by Jodi Redford
“As you can see, there’s been a break-in,” the officer pointed out rather unhelpfully. Using the tip of a ballpoint pen, he flipped over the top page of the little notebook he held. “Your assistant and I have gone over the damages, but I suggest you take a look and make sure everything’s accounted for. You’ll also want to contact your insurance company.”
She stared at him, trying to make sense of the words spouting from his mouth. The only thing she could wrap her head around was the fact someone had broken in and destroyed the work she’d poured her heart and soul, her sweat and tears into. When she found the creep responsible for this, she’d rip off their arm and beat them with the bloody stump. Righteous fury blanketing the dread that’d earlier gripped her, she stepped around the officer and stormed to the wall that’d received the heaviest application from the asshole’s spray can.
Tony joined her. “I honestly tried to reach you on your cell phone.”
“The battery died. Unfortunately I didn’t notice until we were almost here.” Sidestepping the chunks of glass littering the floor, she headed into her office. She desperately wanted to crawl beneath her desk and not come out until her bad luck decided to take a long hike off a very short bridge. Since that probably wouldn’t be happening anytime this century, she flipped through her rolodex, searching for her insurance agent’s business card.
The card wasn’t in the appropriate slot. Of course not. Why would life suddenly decide to do her any favors?
Mumbling a few swear words beneath her breath, she dug in her purse for her wallet. The sharp edge of a piece of paper sliced into her finger. “Damn it!” Yanking her hand out, she glared at the red dot welling at the tip of her finger. “Oh, this is just the smoking turd topping the shit pile of my day.” Snatching a tissue from the decoupaged box resting on her desk, she wrapped her finger in a Kleenex tourniquet and pulled the offending papers from her bag. It was the damn Drakoni contract.
“Argh.” Growling, she whipped it onto the desk and continued rummaging for her wallet. Her luck took an unexpected turn for the better and she found her agent’s card tucked in behind the dog-eared photo of her father that she always carried with her. Stroking her thumb over his grinning face, she blinked back a stinging wash of tears. “I’m doing a piss-poor job of impersonating a successful, got-her-shit-together daughter, aren’t I, Pops?” Her throat uncomfortably tight, she shoved the photo back in place and dialed her agent.
The call took less than ten minutes and wasn’t nearly as painful as she’d expected it to be. Resting the phone back in its cradle, she pillowed her cheek in her hand and stared glumly at the business card she’d been nervously fidgeting with. She tossed it down and her attention returned to the contract lying on the center of her desk. Plucking the nearest edge, she dragged it closer. She hadn’t attempted reading it further after that one time, figuring the end part would be as difficult to comprehend as the beginning.
Flipping to the last page, she grimaced at the smear of blood marring the top corner and scanned down the page. She blinked in surprise when she realized this part of the document actually contained words that made sense.
If you could call the terms so bluntly laid out as being the slightest bit sensible. Or reasonable. Or remotely anything a woman in her right mind would agree to.
“The sacrifice, who shall henceforth be named Sacrifice number 5, must submit to and obey her Drakoni master completely or risk severe punishment.” Her hands shook with fury, causing the papers clutched in her white-knuckled grip to flutter wildly. “I’d be reduced to a freakin’ number? And what sort of bullshit is this about punishment?” She inspected the remainder of the contract closely, on the lookout for any suspicious clause that mentioned flame-broiling her for lunch if she refused to do windows. Unfortunately, she couldn’t find any specific breakdown of what the punishments might entail. But halfway down the last page she came across another section that made her eyes bug out.
“When the time comes for the sacrifice’s master to take a bride, the sacrifice will become the property of the married couple?” She dropped the papers like they’d suddenly become infected with cooties. “What the hell does that mean exactly?” An image flashed in her mind of a very butch female dragon wearing only leather chaps and a tattoo stating I make ’em squeal like a pig riding over her left breast.
Shuddering, Dana slumped back in her chair. “I am so screwed.”
Aiden watched the cop mosey to the back of the gallery while Dana’s assistant continued snapping off photos of the ruined paintings hanging haphazardly on the wall. Rage over the vandalism pounded in Aiden’s skull. It’d only taken one look at the white sheet of Dana’s face to know how hard this had hit her. A sour ball of guilt clogged his throat at the idea that he might have inadvertently brought this to her doorstep.
Jace stopped beside him, his expression grim. “Do you think this was random?”
“Possibly, but highly doubtful.”
“Maybe the dude we put the scare in on Saturday decided to enact some revenge.”
“Dana’s psycho ex?” Aiden mulled it over. Part of him really wished that were the case. It’d be easy enough taking care of the son of a bitch. “Could be.”
Jace’s gaze sharpened. “You have another theory?”
“I spotted Claudia Knoxville at the Ren fair.”
A choke sputtered from Jace. Once he regained his voice, he shot Aiden an accusing glare. “And you’re just now telling me this?”
“I wasn’t entirely sure it meant anything.”
“But now you do.” Still wearing a pissy scowl, Jace tucked his thumbs in his belt loops and rocked on the heels of his boots. “What the fuck is Knoxville up to?”
“Nothing good, I’m sure. But whatever it is, she’s damn well getting paid to do it. That chick doesn’t do anything that isn’t motivated by some cold, hard cash.”
Jace’s jaw tightened. “You think it has something to do with us. With the sacrifice.”
Aiden nodded.
“But the council wants us to fulfill the contract. Why sic Knoxville on Dana?”
Plowing a hand through his hair, Aiden released a frustrated growl. “All I know is Claudia’s appearance and the timing of the break-in are mighty convenient.” He dropped his arm to his side as the cop ambled from Dana’s office. “I’m going to check on how she’s doing.”
“While you do that, I’ll pump the cop for any additional info he might have.”
Leaving Jace to that task, Aiden strode across the gallery. He found Dana slumped in a padded office chair that was parked in front of a small window that faced the small alley between the gallery and the neighboring Chinese restaurant. As far as views went, it wasn’t exactly spectacular, but she seemed riveted by the sight.
“Do you see that cat out there rummaging through the Chens’s garbage? Man, does it have the life. Prime pickings from all the dumpsters. A little tail here and there whenever it feels frisky. And not once having to worry about how the hell it’s going to pay the bills. Or deal with a couple of dragons who insist Mr. Kitty is their sacrifice.”
“Dana—”
Her heavy sigh cut him short. “Sorry, I don’t mean to be such a big downer. None of this is your problem. Other than the sacrifice thing.”
His chest tightened, both at her weary tone and her declaration. Everything that affected her was his problem. Maybe he didn’t like it, or welcome it, but it was the truth.
“Well, at least there’s one bright spot,” Dana said, breaking through his morose thoughts. “I didn’t drop my insurance last week like I’d been contemplating. The adjuster is on his way. Should be here in…” she glanced at the wall clock fashioned from an oversized paint palette, “…two hours.”
“After he’s done with the inspection, Jace and I will get this place cleaned up.”
Dana pushed away from the window, the chair’s casters squeaking on the wood floor. “You don’t have to do that. Tony and I will—” She broke off with a
gasp when he clasped the arms of the chair. Her wide green eyes blinked up at him. “Okay, I’m going to hang a bell on you to warn me every time you make one of your Flash Gordon moves.”
Struggling to keep his frustration in check, he leaned over her. “Jace and I will take care of the clean up. We’re here for you, Dana. For you. Get used to it.”
Her lips tightened around the edges and he waited for the inevitable argument. For several seconds they just stared at each other in a mute battle of the wills. Finally Dana’s shoulders relaxed a fraction. “Fine. I suppose having two extra pairs of hands will make it go faster anyway.”
He stifled his grin at her surly acquiescence and straightened. “Life would be a lot simpler if you were less stubborn.”
“For you, maybe.” She gave him a saccharine smile. “But why would I want to make things simple for you?”
His grin stretched wider and the inner beast growled in approval. Ah yes, his little sacrifice certainly knew how to properly challenge a dragon.
Chapter Eleven
By the time she locked up the gallery and trailed after Aiden and Jace to the Navigator, Dana felt like she’d been put through the emotional wringer. Sure, the meeting with the insurance adjuster had been relatively painless, but shoving her damaged paintings into oversized Hefty bags had pitched her into a dark depression. Jace opened her door and she climbed onto the passenger seat, listlessly hooking the seat belt over her shoulder.
“You all right?”
Noting the concern softening Jace’s expression, she plastered on a weak smile. “Just tired.”
Jace didn’t look entirely convinced by her answer but he thankfully shut her door without further comment. Aiden settled behind the wheel and granted her a frown identical to his brother’s before merging with the traffic clogging Main Street. She shifted in her seat and shivered when the cold air blowing through the vent blasted the side of her arm. Without saying a word, Aiden reached out and adjusted the vent, aiming it away from her. His thoughtfulness pricked her conscience. He and Jace had bent over backward today to help her with everything. Because of them, the past six hours were less of a nightmare than they could have been. And how did she repay them? By being sullen and testy. It wasn’t their fault she couldn’t stop thinking about the break-in and scary female dragons with strap-ons.
Lolling her head on the neck rest, she gave Aiden a halfhearted smile. “I haven’t been the best company today.”
“Understandable.”
“Maybe, but I haven’t even thanked you both for cleaning up the gallery.”
“Dana, we’re here for—”
“Me,” she said on a soft sigh. “I know. Trust me, you’ve told me enough times it’s starting to sink in.”
“Good. Maybe now rather than argue with us, you’ll let me and Jace take care of you.”
That was highly doubtful. She didn’t have the heart to point it out to him though. “Tell you what, you can take care of me by stopping at La Luna so I can pick up a pizza. It’ll save me having to scrounge something for us to eat later.”
“Deal.” It wasn’t until Aiden nodded vigorously that she suspected his enthusiasm had more to do with avoiding her cooking than a love for pizza.
They arrived at La Luna thirty minutes later. Thanks to Aiden’s cell phone she’d been able to call their order in ahead of time. Hopefully she’d be able to sneak in and out without tipping Emmaline off about being in the vicinity.
Aiden coasted to a stop. She unclipped her seat belt and reached for the door handle. Aiden and Jace did the same.
“Really, you guys don’t have to—” She gritted her teeth when the brothers climbed outside. “Why do I even waste my breath?” Gripping the armrest, she jumped to the pavement and slammed the door closed with her elbow.
Inside the restaurant, she was greeted by Emmaline and Tiffany at the hostess stand. Dana sent Tiffany a narrow-eyed stare that earned a sheepish look from the younger woman.
“Your aunt cornered me in the hall when she overheard me giving your order to Raul.”
Her expression triumphant, Emmaline stacked her arms over her chest. “Next time don’t order your usual if you’re hoping to fly under my radar.”
Dana muffled a groan. Damn, busted by a personal-sized pizza with chorizo sausage and extra mushrooms. “I was planning to stop by your office.”
Emmaline cocked one eyebrow, her I-can-see-straight-through-your-bullshit trademark. “And were you planning to tell me about the break-in at the gallery during this alleged visit?”
Dana’s mouth fell open. “How did you hear about that?”
“Luann Wells is dating the dispatcher for the Warren PD. He told her about the call and she phoned me twenty minutes ago to find out if you’re okay. Seeing how you didn’t answer your cell or the gallery’s phone, I didn’t know what to tell her.”
“The battery in my cell phone died.” Dana grimaced. The excuse sounded pathetic even to her. She lifted her shoulder in a half shrug. “Plus I didn’t want to worry you.”
Emmaline tossed her arms out in a dramatic flourish. “Why would I be worried? You haven’t called me in over a day, someone broke into your gallery, and you’re being escorted around town by two dra—”
Aiden and Jace coughed in warning, effectively stalling the incriminating word before it completely left Emmaline’s mouth. Everyone glanced at Tiffany. Unabashed curiosity sparkled in the girl’s wide eyes. Dana didn’t doubt for a second that every detail of this encounter would be later recounted to the rest of the staff.
“Maybe we should finish this conversation in private?” Though Aiden phrased it as a polite inquiry there was no mistaking the steely authority in his tone.
Surprisingly Emmaline didn’t balk. Dana suspected it had more to do with her aunt wanting to get her questions answered than anything else. Her back stiff, Emmaline led the way to her office. Once inside, she parked her fanny on the corner of her desk and divided her glare between Dana, Aiden and Jace.
“Someone care to fill me in on what the devil is going on in my niece’s life?” Her eyes flashing fire, Emmaline wagged a finger in Aiden’s direction. “Let’s start with why your people are trashing Dana’s gallery.”
Dana groaned. This is what I get for hankering after pizza. Why didn’t I just have them drive through McDonald’s? “They didn’t have anything to do with what happened,” she said, trying to inject some calm into her voice.
“Actually, we shouldn’t rule out the possibility.”
Dana whipped her head around and stared at Aiden. “What?”
Aiden scrubbed a hand over his jaw, his expression guarded. “There’s a chance a Drakoni might have played a part in the break-in.”
Thrown off balance by his startling newsflash, Dana groped behind her for the couch. Reasonably assured she wasn’t about to fall on her ass, she plunked onto the cushion. “I don’t understand. Why would they do something so…hateful?”
“Probably to scare you.”
She frowned. “Into accepting the sacrifice?”
“Or not accepting it.”
This was all becoming a little too The Godfather meets Dungeons and Dragons for her. Aiden stepped in front of her, his crotch directly in her line of sight. Like she needed that distraction. Rubbing her temples, she dragged her focus upward until their gazes locked. “I thought talking me into the sacrifice was the whole point of you being here.”
“There are those who probably wish to see me fail.”
She wasn’t sure what to make of Aiden’s flat, emotionless tone. If she suspected someone was trying to deviously sabotage her she’d probably go ape shit on the no-good backstabbers. “Sounds like you Drakonis are a little on the traitorous side.”
Jace snorted. “We blame it on the ten-percent human DNA lurking in our gene pool.”
Rolling her eyes, she shifted her weight on the cushion. The couch’s broken spring noisily protested being disturbed. “So what does this mean? I need to worry about the
creep making a repeat performance? Or worse?”
Aiden scratched the back of his neck, his expression pensive. “I doubt they’ll hit your gallery again. It’d be too obvious. Still, I’d advise beefing up security at any logical targets they might strike at next.”
“Such as?” Dana and Emmaline demanded simultaneously.
“This place, for one,” Jace said, his tone matter of fact.
A cramp squeezed Dana’s stomach. It was bad enough worrying about her gallery. If they vandalized La Luna in any way, the guilt that would slam her would be near unbearable.
Emmaline hopped down from her desk. “Now don’t anyone worry about this place.” She stared Dana straight in the eye, making it clear who she was directing the statement to. “I’ll talk to Leo. I’m sure he wouldn’t mind spending a few nights here with Yeager. If that dog doesn’t put the scare in any would-be vandals, nothing will.”
The tight ball of dread anchored in Dana’s belly eased slightly. Leo and Yeager were a force to be reckoned with. Particularly since Leo would fight to the death when it came to protecting Emmaline and her turf. Hopefully it wouldn’t come to any actual bloodshed. A chill crept over Dana and she rubbed her arms briskly. “Okay, that covers this place. The only other potential target I can think of would be my home.”
“Jace and I have you covered there.”
She took one look at Aiden’s ferocious countenance and knew without a doubt that anyone who’d attempt tangling with him would have to be certifiably insane.
On the one hand, it certainly made her feel safer, but who the hell was going to protect her from him?
By the time the Navigator finally rolled down her driveway, the tantalizing aroma of sausage, oregano and an artery-clogging blend of cheeses wafting from the pizza boxes had Dana’s salivary glands working in overdrive. Leaving Jace to carry their dinner and Aiden to lock up the vehicle, she trekked inside the house and into the kitchen. Snatching plates and napkins, she hustled to the table. Jace ambled in and she made room for him to plop the pizza containers down. She flipped the top open on the smallest box and inhaled with an appreciative sigh.
