Page 58 of Dragon in Denial
Chapter 14
Antoinette tried to step out of the discussions and let the various members of Ketu’s colony work out how they planned to move forward, but Gabe wasn’t inclined to let her be a passive bystander.
“You are part of this plan,” he said, pulling her back into the conversation each time she tried to bow out. “Besides the fact that you have the most knowledge of this colony, you’re Ketu’s mate.”
Yeah, yeah, yeah, like she needed the reminder. She couldn’t stop thinking about it, hadn’t since the moment it dawned on her.
And it annoyed the hell out of her that her dragon was so damn happy about it.You’re easy, she told the infuriating animal.You just like him because he’s good in bed.
He’s good in bed because you two are so compatible. Because you’re meant to be together.
Ugh. Since when were dragons so damn reasonable?
She and Ketu still had so much to work out. They still hadn’t told his parents or Henri, and most important of all, they hadn’t talked about what would happen after this dragon’s blood business was concluded. If they were truly going to make a go at being mates, they should probably live in the same state, but where?
After much grumbling from Gabe, who clearly did not like his mother—not that Antoinette could blame the guy—they finally contacted Delilah and met her at the abandoned antiques store where she used to distribute dragon’s blood.
When she spotted Argyle, she thrust out her hip and arched her brow. “How’d you talk the gargoyle into helping? I thought he only helped those who were worthy?” She created air quotes with her fingers.
Gabe rolled his eyes. “You asked for help. This is what you’ve got.”
“We could probably use a few more gargoyles,” she said.
“If I determine it is necessary, I will call upon my brethren,” Argyle stated.
This time, Delilah rolled her eyes.
And then they talked, well into the night. Suggesting and dismissing plan after plan. Gabe asked for everyone’s input, and if someone wasn’t speaking up frequently enough—such as Antoinette—he called on her like a teacher did a student, forcing her to admit whether she approved or agreed with whatever latest recommendation had been laid before the group.
She was beginning to see why Ketu liked his colony so much. It wasn’t just because he’d been able to escape the constant reminders of his sister’s death. It was because he belonged; he was an important participant in this colony. She suspected most if not all the dragons under Gabe’s rule felt that way.
She wanted her colony to be like that.
“This is the one then?” Delilah asked after Gabe took a final vote on the latest recommended plan.
“I think so,” he replied.
“Excellent.” Delilah patted him on the shoulder. “Guess we know where your reeve instincts came from, huh?”
He scowled and brushed her hand away.
“Well, anyway,” she said, clapping her hands. “All right, let’s go. Everyone who’s with me, chop, chop.”
Gabe’s crew would be the distraction, which would hopefully pull the majority of Darius’s supporters away from the reeve’s home, so Delilah, Antoinette, Ketu, and Rahu could get into the mansion and snoop around to find proof that the reeve was, in fact, dead.
“How much longer?” Rahu asked when they were crouched together behind an overgrown holly bush two houses down from where the reeve lived.
Delilah looked down her nose at him. “You know, with your energy, I was intrigued at first. But now I’m guessing you are one of those hurry up and get it over with kind of guys.”
Rahu snorted. “You want me to prove you wrong?”
Delilah gave him an assessing look, like she was seriously considering his offer. Ketu grasped Rahu’s bicep and gave it a squeeze. “Trust me, man, you do not want to go there.”
“She’s questioning my sexual prowess,” Rahu protested.
“Do you seriously give a shit what she thinks? After tonight, you will never see her again.”
“Are you implying I won’t come down here to visit you? Because, you know, I’ve always wanted to check out Mardi Gras, and if you’re moving here…”
