Page 91 of Fated to the Grumpy Dragon
“Rhyse!”
“They had it coming,” he said, pulling the necklace from his pocket and setting it on top of the covers. “Now, they won’t bother us anymore.”
“How can you be so sure?”
His gaze drifted out the window and to something beyond only he could see. “I’m sure. Trust me.”
I sighed, trying to maintain my scolding nature, but it was hard. The necklacewasbeautiful, and I didn’t like that it had been stolen from me the way it had.
“Thank you, darling,” I said, pulling his head down to mine so I could kiss his cheek and rest my head there. “It’s beautiful.”
“I love you,” he whispered.
“I love you, too.” I kissed him on the lips this time. “I’m glad you didn’t buy me anything, though. We may have to sell this.”
Rhyse frowned. “Why do you think we’re poor?”
“Again, they stole everything?”
“No, they didn’t,” Rhyse said with a laugh. “They stole the things I liked most, true. But now, we’re even. We both know it. But that doesn’t mean I have no treasure. You think those things I displayed around the house were all I’ve pulled from the ocean over the years?”
I sat up, careful not to fold the necklace. “I did. But when you put it like that …”
“Come on.” Rhyse put the necklace on the bedside then pulled down the covers.
“You just want to see my naked body,” I admonished.
“Guilty,” he growled, gathering me up in his arms and lifting me from the bed. “But I am a modern day dragonman.”
“What the hell do you mean by that?” I asked, sputtering with laughter at his pompous over-the-top acting.
“I mean I’m doingtwothings. Only one of which is seeing and touching your naked body.”
“That’s two things,” I pointed out dryly.
“Shut up.” He stuck his tongue out at me.
“And the second thing?”
“Showing you my treasure,” Rhyse said, leading me into his kitchen.
With one foot, he hooked it under a cabinet under the center island and lifted, sliding it up instead of out. There was aclickas something released, and then Rhyse used that same foot to casually push the entire island out of the way.
I gasped as a metal staircase was revealed, leading to a lower level in the house I’d never suspected existed.
Rhyse carried me down the stairs, being careful to avoid smacking my head on the wall.
“You and your secrets,” I teased.
“Not anymore,” he said. “I have nothing to hide from you, Emma. Not now, not ever.”
I shivered.
Then he hit the lights, and I could only stare at the piles of chests and coins, sculptures, and pieces of jewelry crusted with precious gems.
“Don’t get used to hearing this,” I said when I finally found my voice. “But you were right. We’re going to be just fine.”
Rhyse chuckled. “Emma, my love. This is just a bonus.”
