Page 18 of Tempting Her Dragons (Embracing The Bond #10)

Chapter Eighteen

Maverick

“ W hat the fuck is wrong with you?” Ryker snarls to everyone in the room. “How am I the voice of fucking reason?” He rakes his fingers through his hair.

“It’s not our fault,” Saphira says.

“Not your fault,” Ryker says, clearly exasperated.

“He touched her,” Sally says. “He really shouldn’t have.”

“Fucker had it coming,” Roxanne points out.

“Where did you get the popcorn?” Saphira whispers to Sally.

“A nice gentleman gave it to me,” she responds, but their faces sober when Ryker growls low.

I don’t blame Ryker. We are assembled in his office with Tim, a man who dated Saph briefly, after he made the mistake of grabbing her arm and hissing profanities at her. Ryker has him under his influence. Tim’s eyes are glazed over, his body frozen in fear, his head devoid of hair. When we first saw Tim, he had a head full of blonde hair.

“Who did it?” Ryker snaps, his narrowed eyes scanning the group.

“It wasn’t me,” Sally grins, and he closes his eyes briefly.

“If I was a dragon, it would have been me,” Mom says.

“I would have,” Saph says. “But he got there first.”

All of our gazes swing to my brother. King is leaning against Ryker’s desk, his arms and legs crossed, his expression bored. I have to look at the floor to avoid pissing the vampire off more by laughing.

“Kingston,” Ryker says dangerously.

“He shouldn’t have touched her or been a dick to her,” he says.

“Of course he shouldn’t have. But he should have been punished in private. I had to call Bash,” Ryker says. “Do you know how often he has to change the humans’ memories in this club?”

“How often?” Sally asks and shoves a handful of the kernels in her mouth.

“Too fucking often,” Ryker roars. “He’s not happy. He had to leave his mate to clean up your mess. Again.”

“When is Bash really happy?” Sally asks.

“When he is with his mate,” Ryker says.

“Am I fired?” Saphira asks.

“Yes,” he says. “Do not come back to my club until you are fully mated and their brand is on your body.”

“Ryker,” King says softly. “I did it. I get you are pissed, but don’t direct your anger at Saphira.” King would hate to fight the vampire, but the bond is guiding him. I knew he was with Saphira the second I smelled her. His scent is inside her. I’m grateful they had time together. It means we are closer to completing the bond and gaining her trust.

“Fuck,” Ryker mumbles and turns to Tim. “You were never here. You won’t remember Saphira or that you dated her. For the rest of your life, you will believe if you try to force any woman to have sex, your dick will turn green and fall off. Do not come back here. Tonight, you decided to go get a haircut. You had it shaved off for penitence because of all the women you have abused. Be a better man. Now leave.” Tim nods and walks out the office door.

“Amazing,” Mom says. She’s having the time of her life.

“Now, all of you get the fuck out of my office. Saphira, I love you, so steer clear of Bash on the way out,” Ryker says.

“Good plan,” she agrees. I grab her hand and pull her toward the door. Bash appears in front of us, and she smiles tentatively.

“You can’t leave,” Bash says and pulls a piece of paper out of his pocket. “This was on the bar.” He then shows us a knife. “And this was stabbed through it.”

“What the fuck?” Mom asks, stepping close to Saphira.

He unfolds the note. “You took away my brother’s toys. I’m going to take away yours,” he reads.

“Motherfucker,” I snarl.

“Mav,” Saph says.

“It’s the twin,” I say.

“He was here,” King says, cupping my shoulder.

“What the fuck is going on?” Ryker asks.

“Shut the door, and we will explain,” I say. I guide Saphira to the couch, and everyone gathers in front of us. King sits on the other side of Saph, and Bash shuts the door. “We killed his twin.”

“Who was his twin?” Bash asks.

“A man who kidnapped women, raped them, tortured them, for months. We rescue women and children. We killed him. We just found out he had a brother. He found out who King is and has been tracking us.” I pull Saph close to my side. “I was late because I was with our mom, discussing the situation with our contact. He has been tracking the brother through cameras. It’s been a slow process, but we found out that earlier today, he was an hour away from here.”

“Is the knife significant?” Ryker asks.

“Yes.” I meet King’s eyes. “His brother liked blades and collected them.” I look back at Ryker. “The women he kidnapped were subjected to their use.” Fuck, I don’t want to say it out loud.

“Fuck,” Ryker says grimly.

“He liked to cut his victims.” I had nightmares after seeing the damage he did to those poor women.

“Jesus,” Sally whispers, her face stricken.

“The knife is identical to his favorite one,” King says softly.

“We want to help catch the fucker,” Bash says ruthlessly.

“What can we do?” Ryker asks.

“Saphira has to be protected,” I say. “He’s seen her and will use her to get to us.”

“He won’t need to use her,” King says. “I’ll go with him willingly. He’s human. I will burn him alive.”

“What is wrong with human men?” Saph whispers. “I appreciate the dedication to my safety, but you know this is what I do.” She pulls away slightly and looks at me and then King. “I can help. I’m not going to hide.”

“What are you thinking?” Mom asks.

“I should be the bait,” she says.

“Fuck no,” King growls.

“King—” She turns to him.

“No. We won’t put you in danger,” he protests.

“I won’t be. I’m way more powerful than he is,” she says.

“I don’t like it,” I say, grinding my teeth. I’m trying to stay calm. I don’t want her to think we don’t value her strength.

“You don’t understand,” King says. “You didn’t see what his brother did. Human or not, he fucked them up severely. If the twin is half as sick as his brother, there is no way I want you near him.”

“It’s a good plan,” Mom says, and we both glare at her. “What? I work with you on most of the cases. I help, and you don’t try to hold me back.”

“We worry every fucking day for your safety,” I snap, my dragon pushing my emotions. “It doesn’t mean we don’t think you can do it.” I put one arm on the back of the couch and turn to Saphira, grabbing her hand. “We’ve seen the things you can do. You can protect yourself, but we just found you. The bond is complete as far as we are concerned. We can’t lose you.”

“I get it.” She presses her hand to my chest. “You won’t lose me. We can work together to find and kill him. Don’t leave me out. It would hurt me just as much if something happened to you. Do not pat me on the head and send me home. I have fought my whole life to be treated as an equal. I have killed tons of men by myself and burned them to ash. If this fucker wants to come for me, let him. He can’t win. We won’t allow it.” She drops her hand and faces King. “Thank you for wanting to protect me,” she says, tilting her head when his gaze dances away. “I won’t get hurt because you will fight with me.” He yanks her to his chest and buries his face in her neck.

“I would die if he took you from us,” he mumbles.

“Why don’t we find the fucker first,” Mom says, watching them embrace. She was worried but determined. She will do everything she can to protect our bond.

“That is the best plan,” Ryker says. “This group is notorious for coming up with shit plans.”

“What the fuck is going on?” Laken growls as he opens the door, and Saph jumps slightly.

“Oh, shit,” she whispers on an exhale. Kingston lets go of her and slowly stands.

“What do you mean, this is what you do?” Bishop asks quietly as they both walk further into the room.

“Listening at doors,” Saph says, her voice meant to be humorous. The tremor betrays her nervousness.

“Explain,” Laken demands, his glare fierce. I stiffen and prepare to interfere.

“Let’s give them some privacy,” Ryker says, standing.

“We’ll have a talk later, Ryker,” Laken snarls.

“I’m just down the hall,” he replies calmly and walks to the door.

“Mom, it’s alright,” King says as she moves in front of Saphira. “Go with them.”

“I won’t be far,” Mom says, squeezing Saph’s arm. She glares at Saph’s brothers as she goes to the door. Sally is the last to move.

“Be nice,” she chides and pops a kernel in her mouth. She slows her walk, staring hard at them. “The angry vein in your forehead doesn’t detract from the sexiness.” She wiggles her eyebrows.

“Sally,” Bash snaps, waiting at the door.

“Alright,” she sighs, hustling to the hall.

“Talk,” Bishop says and Kingston takes a step. “We aren’t going to hurt her. I’ll respect your defense later. Right now, we need to know everything.”

“How much did you hear?” she asks.

“Enough to know that too many people know the truth except us,” Laken says. His scent is filled with anger but also pain.

Bishop sits in front of us. “Saph, please.” He clasps his hands, his elbows on his knees. Laken is rigid behind him. I share a look with Kingston and he reluctantly resumes his seat.

“I kill men,” she blurts, and their eyes widen. “I actually feel so much better saying it out loud to you.” She blows out a breath.

“Firefly, maybe you need to expand on your statement,” King says dryly.