Page 16 of Leif

She arched an eyebrow at me. “He’s not my friend.”

I lifted my shoulders, then lowered them. It was a moot point, and my concern was still valid. “He’s not going to come willingly. And his friends have guns, and they’re not afraid to use them. Last time I checked, you aren’t bulletproof.”

She shook her head, a troubled look in her lovely brown eyes. In a quick motion, she tied up her brown hair in a knot on top of her head, and I noticed the graceful curve of her neckline. Her slim body teetered on the edge of almost hard, but the curves of her breasts and hips demanded my attention. She was feminine in all the right places and hard in all the places I’d expect from this tough as nails petite woman.

“I’m not sure.” Her honest answer and wide eyes tugged something deep in me, and I couldn’t help but change the subject.

“So why did you become a cop?” I wanted to know more about her. I wanted to drink in every detail about her she was willing to tell.

She studied me, clearly surprised by my abrupt question. “I wanted to make a difference. I was going to go into the military, but my parents refused to let me.”

“They couldn’t stop you.” What she said hadn’t rung true, and that bothered me, so I hoped she’d clarify.

She lowered her head a moment, then lifted it to meet my gaze. “True. But I wanted to honor their wishes. They were terrified I’d wind up dead on some battlefield somewhere. I couldn’t do that to them.” Her features softened as she thought about her parents.

And I understood. I loved my own parents more than words.

“Besides, a soldier knocks things down. A cop builds up communities…. If it’s done right, of course.” Her eyes brightened, and she was never as beautiful as she was in that moment. I thought on the compassion I’d seen in her while she took care of Hitch and agreed. Communities needed a woman like her watching over them.

“You’re exactly the kind of cop people need.” I meant the words, but her head jerked up, and she studied me like she was checking to see if I was being sarcastic.

Her hesitation hung between us before her lips finally moved. “Thank you. So you’ll help me get this guy back to the station?”

I let out a breath. I didn’t want to help. Not really. The only reason I was even considering it was because I imagined she’d go with or without my help.

“One of them already got me.” I shifted with my injured arm, and her eyes traced the gauze before meeting my gaze again. “I’m not sure I’m ready for round two.” Especially not when I had to hide my dragon from her. Who knew what part of me they’d hit next time?

I also didn’t see how I could talk her in to going back and letting me bring in the guy in by myself, which would mean I could safely use my dragon.

“I don’t like the thought of you in harm’s way.” I might as well give her as much of the truth as I was able.

Her expression tightened, and she leaned back on her heels. Her arms, protectively crossing her chest, flexed as she wound them tighter. “I want to tell you that I’ll be fine.” Her arms lowered to her sides, and her chin came up into battle position. “But I knew that they’re stronger than me and already got the best of me more than once. But I need to prove myself here.”

“You’ve nothing to prove to anyone.” She’d survived, wasn’t that enough?

She shook her head, her eyes suddenly sad. “I have to prove to myself that they won’t win. That they didn’t win.”

“So wait for me to bring him into the precinct.” It was that simple. I could bring him in, and she could book him back into custody.

She tilted her head, her eyes narrowing as she planted her hands on her hips. “No. I want to do this. With or without your help.”

I held back a sigh. It would be so easy if I could just show myself. But I didn’t trust this woman with my secret. Secrets are burdens. I wouldn’t burden her.

In my bag, my phone rang. Mel lowered her head and stared at the floor as I turned to grab my phone. I answered, seeing Draco’s number.

“Hey, everything okay?”

“Yeah. Great, actually. Wanted to let you know we’re expecting again.” The pride in his voice and the fact that he’d reached out to me touched me.

“Congratulations.” He’d settled into a beautiful life, and part of me was jealous. When would I find my own mate? “Tell Luna I send well wishes.” I owed them everything and they were my only true friends in this whole world.

“Will do.” He hesitated. “Everything okay?”

I glanced at Mel as she wandered toward the door of my room, a graceful hand on the doorframe as she glanced back my way. A slight smile curved the corners of her lips as she studied me, her eyes soft and sexy.

“Yeah, everything is fine. Talk to you later, okay?” I hung up, watching her still. I wanted a family of my own. A wife, babies, a life outside all the work I’d been throwing myself into since I was a dragon whelp.

“Sorry, a good friend of mine wanted me to be the first to know they’re expecting baby number two.”

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