by Lowe, Anna
Finally, the pub door opened, and her father stepped in, along with his panting bulldog.
She nearly jumped out of her chair. “Dad! Winston!”
When they hugged, she held her father longer than she had in years. Then she sank into her chair, trying to decide where to start.
“Dragons… Lions… Fire Maiden…”
Once she started, she couldn’t stop talking — babbling, almost, trying to explain everything that had happened from the time she’d spotted the stalker in the subway all the way through Liam’s confession. How sorry she was for not believing her father, how upset she was about being used, and so much more. It all came out in a river of words — and tears — she couldn’t hold back. Then she blinked, waiting for her father’s sage advice. He would know what to do, right?
But dammit, his eyes were wide with excitement, not terror.
“You saw one? You really saw a dragon?”
“Dad!”
“Sorry, sweetheart. I’m glad you’re all right. But — a dragon! Just think.”
Oh, she’d thought plenty. “That dragon was hunting me. I could have died. Liam or Sergio could have died, and they’re shifters. I’m just me.”
Her voice cracked when she uttered Liam’s name, and her father’s ears perked. “I thought you hated this Liam person.”
“I do.” Then she slumped. “No, I don’t. They were using him as much as they were using me. But it scares me. Who can I trust — really trust? Liam is part dragon — just like the ones after me.”
“Just like them? Did he attack you? Breathe fire? Hunt you down?”
“Well, no. But you should see his family’s castle. It’s full of armor — probably from victims roasted by generations of dragons.”
“Wait. Do you mean Liam or the Lombardis?”
She thumped a fist on the table. “Liam.” Why couldn’t her father understand?
“But you said he helped you escape.”
“He did, but then he…he…”
She hesitated there, not ready to share intimate details with her dad. Plus, Liam hadn’t exactly seduced her, had he? She’d been the one turning up the heat the first time… And, oops. The second time too.
Memories played through her mind, and for a moment, she drifted along with them. She’d felt so right in Liam’s arms. So at peace.
So at home, a mournful voice whispered in her mind.
“What can I get you, sir?”
The waiter leaned over to take her father’s order, giving Gemma too much time to languish in her thoughts. When her father tapped her hand a moment later, she gulped her tea, trying to banish her steamiest memories.
“He what, sweetheart?”
He tricked me jumped to the tip of her tongue, but that wasn’t true either. She’d assumed both of Liam’s parents were lion shifters, but he’d never actually said so. And he hadn’t forced her to flee London with him. On the contrary, he had offered to protect her in spite of the risks to him.
She frowned. Liam would probably lose his job for helping her. His family was likely to ostracize him, and then where would he be?
The waiter poured her a fresh tea, and she stirred it, desperately trying to get back on track.
“The Guardians want me—”
Her father nearly knocked over his drink in delight. “So, it’s all true. The Guardians do exist.”
She grimaced. “They’re a bunch of barbarians, Dad. They’re so desperate for a Fire Maiden, they’ll do anything to control her.” She took a deep breath. “To control me.”
To control Liam too, she realized. He was just as much a victim of the Guardians as she was.
Her father’s eyes shone, and he took her hands. “Fire Maiden. I guessed as much. I thought it might be your mother, but I see you are the one.”
She wanted to screech, So why didn’t you tell me? But he had — or he’d tried. She was the one who hadn’t listened.
“It makes perfect sense,” her father continued. “Our dragon bloodlines — mine and your mother’s — combine in you. Each of those strands is insignificant in isolation — the Welsh on my side, the French and Chinese on your mother’s. But wrapped together as one…they can be powerful, indeed.”
Gemma gulped. That fit what Liam had said. But, wow. He had mentioned Welsh dragons and his friend Tristan in Paris. But, China? Were there dragons all over the world?
She’d heard the stories, of course — how her mother’s grandfather had met his wife in the 1920s while working in the foreign service in China. But no one had ever mentioned shifters.
“Mom’s grandmother had dragon blood, too?”
Her father nodded. “She begged your great-grandfather to take her to the States. From what my research suggests, she came from a powerful Chinese dragon bloodline.”
Gemma bit her lip. He’d mentioned that before, but she’d never believed him.
“And as for this Liam chap…” her father went on.
Gemma covered her face with her hands. God, what had she done? Liam was the best thing that had ever happened to her, but she’d taken out her stubborn fury on him instead of the Guardians.
“He helped you get away from the Guardians and the Lombardis, correct?”
She nodded. “But you always said to watch out for dragons. You said they’re cunning. Evil. Greedy.”
Her father bit his lip. “Oh dear.”
Gemma sat back. Oh dear was never a good start.
“I might have oversimplified,” he finished.
“Oversimplified?” she screeched.
“Like humans, shifters run the gamut, and dragons are no exception. There are good dragons, and there are bad dragons. I believe your Mr. Bennett might be the good type.”
My Mr. Bennett. God, she loved the sound of that. But had she lost him forever?
That inner voice whispered once again. He’s yours and you’re his. It’s destiny.
She rubbed her eyes. “So, what do I do?”
Her father tapped his lips. “I have a book at home…”
“A book?” she half yelled. Everyone in the pub looked up, and she turned pink. “I don’t need a book, Dad. I need help.” Then a thought hit her. “Is it a book about magic?”
He shook his head.
No, of course it wasn’t. Her father had never been a practical man.
“Believe me, I wish I knew more,” he said. “But I only had the word of my great-grandfather to go on. No one else listened to him, and he died before I truly came to believe him. Everything else I’ve managed to gather is hard to judge. I could never be sure which source to trust.”
Gemma made a face. Exactly her problem.
“The only lesson I can draw — the one thing all my sources agree on — is the power of destiny.”
She slumped. Was it her destiny to die young and tragically? Worse, would she live to a ripe old age in the clutches of the Lombardis or the Guardians?
“Alas, the foes you face are formidable. But you have allies as well.”
“Like who?”
“This Mr. Bennett, to begin with. Half lion, half dragon could be a powerful combination, indeed. And the other one — that wolf shifter…”
“Sergio.”
Her father nodded. “Destiny led you to them, and they have helped you many times. Selflessly, from what I understand.”
She gulped. Well, yes. They had. “But what can they possibly do against dragons?”
Her father scratched his chin, and she was sure he’d say something useless like Where there’s a will, there’s a way.
But a car pulled up outside, and Gemma whipped around, afraid to find an entire motorcade pulling in. Would it be a contingent of Guardians in Rolls-Royces, ready to whisk her away? Or was it a handful of Lombardi gangsters on motorcycles, zooming in to abduct her to their lair?
Luckily, it was just a Mini Cooper, and she exhaled. But then the door swung open, and a tall man unfolded himself from the cab. The leg he swung out of the door looked half as lon
g as the chassis, and when he stood, the car looked like a toy.
Her heart swelled, and she whispered, “Lancelot.”
Her father blinked. “Who?”
The fresh breeze ruffled Liam’s hair, and boy, did he look tired. Sad and hurt, too. So much so, she wanted to run over and give him a hug.
“Good gracious. Is that a dragon?” her father whispered in awe.
She was about to say, No, silly. He’s a lion. Can’t you tell? Liam’s tawny hair seemed like a dead giveaway, as did the casual grace with which he moved.
But now that her father mentioned it, she could see the dragon in Liam as well. The powerful shoulders. The sharp eyes. And above all, the intensity.
Then she frowned. How could she be sure? It wasn’t as though she knew dozens of shifters to compare Liam to.
I know my mate, the inner voice insisted. And he is both of those things. Tenacious as a lion, mighty as a dragon. Above all, he is true — true to his heart and to us.
Liam looked the building over and checked the sky. When he seemed satisfied, he closed his eyes, tipped his head back, and sniffed the air. The pub door was closed, but a tiny finger of fresh air drifted in and meandered around. Gemma could sense it winding between the chairs like a curious cat. When it reached her feet, the draft swirled upward, gently enveloping her. The air tugged ever so slightly at her sleeves, then swirled in excitement, and a smile played over Liam’s lips. A teensy, tiny one, as if he was reliving everything they’d shared.
When he opened his eyes, they were aimed directly at her. Her whole body warmed, and she found a goofy smile tugging at her lips.
Hey, she could have sworn he called, ever so quietly.
Her heart thumped wildly as he stepped toward the pub door. Should she run in shame? Hide? Beg him for forgiveness? Tears welled up inside her, and it was a battle to hold them back.
When Liam entered, her father beckoned him over.
“Dad!” she hissed, turning crimson.
Hours ago, she’d ridden Liam’s hard body like a cowgirl. Then she’d flipped out when he tried to explain the full truth. She slid down in her seat, not so much to avoid Liam as to avoid confronting her own mishmash of feelings. She loved Liam terribly, and she wanted him. On the other hand, she hated the idea of those manipulative Guardians getting exactly what they’d wanted. But, hell. Was she going to let sheer stubbornness keep her from the man she loved?
Liam hesitated, but her father waved again.
“No! Dad, no.”
“Sweetheart, you need to talk to him.”
She needed to melt into the floor was more like it. How could she ever explain to Liam how ashamed she felt?
“Tell him I’m not here,” she tried.
Her father gave her a stern look. “If your mother and I taught you one thing, it’s to stand up for what you believe in. To fight for what’s right.” Then his face softened. “You ask so many people to listen to your causes. Maybe it’s time you listened to his.”
“But… But…”
It was too late. Her father stood up, and even Winston lurched to his feet and sniffed Liam’s shoes.
“You must be Mr. Bennett.” Her father shook Liam’s hand. “Archer here.”
“Mr. Archer,” Liam said, sounding a little hoarse.
“Why don’t you join us?” Gemma’s father pulled out a chair.
Liam looked at her, waiting…watching… Melting her heart all over again because he was waiting for her permission, not just her father’s.
A man strode by, and Liam sidestepped, putting himself between the man and Gemma. It was just an ordinary pub customer, but Liam was as protective as ever. Maybe a little possessive too, because the man hurried along, looking meek.
“Gemma,” her father prompted. Are you really going to keep this nice man waiting? his eyes asked.
Actually, yes. Yes, she was. Because her stubborn side insisted on one last test. Was Liam really the kind, generous man she’d fallen in love with, or was he a manipulative power-monger?
An awkward minute ticked by, and then another — long enough for a manipulative jerk to grow impatient and show his true colors. But Liam just stood with his hands shoved deep into his pockets, his eyes shining with…hope? Sorrow?
Gemma, her father’s stern look warned.
Liam, meanwhile, didn’t demand anything. He didn’t break into complicated excuses, and he didn’t try to change her mind. He just waited, leaving his fate in her hands.
Gemma took a deep breath, wishing she could think of something to say.
How about “Sorry” or “I missed you”? that inner voice snipped.
She wanted to casually pat the chair beside her and coolly invite Liam to have a seat. But her mind skipped into overdrive, replaying all their highlights, from the moment they’d first met to the last time they’d made love. That awkward first breakfast together in Valhalla’s cramped kitchen. Their steamy night in Richmond, and the beautiful, chatty walk in Wales. It all flashed by like a movie montage, and before she knew it, she was on her feet and hugging Liam.
“You found me,” she whispered.
Liam locked his arms around her. “I will always find you. I will always love you. That’s how it is with mates.”
A tear rolled down her cheek, then another, and for a little while, the world receded until it was just her and him.
Mates, that voice whispered in her mind.
She nodded in the snug universe of Liam’s hug. The man was a keeper, for sure.
“I wasn’t mad at you. I was mad at the Guardians,” she mumbled. “But I took it out on you. I’m so sorry.”
He held her tighter. “We’ll never let them control us, Gemma. Never.”
She nodded, rocking in his arms. Eventually, it struck her that half the pub was watching, as was her father. Even Winston looked up, trailing a long line of slobber.
“Um…yes.” She backed away, wiping her cheeks. “Good to see you again.”
Liam’s laugh was a gentle roar, but she didn’t mind.
Her father grinned and motioned to the table. “Let’s talk things through, shall we?”
Gemma nodded without letting go of Liam’s hand, but before she could sink to the chair he held out, a black Maserati screeched into the car park outside. Everyone looked up, and the bartender muttered something under his breath.
Gemma clutched Liam’s arm. “Is it them?”
By them, she meant any of her enemies, but Liam shook his head.
“It’s Sergio.”
Gemma exhaled, recognizing that familiar black hair and powerful shoulders. The Italian jumped out of the low-slung car and trotted to the pub, his dark eyes shining intensely. Liam waved him over, but when Sergio joined them, he didn’t sit down.
“Trouble. We have to go. Now.”
“What is it?” Gemma asked.
“The Lombardis are on the move. They left London a few hours ago.” Sergio’s eyes darted outside. “We need to get Gemma to a secure location. Andiamo.”
If Gemma had wanted further proof that Liam and Sergio were trustworthy, there it was. Their top priority was her, their own safety never even mentioned.
Her heart thumped wildly as she looked from face to face. Sergio was dead earnest. Liam was nodding, already calculating options, no doubt. Her father looked bewildered and excited at the same time, and Winston drew lines of saliva on the floor as he looked around.
“Back to your place?” She touched Liam’s arm.
He took her hand, nodding. “It’s our best bet.”
“What about Dad?”
“I’ll be fine,” her father said.
A dozen ugly scenarios rushed through her mind. Shifters could kill her father. He was a bookworm, not a warrior. He could be roasted alive or held for ransom…
Then it hit her. God, was that how he felt every time she stepped outside?
Sergio and Liam locked eyes then nodded, coming to a silent agreement. Then Liam turned to her father.
&
nbsp; “Stay here. Take a room and watch the skies. There, in the east. That’s where they’re likely to approach from. If you see anything — even a shadow or a cloud that doesn’t match the others — call us. All right?”
Her father noted the phone number, and Gemma hugged him. She squeezed her eyes shut, praying he would be all right. Then Liam tapped on her hand, and she gulped away the lump in her throat. It was time to go.
“Take care, Dad. I mean it. Winston, too.”
Her father smiled. “You, too. I’ll see you soon.”
Gemma could sense everyone in the pub wondering what was going on as Liam pulled her to the door with Sergio right on their heels. Not a soul could help, and she knew it — but, whew. With Liam and Sergio on her side, things didn’t seem so hopeless. Still, she pulled Liam to a halt outside.
“We have to go,” he protested.
“One thing,” she insisted. “Are there any other details you need to share with me? I don’t deal well with surprises, in case you didn’t notice.”
He studied her, and when his eyes hit the ground, her stomach sank. Shit. What now?
He motioned bashfully toward the Mini. “I stole Gareth’s car.”
She cackled in relief. “I think I can forgive that. Anything else?”
Beside them, Sergio stirred the air with his hands, hurrying them along.
Liam shook his head. “No secrets. No missing details. Never again.”
She nodded, making a vow never to doubt him again. “Thanks. I guess that just leaves one thing.”
He waited expectantly. Then his eyes widened as she flung herself into a hug and an insistent kiss. A kiss she hung on to for ages, just in case. When she eventually eased away, Liam remained puckered up for a moment, and his eyes only fluttered open a few seconds later.
“What was that for? And why so short?”
She smiled. “That’s sorry and thank you and I love you. All of it kind of summarized, because… Well, incoming dragons.” She motioned upward. “But I promise to make it up to you later.”
“I’ll hold you to that.” He grinned.
Sergio looked between them. “Finito? Can we go now?”
Gemma gulped, then looked at the Mini and the Aston Martin parked side by side.
