Page 46 of The Dragon's Dream Mate (Savage Shifters Special Ops 3)

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Lucian

The ring was created perfectly. It was a burnished rose gold dragon that represented me. I wanted the arms outstretched with the diamond heart to show her that I was giving her my heart, this time for good.

I was a tough man, but seeing her on the floor playing with the kids tore me to pieces. It was the most beautiful thing I had ever seen.

The kids rushing up to me for hugs almost brought me to my knees. It made me wonder what I had been missing all these years.

I was a little nervous as to whether Rainey would agree to marry me. Who could blame her if she refused, based on what I did to her in the past?

After everyone left and she agreed, I slipped the ring on her finger. Then, she led me over to the couch.

“Apparently, you’ve been pining over me a bit,” I said.

“I have no idea what you are talking about,” she answered pertly.

“According to Simone, you have been driving everyone crazy. Because you miiiiiissss me,” I teased.

“She’s a teenager. You know that they exaggerate all the time, especially if they think they can get a rise out of someone.”

I smiled evilly at her. “You get a rise out of me,” I said.

“Now hold on there, big boy. Before there’s any rising going on, we need to get a few things clear.”

“Yes, ma’am,” I said, sitting back, folding my hands in my lap. “Is this going to take long?” I asked, trying to sound like a petulant schoolboy.

“Now, that’s entirely up to you,” she answered. “First, you know that I have acquired some children. Are you ready to be a daddy?”

“I can’t wait. And I hope, in time, to have a few mini dragons, too,” I said.

“Well, they seem to like you. That’s good. A person should always trust children and dogs when it comes to sensing whether people are good or bad,” she said. “It seems that you’ll do in that department.”

“Jared likes me,” I said.

She smacked me on the shoulder. “That doesn’t count. He has to like you. And he’s only a part-time dog.”

“He would be offended if you called him a dog,” I said.

“I know. Stay on topic,” she ordered.

Then, her face turned serious, and I knew we were going to address the issue that I would have the biggest problem with.

“I talked to my supervisor today. Unofficially, he congratulated me for doing a good job,” she said.

I raised my eyebrows, silently urging her to continue.

“Officially, I pretty much got my hand smacked. I’m on two weeks of administrative leave with no pay. I’ll return to duty after that.”

I nodded.

“I will be, occasionally, going out on assignment. Sometimes, the assignments might be dangerous. You can’t go with me. You are going to have to deal with the fact that this is who I am. Tracking these monsters and trying to find lost children is who I am.”

“I understand that. You know that I will be worried to death, but I respect your strength and your convictions.”

“There will be times when I won’t be able to call you or let you know where I am,” she continued.”

“I know,” I said simply.

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