Page 54 of Hoarded By the Dragon

I open my mouth to say something, anything to recapture the ease we had, but Kalos doesn’t give me that opportunity.

“I need to get back to my meetings.” He slides me off his lap and places me on the armchair before standing and straightening his suit. “I’ll leave you to your work.”

“Okay,” I whisper, feeling numb and like I ruined yet something else precious.

He pauses in the doorway. “Thank you for the conversation, Rina. And you’re right.”

I want to ask what I’m right about because the more his words echo in my chest, the more I realize there’s truth in what he said as well.

I sit where Kalos had, the leather still warm from him. As the surface cools to my skin temperature, I think thoughts I’ve never let myself travel before.

Could I do more good doing what I love instead of trying to appease my guilt?

19

KALOS

I swipethrough folders on the tablet. Each one holds the details of individuals who will be allowed the closest to me in rank and in physical access. It’s been weeks of research and interviews. These candidates are those who are most loyal to me and the most capable in their fields.

The business has been buzzing about it. People are anticipating something big, and they’ll get it.

Splitting power is big news. The promotions will cause strife but will ultimately solve the issues we’re dealing with. Each candidate will run their own branch of my business. I don’t have the will to micromanage anymore. To focus so much on the business only leaves more room for those who would try to slip past my defenses. I must be available to protect my family.

The thought stings, but I’ve gotten more used to thinking of Katarina and those close to me as such. After avoiding attachments for lifetimes, one thief has shaken everything up.

I hand the tablet back to Ben. “I approve.”

This will be an interesting change. I’ve functioned for centuries without an inner circle, save for Ben.

He nods while he swipes through the same files. “Stevens, Troy, and Keller. I’ll call them in.” He looks up at me. “You’re sure you want to do this?”

I tap my claws against the desk. “Giving them ownership will ensure that things are run properly. It gives each of them something to protect.”

I grit my teeth against what comes next, but it’s a price to pay. It will not do to promote others over my right hand. I cannot keep Ben indefinitely.

“Do you also want such a posting?” I ask. “You have dedicated many years in my service. You would have whatever branch you want.”

“Stop.” Ben doesn’t look up from undoubtedly typing an email on his phone. He doesn’t appear surprised by my offer.

I narrow my eyes. “You are welcome to do anything in our organization you want—”

“Kalos.” Ben glances up now. “I’m honored to have the position I do. Stop trying to get rid of me.”

I blow out a breath. “I’m not trying to get rid of you. I’m trying not to be greedy with you. You are invaluable to me.”

And someday, he’ll be gone. Whether it be from time or his need for something more in his life than I can give. It’s the nature of things, but that doesn’t stop the sharp pain in my chest.

Ben’s mouth curls, and his eyes drop back to his phone to complete the message. “She’s really softening you up, isn’t she?”

I scowl at him.

Ben tucks his phone away. “How is it going?”

“What do you mean?”

“How are you… handling everything? Katarina? The pregnancy?”

I look away. Sometimes I forget that Ben knows every detail of my life. It had been necessary to explain why I kept to myself about a century ago. Why I chose to suffer through my heats alone. Why I’d raised Gage the way I had.

---