Page 46 of Cash

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Carissa

Tommy wasasleep in my arms as we approached the entrance to the cave.

Miles, Cash’s brother, walked ahead of us. Like he was going to announce our presence before we got there.

“You’re sure this is all right?” I asked as we staggered.

Well, I staggered. Cash looked just as fresh as ever. I wondered if it was adrenaline keeping him going. He’d been awake all through the car ride up the mountains, after Miles met us at the spot the two of them had agreed upon.

“I’ve been talking it over with the guys for two days. It hasn’t been easy, but they’ve come around.”

“You’re absolutely sure?” I didn’t fancy the idea of going up against five dragons.

“Positive. They’ve been getting things ready for you, too. You might be surprised. Miles told me about it when you were asleep in the car.”

“You’ve only known for two days that we’d be coming with you,” I pointed out.

“I’ve known all along that you’d be coming with me.”

“That’s not creepy at all.”

“There’s never been another alternative. Once I met you, and I knew there was something between us, it was clear to me you’d have to come share my life. That’s how it works for dragons.”

“That isn’t how it works for humans.”

“Fair enough, but you’re here, aren’t you?” He wrapped his arm around my waist and pulled me close for a moment. He smelled of smoke, and the leather jacket Miles had provided him along with the other clothes he’d changed into on shifting back. “It was even more obvious you would need to come away with me when I understood the trouble you were in. Half of my thoughts after finding out the truth about Tommy were related to concern for you, and the others were wrapped up in how I was going to convince the guys that you needed to live with us.”

“Really?”

“Do you think I could’ve let you go after that? What would’ve happened when those idiots found out you gave them your own blood and red ink?”

“I don’t know,” I had to admit. “I was thinking about moving away, someplace far away.”

“And here you are.”

“Yes. Here I am.”

“You won’t miss anything you left behind?” he asked in a soft voice.

My arms tightened around Tommy’s sleeping form. “I have everything right here. Well, him and my laptop and the solution.”

They were still on my back, in the bag the guards had tried to take. I’d made enough for all six of them—after that, I wasn’t sure how I would create more, or even if I’d need to. There was no telling yet how long the effects would last.

After what felt like miles of walking, we reached a maze of tunnels which Cash explained was where the family had lived for a thousand years. A thousand. It was almost unbelievable. The sun had just been coming up when we arrived, and there were sounds of activity coming from the kitchen.

Two girls stood at the stove with their backs to us. One had long, wavy, red hair. The other was a blonde. They were cooking what smelled like French toast, and turned when Cash cleared his throat.

“Carissa, this is Jasmine and Alina.” They were obviously sisters, and very beautiful. And probably very, very happy to have another girl in the mix. They welcomed me with hugs and cooed over Tommy, who was unaware of everything.

“Are you hungry? We’re fixing breakfast,” Alina offered, gesturing toward the stove.

“Thank you, but I think I need sleep more than anything else. And I know this guy does.” I pressed my cheek to the side of his head. I had him back. He was mine again.

“I’ll show you to his room.” Jasmine took my arm and led me down the tunnel, past room after room—a library, a room with a TV and arcade games. Tommy would love that. Bedrooms. Then, a small bedroom fully decorated for a little boy. A small bed, sporting equipment, a desk and chair, posters of his favorite cartoon characters on the walls. No wonder Cash had asked me who Tommy was into.

“I hope you like it,” Jasmine smiled. “The guys had a hell of a lot of fun putting it together. They had to take two cars to Costco to bring everything back here.”

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