Finding the Dragon (Dásreach Council Book 1) (5 page)

The rest of the flight they talked about a little of everything. She told him about her love for romance books, which had led to her meeting the Book Worms. How she loved the idea of traveling, but had never done much until now. How it was easier to travel with someone than alone because of her anxiety and shyness. She explained the purpose of their trip to New Orleans. The fact that her, Rogue, and Nat were going for some typical site seeing and a book convention that kicked off in another week. Seeing as none of them ever used their vacation time, they had all accrued enough days off to take this extended trip. Kai seemed to hang on each and every word, allowing her to ramble on as she does when she’s nervous. Only interjecting to ask questions or make another joke. He continued to make her laugh the entire flight and once again distracted her. She didn’t realize they were landing, even with Kai having her buckle her seatbelt, until the plane jolted as the wheels hit the tarmac.

Chapter 3

Al and Kai continued to talk as they followed the other passengers to Baggage Claim. She was reluctant to say goodbye, but Rogue was supposed to be waiting for her and Nat, so they could get straight on the road south to New Orleans. If Nat’s flight was on time, it was supposed to have arrived 25 minutes before her own. So they should be waiting for her and she would have to say goodbye to Kai.

Her chest felt tight at the thought of not seeing him again. However, if she talked the gals into going to Kai’s tattoo shop, then she could spend some time in his company. A tattoo would take a while to do, especially with three of them to ink. Not that it would matter, the plane had been pretty full and Kai probably just didn’t want to squeeze in one of the rows that already had two people. Speaking to her would have been a nice distraction on a boring flight. Seriously, this man was the sexiest thing she had ever laid eyes on, and there was no way that someone like him would ever be interested in a girl like her. Al was the one always picked last, the one who spent her date nights with her head in a book.
Doesn’t mean I can’t dream,
she thought.

Kai tapped her on the shoulder and when Al looked up from her mental wanderings, she saw two women crazily waving at her from across the baggage carousel. She squealed and rushed around to her friends.

“Oh my god! We’re all here. I can’t believe we’re finally going on this trip.” Al said as she greeted both of her friends. All three women had huge smiles on their faces.

“Alvena?” Kai’s resonating voice came from behind her.

A shiver ran down her spine. Man, how she loved his voice. She wished she could have recorded it to listen to at night when she was in bed alone – the things that voice could do to her in bed. Al flushed at her own thoughts.

“Oh, Kai. I’m sorry, how rude of me to just run off.”

She turned to find his grinning face looking down at her and her face directly in his strong chest. She took in a deep breath, his scent overwhelming her senses. Never before had she been as addicted to a smell as she felt she was becoming to Kai’s. It was an odd combination of smoky and sweet, and reminded her of the pipe tobacco her dad smoked when she was little.

“No, worries, it appears you found your friends, but I was carrying your bag and you left it behind.”

Nat and Rogue gave her a knowing look, smirks barely staying hidden on both of their faces.

“Oh, okay.” She laughed. “I guess since I literally left you holding the bag, I should at least introduce you to my friends." She turned, standing next to Kai, “Nat…Rogue… this is Kai Darrow. He saved me from falling on the ice when I was late to the airport, thus saving my trip, and then got stuck sitting next to me on the flight here. Kai, the tall beautiful one is Nat and the spunky one here is Rogue.”

“Hello, lasses.” Rogue grinned, but Nat’s smirk had turned to a look of wariness on her face. Nat always worried.

“Hello.” Rogue said as she shook Kai’s hand.

“I’m glad to meet you.” Kai said as he offered his hand to Nat, “Alvena was telling me about your group and your trip while we were on the plane. I’ll be heading to New Orleans on another flight here shortly myself." Nat appeared to stiffen, as she looked Kai over.

Rogue on the other hand smiled at him and using her best southern charm, responded, “Well, aren’t you sweet for helpin’ our Al here. It’s a real pleasure to meet a real life hero.”

“As I told Alvena, I’m no hero, just lucky to be in the right place to help a lovely lass.” Kai responded. “Alvena, it’s been a pleasure,” Kai raised her hand and kissed the palm.
I think I finally understand what they mean by swooning.
Al thought as Kai continued, “I better be off to check in for my next flight. Here’s your bag, I’m sure you don’t want to be without it. And, don’t forget my advice. Ladies.” Kai nodded to each of them and walked away with all three women watching his tight ass.

Sigh.
A breath of air came from each of the three friends as Kai disappeared up an escalator.

“Who was he, Al?” Nat asked, concern evident in her voice.

“Just a nice man, Nat. Don’t worry, he just kept me from falling and then we ended up on the plane together. You know, I think this is the first time that I’ve never felt like I was going to have a panic attack on a plane?” Al continued to stare at the last place she had seen Kai.

“What advice?” Rogue asked.

“Huh?” Al said, distracted.

“What advice did he give you?”

“Oh, that. Well, he mentioned that he was going to NOLA to work with his friend in a tattoo shop. So, I said we were planning to get one. We got to talking about it and he said that some places would give me a discount because it’s my first tattoo."

“I’m not sure that’s true, but I’m guessin’ he was just tryin’ to get a chance to see you again.” Rogue said with a wink.

“Cute ass or not...” Nat mumbled, before demanding, “How much did you tell him about our trip?”

Nat was always the cautious one, as an ex-marine she had seen too much not to be. When she shared on Book Worms, she hardly ever gave details, just that she was having a rough day. Al respected Nat for retiring from the service and continuing to work with vets and their families. She was an amazing person who gave hope to people who were not the same due to serving their country. On the group, she was always the voice of reason, sort of like having a house mom. Al bumped Nat’s shoulder.

“Not much Nat, we really just talked about us wanting the tattoos and about why we were going to NOLA. I didn’t give specifics.”

She figured it was best to down play how much she had babbled to Kai on the plane. So, she reached into her pocket and pulled out the business card Kai had given her.

“Here’s his card for the shop. He said if you all hadn’t picked a place then we might want to come by and check them out.”

Rogue looked at the card and passed it to Nat. “I don’t see why we can’t talk about it. Why don’t we hit the road? You girls ready for 6 hours in a car together?” She gave them a grin and winked at Al. “He was one HOT man, Al. I’m envious. I’m thinkin’ we need to check out the shop, just so we can see that ass again.”

Rogue laughed and turned, heading to the exit that led to the airport parking, Nat handed the card back to Al and followed right behind Rogue, while Al stood still with a feeling of jealousy eating at the pit of her stomach. She really didn’t like the idea of Nat and Rogue checking Kai out. She shook her head and picked up her bag to follow her friends and start her fun filled vacation. No sense worrying about a man she couldn’t have. But, she couldn’t help but to gaze longingly in the direction that Kai had left.

***

The man hefted his black duffel and followed his target. He was worried when his target had walked off the plane with the huge man; he knew that man would be trouble. It wasn’t just his size; the man had a manner to him that belied training. Lucky for him though, the tall man had left and she was now with two other women. They wouldn’t cause him any trouble. Women were easy, almost too easy. They hadn’t even noticed him as he brushed past them and dropped in the tracking device.

His partner for this mission was supposed to be waiting for him in the parking garage with a car and his equipment. Before the flight, he wasn’t able to find out who she was meeting or where she was staying, but at least he knew where she was flying to so he could send the man ahead to have things ready on this end. And, with the tracking device on her, they would be able to follow until they had an opportunity.

Yep… easy money
. He grinned.

***

Cruising down I-55 in Rogue’s Jetta, Al was sitting in the back seat, her head resting back on the headrest. She hadn’t had much sleep, nervous about the trip and it was now past 2 o’clock in the morning. Rogue had the radio going and Nat was checking the maps using a small pocket flashlight, making sure that they were on track. Al laughed at how different they were, but knew how alike they were in other ways. She was so lucky to have found these ladies.

“Rogue, are you sure this is the best route?” Nat asked.

“Yes, Nat. This is the straightest route between Memphis and New Orleans. Basically, 200 miles straight down I-55.” Rogue responded.

“Nat, Rogue knows her way to NOLA, she’s been there before, remember?” Al threw out from the back seat.

“I know. I’m just used to making the plans and being the one in control.” She said quietly.

Al sat forward and patted Nat’s shoulder. “No worries, Nat. How much longer do we have before we reach NOLA Rogue?”

“Why, you need to stop again?” Both of the women in the front seat laughed.

“Ha. Ha. Who needs friends…”

“Oh, Al, you’re too easy. But, I think we’re about half way, maybe three more hours.” Rogue looked up ahead on the road. “Look, there’s a gas station, why don’t we stop? I can get gas and a drink.”

“I could use a water.” Nat replied as she stuffed her maps back in her bag and took out her wallet.

“Yeah, it wouldn’t hurt for me to stop too.” Al admitted reluctantly to laughter from the front seat. “So, Nat, did you upload the pic of us to Book Worms?”

“Of course. Amelia would kill me if I didn’t.” She said with fondness.

Amelia was their friend who lived in Ireland. She was a spitfire and always made Al think of an ornery fairy. The younger woman impressed them all with her spirit. Even with eye problems that practically made her blind, she could keep up with the best of them. Working at a school for the blind in Dublin, she helped others learn to be self-sufficient. Those poor Irish who chose to be rude. All those blind walking around with their white canes and beating on people as Amelia taught them to do.

“Yeah, she just might.” Al giggled. “I turned off my phone to save the battery. It’s a piece of crap that can’t keep a charge. I’m already in withdrawal from not being on the group during the flight, now thanks to my phone I just might go crazy. It’s funny how addicted you become to something.”

“I know what you mean.” Rogue cut in while she turned into the gas station. “All of you Book Worms help me get through each and every day.”

“Same here.” Nat agreed as Rogue stopped the car.

They all got out of the Jetta. While Rogue pumped gas, Nat and Al stretched and then they all walked inside together to get drinks, snacks, and to allow Al to visit the ladies room. It wasn’t her fault she had a small bladder.

*

When they got back on the road, Al powered up her phone and posted a Check-In status on her Facebook page. She couldn’t help but go to Book Worms to see what had been posted since she had last checked from Maureen’s car.

“Did either of you see this post that Chelsea shared about the event in Ohio?” Al asked.

“I did.” Nat waved her cell phone to show them she was on the group as well.

Rogue laughed, “Thankfully, since I’m drivin’, I haven’t.”

“Well, for Rogue’s benefit, I’ll tell you about it.” Al grinned. “It’s in Cincinnati where my parents live in June. I could visit them; maybe stay with them to save money. The event looks huge and it says here that they sell out pretty quickly. I wonder if we could get a few of the others to attend.”

“Al, do you really want to see your parents?” Nat was using her Freudian voice.

Nat knew how much stress Al’s parents caused her. They were great in a lot of respects. Loving and all, but they had suffocated her until she had turned 18 and headed to college. Since then she had to listen to lectures whenever she visited about everything she should or shouldn’t be doing. It had become easier to stay away. She was always busy with work and would find something to keep her busy on any weekend they wanted to visit her in Delmar or have her come to Cincinnati. She loved her parents, but it was much easier to only visit them on birthdays and holidays.

“But, I would never hear the end of it if I was in town and didn’t visit…”

A huge popping noise ricocheted through the car, cutting Al off in mid-sentence. The car jerked to the right. Rogue gripped both hands on the wheel in a tight grasp. Nat had a tight hold on the arm rest and the handle above the door. Al jerked to the right and then sat back in her seat. As the car began to decelerate, a collective indrawn breath sounded from inside the car.

“What the Hell, Rogue! What’s going on?” Nat demanded in her best drill sergeant voice, ever the Marines trainer.