Page 60 of Edge of Darkness

Kit held up his hand. “Let’s play Put a Finger Down.”

“What?” Confused, Hudson glanced at Connie.

“It’s this thing on TikTok.”

“Again… what?”

“Put a finger down if I’ll be staying with you becauseIagree to, not becauseyousay so.” Kit put a finger down.

“What the hell is TikTok?” Hudson asked.

“Oh, comeon. Everyone has heard of that app.” Kit threw his hands up.

“It’s a social media platform,” Connie said. “It’s a video-sharing app.”

“Ahh, yes.” Hudson nodded. “Not really my thing, Kit.”

Kit rubbed his forehead. “Good God.”

“Heisa thousand-year-old dragon,” Connie added helpfully.

Hudson shot Connie a look. Connie flashed Hudson a grin.

“Look, you think I’m going to pitch a fit, don’t you?” Kit questioned, peering at Hudson. “Is that your insistent face? Because it looks like you’re going to insist I do this because you’re right… and then explain all the reasonswhyyou’re right.”

Connie snorted. “Insistent face. I like it. And Kit’s right. Thatisyour ‘I’m right and here’s why’ face.”

“Well? Are you? Going to pitch a fit as you called it?” Hudson asked, ignoring the rest of that because it made his head hurt. Having two younger mates might be the death of him. Why hadn’t he thought of that?

“Bet you think I’m going to make some grand speech about not being a prisoner and living my life on my terms and blah, blah, blah.”

“Um. You’re not?” Connie asked, looking between Kit and Hudson.

“Nope. I’ve dealt with that asshole twice now, and both times I’ve come out on the losing end. What’s that old saying about three strikes and you’re out? I’d just as soon not find out if that’s true.”

Hudson raised an eyebrow. He had to admit, he’d prepared himself for a full-on battle. “So you’ll accept my protection?”

“Damn skippy. But I’m still going to work—I’ll leave it up to you to figure that one out—and I need my clothes and stuff. Other than that, I’m good.”

Hudson was ridiculously pleased that Kit was going to be residing in his territory. If the look on Connie’s face was any indication, he felt the same.

“Still want me to check out the situation on that certain building we talked about taking over?” Connie asked, grinning.

Hudson stared fondly at Kit before turning his gaze to his lover. “It appears that will no longer be necessary.”

Thank the dragon gods.

THEY ARRIVED at the compound with no trouble. Beckett greeted them on the front steps. It was hard to miss how Kit immediately relaxed.

He and Connie stopped by the kitchen and got something for Kit to eat, then took him on a quick tour of the house. Beckett, of course, went with them.

“You have a beautiful home,” Kit said as they returned to where they started. “Lots of space. I envy you that.”

Hudson tried to keep himself from preening. His mate liked his home. “Feel free to use any of the entertainment areas of the house. Also, several of my dragons will be in and out. Connie and I will try to be with you at all times, so you don’t feel alone. We’ll slowly introduce you to my court.”

“I can also be here,” Beckett added. “There’s no point in me going to the bookstore if you’re not there.”

“Speaking of that,” Hudson said. “Since Kit is going to be staying here, would you be willing to carpool with him? That way, he isn’t alone going to and from work.”

---