Seducing the Dragon: Part Four (3 page)

She tucked that bit of knowledge away. “So does this mean Finn’s reinforcements arrived?”

“Aye, which is why I can spare the pair of them to watch over you while I plan with Finn and Kai for Murray’s rescue.”

Doing a double-check, she confirmed Bram’s pupils were still round. “And your dragon is okay with it? Considering his attitude yesterday, I’m surprised you’re so calm at the thought of leaving me behind.”

“My dragon and I had a chat.”

She raised an eyebrow. “A chat? That’s it? I somehow imagine there’s more to it than that.”

A corner of Bram’s mouth ticked up. “Right, then, a very persuasive chat.”

Evie rolled her eyes. “We’ll save the discussion about how a chat with basically yourself can be ‘persuasive’ for later. Just answer me honestly: can you keep control of your dragon? If you’re going to help rescue Murray, which I suspect you are, then you’ll need to shift. The last thing Finlay or Kai needs is for you to be unable to shift back to your human form.”

Bram leaned forward and kissed her nose. “You’re very blunt, lass. Don’t ever change.”

Evie grinned. “I don’t think I could if I wanted to. You’re stuck with me, Bram Moore-Llewellyn. Now, don’t change the subject and answer my question.”

“My dragon behaved all night, even with me holding you close. With a few secrets cleared between him and me, he’s doing better.”

“Secrets? What secrets? How does that even work?”

The humor faded from Bram’s eyes. “I promise you a lengthy discussion on how the human and dragon halves interact later. Right now, I need to meet Nikki and Charlie. You’ll have about fifteen minutes to get ready.” He cupped her cheek and Evie leaned into his touch. “If there’s anything pressing that can’t wait, ask me, lass, because I won’t have time later.”

In case I don’t make it back alive
, was left unsaid. “Just promise me you’ll do everything you can to return to me in one piece.”

He stroked her cheek with his thumb. “I only just found you and I’m not about to let you go.”

Before she could reply, Bram kissed her. He nipped her lower lip and she opened, welcoming his tongue. Bram removed the mug from her hand and she wrapped one arm around his broad back and one around his neck. As he stroked his tongue against hers, she reveled in his taste and warmth. The thought of never holding him close again only made her clutch him tighter.

With one last stroke and then nip of her lip, he broke the kiss and laid his forehead against hers. “As hard as it’ll be to function without me near, keep Kai and me in the loop about what you find in the data on the laptop.”

“Yes, because my brain only turns on when you’re in the same room. I don’t know what I was doing for the thirty-one years before I met you.”

Bram squeezed her side. “Cheeky wench.”

She fought a grin and lost. “You know you love that about me.”

His gaze became serious. “Aye, that and more.” Bram gave one more gentle kiss before he pulled away and stood. “I need to leave, but there’s a satellite phone on the kitchen counter if you need to use it, as well as a landline on the small table near the entrance. The number for my mobile is on the fridge.”

She nodded. “How long before you return with Nikki and Charlie?”

“If everything goes to plan, fifteen minutes. If not, then a bit longer.”

Standing up, she placed her hands on Bram’s chest. “Be careful.”

“I always am.”

After one more quick kiss, Bram exited the cave dwelling. Evie was a resilient person; her years working with Clan Skyhunter down south proved that. Standing alone in the room, however, her eyes prickled with tears. She put up a brave front for Bram’s sake, but the thought of losing him squeezed her heart.
 

She might only have known him a short time, but she cared for the dragonman. She hoped they would have a future together.

As a tear slid down her cheek, Evie wiped it away and took a deep breath. “Right, Evie Marshall, crying isn’t going to help anyone. Bram needs information. Work on that.”

She ran her fingers through her hair a few times, picked up her still warm cup of coffee, and moved to the laptop sitting on the kitchen counter. She wasn’t going to waste another second. If there was something in the information she downloaded from the DDA database which could save both Murray and the clan, she would find it.

Chapter Three

Evie had barely sorted through the first few files on her laptop when Bram returned with two female dragon-shifters. Standing up, she smiled at Nikki and then looked at the other dragon-shifter. She was a tall woman in her late thirties with short, blonde hair, blue eyes, and a faint smile on her face. At a glance, the woman looked more like someone she’d see carting around three kids in an SUV to various after-school activities than a dedicated soldier. But Evie knew looks could both be deceiving and used to one’s advantage.

Before she could say a word, Nikki turned to Bram and said, “Now that we’re alone, I have news to report.”

Bram frowned. “Why didn’t you report during our five minute hike here? The longer I stay, the longer Murray is in the hands of the dragon hunters.”

Nikki squared her shoulders. “I know, sir, but on the off chance someone was hiding in the forest, I didn’t want to risk them listening in.”

Bram replied, “This area is secure. Tell us what’s going on.”

Nikki glanced to Evie and then Bram. Once Bram nodded, no doubt to tell her it was okay for Evie to hear the information, the young dragonwoman continued. “Right before I left, I finally tracked down Olivia’s location. Kai is in the process of bringing her in. I know you mentioned driving back to Stonefire, but Kai asked for you to fly back, if at all possible, so you two can question her together. Your dominance may be required to make her say something, especially concerning Neil Westhaven.”

Bram was silent for a second, no doubt communicating with his inner dragon. When his pupils flashed to slits and back, Evie moved to his side. Rather than air out what had happened earlier in front of his clan members, Evie merely asked, “Are you okay?”

Ten more seconds passed before his pupils became round again. Her dragonman looked down at her. “Yes, I’m fine.” He looked to Nikki. “Right, then I’ll fly back.” He then glanced from Nikki to Charlie and back. “You two take care of Evie and follow the protocol for reporting sensitive information.” The two dragonwomen nodded. Bram then looked to her. “If you find anything at all in those data files, Nikki or Charlie will pass on the information. Even if it’s the smallest bit significant, pass it on. I don’t want to overlook anything.”

Placing a hand on his chest, she said, “Of course. Just make sure I’m able to report to you. I’m sure your dragon wouldn’t like Finn taking my call.”

His eyes flashed again and she resisted a smile. She was learning how to push his inner dragon’s buttons; the beast wouldn’t want Finn talking to her. He would have to allow Bram to shift back to do that.

After Bram made a motion with his head, the two Protectors went to the kitchen and faced away from them. Bram lowered his head and murmured, “My beast is behaving. There’s no need to prod him.”

Evie batted her eyes. “Who said anything about prodding? I just stated a fact.”

Bram hugged her close. “I don’t have time to challenge you. I want a decent kiss goodbye. Make it good.”

“I don’t take kindly to orders.”

“Then I’ll just do this.”

Bram lowered his head and kissed her. As his tongue invaded her mouth, his hands gripped her arse and pressed her soft stomach against his hard abs. Continuing to caress her tongue with his, he then moved a hand to her back and pressed her chest against his. Her hard nipples brushed against him and she moaned, not caring that two dragonwomen were able to hear her. No, then she would worry about them scenting her arousal, too.

Instead, she clutched Bram’s shoulders and explored the inside of his mouth with her tongue. She would never get enough of his taste, his heat, or his scent.

As her pussy pulsed between her legs, she wished they had time to have sex one more time. Not to say goodbye, because he would come back to her, but rather, for luck.

All too soon, Bram broke the kiss, his breath hot against her lips as he whispered, “Now I’m determined to return so I can finish what I started.” He moved to her ear. His whisper was quiet; to the point, she strained her ears to hear his words. “Everyone in the room knows how you’re aching for my cock.”

She swatted his chest. “Bram, stop it.”

He chuckled before he eased back to see her eyes. “I’m going to miss you, Evie Marshall.”

Evie’s heart squeezed at the emotion in his words. Yet she somehow managed to keep her voice even when she replied, “Then stop dawdling and go. The sooner you save Murray, the sooner you can come back to me.”

With a nod, Bram released his grip. She nearly reached out to pull him close again, but she resisted. There was too much at stake and it was no time to be selfish.

Bram cleared his throat and the two dragonwomen turned around. Nikki was fighting a smile, but Charlie’s face was still as calm as before.
 

Her dragonman said, “Take care of Evie. You all should be safe here since I took great care in choosing this location, but don’t let your guard down for a second until I return. Who knows how far Simon Bourne’s reach goes, let alone where he has spies.” Nikki and Charlie nodded. He looked to her. “I know you don’t like orders, but stay put. When all of this is over, we’ll work on some self-defense training beyond what the DDA taught you. Until then, let my people watch over you. Worrying about you is a distraction I can’t afford until the clan and Murray is safe.”

Evie replied, “Don’t worry. I’ll stay until all of this is over. Not only do I want to live, I have mountains of data from the DDA database to comb through. I haven’t found anything in the fifteen minutes you were away, but I’m going to keep looking.”

“Good. Then I’m off.”

With one last quick kiss, Bram exited the room. Pushing aside the ache in her chest at his leaving, she turned toward Nikki and Charlie. “Right, I have a ton of information to sort through. Would anyone like to make some breakfast?”

Nikki crossed her arms over her chest. “We’re your guards, not your maids.”

Before she could launch into why it would benefit the clan to allow her to work, Charlie said in a quiet voice, “This job isn’t always as glamorous as you’d like it to be, Nikola. Now, start looking for something to make. I’m starved.”

Nikki gave a terse nod and turned toward the cabinets.
 

Looking toward Charlie, Evie said, “I don’t think we’ve met officially. I’m Evie Marshall.”

“I know.” Charlie gestured toward the laptop. “Why don’t you start working? I’ll let you know when the food is ready.”

Evie scrutinized the dragonwoman’s face, but she couldn’t detect any discernible emotion.
Not everyone will love you instantly. Focus on your work.

“Sounds good,” Evie said and moved to her computer and started reading.

~~~

Bram walked away from the cave dwelling toward the clearing surrounded by trees he would use to shift and take off. After taking a deep breath of cool morning air, he spoke to his dragon.
Do you still agree to our deal?

His inner beast gave a sleepy yawn before replying.
Yes. I will hand control back over to you once we arrive at Stonefire’s lands. Then I will be first to fuck our mate when the danger has passed.

Bram hated that his inner beast would be in control again the next time he had Evie naked and willing, but he was clan leader. Sacrifices had to be made.
Good. Channeling some of your sexual frustration will help us rescue Murray.

Yes. I’m strong, but I’m reaching my limit. I want our mate every second of every day.

I know how you feel. I don’t ever want to let her go, and not just because she’s our true mate.

My plan succeeded. You’re welcome.

Bram simply shook his head at his beast’s tone of surety.
She knows how to put you in your place. I’d be careful.

She won’t need to hurt us again. Next time, she will understand. She will bear our young.

How is that even possible?

Not now. I will tell you later. It will encourage you to finish the task quicker.

First Evie, and now his dragon; he was a bit worried about everyone dangling incentives for him to return in one piece. Even without the enticements, he wouldn’t let down his clan.

Bram stopped in the middle of the clearing and decided he would finish the rest of the conversation later.
I’m trusting you. Don’t let me down.

We have a deal. I will not renege.

Since Bram didn’t have any other choice, he allowed his dragon to rush to the front of his mind. As the inner beast took over, his legs grew into giant hind legs with talons, his arms into forelegs, and his face elongated into a snout at the same time ears and horns grew from his head. When the shift was complete, Bram’s dragon folded back their wings partway, crouched down, and jumped into the air.

As their wings beat to lift them into the sky, Bram paid close attention to his inner dragon’s behavior. Despite the tension humming through his mind, which he now recognized as his dragon containing the mate frenzy, the beast didn’t try to force him inside a mental prison as before.

Satisfied, Bram said,
Now, fly as fast as we can without being seen. Our clan needs us.

His wings beat in a steady rhythm as they flew over the English countryside. He was careful to pick a path with the least amount of human houses and farms. Nighttime was better for concealing a dragon in the sky, but Bram couldn’t afford to wait.

No matter how many times he’d flown in his dragon form over the course of his life, Bram loved viewing England from such a great height. Everything was small, not much more than a speck. Eventually, he wanted to take Evie out during the daylight hours. She would love the view.

To do that, he needed to ensure his survival. As he made his final approach to Stonefire’s secondary landing area, Bram said to his dragon,
Remember, to help me, the clan, and our mate, I need you to channel your frenzy. The dragon hunters nearly killed Tristan the last time our people rescued someone in trouble. We can’t let that happen, or our mate will be alone.