a brisk New York morning. But in Oklahoma? A dribble of sweat glides down my back, and I shiver at the unpleasant sensation.
“Easy enough to say it was bogus. Or what is that term I’ve been reading in the news lately?” Dominik reaches the bottom of the staircase and turns to me. “Fake news.”
I frown. “But people in this town will know it’s not fake news. They would have seen my dad.”
Dominik shrugs. “I suppose someone like Atticus can convince you to forget what you saw. And he has guards to enforce his wants.”
My eyes return to the mountain in the distance. “Maybe.”
The drive from the airport to Wilkerson takes an hour, and the roads are quiet. As we passed down the portion of the road where someone rammed Dad’s car off it to abduct me, it was hard not to shiver.
I felt Dominik glance at me, probably in response to all the sudden tension I was kicking off, but he didn’t ask what was wrong.
The good thing about Wilkerson being so small is that finding the quiet side road I walked down with Isaiah doesn’t take too many wrong turns. It’s where he told me about the French harlot he fell in love with, and who he killed, though he wouldn’t tell me why.
I still think the why is just as important as the doing, and I’d like to find out Isaiah’s why.
When I spot Isaiah’s white Audi parked outside, relief filters through me. They’re here. They must be alive to have left the compound and come back here.
The driver is asking about the bags when I push the car door open and jog up the townhouse’s steps, too eager to get inside.
I hesitate on the top step, unsure of myself.
Shep, Patten, and Isaiah followed me to Wilkerson to rescue me. But that was before. Now I’m pregnant, and permanently bonded to another man.
Would they still want me? Or will they walk away the second I tell them?
Dominik has stopped a step behind me as he orders the driver to unload the bags from the trunk.
His soft breaths stir the hair on the back of my neck. I tell myself not to be so affected by him standing so close. I hate it, but that doesn’t mean I have to do anything about it.
Taking in a deep breath for courage, I hold it for a second and mentally pray Dad is still alive then release it and knock firmly on the front door.
Inside, someone curses.
Patten.
He’s still cursing and grumbling as he swings the front door open, half-asleep with his clothes creased as his mouth falls open. “Jade?”
“Hi.” I smile nervously.
10
JADE
As I step into the apartment, Isaiah and Shep rise from the dining table. Both are so rumpled and bleary-eyed, they must have slept there.
“You can bring the bags inside.” Dominik’s clipped order snaps Patten out of his shock.
He lunges toward Dominik. “You piece of?—”
I step in front of Dominik before Patten can strangle him. “It’s okay, I’m okay. You don’t need to kill him,” I say in a rush as I brace myself for him to ram into me.
Patten skids to a stop inches away. “Jade. Move. He needs to die.”
