Page 11 of Fanged Secrets
“I’m wounded,” Dylan said, but her withering glare said otherwise. “And I have to head out now. Donotget that spaghetti on my carpet.”
The bowl wobbled on my knee while I quickly typed. “You know, if you ever need a sidekick out there, I’m available. I make a mean distraction.”
A bemused smile tugged at the corner of her mouth, and Dylan shook her head. “Thanks, but I think I’ll manage. Don’t wait up, okay?”
I nodded and gave her a thumbs-up, nearly knocking my spaghetti to the floor in the process. Dylan stared at me and let out what looked like a long nasal exhale before turning away. I watched her go, smiling until the door shut behind her. Then I looked down at my phone.
I had one new message from an unknown number.
We’re due for a chat. Illerey Manor, Wednesday 8AM.
We will discuss your progress in person.
There was only one person who would have my number. Don wanted to meet back home, he wanted intel. Setting aside my spaghetti, I tried to shake off the cold feeling that settled in my chest. It was critical that I gained Dylan’s trust, and I was running out of time.
As I was so often reminded, my father was not a patient man.
Chapter 7
Dylan
“Dylan, are you even listening?”
I jerked my head up and found four heads angled in my direction. Jordan was eyeing me with a look of bemusement while the others – River, Max, and Hunter – wore identical grins.
“Yeah,” I muttered, balancing my elbows on the table and dropping my head in my hands. “Dragon born, big problem.”
I waved a listless hand at Jordan. “Continue.”
Security meetings were a regular affair, but Jordan had called this one early after my tango with the potential dragon shifter the other night. Usually, it was just Jordan, River, and me – the other two irritating additions were an unpleasant surprise.
As if to back up my convictions, Max batted her lashes in my direction. “Someone’s distracted, does this have anything to do with your beloved?”
I considered kicking her dainty little shin under the table but no doubt Hunter would return the gesture tenfold. I stuck toleering instead, netting my fingers and propping up my chin. “No Maxine, this has nothing to do with my foster human. Also –”
I turned to Jordan, pointing a condemning finger at the two unwanted guests. “What are they doing here? This is supposed to be a security meeting.”
Jordan shrugged, leaning back in her chair to watch us bicker. “They’re on lunch break and the office is crowded today. I let them tag along.”
Max smirked in victory and I reconsidered an under-the-table kick. As if she’d read my mind, Hunter caught my eye and pursed her lips. I kept my boots firmly planted on the ground.
“Anyway,” Jordan continued, straightening her blazer. “Rooting out these dragon shifters should be top priority. Their presence complicates things, so we need to stay vigilant.”
“Do you think you can manage that, Dylan?” Max pretended to swoon, laying her hands over her heart. “Lovesick as you are?”
I bared my teeth at the preening vampire. “Max, if you care at all about that cashmere scarf you might want to be careful what you say next.”
Max gasped, clutching her scarf like an old woman would clutch her pearls. “You wouldn’tdare!”
“Try me.”
“All right!” River intervened, slamming her palms on the table. “Dylan, don’t threaten Max’s wardrobe. We’d have a ‘fashion emergency’ on our hands. And you –”
She twitched her gaze over to Max. “Stop making fun of Dylan’s crush.”
My burgeoning grin was quickly replaced with horror. “Excuse me? Crush?!”
River ignored my exclamation, speaking over my stuttering protests. “Look, you need to get close to Amara to figure out her father's secrets, but your feelings on the matter are about assubtle as a sledgehammer. She needs to know she can trust you. So, take her to dinner.”
