Page 23 of To Match A Dragon's Fire

But I wasn’t stupid. There was nothing of importance out here in bumfuck nowhere Oregon and parts of his story just weren’t adding up.

Plus, he was too hot to be a fed.

I raised my chin to meet his direct gaze. “Prove it.”

“Prove what?” He smirked. “That’s not my job. You’re the one trespassing. Call the county office if you don’t believe me.”

My stomach dipped. “It’s Friday afternoon. The office will be closed until Monday. And we don’t get cell service out here.”

I just wanted to take a break and read my book, not deal with the people in town this soon after arriving or have to put up with this trespassing jerk.

“Go back where you came from.” He shrugged. “I’m sure you can use your phone there.”

The pistol was slick in my grip and desperation started to squeeze at my neck. The roads we’d traveled. The military checkpoints. Somehow, I knew we’d gotten lucky by leaving when we did.

And we’d come all this way.

Harper and Willow and Riley were in the Bronco, exhausted and worn out from the last few years. This was the hope they’d all been looking forward to.

I’d promised them a place to stay.

“I don’t know who you are,” my voice came out as a harsh whisper, “but this is my home. I grew up here. My family is buried here. I’ll die before I let you just walk in and take it.”

“I already did.” He arched an eyebrow. Why was it always the pretty ones that were such jerks?

“Screw you.” I fumed.

His nostrils flared in response.

Someone coughed behind him and we both looked. An elderly man sat grinning in a wheelchair as he watched us through the open window.

“My apologies, Master Kieran, but you didn’t remove the cabin which I’m assuming is the young woman’s home. Why can’t she stay there?”

“Because she can’t.” Kieran, or whatever his stupid name was, turned to me again. “I’ll fill up yourgas tank and you can go back the way you came. Trust me. There is nothing here for you.”

That was the problem. I was starting to trust him. And I was terrified he wasn’t lying. That backed me into a corner. I wasn’t going down without a fight.

“I’m staying.” I tucked the pistol into my waistband and crossed my arms over my chest.

Kieran kicked himself off the wall and walked forward. His deliciously masculine scent crowded my space. Wood dust and something warm. Like cloves or allspice.

Whatever cologne he was wearing threatened to make me swoon, but I stood my ground.

It didn’t matter how good he smelled.

I wasn’t backing down.

“Listen.” His jaw ticked slightly, but his tone was softer than I expected. “I understand this is shocking news, but I’m willing to give you supplies if you need them. It’s not safe for you to—”

“I’m staying on my property.” I turned on my heel and put my middle finger in the air, giving him a view of my backside as I marched away.

∞

Three pairs of wide eyes stared at me from behind the windshield. I gave them my best reassuring smile, even though my heart was racing in the worst possible way.

I’d paid my property taxes. Some years I’d lived on rice and beans for a few months to save up the money. Even if my life was a disaster, I’d never let this place be taken away.

He wasn’t telling the whole truth. I believed he thought he owned this place, but things just weren’t adding up. I’d checked GPS view periodically over the years, and not once had I seen any sign of that monstrous home. It hadn’t sprung up overnight.

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