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“I want to go with you,” Steph said.

“No,” I said immediately.

Steph sighed. He’d clearly expected that answer. “All right. I’ll send Rome with you.”

“Deal.” I leaned to the side and planted a kiss on his cheek. “Thanks for understanding.”

“Gross,” Dylan said, then stood up. That kid could seriously inhale some breakfast. “I’m going to help Striker with the dishes.”

“If a few smooches makes you do chores, you better get used to seeing them,” Steph said with a grin. He turned back to me with a more serious expression. “If you think this’ll make life in Lakeview easier for you, then I support you all the way. Even if I want to be the one chewing her out.”

“Like I said, the whole reason she won’t give this up?—”

“Is because she thinks she can walk all over you,” Steph finished for me. “I know. And I think you’re right. Doesn’t mean I have to like it.”

“I’ll come with you,” Cassidy said. “I want to see this bitch in person and give her the smackdown she deserves.”

“No one’s giving anyone any smackdowns,” I said with a fond shake of my head. “I appreciate it you wanting to come with me, but I need to do this myself, or she’s never going to leave usalone. I don’t want any violence. I need to prove to her I won’t put up with any more of her bullshit.”

“It’s not you I’m worried about—it’s her,” Steph said.

“And that’s why Rome will be with me,” I said, and patted his arm.

Steph huffed, but nodded.

“Auntie Cass!” Dylan called from the kitchen. Dishes were still being done, albeit inefficiently, since at some point Dylan had climbed onto Striker’s back. “Remember how I showed you my claws yesterday?”

“How could I forget?” Cassidy propped her chin in her hand, smiling fondly at Dylan and Striker. There was a little more fondness there than usual, so maybe it wasn’t just Dylan she was looking at.

“Striker said we could go flying today,” Dylan announced. “Do you wanna meet my dragon for real?”

Cassidy let out a theatrical gasp. “A full shift? Dylan, I’d behonoredto meet your dragon.”

“Really? You want to?” Dylan grinned, huge and excited.

“Of course, I do.”

“You can fly with us, if you’d like,” Striker said warmly. “I’ll be shifting as well, so I could carry you.”

Steph knocked his foot against mine under the table. I met his eyes and raised my eyebrows minutely.

Cassidy’s lips quirked into a small smile, which then widened. “You know what? Yeah. That sounds pretty fun. Is it dangerous?”

“Yes,” I said, at the same time Striker said, “No.”

Cassidy looked at Steph with one eyebrow raised. “So-so,” Steph said, waggling his hand side-to-side demonstratively. “But if there’s any dragon that’ll take good care of you, it’s Striker.”

“Then while you’re beating Blakely’s ass, I guess I’ll be watching from above,” Cassidy said. She wiggled in her chair. “Ooh, this is so exciting!”

“Don’t have too much fun without me,” I said. “Guess I better go get dressed.”

“Rome’s ready whenever you are,” Steph said. “I’ll handle the dishes.”

By the time I was dressed, Rome was waiting for me outside the house. I’d let him chaperone me, but I wasn’t going to let him drive me around like I was totally helpless. I kissed Steph, told Cassidy and Dylan to be safe, and then climbed into the sedan that’d quickly become my daily driver.

The café was downtown next to an old bar and restaurant. There wasn’t much to it, just a coffee bar, a few overstuffed chairs, a long communal table, and a little back patio filled with potted plants. As I approached the big glass windows, I saw Blakely’s unmistakable red pixie cut.

“Where do you want me, Miss Harley?” Rome asked. He was a young, skinny man with a stylishly shaved head, but it wasn’t like I wasthatmuch older than him.