Page 28 of Red Fury

“Keep digging. We need to know what they’re planning, along with all the details.”

“I will do my level best. I’m working hard at making inroads with some of Harrison’s key people.” Namely, with Shadow. Bottom line, she’s in a better position to gather intel than I am. I need her – just as long as she stays in control. “I’ll contact you if there are any new developments.”

“Good work, Fury. I know this isn’t easy.”

If only he knew how difficult it really was.

“Just doing my job.”

“I’ll report to the king. Stay safe.”

The line goes dead, and I stare at the phone for a long moment before powering it down and hiding it again. The guilt sits heavy in my chest. I’ve never lied to Steel before. Never kept information from my king. But something about Shadow… I can’t bring myself to expose her. Not yet. Soon. And then I need to make it clear that I need her. That she isn’t a threat. That she can help rather than hinder me; I just need to be very sure of it first.

Right now, I just don’t know.

I strip out of my suit, hanging it carefully in the closet before heading to the bathroom. The hot water feels amazing against my skin, washing away the stress and tension of the day. I brush my teeth.

Then I collapse onto the king-size bed naked. The Egyptian cotton sheets are cool against my skin as I sink into the mattress, but sleep doesn’t come easily. My mind keeps replaying the day.

The soft knock on my door yanks me from the edge of sleep. I glance at the digital clock, and it’s almost midnight. Who the hell would be knocking at this hour?

I can only think of one person.

I hope it’s her.

I grab a pair of boxers from the floor and pull them on before heading to the door. A quick check through the peephole has my heart rate spiking.

Big, green eyes stare back at me.

I unlock the door and pull it open to find her standing in the hallway. She’s wearing faded jeans and a simple black T-shirt. Her face is bare of makeup, and her short hair is lightly mussed.

She’s fucking gorgeous.

I check the hallway, noting that we are alone.

“I need you,” she says, her eyes meeting and holding mine. She shakes her head once, as if to dislodge a thought. “Help. I need your help. That came out wrong.”

I can guess what kind of help she needs, and relief floods through me. She’s finally ready to listen.

Thank Claw!

“Sure… What do you need?” I ask.

She looks down at her hands, then back up at me. “I need to take you up on your offer. I’m sorry it’s so late; I had to work, and I wasn’t sure whether to even approach you or not. But in the end, I decided it was the best course of action.” She takes a shaky breath, also looking up and down the hallway. “I need toshift. You were right. I should have listened. As long as you’re sure you can handle me…” her eyes flare, “in my dragon form. You know what I mean.”

“I can definitely handle you…in your dragon form. No problem.”

The relief that washes over me is overwhelming. Not just because she’s finally admitting she needs help, but because it validates my decision to protect her. I made the right call by not exposing her to Steel. Within a day or two, I can announce her presence and let them know we are working together.

“I’m glad you came,” I say, stepping back to let her enter. “Give me two minutes to get dressed.”

She nods, coming inside. I quickly pull on jeans and a T-shirt, facing the other way. When I turn, she’s standing by the window, staring out at the city lights.

“Did you overhear anything else today?” I ask, grabbing my wallet and keycard. “After Harrison’s call in the elevator?”

She shakes her head. “Nothing worth reporting.” She turns to face me. “But what he said about biological threats… It’s worrying, to say the least. Our people are in real danger, aren’t they?”

“It seems that way,” I say. “Whatever they’re planning, it doesn’t sound good for any of us.”