Total pages in book: 78
Estimated words: 78631 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 393(@200wpm)___ 315(@250wpm)___ 262(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 78631 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 393(@200wpm)___ 315(@250wpm)___ 262(@300wpm)
I feel like I’m falling into his body. Into him.
We lie together as the world around us fades away.
Chapter Thirty-Three
Dragon
I wake to the sound of my phone.
I’m in bed with Diana, our limbs tangled together.
Both dogs walk up to me, whimpering and sniffling.
“In a minute, guys,” I say.
I grab my phone. It’s Alayna.
“Yeah? Hello?”
“Dragon, I’m sorry to call you so early, but I’ve got great news.”
“Yes?” My heart hammers.
“We found the compound. SWAT teams are going in. If your sister is in there, we’re going to get her out.”
Excitement races through me. The compound. The cult.
Griffin.
“Great, I’m on my way.”
“Dragon, you should let the pros handle this.”
Is she kidding? “Hell, no. I’m coming. If my sister is there, I want to be the first person she sees when they get her out.”
Will she even recognize me, though? Hell, I don’t care. I’m this close. This close.
I have to be there.
“You can’t talk me out of this, Alayna. I’m coming.”
She sighs. “Are you still in Taos?”
“Yeah.”
“It will be about a three- or four-hour drive to get here. By then, we should have everybody in place. But you’re going to need to stay back and let the SWAT team handle this.”
“Yeah, of course. Thanks, Alayna.”
“Don’t thank me yet. We don’t know she’s in there.”
“I know. I’m coming anyway.”
“I wish I could talk you out of it, but I know better. See you when you get here.”
The call ends, and I swallow. The dogs are still pawing at me. “Yeah, I know you guys need to go, and you’re probably hungry too. I’ve got to find someone to take care of you while we’re gone. I’d prefer that Diana stay here with you, but…” I shake my head.
She’s going to want to come along with me.
I’ll just tell her no. Put my foot down. Tell her she’s staying here.
“Diana.” I nudge her. “Diana, wake up.”
She opens one eye and yawns, stretching her arms above her head. “Hey…”
“Get up. I’ve got to get on the move. Alayna found the compound for the cult, and the SWAT team is moving in. I want to be there. I want to be there when Griffin comes out.”
“Oh, yeah.” She sits up quickly and swings her legs to the side of the bed. “Sure. I’ll get packed.”
“Diana…”
She gives me a dirty look. “We’ve been through this. We talked about it last night. Where you go, I go. I want to be there for you, Dragon.”
“That’s before I knew the SWAT team was involved.” I rub her shoulder. “This could be dangerous, and your ankle is still healing.”
She rolls her eyes. “I don’t plan to go into the place with the SWAT team. I’ll be fine.”
“What about the dogs?”
“We’ll take them to a kennel like we talked about last night.”
My blood begins to boil. Not with anger, but with love. The need to protect this woman.
“No. I can’t let you come, Diana. I can’t risk you.”
She hops off the bed and whips both hands to her hips. “This is important to you. Maybe the most important thing you’ll ever do. I’m not letting you go in alone.”
Damn her.
I curl my hands into fists. “Damn you for making me care so much, Diana. Damn you for making me love you.” I pace the room. “I can’t have you in danger. I can’t risk losing you. Not now. Not ever.”
She walks to me and pulls me into her embrace. “I need to be with you, Dragon. I won’t let you do this alone.”
“I’m not taking you.”
She grins. “You don’t have a choice. It’s my car.”
“I’ll rent a car. Jesse loaned me some money—”
She silences me with a kiss.
A raw and desperate kiss.
I break it and pull away.
I’m ready to argue again when I see the fire in her eyes.
“Fine,” I relent. “How’s your ankle?”
She wiggles her foot. “Just smarts a little. I didn’t have any trouble getting out of bed.” She brushes her lips over mine. “Thank you, Dragon. Thank you for not fighting me on this. I need to be with you.”
I don’t want to admit it, but I need her there too. I’d just rather have her safe.
I grab my phone and open the Google app. “I’ll find a kennel to take the dogs.”
“I wish we could take them with us.” Diana kneels and gives each of them a scratch on the top of their heads.
“We can’t be sure they’d behave or stay quiet. We’ll come back for them.”
She nods. “Yeah, of course. You’re right. I’m going to take a quick shower.”
“Okay. I’ll take the dogs down, let them out, and then feed them. After I find a kennel.”
“Okay.”
I can’t help but watch her as she walks into the bathroom, still naked. God, she’s a beauty. How did I ever get so lucky?
All of this…
All of this is going to cost so much money.