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“We’ve only been together for two weeks.” Jackson bailed her out. “We’re trying to figure out how this works for all of us.”

“You sure are full of answers.” Rapier turned his knowing gaze toward Jackson.

“I’m trying to ease Bell. Do the dirty work, so to speak, so if you get pissed, you don’t direct it at her.”

He chuckled. “You got a good one, princess. The other, I’m not too sure of.” Rapier didn’t have to say his name for Jackson to understand “other” meant Christoph.

“Thank you, Daddy.” She kissed his cheek. “If you don’t mind, I’m going to go to bed. Today has left me completely drained.” She slipped from her father’s lap then stood before Jackson. “Thank you for being with me—us tonight. Even though everything turned out to be a big ole mess, I enjoyed spending time with you.”

His heart gave an awkward thump. “I did, too.” He took her hand into his and lifted it to his lips. “Good night, blondie.” He waited until she stepped out of earshot to speak to her father. “There is something you should understand about me.”

“What? That you’re not a feline or canine?” He sniffed. “Are you a fucking rattler? I hate those damn things with a passion, especially when we have to work under fucking houses.”

“I am from the Dalco clan. Clan—being the operative word. We’re dragons.” He returned to where he’d been sitting.

Rapier nodded. “Hence the scent of brimstone I get from you, too.”

He grunted. “I am invested in mating your daughter. I will make her happy beyond hers or your comprehension, and I have enough money to give her a good life ten times over.”

“And Christoph?”

“Non-factor as far as I am concerned.” Though he hated to say it because Christoph was his mate as much as Bell had been, he wouldn’t allow the lion to fuck up their chance to be a family because he didn’t have the balls to tell his father, properly, to fuck off.

“You’ve got balls, kid.” He snorted. “I respect your plan, but Christoph isn’t having the easiest of times, either.”

He realized the same after tonight. “I understand. But, I won’t watch Bell get her heart broken because he can’t tell his parents to shove it where the sun doesn’t shine.”

Rapier rubbed his chin. “Would you do the same for Bell if it were your parents who were giving the three of you a hard time?”

He nodded. “I would; however, they’ve passed from what I’ve been told.”

Her father dipped his penetrating gaze to a spot in front of his feet. “I’m sorry.”

“Don’t be. Your question is logical. I’d ask the same in your position.”

“What happened?” Rapier asked

He gave a nonchalant lift of his shoulder. “What happens when one covets what someone else has? Dragons crave things. Money, gold, power, knowledge. We shared for the longest time, and then, out of nowhere, it stopped. My parents went into hiding with me. Then, one day, they argued. The next thing I remembered, I woke up in a strange place, with strange humans. I had a note and access to everything I could ever want for and Elgor to help me navigate this new world.”

“Did you ever find out what happened to your parents?” Rapier hedged. “Does Elgor know?”

If his footman knew where his parents were or how they died, Elgor would have been sworn to secrecy due to his aunt and her greedy ways. “If he did, he wouldn’t tell me. He was here to protect me. About a year after I arrived here, my aunt showed up. Snooping, of course. She had so many questions, and, suddenly, it made sense.”

“That’s some fucked-up shit, kid.”

“Such is life.” He rested his elbows and forearms on his knees. “Like I said, I protect what is mine. Bell included. You never have to worry about her while she’s with me.”

For long agonizing moments, Rapier sat across from him, not saying a word. Finally, he sat forward, and held out his hand. “Welcome to the family. You’re going to fit in just fine.”

Loud chatter and the sounds of hammers hitting nails brought Bell awake. Her dreams had been filled with negativity. She’d argued with Christoph and with Jackson. Yelled at her father and her siblings. Everything fell apart in her dreams. Taking a deep breath, she shoved the nasty dreams out of her mind and sat up. The scent of coffee and breakfast being cooked wafted into her room. She hadn’t smelled anything quite so delicious since she’d been home, and her mom made it for them.

She pushed her blankets off and sat up. Her stomach rumbled reminding her she hadn’t had any dinner the night before. Bell grabbed her robe off the edge of her bed and threw it on before heading to the door. She’d turned the knob at the same moment someone knocked at it.Talk about timing.“Who is it?”

“Raquel.”

She opened the door and smiled. “Good morning, pledge.”

“There are men all over the place. One pushed me out of the way and started cooking.”