Page 23 of Starting Over
Ryan quickly said, “Think of Smaug. You know the dragon from The Hobbit. We look like that, just more… colorful.”
“Well, son of a bitch,” Jude whispered as he shook his head. “I think Tanner might pass out when he finds all this out.”
Wyatt’s phone rang and he answered it, knowing it could only be one person. “Hey, River, what’s up?”
“You have a problem,” River said without the usual joking tone he normally had.
“What do you mean? What kind of problem?” Wyatt asked.
Without wasting a moment of time, River said, “Ennyd’s contact got a hold of him. Danny has created a game… a hunting game.”
“What the hell is a hunting game?” Jude asked.
“It’s the kind of game that he’s promised to pay out five hundred thousand dollars for anyone that can bring him Rain,” River said.
Rain gasped as many of the others hissed, “Son of a bitch.”
“Oh, that’s not all,” River said.
Wyatt wanted to jump through the phone and choke the fucker. “Just spit it the fuck out!”
“Damn, dude, I’m trying. What I was going to say is that the word is, if by chance he gets caught before he can kill Rain, he’s going to up the price to a cool million for anyone that kills him,” River anxiously said.
“Son of a bitch,” Ryan muttered.
“Oh gods,” Rain murmured. “He made it to where I die no matter what.”
Jude jumped from his mate’s lap and knelt in front of Rain. “You are not going to die. You have too damn many people here that’s going to make sure that doesn’t happen.”
“But, he wants me dead. Even if we catch him and take him back to prison, he’s made sure I d… die,” Rain said, tears clogging his throat.
Jude’s gaze became stern, as he snapped, “Look at me, Rain! Look at me!”
Rain slowly raised his eyes to do as Jude ordered, so Jude could say, “If it comes down to it, you will be safe. Wyatt will make sure of that and so will we.” He then called out, “Tell him, Pit.”
Pit said, “You can come and live with us in Drago. Trust me, Rain, no one will get past our wards or our people. You are not going to die.”
“No,” Wyatt snarled, “You will not die.”
CHAPTER 9
Jude closed the door to his room and turned to his mate.
Casper started towards him, but he held up his hand stopping him in his tracks. “Please, don’t. As much as I want you… no, need you… we need to talk first. It’s what always happens, Rance. I want to talk and we end up with your dick in my ass.”
Casper sighed and walked to the door leading out onto the balcony. “You’re right and I’m sorry. How about we sit outside and talk there. It’s not close to the bed, and less… enticing.”
Jude followed his mate outside, saying, “Smoky, you need to be a part of this as well.”
Smoky peeled his body from Jude’s arm, making himself the size of Jude’s pinky finger and flew to the small table, sitting down in the middle. He looked stronger, but still not as he had when Jude had last seen him in Drago.
It was odd. The energy uncomfortable as they all sat and looked out towards the river… no one saying a word.
It sucked.
Unable to allow this feeling to continue, Jude said, “I hate this.”
Casper looked at him confused, so Jude added to his comment, “I hate the uneasiness I feel right now. I’ve never felt uneasy with either of you, and damn sure not since we bonded.”