Page 11

Chapter Eleven

F or the first time in a long time, Antony wished his job was a little less demanding. Between him sharing his past with Iris, her comforting him, and him learning about the arsehole who’d made her double-down to prove her abilities, he’d made a decision—to stop pretending he didn’t want Iris Mahajan.

And he wanted more than a mere romp in the sheets. He wanted to let her shine, make sure everyone bloody well knew how good she was, and then take care of her at home. Make her laugh, make her moan his name, and maybe try to build a life with her.

It’d taken him hours of driving to finally accept he wanted all of that, of course. Because he still worried that his past would repeat and another woman he fancied would end up hurt.

Or dead.

Then he remembered not only was Iris highly skilled, she could also shift into a dragon. While yes, she had weaknesses to certain drugs and weapons in that form, she had a lot more strengths in it, too.

Not that the dragonwoman had any idea about his plans for her. She slept most of the way, and he couldn’t bring himself to wake her. Yes, because she needed the sleep. But also because it showed she trusted him. Maybe not completely, but it was a start.

When he finally turned onto the last single-track road leading to their destination, the car bumped along the uneven ground and Iris slowly woke up, rubbing her eyes as she asked, “Where are we?”

Ignoring how her sleep-tinged voice sent a rush of wanting through him—would she sound that way waking up in his bed too?—he replied, “Nearly to our destination.”

“You still won’t tell me more than that?”

“Whilst this car is heavily protected against any listening tech or devices, I want to wait until we’re inside our destination, which is even more secure.”

She glanced out the window. And while he could only see what the headlights highlighted, her keen dragon eyesight would see the sharp peaks and rugged beauty of the Peak District. On either side of the car were high, jagged hills. Ones that would hide them from almost everyone, including anyone flying overhead.

Within minutes, Antony turned into the secret entrance and waited in front of what looked like a solid rock surface. However, a pole appeared from the ground, until he could allow it to scan his retinas. Then the rock surface slid to the side, creating a space big enough for him to drive his car through.

Once he pulled his car to the side and turned off the engine, he said, “Follow me. We’re nearly there, and I promise to fill you in.”

She nodded, and they both exited the car. The space looked like a sealed-in cave, but he went to a section on the far east side and placed his hand against the stone. It moved aside, and he had to both scan his palm and his retina again. Then he said, “Code Bravo-Oscar-November-Delta Eight-Niner.”

Iris raised her eyebrows. “Really?”

He shrugged. “One of the techs rotates the phrases, not me.”

Because in the phonetic alphabet used by armies and broadcasters, it spelled out Bond 89. The tech staff always teased Antony about being an old, retired Bond in his eighties instead of his forties.

A door slid open, and he motioned for Iris to follow. As soon as the door closed behind them, another appeared, leading into a long corridor full of doors. “Now, we can talk. Come on. I have an office here, and I promise to tell you everything.”

“Is this the part where you say you will, but I can never leave or you’ll have to kill me?”

He snorted. “Nothing so dramatic, my dear. You want the same thing as me—to end the dragon hunters. And that means you wouldn’t do anything to jeopardize that goal.”

“So practical. No doubt, that irritates some.”

“Not so many. Remember, I weed out the insecure ones early.”

He approached his office and entered the outer room where his executive assistant sat at the desk.

Eddie rolled his wheelchair from behind the desk to hand Antony a folder. “The latest.”

“Thank you.” He gestured from Iris to his assistant and back again. “Iris, this is Eddie. He was my bloody best reconnaissance person until he lost his legs. Eddie, this is Iris, my partner for this mission.”

Iris shook the human male’s hand. “Nice to meet you. I hope the other side fared worse.”

Eddie grinned. “Took them all out, I did. I would tell you more, but I’m not allowed.”

Antony rolled his eyes. “Eventually, you can tell Iris your story. No need to guilt-trip me in front of our guest.”

“Hey, I take what I can get.”

“Right, I need to go over some things with Iris, as well as analyze these reports. Don’t disturb me unless it’s a top-level priority issue.”

“A bomb could go off in your office, and I would stay at my post.”

Iris blinked, and Antony explained, “There are some strange protocols here. I’ll explain. Come on.”

After nodding his thanks to Eddie, he used another retinal scanner before entering his office. It was more like a small flat with a mini-kitchen, sofa bed, desk, and bathroom off to the side.

He immediately went to the kitchen, filled the kettle, and switched it on. Once he turned to face Iris, he said, “As soon as the tea is ready, we’ll get down to business.”

She snorted. “So British.”

“I can’t really drink alcohol in my line of work, so I take what I can get. Which means lots of tea and eating far too many biscuits.”

As her eyes slowly traveled down his body, his cock stirred. She said, “You can’t even tell.”

Clearing his throat, he turned to retrieve mugs and tea bags. “I still train and also enjoy biking when I get the chance. There’s something about the wind in your hair as you pedal through the countryside, far from the city and work and the constant barrage of technology, that soothes your soul.”

The kettle clicked off, he poured, and turned to face Iris. She tilted her head and said, “The longer I’m around you, the less I understand you. Here you have the best technological gadgets in the world, and yet you long to ride a bicycle far away from it all.”

“What, you don’t have any hobbies unrelated to your work?”

“I like to read, but most of the time I’m training or working.”

“Because you have to, or because you never feel as if you’re good enough?”

Turning away from him, she headed for the small table and sat down. “Enough about me. I want to know about this place, what it’s used for, and why we’re here.”

He sighed, knowing when to pick his battles. “Fine.” After retrieving some biscuits from the cupboard, he carried everything over to the table and sat down. “This is the central hub of dragon-related matters in the UK, my dear. The place near London is mainly for research. Well, and keeping track of Skyhunter.”

“And what does that mean, exactly? And why have I never heard about it before?”

Pushing the biscuits toward her, he answered, “This is going to take a while, so have some sugar.”

Only once she sipped her tea and nibbled on a biscuit did Antony lean forward and prop his elbows on the table. He took a few more seconds to prepare himself because Iris might want to punch him or cry off or who knew what once she learned about the past and what they’d done from this place.

Iris was this close to growling and telling Antony to hurry the hell up. She could be patient most of the time, but this male had a flair for the dramatic.

However, since he’d probably just argue and get even more off track, she ate part of a biscuit and drank some tea. Antony nodded and finally spoke again. “About five years before the sacrifice program began with the dragon-shifters, both the Department of Dragon Affairs and MI5 decided they needed to monitor the dragons in this country closely. Since distrust of dragon-shifters was still high back then, some were afraid the human sacrifices would be bullied into saying one thing whilst in reality experiencing another.”

Iris frowned. “And yet, they still allowed the females to live with the dragon clans to try to conceive a child.”

“Yes, I know—in retrospect, it’s a bit callous. But the National Health Service and the government were desperate to get some dragon’s blood to help with the HIV and AIDS epidemic in the 1980s, so they thought it was worth the risk.”

She was about to interject again when Antony beat her to it. “I don’t agree with most of what they did back then, or with their way of thinking. I’m just trying to let you know where you are and how it came to be. If you keep interrupting, this will take all night. And I rather need a nap after driving for so long.”

For a split second, guilt rushed through her. Iris had slept most of the drive, and Antony had been awake for who knew how long. “Aye, I understand. You may continue.”

His lips twitched. “As you wish, my dear. So back to the 1980s—they wanted to keep tabs on everyone. Stonefire was the most open to taking sacrifices, and so they built this facility inside some of the rocky hills in the Peak District because it was close enough without being too close. They also created smaller, equally camouflaged, watch posts closer to Stonefire itself. And before you ask, the smaller ones were shut down over a decade ago.”

“But before they were, the people working for this place were essentially spying on dragon-shifters, aye?”

“Yes. Eventually, a Stonefire Protector discovered one of the observation stations. Knowing what to look for, they easily found another, and another. Soon the clan leader at the time demanded a meeting, and a formal agreement was signed, ending most of the spying.”

“Most, but not all?”

“We still monitor flight patterns, both in case we have to investigate accidents and to see if a human complaint is valid. Most of that is done via CCTV these days, though. Video evidence is more powerful than someone’s word or log in a book.”

“And Lochguard?”

“There are cameras and a few staff monitoring the air there, too. Usually, an injured person from my team gets relocated to the Highlands since there’s less air traffic, making it less stressful. However, posts up there have become more important in recent years since they’ve monitored the rogue dragon-shifters living in the Cairngorms. And before you ask, we’ve reviewed the footage we have from the day of the mass murders. However, someone knew what they were doing and avoided the cameras. Because of that, I think there may be a leak inside the greater Wicked Security team.”

“Hence the dragon clan and security team pairings, as well as the reason for keeping individual assignments secret.”

“Yes, my dear. I saved the best lead we have to finding the culprit for us.” He tilted his head. “But I need to know—are you okay working in a former dragon spying facility?”

“It’s strange to think about how humans were so worried back then. Aye, I know there are plenty of humans who still hate us. But creating a secret hideout to spy on us is a wee bit extreme.”

“To be fair, a dragon-shifter in their dragon form can be pretty bloody scary when you’re merely a human. All of those pointy teeth and claws, you know. Not to mention the fact you could just step on a human and that’s it, they’re dead.”

She raised an eyebrow. “And yet, I’ve never seen you afraid of us.”

“Ah, but I’ve been working with dragon-shifters for over twenty years now, and they’ve saved my life more than once. I know better than to fall for rumors or propaganda. But not everyone has my experience or perspective.”

“And that is something we need to fix later, aye? Once the dragon hunters are finally defeated.”

Antony nodded. “The DDA Director is determined to make things more equal for dragon-shifters, no matter what. And she’s a powerful ally to have.” He tilted his head. “So you have no problem working with me and my team, even though our origins began as mistrustful, bigoted humans who wanted to know your every secret?”

Iris shrugged. “I don’t have to like what was done here, especially considering all the restrictions humans put on us for so long. However, defeating the dragon hunters and stopping a genocidal bio-weapon attack on my kind is more important. I’m more worried about the potential leak and traitor from your department working with one of my fellow Protectors.”

“I know for certain that Trina and Joseph are loyal and would never betray me. I’m mostly confident the other three I sent with the Protectors are as well. The intel I’ve gathered points more to a formerly injured recruit who is probably resentful of being assigned desk work.”

She raised her brows. “Like Eddie, your assistant?”

“As much as I wouldn’t like it, it’s possible. I try to keep some of the suspects close. And most of them work here, not in London. The last thing I need is Dr. Turner’s research and discoveries getting out.”

“So that means you still can’t share everything with me?”

He sighed. “Almost. There are a few things that if I revealed, I would be relocated and never heard from again. I’m working on higher clearance for you, but it takes time.”

She blinked. “You want to give me higher clearance?”

“I trust you, Iris. And you were right earlier—going into a situation blind can get people hurt. Your clearance should come through in a few days. In the meantime, there’s a former rogue dragon-shifter who left the group to go live on her own. One I’ve convinced to let us visit and chat with. After hearing how half the rogue dragons were murdered, she’s afraid she could also be a target.”

Antony yawned, and Iris said, “I hope it’s in the morning, aye? Because if you try to do anything half-asleep, you’ll fuck up.”

He chuckled. “Never one to mince words, are you?”

“No. I’d rather not see you die.”

“Growing fond of me, are you?”

She rolled her eyes. “Only you would make that into a kind of flirtation. But no, I don’t want you to die. I want more answers, and to finally end the threats to my clan. You’re key to that.”

He stood and moved to her side of the table. “Is that the only reason?”

Iris locked eyes with the human, and she saw a flash of yearning. Despite all his bluster and teasing and confidence, he was unsure about her.

Her dragon spoke up. He’s showing yet another vulnerability with us. Answer him truthfully.

Iris murmured, “No, it’s not the only reason.”

Triumph surged in his gaze before vanishing, replaced with a smile that reached his eyes. He put out a hand. “Then I’d better do as you ask. Let me show you to your quarters, and we’ll both get some sleep.”

Her dragon said, Maybe we should just share quarters. That would be better.

Ignoring her beast, Iris placed her hand in his, and Antony gently pulled her upward. She now stood only a few inches from him, and she swore she could feel the heat radiating from his body.

He wasn’t much taller than her, either, which put their faces close together as well. Not for the first time, she wondered how such a handsome male was still alone. Or, at least, she thought he was.

Before she could think better of it, she blurted, “You’re not seeing or sleeping with anyone else, are you?”

“No.” He gently brushed some hair behind her ear. “Everyone else is lacking compared to you.”

It was corny and ridiculous, and yet Iris couldn’t help smiling. “Good. Because I don’t share.”

“Neither do I.”

Tension hummed between them. It would be easy, so easy, to lean over and kiss him.

But that could start a mate-claim frenzy, and Iris wasn’t ready for it. She wasn’t completely against the idea of finding her true mate, but until she could tame some of the dangers, she wouldn’t risk it.

Which meant resisting the human’s tempting lips and stepping back a few feet. He frowned, but she spoke before he could. “You need to rest, Antony. We both do. The sooner we take care of the threats, the sooner we can think of…”

“Of what, my dear?”

“Of other things.”

He smiled again as he shook his head. “So circumspect. Let me be a bit more forthright.” He leaned forward and whispered, “The sooner we take care of the threats, the sooner you can think of me making you moan, having you pull my hair, and you telling me exactly how to please you.”

Her cheeks heated. “Antony.”

He raised an eyebrow. “What? I’m just being truthful. And it’s a type of motivation, right?”

“Maybe.”

Antony reached out, took her hand, and kissed the back of it. The light touch sent a rush of heat through her body, straight between her legs.

He murmured, “You’re the very best type of motivation for me, Iris, and more than worth the wait.”

As she tried to think of how to reply to that—Iris had little experience with males and flirting and wooing—the human dropped her hand and moved to the door of his office. “Come on, let’s head into a more public space. Because if you keep looking at me like that, as if you want to devour me, I might say to hell with any sleep and that wouldn’t be good for the mission.”

“Aye, the mission.”

Her dragon huffed. We can do both.

Not now, dragon. But maybe later.

Hmm. At least you’re coming around, aye?

Realizing that she was standing and saying nothing, she pointed to her eyes. “Whilst I understand the benefit of wearing these special contacts in the city or in large groups of humans, they probably make me look like a dolt when I don’t reply right away.”

“Dolt, huh?” She narrowed her eyes, and he chuckled. “Fine, fine. I’m not one to criticize, given how I usually talk like a posh twit. Mostly on purpose, since it unnerves people.”

She joined him at the door. “You seem to be rather good at unnerving people in general, aye?”

“It’s a skill, I assure you.” He pressed a button, and the door slid open. “Now, come on. We’ll stop by the small cafe on the way to your quarters so you can have something to eat. You were sleeping on the road, and I didn’t want to wake you.”

Her stomach rumbled at that exact moment, the traitor. “Aye, that sounds good.” She noticed the assistant was gone. “Where did he go?”

“Eddie’s shift ended soon after we went into my office.” He offered his arm, like in the days of old.

Iris hesitantly threaded hers through his, instantly recognizing how firm his muscles were. She squeezed his arm with hers. “Definitely fit.”

Had she really just said that out loud?

Her dragon merely laughed inside her head.

Antony gently tugged, and they started walking. “This way, before you make me change my mind about needing sleep.”

And as he pointed out the various rooms along the way, she mentally sighed in relief. His charm was dangerous, and it wouldn’t take much more for her to forget her purpose here and proceed to strip him, ride him, and see if he really lived up to his words.

Her dragon spoke up. Aye, we’ll do that soon enough. First the enemies, then we claim our male.

Iris should argue that he wasn’t theirs. But she was tired, ignored her beast, and did her best not to think about what life would be like in the future if Antony Holbrook was indeed hers to claim.