Page 1 of The Last Bachelor Dragon

PROLOGUE

Max stood on the end of the pier watching the sleek black speed boat being towed away by the salvage company, not the least bit sorry to see it leaving the island. The last thing he wanted around was a reminder of the evil that existed in the world, and the men who’d tried to kidnap the six women they’d saved a few days before were nothing but evil. The fact that one of those men was the brother of his best friend’s fiancé left a bad taste in his mouth, but he didn’t blame Juliet, she was on their side. It was the man her brother worked for who had him concerned.

“They’ll be back, I guarantee it,” Mateo said, stepping up next to him. “That was just the first battle in a war.”

He looked over at the man who had been a thorn in his side since he took possession of the island and started building the resort, but was now one of his biggest allies. “I’m afraid that you’re right,” he said with a sigh. “I don’t suppose the government offered much help.”

Mateo shook his head. “They’re as afraid of Carlos Adaloni as everyone else around here,” he said. “I neverthought I’d see the day my government would be willing to let a drug dealer take over this island, not after what they put you through to build this place. They more or less told me that it was our battle to fight. Of course they didn’t come right out and say it, but that’s the bottom line, we’re on our own.”

“I’m not giving up this island, especially not to a man like that,” he said, looking over at Mateo. “If the government in Bermuda doesn’t want to help, then we’ll fight this war with Adaloni ourselves, but I don’t plan to play fair, I’m telling you that right now.”

“That man has no idea what he’s unleashed,” Mateo said, shaking his head. “I’m not a dragon shifter, I don’t have any special powers, but you can count on me to be right by your side. I may not like having the resort on the island, but you’ve done everything I’ve asked and more. You care about this place as much as I do, and for that you have my respect and support.”

“I’m glad to have it,” he said, slapping the man on the back. “This island is my home, and I’ll defend it to the death if I have to. No one is going to take it away from me.”

“We’re going to need some help,” Mateo said. “Adaloni is going to come at us with everything he’s got. He’s not the kind of man to give up easily.”

“I’ve already been thinking about that, and I think it might be time for a little reunion,” he said. “I’m going to put in a call to the boys. The eight of us haven’t been together at the same time for years, and I think this might be the time to change that.”

“Harrison and Keith are already here. That just leaves the other five,” Mateo said. “Will they be able to come?”

“They’ll be here,” he said, then looked over at Mateo. “Now to my other problem.”

An understanding look appeared on Mateo’s face. “You’rethinking about her,” he said. “You shouldn’t worry so much, it will happen when it’s supposed to and there’s nothing you can do about it.”

“That wasn’t what I was thinking about, but thanks for reminding me; I managed to forget about it for a few minutes,” he said with a sigh. “I just want to get it over with, I’m not going to fight it like the rest of my friends. I’m going to go with it. After all, it’s clear that the island is in control, not us, when it comes to our love lives.”

Mateo just shook his head. “You sound like a man condemned to death, not someone who’s about to meet his soulmate,” he said. “Be careful, my friend, the island might decide to mess with you just for fun.”

He gave Mateo a dirty look. “I meant what I said. No fighting, no struggling. I’ll just accept my fate,” he said. It won’t be long now. Harrison and Juliet are getting married today, then it will be my turn. The woman I’m destined to spend the rest of my life with will be here in a few days, and I’m ready to meet her.”

Mateo didn’t look convinced, but he let it go. “Then what is your other problem?” he asked. “Don’t tell me you’re still having problems with Nora.”

“She still won’t tell me a thing,” he said. “She won’t tell me her last name, where she’s from, or where she was going. Nothing; she just closes her mouth and crosses her arms over her chest every time I ask.”

“Is she still demanding we take her over to Bermuda and leave her there?” Mateo asked. “She wouldn’t last a day there without money, a passport, and a place to stay.”

“I’ve told her that. You’d think she’d listen after what happened, but she’s so stubborn she just turns away from me,” he said, raking his hands through his hair. “I don’t know what I’m going to do with her, but we’re not taking her to Bermuda, that’s for sure.”

“Well, I wish you good luck with that one,” Mateo said, grinning at him. “She’s a little fireball; you’d better watch yourself, or you’ll end up getting burned.”

He snorted. “Not likely, most of that is just bravado,” he said. “I’ll figure out a way to get her to talk.”

CHAPTER 1

***MAX***

The buzz of excitement and laughter filled the terrace as Max slowly backed away from Harrison and Juliet to give the other guests access to the happy couple. He was pleased that everything had worked out for them, but he couldn’t ignore the sense of foreboding that had been haunting him since he figured out that staying on the island meant that he’d do the one thing he’d sworn he never would. Not only that, he was still trying to cope with the idea that true love was a real thing, wrestling with the knowledge that two people could be so perfect for each other that a permanent bond between them could form.

Watching seven of his friends fall in love and marry their soul mates had opened his eyes to the possibility, he just wasn’t ready to give in yet, wanted more time to…well, he wasn’t sure what it was he still wanted to accomplish. The resort he’d always dreamed of opening was a huge success, even if there had been a few bumps in the road thanks to the island thinking it should interfere with their lives. Work on the staff cabins was going well, Keith and Stella had the project well in hand, and even the threat Carlos Adaloni posed didn’t worry him that much.

He should have been satisfied with the direction his life was going, ready to take the next step, and maybe he would have been when the elusive woman he was supposed to be with finally showed up. It was the waiting that was driving him crazy, and it didn’t help that he suddenly felt like he had no control over his life, like fate had already made up its mind, and nothing he could do would stop it from happening.

Letting out a long sigh, he forced himself to pay attention to the people around him; they were supposed to be celebrating, but brooding in the corner wasn’t very festive. Stepping out of the shadows into the bright sunlight, he stopped for a second to let his eyes adjust, then slowly became aware that something smelled really good. Sweet yet spicy with just a hint of something mysterious he couldn’t describe, the smell filled him with a sense of anticipation and he looked around for the source.

The good feeling came to an instant halt, replaced by annoyance tinged with anger when he saw Nora standing a few feet away in a sundress that did nothing to hide her generous curves. Unable to help himself, he stepped over to her and stood glaring down at her for a few seconds, ridiculously pleased to see how he towered over her. Then she turned to look up at him, a challenge in her eyes he couldn’t ignore.

“Well, this must be a special occasion,” he said. “You haven’t been out of your room since you got here.”

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