Page 34 of Serving my Dragon
“Because Mama will be sleeping in the other guest room and I’m too old to share a bed with her,” I explained as if that weren’t obvious.
“Dios, you’re dumb sometimes,” my uncle exclaimed. “Why aren’t you in bed with the Americana?”
“Because we’re not together like that.” Although, we’d come close before the interruption.
“It’s like he wants me to never have the joy of grandchildren,” Mama lamented.
“Are you sure he’s into women?” whispered Carmelita.
“What is wrong with you?” Santiago threw up his hands. “Beautiful woman who likes you and you’re being?—”
“A gentleman?” I arched a brow.
Mama reached over and patted my hand. “Sometimes, mijo, you’re a little too polite. I blame myself.”
“We told you to stop being soft with him,” grumbled my uncle. “A man his age shouldn’t have to be told what to do with a pretty woman.”
“You think she’s pretty?” Carmelita had a tone that signaled a brewing storm.
“Not as beautiful as you, of course.” Santiago managed a rapid save.
“Hmph.”
I pinched the bridge of my nose. “I’m going to sleep.” I grabbed the knitted blanket hanging over the back of the couch and headed to the yard, the evening air cool but not uncomfortable, especially once I wrapped myself in the fabric. The hammock swayed slightly as I lay in it, staring at the stars.
Was I an idiot? Should I have joined Kayleigh in bed? Would she have protested? Probably not, given what we’d almost done. But at the same time, nothing could have happened with Polly in the room. It was one thing to indulge sexually in front of a household pet that didn’t have a clue, another to possibly end up with vocal complaints or worse, a critique at a crucial moment. My manhood might not survive.
The gentle sway of the hammock put me to sleep despite the turmoil of the day. I woke suddenly, though, and couldn’t have said why. Dawn had yet to light the sky, and clouds had moved in while I slumbered, hiding the stars. A slight tilt of my head showed the house dark, but then again, I wouldn’t see much with the shutters and curtains drawn.
Snick.
The noise froze me for it sounded like the slide of a shoe. Was someone in the yard?
“Are you sure she’s here?” someone whispered in English.
“The dentist’s car is parked over there, and she’s supposed to be staying with him,” replied someone else in a low tone.
“Don’t know why we’re even bothering tracking her down,” grumbled the first man. “According to the doctor at the hospital, she doesn’t remember anything.”
“For now. Her memory could come back anytime, and the boss said we can’t have that happen.”
“Not sure why it matters. The whole reason for this trip died when that fucker fell off the cliff. Even if the woman recalls what she saw and heard, people will call her crazy the moment she opens her mouth and says the word dragon.”
I almost fell out of the hammock. So this was about Polly, only they didn’t know she lived, meaning I had to make sure things stayed that way.
“This is all Blake’s fault,” grumbled the first guy. “Bringing his new girlfriend and her best friend along on the mission like this was some vacation,”
“At least Sally knows to keep her mouth shut. That chubby friend of hers, though…” commented the second.
“Yeah, she shouldn’t have gotten in the way. Pity the fall from the cliff didn’t finish her.”
I couldn’t believe how much these murdering idiots were revealing.
“Well, she won’t escape this time.”
“Never thought I’d end up having to kill someone,” muttered the first. “This wasn’t what I signed up for.”
“Not directly, but we always knew it might come to that. It’s why they pay us the big bucks.” Ding. The slight chime had the guy huffing, “Duke and Pascal have the front covered. Orders are to zap anyone who comes out a door or window and toss them back inside.”
