Page 42 of Dragon's Desire

"Don't clam up now, you—" Peter didn't finish his sentence because Legermain screamed out in pain. "You talk, and we can get that dagger out of your back," he said.

Then Legermain began convulsing. His eyes bulged out from his terrified face as he started to foam at the mouth. It sounded like he was trying to speak, but nothing but a sickening gurgling sound emerged from his throat.

Kiercy grabbed her phone and called for medical assistance.

Legermain's convulsions and spasms grew more extreme, and the foam at his mouth grew thicker. It was less than a minute, but by the time she was giving them the address, she could tell that sending an ambulance was useless. They'd need a hearse.

But it was a little late now. The useless help was on the way.

"Oh, fuck. I didn't mean to kill him. Peter, I stabbed him. I mean, I know there was danger doing that, but he was going to kill you. I didn't realize blessed daggers would do that. I thought they just made it so you couldn't cast. Oh, god. I have my cuffs on him. They're going to think I stabbed a man while he was already in handcuffs."

"They won't. I saw it. You were saving my life. I know you wouldn't do that. Hell, if you had, I'd know you had a damn good reason for it, and I wouldn't say a word to anyone. But you don't have to worry. This wasn't you. Blessed daggers don't cause that. I think he swallowed a cyanide pill or something like it."

"Peter, that didn't look like a man going willingly."

"Maybe he had regrets at the end, or it hurts a lot more than he thought it would."

* * *

Medical arrived,as did more PEACE agents. Peter and Kiercy were separated. They asked her a million questions about what happened. She told them everything, except the kiss. She hoped Peter would do the same.

Had he really meant he wouldn't have said a word if she'd actually stabbed someone defenseless. She couldn't think of a good reason to do that, but it was strange how he'd been so adamant about his willingness to protect her. They certainly had a lot to talk about.

She found Peter already waiting for her by his car when she was done.

"I half expected you to leave me behind," she said.

"Never." He had a little half-smile.

"How did you know?"

"Know what?"

She let out a sigh. "You said you had a plan. But your plan only would work if I came back to make sure you actually had a plan. How did you know I'd come back?"

"I know you're not the type to actually leave someone behind. But I really didn't have time to explain the intricacies of a knifing layup. But I also know that you'd be smart enough to figure it out. But I have to admit, the look on your face when I winked at you was almost worth the broken arm."

"What look?"

"You're I can't believe this guy is so incredibly handsome and smart, and as soon as we're done here, I'm going to thank him ... on my knees."

She looked up at the sky and sighed.

"You were doing so well. You seemed like almost a decent guy."

"You can always rely on me, though."

"I'm getting that," she said, trying and failing to not make it sound like resignation.

"I'd offer to buy you a coffee, but I think I'm done with coffee for a while," Peter said. "I think I can still smell it on my clothes. I need a shower. "Do you want—" he started.

She held her hand up. "No. And no for real this time. I know you seem able to brush off seeing a man die and somehow still want to fuck, but after seeing something like that, I'm not in the mood at all."

"Understandable. I don't get particularly horny after watching a guy have a violent death, either. What I was going to say is, do you want me to drop you off at your place, and I'll drive my car home, or do you want to drop me off and keep my car?" He smiled. "The fact that sex was the first placeyourmind went says something, though."

"Oh, god. You're such an asshole," she said, but she couldn't keep a straight face. She started laughing and wondering how he was able to get her to laugh after what had just happened.

"Okay, then. Drop me off." And then, despite herself, she said, "And pick me up tomorrow morning. I'm sure Legermain totaled my car."

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