Page 35 of Dragon Flames
I didn’t realize I was still doing it.
I give him an exasperated sigh. “Are we going to do this or not?”
“Not.” He strides toward the edge of the mat and throws a towel at me.
I swipe at my face, watching hungrily while he gulps down a bottle of chilled ice water. I lick my lips, watching his throat move, and then I stalk toward him, not sure if I’m starving more for the water or the taste of his skin.
“I have enough data to put together a schedule to fill in the gaps in your training. While you have amazing instincts and imagination, you lack basic knowledge in a few areas.” He finally hands over the water bottle, and I shove it in my mouth before I give in to the urge to nail him in the balls.
Only after I finish the bottle do I release my hold on my ire. “It’s kept me alive this long.”
He steps right into my space, not stopping until there’s less than an inch between us. Tucking a loose strand of sweaty hair behind my ear, his green eyes swirl slowly as he gazes down at me with a fierce expression. “And I’m determined to make sure it stays that way.”
He walks away before I can think of a reply…because he’s right.
I’m used to fighting in tight spaces with makeshift weapons.
I’m useless going up against a gun.
I have the advantage of being unpredictable and often thinking outside the box, but my skills are lacking when I’m caught out in the open. While I kept in shape, there wasn’t much else I could do to train in my tiny cell.
I jump in the shower, the stretch and pull of muscles actually feeling good.
I dress quickly, then glance at the door suspiciously, my heart thundering in my chest, terrified I’ll find it locked.
Terrified of being trapped again.
Heart beating like a jackrabbit, I grab the knob, nearly sagging when it turns easily. Tension bleeds out of me, and my steps are positively buoyant when I head toward the kitchen, suddenly starving.
I study my surroundings in more detail, able to see where the three of them have blended their lives together over the years. Everything is so clean and neat that I watch my step, afraid my very presence might taint their home.
I run my hands down my new jeans and sweater. They fit me perfectly, the fabrics so soft that it’s like touching a cloud.
They must have cost a fortune, but I don’t give a shit.
The only way they could have the clothes back would be over my cold, dead body.
After years of being denied, my beast is in full control, staking her claim on all the treasures that captures her attention like it’s her due.
My steps slow at the sound of voices. In prison, it could be deadly to interrupt a conversation. I almost turn to leave when I hear my name. Heart beating like a hummingbird trapped beneath my ribs, I creep forward. I need to know whether this is all a lie. I’ve become attached to these men in such a short time that I’m not sure I believe the fairy tale.
Rescued from prison—discovering that I have not only one mate, but three—it sounds too good to be true, especially for an ex-con like me.
“The next auction is tonight. I managed to discover the location, but security is going to be a bitch.” Darius keeps his voice low, the men talking in hushed tones.
“I’ll pull the building plans and hack into the security system,” Elias says, his tone confident.
“The money exchanging hands is incredible,” Preston interrupts distractedly. “I don’t understand how they’ve kept what they’re doing secret for so long.”
“Bribes.” Darius curses, and I peek around the corner to see him running his fingers through his hair, his expression grim. “They’re not keeping it quiet—everyone is in on it.”
Elias and Preston both jerk their heads up from their devices at the claim. Preston presses his hands on the counter on either side of his computer. “You’re saying our entire government is corrupt.”
Elias snorts, clicking off his phone. “I’m not surprised. Those who would protest are either kept in the dark or eliminated. Not only is it lucrative, the cream of society can now have their choice of women. The first pick. They each probably have their own harems for breeding purposes stashed away from their families.”
Darius runs a hand down his face. “That’s probably how they’ve built their dynasties over the centuries, creating stronger bloodlines.”
“Felicia is the only female dragon.” Preston looks torn between furious and sick to his stomach.
