Page 112 of Red Fury

Holy shit!

“All because of me.”

“Don’t do that,” he says, glancing at me. “I’m glad I rescued you. I’d do it again in a heartbeat. Besides, it made sense to rescue you. You’re close to Harrison. You’re going to hack into his computer and get the info we need. We need you. Why can’t they see that?”

It hurts hearing him say that. Here I was thinking that he…that… Once again, I’m being an idiot.

“You’re right.” I nod a few times and then clear my throat, still feeling like I just got bitch-slapped upside the head. Only it isn’t my head that’s hurting here.

He glances at me as we pull back onto the road. “How did your call go?”

“I have to be on a flight later today,” I tell him. “I don’t know when I’ll be able to return to the Mainland. I’m considered AWOL by Mainland Officials. I might get jail time. The Council have said they will try to get me out of it considering the nuclear threat. But since they don’t have much say…” I shrug, feeling defeated.

“What? You can’t be serious? All over a vaccination?”

“Yes. It’s very serious. Aren’t they as strict on Mistveil Island?” I frown.

“They are, but not like that. Jail time is pretty severe for being a few days late. It’s overkill.”

I nod a few times. “Apparently, it’s because shifters died back in the day. They’ve never loosened the restrictions even though deaths from Hemorrhagic Fever are rare nowadays. Let’s hope they see reason. Hopefully, your people will change their minds. We need to get to the bottom of this as soon as possible. I’m afraid of what might happen otherwise.”

He nods, looking grim. “Me, too.”

33

Fury

I wake up and stretch, putting a hand to the back of my neck, squeezing my eyes shut as I wince.

Then I sit and roll my shoulders as I try to work out the knots. The leather sofa is comfortable enough, but sleeping on it is another story entirely. My spine pops in three places as I arch my back, and I can’t help the low groan that escapes.

I could have been in my massive bed. Shadow told me I could share it with her. That it wasn’t a big deal.

Only, it would have been a very big deal. At least for me.

I glance toward the bedroom, where she’s still sleeping. I can just pick up her scent. It makes my dragon roar inside me.

And that’s the problem.

I’m freaked out about having feelings for her. Real feelings. Not just the physical attraction that’s been driving me crazy since the moment I met her, but something deeper. Something that makes me want to protect her, to make her smile, to hold her while she sleeps. Something that could quite easily grow into…complications.

Who am I kidding? It’s already as complicated as it can get. There’s always worse. I could completely fall for her. That would be a shitshow. Nope! Not happening!

I need to keep my distance. Keep a clear head. This mission is too important, and there’s too much at stake for me to lose focus now. I need to get us safely to the airport, then I need to convince Steel that I’m still the right male for the job, which means I have to truly believe it, or it won’t work.

I yawn. Just under four hours of sleep. That’s all I managed, and my eyes feel like someone rubbed sand in them. I’m still tired, but I’m too wired to fall back asleep. Too many thoughts racing through my mind, too many decisions to make.

I reach for my phone on the coffee table.

I open it up and sure enough, there is a message. It landed in my inbox two hours ago already.

Crap!

The message gives my flight details, telling me to pack everything. I won’t be returning to the Mainland. It’s non-negotiable.

Double crap!

I stare at the words until they blur together.