Page 13

Chapter Thirteen

Despite having a mental lightbulb, I didn’t immediately call my boss and ask for a place to stay. My first concern? How to get to Abaddon and check on him without anyone knowing. That asshole in a suit had made it clear they’d been watching my place with drones. The reminder led my gaze to the empty sky, dark already. Twilight fell early this time of year. Didn’t drones have blinking lights? Even if they didn’t, surely I’d hear the whir of the motor and propellers?

“What are you looking for?” Maddox asked.

“Spying eyes. The asshole who tried to arrest me admitted to using drones to watch my place.”

A low whistle blew past Maddox’s lips. “Shit. Guess we were right to be cautious.”

“Not cautious enough, apparently. Good thing you arrived before they carted me away,” I stated as I moved to my trailer, wondering if anything had survived.

“When you texted me you’d finished early, I closed up the shop, which is how I happened to be following a pair of cars into your place. Soon as I saw the clusterfuck of vehicles, I got my camera recording.”

“I can’t believe you live streamed that.”

“Actually, I lied about that,” he admitted with a sheepish smile. “I was videotaping but only to have evidence in case we needed it. But I figured the dude might panic if he thought people were watching.”

“It was genius,” I replied. “Especially when you mentioned a lawyer commented.”

“I’m just glad it worked. Who were those guys? The asshole seemed pretty keen on not giving us his name.”

“Beats me. The suit claimed to be from some government agency and accused me of breaking protected species laws, but he never showed a badge. He knows about Abaddon. Kept insisting I hand him over.”

Maddox’s gaze went to the trailer. “Did the little guy…” He didn’t say the dreaded D word and I hurried to reassure him.

“Abaddon’s alive, from what the guy said. He wanted to know where to find him. Looks like he slipped their attempt to nab him. I hope.” I couldn’t help but wring my hands. Poor Little Fella must be so scared.

“Much as you’re tempted, you know we can’t rush off to check,” Maddox stated. “They might be watching.”

“I’m aware.” I sighed. “What should we do? We can’t abandon him.”

“We won’t. The good news is there are other ways of reaching his hiding spot. We just have to ensure we’re not followed once we leave to fetch him.”

“That’s why you wanted all those location pins,” I murmured. Maddox must have known we might not be able to take our usual direct route.

“Yup. We’ll get to this hidey hole from a different direction, but we’ll have to be careful. Chances are if that dude has connections—and I’m thinking he does—then he’ll be monitoring the movement of my truck and your bike.”

“Good luck with that. I don’t have a nav system they can hack.” My old bike lacked the electronics of the newer models.

“Won’t need one if they put trackers on our vehicles. Depending on his resources, he might even be able to ping our phones to keep tabs on us.”

I grimaced. “Guess we’ll need to rent or borrow something off their radar and leave the cells behind.” I glanced at him. “For a pet shop owner, you’re awfully savvy about this kind of stuff.”

“I was big on watching Bond movies and other types of spy stuff growing up.” His lips quirked. “Spent a few years wanting to be a special agent just so I could play with the gadgets.”

“Can’t blame you for that.” My eyes drifted to my bike. I’d brought home some precooked ribs for Abaddon, the tray of them still stuffed in my saddle bags. “He’s probably so hungry.”

“I’m sure he’ll be fine for a few hours.”

I glanced at him. “You think we can get to him tonight?”

“Not we. I’ll go while you stay in my apartment?—”

“Whoa. You’re leaving me behind?”

“Hear me out. If they’re watching my place, they’ll notice if we both go. Seeing as how you’re their main person of interest, leaving you at my place makes the most sense.”

“How?”

“Because while I’m gone, you’ll make yourself visible by doing random stuff. Pop out to buy something from the store. Hang out a window to have a smoke. Maybe pretend you’re talking to me while you’re doing it.”

It might just work but for one thing. “If they’re watching, won’t they notice you leaving?”

“Nope. I’ve got a way to leave without being seen,” he said with a wink. “Now let’s get you home so Princess can comfort you.”

“I think a dram of whiskey might do me better,” I muttered as I got on my bike.

But once more, Maddox proved correct. There was something soothing about the fluffball puddled in my lap, purring and kneading my thighs. It did help to relax me—or maybe it was the whiskey. Or the fact Maddox seemed bound and determined to not only stand by me, despite my troubles, but also Abaddon.

The moment we got to his place, he began getting ready to retrieve my Little Fella. While I wanted to be there to rescue my poor baby dragon, his idea probably gave us the best shot at doing so undetected.

Hence, when Maddox left via some secret tunnel in his basement—a leftover from some less-than-savory business dealing days—I held Princess in my arms and stared out the window. I even remembered to pretend to turn my head and talk as if someone were with me.

I hoped anyone watching choked on their stakeout donuts.