Page 4 of Tempting Her Dragons (Embracing The Bond #10)

Chapter Four

Saphira

“ Y ou have a lot of guys touch you without permission?” Kingston asks as I stop outside the club. I pull my hand away, and my skin aches from the loss.

“Yes,” I answer honestly, leaning against the brick.

“Who?” Maverick asks.

“Not important,” I say, and they step close in unison.

“I think it is,” Kingston says.

“You’re dragons,” I state.

“We are,” Maverick says, allowing the subject to drop. He puts a palm on the building on my left. “I am a green dragon.”

Kingston mimics his actions on my right. “I am a gold dragon. Like you,” he says, breathing deep. “You smell like ours.”

I gulp. “Seems so,” I whisper. “How did you know I was here?” I know they don’t live here. There is no way I could live in the same place and not scent them at some point.

“A friend has ties here. He told us to come,” Maverick says. “I’m going to have to apologize,” he says to Kingston.

“We will.” Kingston leans close, his eyes taking in my features. “You are stunning, mate.”

“I didn’t think there were any more dragon shifters,” I say, trying to ignore the effect of his words on my body. When you meet your mates, you automatically go into heat. My skin is on fire with the need for their touch. The only way to ease it is with their participation in helping me orgasm in any way, but the best relief is with sex.

“We didn’t either,” Maverick says.

“Why didn’t you want the vampire to know who we are?” Kingston asks.

“I have two brothers. And an ancient vampire who raised me,” I say. “If they knew, you would not be standing here with me alone.”

“A vampire raised you?” Maverick furrows his brow.

“It’s a long story.” I cross my arms. “They are very protective. There is a community of shifters and vampires here. We are family. We all found each other, so everyone is involved in our lives.”

“Commendable,” Kingston says. “We can appreciate found family.”

“Well, sometimes they can be nosy,” I say hesitantly.

“You don’t want mates?” he asks.

“I—” I wasn’t sure I did, but having them standing in front of me was tempting. “My mates will have to accept certain aspects of my life.”

“Isn’t that how it works?” Maverick leans on his shoulder beside me. “We have many things that a mate may be hesitant about.”

“Like what?” I stare at his lips as they move.

“When we want something, we become very focused on getting it,” he says.

“You do?” I ask faintly.

“Yes.” He trails his knuckles down my cheek. “We are good at finding information. We can track someone easily. Especially when that person is our mate.”

“Some would call that stalking,” I inform him.

He lifts a shoulder. “Call it whatever you want.”

“Saphira,” Kingston says, stepping close, his boots brushing the tips of mine. I focus on his face. “We don’t give a fuck about anyone’s opinion but yours, no one will keep you away from us.”

“You say that,” I sigh. “You don’t know my family.” Or the things I’ve been through that make them so protective.

“Are your brothers mated?” he asks.

“Yes, they share a mate.”

“So they should understand.”

“You would think,” I grumble. I don’t think it’s going to be that easy.

“For tonight, let’s not tell them. Is there a place we can talk without their interference?” Kingston asks.

Oh shit, I almost forgot my plans. “Tonight’s no good.” I drop my arms. How am I going to walk away? Everything inside me is screaming to stay by their side. My dragon is huffing at the thought of leaving here without them.

“Where are you going?” Kingston demands.

“Uh—”

“Remember, we are excellent trackers,” Maverick reminds me.

“Are you determined to be my mates?” I chew on my lip. Should I dare?

“We are your mates,” Maverick growls.

“Don’t try to hide from us,” Kingston adds.

“I have another job,” I say. “It’s unconventional.”

“So is ours.” Kingston cups the side of my neck, pulling me close. His mouth skims mine but remains just out of reach. Kiss me. “Show us.”

Regretfully, he doesn’t, but he also doesn’t move. I watch his lips and then his jaw twitch with his need. He’s debating. Once his mouth connects with mine, I won’t get the job done. I have a feeling I will forget everything but the two of them.

“Will you both follow my lead?” I ask, breaking his hold and stepping away. I can’t believe I’m going to let them come with me.

“We will. For now,” Kingston says and cups his hand over the rope. I wonder again at the significance.

“After tonight, we’ll see,” Maverick says softly.

“Shit, you aren’t expecting me to call you Daddy, are you?” I groan. I’ve heard way too much about Micah’s preferences lately.

Kingston’s lips curl slightly, and he abandons the rope. “We don’t give a fuck what you call us.” He runs his curled finger down my chin and then tilts it up. “As long as we’re inside you while you do it.”

Everything tingles.

Well, I have always thought my mates would have to see this side of me, and if they can handle it, they are the ones.

“How are you with blood?” I ask.

“Drinking it or shedding it?” Mav asks with a serious expression.

“You drink it?” I scrunch up my nose.

“We will when we mark you,” King says.

“Oh.” I swallow hard. “Dragon shifters use their fire to mark their mate. Other shifters bite to complete the bond, but we don’t need to.”

“We will do both,” Kingston says.

“Shedding,” I answer Maverick’s question, ignoring a conversation about marking.

“Depends on who it is,” Mav answers.

“I’ll give you his file in the car,” I tell them and turn. “We can take my vehicle. My supplies are in there.” They fall into step beside me, their arms brushing mine, and my toes curl in my boots.

Even if they react badly, I can’t ignore how they make me feel.

I park the car two blocks from Maxwell’s house on a dark street, ensuring no cameras are in the area. I turn to the guys and watch Kingston close the file I shared with them. Maverick read it first, and I could feel his anger.

I had to roll down the windows to get some relief from their scent in the enclosed vehicle. The heat gets worse the longer I am with them.

Kingston turns to face me, sliding the papers onto my lap. I hold his stare. “Where do you find these men?” he asks softly.

“I have a contact who gives them to me. I do more background checks on them,” I say, putting the file in the center console.

“How many have you done?” he continues.

“I’d have to double-check the numbers,” I stall. I don’t want to reveal everything quite yet.

“You do it alone?” Mav asks.

“Most of the time.”

“Not always?”

“No. My vampire friend helped train me,” I admit.

“Do you want us just to watch or to participate?” Kingston asks, surprising me.

“You want to participate?” I ask.

“We don’t like sick fucks like him,” he says plainly.

“Do whatever feels right,” I say. “Can you shield your bodies?”

“Yes,” they both say.

“Do that until we are in,” I instruct. “My bag is beside you, Maverick.” He grabs it and opens his door.

Walking across the street, I ignore the men behind me and get my head in the game. I walk into the bushes beside a house and engage my shield. I have spent many hours practicing my gifts. For a long time, I hid what I can do. My brothers don’t know the extent of my power. Micah helped me embrace my dragon. My past held me back from truly being myself. Somehow, being at the mercy of a human man, a man who coud scare me enough to freeze as he was unzipping my pants, made me doubt my abilities.

Never again.

I stop at Maxwell’s front door. Music is blaring inside. Kingston’s hand appears in front of me, gently twisting the doorknob, and the lock breaks.

They are handy to have around.

I slowly push open the door and move inside. The floor plan is simple. There are three floors. We step onto the main floor, which has a kitchen, living room, one bedroom, and bathroom. The top floor has two bedrooms and two bathrooms. The basement is our focus, where the music comes from.

Before he renovated it, the bottom floor was a large open area with a kitchenette and a place for gaming. Maxwell has turned it into a torture chamber, but not in the classic sense. He installed a cage, a large bed, and a cross with wrist and ankle restraints. There is a corner where he has a video camera and several computers.

When I take on a target, I infiltrate the area where their crimes are committed if I can. I know the man’s schedule; I was here two days ago.

I silently move to the basement door; a human couldn’t hear our steps. As I swing it open, the music gets louder, so I concentrate my hearing on the man. I focus on the beat of his heart.

He won’t be able to see us until we lower our shields. I step off the last step and quickly scan the area, just to be sure I didn’t get his timeline wrong. My plans would not change if he had the girl here, but she would take priority over killing him.

Maxwell is sitting in front of the computers, watching a video. I grind my teeth at the vision that will be in my dreams tonight as I move behind him.

I swiftly slide my arm around his neck, lower my shield, and pull him backward from the chair. His hands frantically claw at my skin, and his feet kick the chair under the desk.

“Maxwell, don’t fight it,” I say, pulling him across the floor. “They always try to fight the inevitable.” I drop him to his back in front of the cross, press my knees together, and squat on his chest. “I’m grateful you provided me with the prop I’m going to chain you to.”

“Who the fuck are you?” he asks breathlessly.

“Guys, would you destroy the computers, please?” I can’t look at them again, and the noises are freaking me out.

“Of course,” Maverick says.

“Bitch, no,” Maxwell screams, pressing his palms on my knees.

“You should stop trying to get away. I’m way stronger than you.” I fist the front of his shirt, lifting him as I jump to my feet and slam him against the wood. While his breath is stuck in his chest, I attach the cuffs. “How does it feel not being the strongest person in the room?” I taunt as I step back.

“What? Who?” he gasps.

“My name is Saphira,” I state.

“I don’t know you.” His wide eyes travel over me.

“But I know you,” I sneer. “I know your secret.”

“You’re wrong,” he denies.

“I didn’t say what the secret is,” I scold, patting his chest. “I know all the fucked-up things you do.”

“You have the wrong guy.”

“Oh, please.” I motion to the destroyed screen behind my mates. “Don’t lie. Why would I be here if I didn’t know the truth?”

“Why are you doing this?” He jerks on the chains.

“Why? Why would I stop a man who abuses young girls? Don’t ask stupid questions,” I growl.

“How do you know? How did you know about me? Are you friends with my wife?”

“Which wife?” I lift a brow. “You’ve had several.” He purses his lips. “I’m just a concerned woman.”

“You should mind your own business, bitch,” he snarls.

Suddenly, I have two furious mates behind me. “I wouldn’t continue to call me names. My mates don’t like it.”

“Mates?” he asks, his eyes going back and forth between them.

“Doesn’t matter.” I wave in front of his face. “Look at me,” I snap.

“What are you going to do?” he asks.

“Mav, will you give me my bag?” I ask, glancing at him. He turns to get it where he dropped it in the doorway. He places it at my feet, and I crouch by it. “Well, Maxwell, we are going to have some fun.” I take my time unzipping it and separating the fabric. I hum as I reach inside and pull out a rolled bundle. I release the velcro and toss the end so it unrolls to show a variety of knives.

“What the fuck?” he asks, his voice wobbly.

“You prey on the innocent. You stalk a family without a father figure in the picture. They have had bad experiences with men. The mom is desperate for some kind of positive attention.” I slide out a knife with a hook on the end, holding it up for him to see. “She always has children, and they’re always girls. The young women are na?ve, timid, and lacking in male influences. You swoop in and charm the pants off the woman. She falls fast when you say everything right, talk about your great job, and treat her children so nicely.” I stand, twisting the knife in front of his face.

“You have it all wrong,” he says desperately.

“I do not.” I prop the hook on his chin. “You have family money. You haven’t had a job in many years. You make shit up. I’ve seen you with your current wife. How do you switch so easily into that role? I’m almost convinced when I watch.”

“My family needs me. She wouldn’t be able to live without me.”

“I told you not to lie.” I cut his skin. “Or do you really believe that?” I watch his blood drip on his shirt. “You damage a pure girl. How can you justify that?”

He grits his teeth. “They want my love.”

I close my eyes briefly, hardly able to bear the sight of him. “Fuck you.” I cut deeper. “Fuck you for introducing sex to a poor girl who will be changed forever because of you. She will fear men for a long time, if not forever. She will question all her decisions, all her relationships, and hate herself for falling for a piece of shit promise from you.” I swing and bury the knife in his shoulder. “The mother will spend the rest of her life racked with guilt that she didn’t see you for the waste of skin you are,” I say over his screams.

“Please,” he begs.

“How often do they beg?” I ask.

“What are you?” He balls his hands into fists, probably wishing he could hit me.

“You don’t want to know,” I say gravely, borrowing Heath’s line.

“What do you want? I can give you money,” he offers.

“No amount of money could sway me from killing you.” I grind the blade over the top of his head. “You take pride in your hair,” I say. “I’ve seen how much you spend on it.”

“Shit, I’ll do anything. Please let me go.”

“I don’t want to talk to you anymore,” I scowl. “Kingston, will you hand me the duct tape?” I watch Maxwell’s eyes fill with tears and then turn to King as he steps beside me, holding the tape. He rips off a long strip and presses it over Maxwell’s mouth. Before he moves away, I step close, lean in, and kiss the corner of his mouth. “Thanks.”

“Anytime,” he says, winking. I stare for a moment too long, savoring the taste of his skin, but the muffled shouts interrupt my dirty thoughts.

“Do you want to see my trick?” I ask, focusing back on the male in chains. “I’m sure you are dying to.” I throw the knife, and it thuds into the wood an inch from his arm. “That wasn’t it, but it was pretty cool. Wait for it,” I encourage.

Dragon shifters breathe fire. It’s normal for us to do it while in our dragon forms, but as the man at the club discovered, we can also do it while we are in our human bodies. If you practice diligently, you can control the heat of the blaze and the direction. I can control the flow in both bodies.

I take a step, grinning, and another. Is it wrong that I relish his fear? Isn’t that what he thrives on? The girl’s fear and surprise when he flips the switch from caring father to child abuser. I close my eyes briefly to gather the power that resides within me. As I open them, I blow gently.

At first, it is warm air, and then I build the heat. He blinks and blinks again as he feels it is getting warmer on his head. I turn the fire up a notch, and the sparks grow into a steady flow of flame covering his head. His screams of agony are loud even through the tape.

I swallow my power and tilt my head. “What do you think?” I ask the guys.

“You missed a spot,” Maverick informs me, pointing.

“Oh, shit, I did.” I burn the remaining strip. “Thanks, mate.” I bend over my knives and select another. “Ready for more? The fun is just beginning,” I hum.