Page 132 of Red Fury

I look down at her face, and fear hits me. She looks terrible. So weak and pale that her skin is almost translucent. Dark circles shadow her eyes, and her lips have lost all their color.

“What the hell have you done, Ivan?” the suited-up Kozlov asks, his voice booming.

So that’s what this piece of shit is called.

Ivan struggles to his feet, still cradling his arm. The cut on his face is already starting to knit itself back together. He’s looking stronger by the second, which pisses me off all over again.

My dragon surges forward. He wants me to kill the bastard. He also doesn’t want me to put Shadow back down on the ground.

“Hello, brother,” Ivan says, his voice strained but defiant. “I didn’t expect you home so soon.”

“Clearly,” the real Roman Kozlov says, his eyes taking in the scene. His gaze lingers on me and Shadow before moving back to Ivan. “What is the meaning of this? What are you playing at?”

Ivan straightens up as much as he can with his busted arm. “I assure you, it’s no game. I had a plan, Roman. I—”

Roman rubs a hand over his jaw. “You always do. What was it this time?” He sighs.

“I thought you were crazy to stop operating as an arms dealer,” Ivan continues, his voice gaining strength.

“So you told me. I explained that it was the best way forward. Why didn’t you listen?”

“You were crazy not to hear them out, and as it turns out, I was right. It paid off, brother. It’s huge. They—”

“You impersonated me,” Roman says, his voice deadly quiet. “Told my staff it was my wish. You lied through your teeth.”

“I know, but—”

“No buts,” Roman growls. “Didn’t you think there was a reason I turned down that meeting? A reason I’m stopping with that particular part of the business?”

Ivan gives a one-shouldered shrug and immediately winces as pain shoots through his broken arm. “I didn’t think—”

“You never do,” Roman cuts him off. “That’s your problem. Then I have to hear about an auction. An auction I’m supposedly holding. Can you even imagine my embarrassment when I didn’t know anything about it?”

Shadow stirs slightly in my arms, and I adjust my hold on her, making sure she’s secure. If I need to shift and get us the hell out of here, I will. Nothing and no one is going to hurt her again.

“Do you have any idea how much money we can get for dragon shifters?” Ivan demands, desperation creeping into his voice.

A growl rumbles deep in my chest.

“Again,” Roman says, his voice dangerously soft, “don’t you think there’s a reason I haven’t gone near the dragon shifters?”

Ivan’s eyes widen in shock. “You know about them?”

“Of course I know about them. I make it my business to know about everything that could potentially be a threat.”

“Then you’ll know how powerful they are,” Ivan presses on, glancing nervously at me. “I know you’re looking for a bride, and I found one for you. The she-dragon is—”

I snarl, baring my teeth at Ivan. The asshole actually shrinks back, which gives me a moment of satisfaction.

“It looks like she is already spoken for. Besides, I don’t need your help to find a bride,” Roman tells him. “I can find someone on my own.”

Ivan snorts. “That isn’t true. You’ve—”

“Enough,” Roman snarls.

Then he turns to look at me and Shadow, and I see something unexpected in his eyes. Genuine regret.

“You must excuse my brother,” he says, his voice softer now. “I want to make this right. Please. Come with me. I’ll offer you a roof, medical care. Whatever you need. Let me fix this.”