Blaze

by Donna Grant

  “Well, bring it up. I’m finishing hacking into her phone and laptop that Kyvor infected. I should be done tonight and can return it to her in the morning.”

  “As soon as I know what her plans are for tomorrow, I’ll let you know.”

  Kinsey paused for a moment. “Answer the texts next time, Anson. I hate worrying.”

  The line went dead. It made him grin that she was concerned about him. That could be because Kinsey knew exactly what a Dragon King went through when he found a woman who was their mate.

  He desired Devon to a degree that seemed crazy, but he wasn’t thinking she was his mate. That’s what he needed to let Kinsey know. Just because a King took a mortal to their bed, didn’t mean they were in love with them.

  While Stacy lingered for the next hour, he remained upstairs, peeking through the blinds to see if anyone was watching the flat. Everything was going well until he spotted a Dark Fae strolling down the street.

  The Dark didn’t stop two women, even when they all but threw themselves at him. However, the Fae did look right at Devon’s flat.

  It was unnatural for a Dark not to take humans when they offered themselves. Something was very wrong. The Kings had been thankful the Dark Fae had grown quiet since their Halloween attacks on all the major UK cities.

  Apprehension snaked down Anson’s spine. Ryder watched the Dark while also searching the world for Ulrik and keeping an eye on the MI5 agents on Dreagan. However, the one who really knew what the Dark Fae were up to was Henry North.

  He reached for his mobile and dialed Henry’s number. This wasn’t a matter that could wait until morning.

  “Where are you?” Anson asked when Henry answered.

  There was a short chuckle before the British accent came through the mobile. “Actually, I’m outside Devon’s flat.”

  “What?” Anson wasn’t sure if he was happy or not at that news.

  “Did you really believe I’d allow my sister to spy on Kyvor and not be there to protect her? I let her down once. I won’t do it again.”

  Anson briefly closed his eyes. “You had no idea she was even working with MI5. You can no’ blame yourself for what happened.”

  “Maybe not, but I’m going to be here for her now.”

  “Does she know you’re here?”

  Henry made a sound in the back of his throat. “I only told Con before I made the trip. I wanted to get a look at the situation before I let any of you know.”

  “Is there anyone lurking about besides you?”

  “I do a sweep of the area every thirty minutes, and I’ve not seen anyone yet.”

  “What about that Dark Fae?”

  There was a string of curses that came through the phone. “Where?”

  “Right out front just before I called.”

  “I gave Con a map of the Dark and their movements before I left. They’ve been strangely silent of late.”

  “Too silent,” Anson murmured.

  Henry blew out a breath. “Who did the Dark take?”

  “No one. He ignored two women while keeping his attention on Devon’s flat before continuing down the street.”

  “Something is definitely up.”

  Anson hadn’t been sure about bringing a mortal into the fold at Dreagan, but Banan had vouched for Henry. Since the MI5 agent had taken up residence at Dreagan, Henry had been driven to keep track of the Dark to the point that it had become an obsession.

  “Keep an eye out for any more Dark tonight while you’re out there. Tomorrow, I’d like to see that map you gave Con.”

  “Agreed. I’d begun to believe the Dark realized they couldn’t win against the Dragon Kings. That could prove to be a fatal mistake on my part.”

  “No one knows their movements better than you. We’ll figure this out,” Anson assured Henry.

  Henry changed the subject. “How is Devon? Esther sent me a text earlier that said Devon agreed to help.”

  “She’s frightened but also brave to undertake such an endeavor.”

  “You sound like you approve of her,” Henry said, his smile evident in the inflection of his words.

  Anson more than approved. “She’ll get what we need.”

  “That’s good news. It’s too bad none of us can go inside Kyvor with her. Anything can happen within that building. Esther and Kinsey are proof of that.”

  Why hadn’t he thought of that before? Anson was spending so much time protecting Devon now, but he would be powerless to do anything once she was inside.

  Kyvor knew every Dragon King. If he entered the building, they would be alerted immediately. He wouldn’t get to the lifts before they stopped him. And what would that do to help Devon? Nothing.

  Even Esther and Kinsey were unable to help. Kinsey might be able to get inside, but Anson wasn’t sure how much more she could do after that. That would also put her in harm’s way, something that he had vowed to Ryder he would not allow.

  Fuck!

  “Anson?” Henry said.

  “We’ve got to find a way to keep an eye on Devon inside Kyvor in case she needs us.”

  “Ah … yes, of course.”

  “Talk to the girls about it. I’ve got to go.”

  He hung up when he heard Devon walking Stacy to the door. As much as he wanted to take Devon back to bed for an uninterrupted night of love, her life was on the line. If his desires hadn’t taken over, he would’ve remembered that earlier.

  It was time he got himself under control. He put on his shirt and shoes. Then he started planning.

  CHAPTER FIFTEEN

  Something had changed with Anson since Stacy’s arrival, but Devon couldn’t put her finger on it. Before, she and Anson had been lost in a wonderful tangle of desire.

  Now, he seemed to have put a wall between them. He constantly checked the flat. When he wasn’t doing that, he stared off at nothing, deep in thought as he sat at her kitchen table.

  “Does she visit often?”

  Devon was so surprised that he’d spoken that it took her a second to realize the question was posed to her. She shifted on the sofa to look at him. “No. That’s a first for Stacy.”

  “Do you trust her?”

  “She’s worked for me for several years, but I’m at the point now where I don’t trust anyone but you, Kinsey, and Esther.”

  “Good. What are your plans for tomorrow?”

  She glanced at the ceiling, thinking of her bedroom and the delicious, wonderful things Anson had done to her. Except she knew he wasn’t referring to their amazing sex. “You mean about work?”

  “Aye.”

  If she went in, then she could begin looking for whatever it was Kinsey searched for. It also meant that Devon could very well put herself in the middle of Kyvor’s crosshairs.

  “Take another day if you need it,” Anson said.

  She played with the edge of her robe, recalling how just a few hours before, she’d stood by the sofa and bared herself to Anson.

  “It’s better if I get this over with,” she said. “All I have to do is look for anything on Dreagan, right?”

  “We know what information they have. We want to know who is collecting it and where it’s stored so we can destroy it.”

  “Of course.” Kinsey had told her that. “I’ll go in tomorrow and begin looking. If I’m lucky, I’ll find what you need.”

  He nodded in approval. “I’ll let the girls know.”

  Then, to her surprise, he rose and went to the kitchen and began washing the dishes. She smiled and sat at the table, her chin on her hand, completely enamored with him.

  “I didn’t know you did dishes, as well,” she teased.

  He threw a glance at her over his shoulder. “We’re … private at Dreagan. We had someone clean the manor once a month, but in between, each of us has duties.”

  “Had? You no longer have a maid?”

  He gave a shake of his head, his black locks moving against with the movement. “Several of us have taken ma … wives. They divvy up the work am
ong themselves.”

  “What were you going to say just then instead of wives?” she pressed.

  Shutting off the water, Anson kept his back to her as he said, “Mates.”

  “Magic. Mates. Druids. Whisky,” she said as she sat back in the chair. “What a life you lead.”

  He turned to face her then. “Whisky is a business.”

  “A lucrative one if you’re Dreagan Industries.” She smiled at him then. “I’m having a hard time believing you do housework.”

  His lips curled and his eyes crinkled at the corners. “So you know one of my secrets. What’s one of yours?”

  “I don’t do my own laundry.” She laughed as his brows rose. “I detest laundry to the point that it makes me want to scream.”

  “That I wouldna have guessed.”

  She folded her hands on the table, suddenly curious to know all about him. “It sounds like there are a lot of you at Dreagan.”

  “There are workers we employ for the whisky, but I suspect you mean living at Dreagan. Aye, there are.”

  “All family?”

  “Aye.”

  She wondered what Anson’s parents were like, and she couldn’t wait to meet them. Her smiled died when she thought of her own parents.

  “And you?” he asked.

  Devon shrugged but couldn’t quite meet his gaze. “It’s just me.”

  “It’s late and has been a long day. You should get some rest.”

  She nodded and stood on wooden legs. Thinking of family always pulled her down into a pit of depression. Even after all these years.

  When she climbed into bed, all she could smell was Anson on everything. She slid between the sheets, imagining them to be his arms, holding her, comforting her.

  How she wished Stacy hadn’t shown up. What might’ve happened between her and Anson? She’d never know now. Though she could fantasize. She kept listening for him downstairs, hoping and wondering if he would return to bed with her, but she knew he wouldn’t.

  Somehow, she managed to doze for a few hours. At four, she woke, unable to go back to sleep. She rose and meditated before doing some yoga. That ate up another hour. Then she got into the shower to get ready for the day.

  By six, she was dressed. She made her way downstairs to find Anson standing before her windows. The blinds were open, and the sunlight streaming in. He had his back to her as he finished fastening his jeans.

  Her gaze landed on the massive tattoo on his back. It was of two dragons in a yin and yang formation. They had their mouths open as if roaring at each other. The edge of the circle seemed to be designed as if it were on fire with flames shooting up.

  There were no other tats on his entire body. Weirder still was the color of ink. It wasn’t black or red, but a curious blend of both. She wasn’t an expert on tattoos, but she didn’t think such a combination was possible, at least not with such consistency throughout.

  He pulled on his shirt, cutting off her look at the artwork. Then he turned to her. She gazed into his midnight eyes, hoping to see the man she’d glimpsed last night when he’d been making love to her.

  “Are you sure about this?” he asked as he nodded to her clothes.

  She raised a brow and walked to the kitchen to brew some coffee. “Before you were doing everything you could to talk me into this. Now it feels as if you’re talking me out of it.”

  “I am.”

  Her hands stilled. She set down the coffee and turned to him. “Why?”

  “I know all too well what these people are capable of. I doona think you should go back there. Ever. Forget them and everything about the company.”

  “I know that by helping you I’ll lose my job there. I’m fine with that. I don’t want to work for such a company. But you need my help.”

  “We’ll find another way.”

  “An insider. That’s what Kinsey told me.”

  He ran a hand through his black hair. “Having help was the quickest option, but that doesna mean it’s the best.”

  “Let me try.”

  She turned back to the coffee maker and proceeded to put in the filter. That’s as far as she got before Anson spun her around, his grip tight on her shoulders.

  “Doona do this,” he implored.

  His gaze was intense, as if he could will her to do as he wanted just by staring at her. She’d been scared last night, but knowing he was there helped to ease that. Now, she was full-blown terrified.

  “What do you know that I don’t?” she demanded.

  He shrugged. “I just doona want to see you hurt.”

  “It’s a chance I’m willing to take so all of this stops and no one else gets hurt.”

  “Getting us that information will hopefully lead to the downfall of Kyvor, but there’re no guarantees.”

  Well, that just burst her bubble. She’d assumed Kyvor would crumble, but that was her own fault for getting to that assumption without clarifying it with the others.

  “They could kill you. Or worse.”

  Worse meant the mind control they’d done on Kinsey and Esther. “I’d rather avoid either scenario.”

  “So would I. Doona go.”

  Her fear had grown to epic proportions. So it was easy for her to say, “I won’t.”

  Anson sighed loudly, his shoulders dropping as if a huge weight had been lifted from him. “I’ll tell the girls so we can come up with another plan. Resign today.”

  He didn’t promise to keep protecting her or watching over her. He didn’t say that he would stick around to see the outcome of her leaving.

  And she didn’t ask him for any of it.

  Not aloud, at least.

  “Stay here. I’ll be back after I check in with Kinsey and Esther,” he said before walking out the back door.

  Devon moved around the table and sat heavily in one of the chairs. Her gaze landed on the laptop Kinsey had given her. All the hours she’d searched Kyvor and come up with those poor people who had died after speaking out against the company.

  There was no proof that Kyvor was responsible, but it wasn’t a far stretch. For those souls who had been classified as suicides, their families were still fighting that ruling, saying that their loved ones had never exhibited any signs of depression.

  For the ones who’d had the accidents, some of the families were questioning those, as well.

  How could she sit sheltered and safe within her home when she knew such despicable acts were being committed? It wasn’t just those dead people either. Kyvor had followed Kinsey. They were following her, as well.

  They’d put cameras in her flat and spyware on her personal mobile phone and laptop. Where did it end? When did someone stand up and say it was enough?

  Someone had to do it. If she stepped back and refused, how would she ever be able to look at herself in the mirror again? She’d already caused a horrible accident in the past that had nearly ruined her.

  This would surely do it.

  In order to overcome the past and the present, she had to do the one thing she feared: stand against Kyvor.

  She got to her feet and walked to the door. She put on her coat, turned on her mobile, and grabbed her purse. Then, she walked out.

  The taxi ride to Kyvor went by entirely too fast. Her heart pounded sickeningly in her chest as she paid and climbed out of the cab. She didn’t hesitate before going inside Kyvor because if she did, she might back out.

  Just as she was walking through the doors, she glanced to her right and spotted Anson running toward her. He slid to a halt when he spotted her.

  Somehow, she would explain it all to him. That was if she lived through it.

  The ride up in the lift was quiet. Even the twentieth floor seemed out of sorts, but maybe that was because she saw the company in a new light.

  One that wasn’t favorable in any way.

  In her office, she hung up her coat and let her gaze wander over the space. Everything seemed to be as she’d left it, but she could’ve said the same for her house. Not once
had she ever thought that someone had entered her home and placed cameras throughout.

  If Kyvor could so easily do that in her own private, secure residence, what would stop them from putting them in their own building?

  She looked out at the visible camera that hung in the corner over Stacy’s desk and pointed at the doorway of her office.

  A tech company as proficient as Kyvor could install hidden cameras all over the place so that they were never noticed. It was one of the products that she had been so vocal about supporting to clients.

  How ironic that it was the equipment being used against her. The more she learned about Kyvor, the more she hated them. That fire helped to thaw the fear in her bones.

  She hadn’t gotten to her position within the company because she dressed nicely. She’d gotten there because she was smart enough to use everything at her disposal to get what she wanted—whether that was another client or a promotion.

  Devon sat at her desk and turned on the computer. She had to remember that every stroke was being monitored. If she were going to find anything about Dreagan, she needed to be cunning while doing it.

  Manipulation was something she’d learned at university. She hated using it, but sometimes, it was needed. It was a skill that she’d acquired and perfected. And it would probably come in handy in her current situation.

  She looked through the calls she’d missed from the day before. Then she read reports.

  She saw none of it. Her mind was on how to search Dreagan without being obvious. And she had to appear as if she were actually working while coming up with such a plan.

  It was the camera on her computer that made her aware that they were probably watching her from there, as well. How many clients had she urged to put cameras above their employees so they could look down and see exactly what they were working on?

  Which meant there was a camera above her. This only made her job that much harder, but she was up for the task. Because every time she questioned herself, an image of one of the sixty people killed popped up in her mind.

  Suddenly, she paused, frowning. She set aside the report and went back through the missed calls. That’s when she saw one from Blair Athol, a competitor of Dreagan.

  The perfect reason to do a search of Dreagan to see if Kyvor had done any work for them, and learn what had been installed.