Page 23 of Starting Over (D.O.A. DRAGO #1)

“How the hell did I let you talk me into bringing you here with me instead of making you stay in Drago?” Wyatt asked in frustration.

Rain gave Wyatt that impish smile that always allowed him to get his way, saying, “Because you love me and know that this is important to me.”

Sighing, Wyatt squeezed Rain’s hand, saying, “I do love you, but one day those damn puppy eyes are not going to work on me.”

“I’m a shrew, not a dog,” Rain grumbled.

Wyatt laughed, “And you are an adorable shrew at that.”

They drove in silence for a while, before Rain said, “I really like Drago. The people there are really nice… at least the ones I’ve met working at the clinic, but I have to admit, I didn’t think the town would be so big.”

“Well, there are over three hundred people living there, Little mouse,” Wyatt replied.

“I know. I can’t believe the town was abandoned like that,” Rain muttered, then said, “Jude told me it was an old mining town. Did you know that?”

Nodding, Wyatt answered, “I did. Pit is going to talk to Heck about making one of the mines safe enough to hold other paranormals if needed. The jail cells in town are not strong enough to hold shifters and even if they were I don’t want them so close to the humans.”

“Makes sense, I guess,” Rain said.

As Wyatt turned to the entrance of their location, he asked, “How’s Noah doing?”

“He’s doing well. Jude helped him find the location to the flower shop he wants to open,” Rain answered.

“I’m glad to hear it, but I was talking about how he was handling learning about dragons, shifters and everything else?” Wyatt asked.

Rain snorted, “He’s doing fine, Wyatt. Yes, he passed out when he learned about us, but since then, he’s handled it like a trooper. Of course, having a best friend that shifts into an elephant shrew helps.”

“Best friend, huh?” Wyatt asked with a smirk.

Shrugging, Rain said, “We click… you know? We’ve been practically connected at the hip since going to Drago.

Okay, we’ve only known each other for a couple of weeks but we have a lot in common and enjoy doing shit together…

so we agreed yesterday that we would be best friends.

” Rain went quiet for a second, before saying, “I’ve never had one before. ”

“A best friend?” Wyatt asked in confusion.

Snorting, Rain replied, “I’ve never had a friend let alone a best friend, Wyatt.”

Wyatt wanted to say something, but what the fuck did a person say to that? However, before he could come up with anything to say, Rain asked, “It’s kind of overwhelming, you know?”

“No, I don’t know because I have no clue what’s overwhelming? Are we still talking about best friends or is it living in Drago, because if Drago is too much, I already told you we’d leave.”

Rain smacked Wyatt’s arm, saying, “I already told you I really like Drago, butt head. I’m talking about having friends. I went from not having any to having all of your thunder…”

“Our thunder,” Wyatt interrupted.

Rain let out a loud as fuck sigh, before grumbling, “Sorry. The point I’m making is that I now have our thunder, Pit and all his men as well as Ingray and his brothers, Rusty and Lenny from the accounting firm… I mean, friends are coming out of the woodwork.”

Smiling, Wyatt said, “I’m glad you’re making friends. I’m really sorry I haven’t been around a lot since we got to Drago.”

“Wyatt, you and the thunder have been working around the clock to get the security station up and running, and I’ve been just as busy helping Jude put the clinic together,” Rain quickly replied as he shook his head. “I still can’t believe Jude made me half owner of the clinic. It’s insane.”

“You told me you guys had already discussed it, and after he saw how well you two worked together when Danny was shot, I’m not the least surprised he’d want to do it, and considering he’s expecting his first child already, I think it was for the best.”

Smiling wide, Rain said, “I’m so fucking happy for him.

I was shocked as fuck when Jude told me about the baby.

I still don’t understand completely how it works, but I’m really happy for him because this baby is something he’s always wanted.

” He gasped and turned to Wyatt, “How the hell did you know about the baby? Jude said they were keeping it quiet a little longer, but felt I should know.”

Snorting, Wyatt answered, “It wasn’t hard to figure out when Casper came with Pit to work out the details for the cave cells and the second Casper saw Ryan eating a hot dog the man proceeded to puke all over River’s shoes.”

Rain laughed, but it quickly died when Wyatt parked in front of the prison.

Wyatt turned to his mate, saying, “You don’t have to come in there with me.”

“Yes, I do. I have some things I need to say to Danny,” Rain softly replied as he looked at the large prison.

Sighing, Wyatt replied, “Okay, then let’s get this shit over with. I’m ready to move forward.”

“Me too,” Rain said as he got out and followed Wyatt into the prison.

They walked up to the window and Wyatt wasted no time, “My name is Wyatt Rees and this is Rain Sterling. We’re here to see Danny Houdon.”

The man looked at a paper then placed two plastic containers on the counter, as a loud buzzer sounded, “Empty your pockets in these, then go through the first gate. You’ll have an officer ready to escort you on the other side. When you’re done you can pick your things back up.”

After doing as instructed, it didn’t take them long to get to the fourth floor and be led to Danny’s hospital bed.

The man was still in recovery, but looked good as he sat up eating what looked like orange jello… that was until he saw Wyatt and Rain.

Putting his spoon down and the container on the table next to him, Danny snapped, “What the fuck do you want?”

Wyatt pulled a chair up like he had not a care in the world, saying “I’m here to make you a deal.”

Danny scoffed, “You getting me out of this shit hole?”

“Nope. It isn’t that kind of deal.” Wyatt said, then using his mind link said, “I’m going to say some things, but know I don’t mean them.”

A confused, “Okay,” was returned by his mate.

“It’s like this, Danny. I know about the bounty you have on my husband and I want it gone.”

Danny smirked, “And why exactly should I do that?”

“Because right now, your son is safe from the men that want him dead, but that can change,” Wyatt answered.

Danny sat up higher and grunted as he held his stomach, “What the fuck are you talking about? I thought you said all the men that came for my son are dead?”

Shrugging, Wyatt said, “Sure, those guys are, but you and I both know, you’ve made a hell of a lot of enemies that would love nothing more than to make you pay.”

Danny face tightened with anger, but he said nothing.

“So, this is how it’s going to work. You, Danny, are going to call off the hunt on my man, and if you don’t, then not only is the security going to end for your son, but some of those enemies are going to be given a direct address as to how and where to find him.”

“You wouldn’t do that,” Danny said, but didn’t sound as confident as he probably hoped.

Wyatt leaned in snarling, “On this, I do. You see I happen to love Rain with everything I am, and I will do anything… and I do mean anything to keep him alive and with me for as many years as the gods allow. As for Noah...” Wyatt shrugged, “I just met the kid. To me, I don’t give a shit either way.

Do you understand what I’m saying?” Sitting back, Wyatt never took his eyes off Danny, asking, “So what’s it going to be? ”

Danny pursed his lips and Wyatt could have sworn he could hear the man’s teeth grinding before he snarled, “Fine. It will be done today.”

Wyatt went to stand but Danny wasn’t finished, “But I’m telling you here and now. If my son so much as gets a paper cut, then not only will the hit be back on… your man, but it will be out on you and everyone you’re associated with. Do you understand what I’m saying?”

Giving the man a sharp nod, Wyatt answered, “Loud and motherfucking clear.”

Turning to Rain, Wyatt gave him a small nod.

Rain stepped forward, but unlike Wyatt he didn’t take a seat. “I came here to tell you that…” shaking his head, Rain said, “You know what, it isn’t worth it. You are not worth it. I’m going to leave here and never look back. I refuse to allow you to rent space in my brain anymore.”

Rain went to turn, but Danny asked, “How’s Noah?”

Rain turned back saying, “He’s… he’s working through some things. Finding out your mother lied to you and your father is alive is hard enough, but discovering your father is a cold-blooded killer… and the reason you can’t feel safe walking the streets… well, that takes a bit of getting used to.”

Wyatt took Rain’s hand and started towards the door, Danny calling out, “Rain!”

They both turned, but said nothing. Danny asking, “Will you give him a message for me?”

Rain hesitated a moment, before replying, “That depends on the message.”

Danny sighed, then said, “Tell him I’m sorry.

I did what I thought was right for him. I didn’t want him growing up in my world.

I wanted him to live a happy, normal life filled with love and happiness.

I know that Guy and Julia gave him all of that, and I don’t regret any of what I did for him.

Tell him… tell him I do love him and I’m proud of the child he was and the man he is today. Will you tell him that?”

Rain nodded, “I’ll tell him.”

“And tell him the monthly payments won’t stop. He can do with the money what he likes and it isn’t coming from anything illegal.”

“How can you say that? We know what you did, Danny,” Rain argued.

Danny looked as if he was going to get pissed, but then relaxed his gaze, saying, “Because the money he’s getting now was what my parents left for me when they died.

I guess the saying, some people are worth more dead than alive because Dad and Mom both had one hell of an insurance policy.

It was set up in a trust for Noah a long time ago.

Like I said, he can do with it what he likes. ”

Rain gave Danny a nod before they turned and left the prison.

Once in the car, Wyatt took Rain’s hand and brought it to his lips, giving it a soft kiss, asking, “You ready for our new start to our lives?”

Smiling wide, Rain answered, “I don’t know about you, but I’m ready to start our lives over.”

Wyatt smiled as he turned and started the car. “Then let’s go home. I believe we need to have a talk.”

“Oh? What talk is that?” Rain asked.

Winking at his mate, Wyatt answered, “The dragon’s version of the birds and the bees.”

The End