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“Of course I bloody care. We’ve been working together for nearly half a year. Tell me how she’s doing or I’m going to fight my way out of here to check.”
Amusement flared in Bram’s eyes. “Aye? I’d like to see you try.” Rafe took a step toward the leader and Bram sighed. “She’s as well as can be expected. Do you understand what just happened?”
“I think so. Her dragon sees me as her mate.”
“Aye. Which means you have two choices—leave here and never return, or you agree to give Nikki a child and then walk away.”
Rafe clenched his fingers. “Why are you assuming I’d just leave my child behind?”
Motioning toward him, Bram answered, “Your history doesn’t speak of long-term relationships. Bloody hell, I think the longest was a month.”
Rafe ignored the jab at his past. “Forget about my bloody track record. Does Nikki know you’re trying to stud her out?”
In the blink of an eye, Bram rushed Rafe and pinned him to the wall. “Nikki is like a younger sister to me. Tread carefully, human. I have yet to see this clever, determined other side to you that she is adamant exists. All I see is an arsehole.”
“Says the dragonman ready to offer up one of his clan members without asking her what she wants.”
Bram searched his eyes a second and Rafe held his breath. All the Stonefire leader had to do was extend a talon and slit his throat. Rafe only hoped his sister was right about Clan Stonefire being decent.
To date, the only clan member he knew who was decent was Nikki. She more than proved herself to him.
The woman definitely didn’t deserve a random pregnancy forced upon her.
Taking a chance, Rafe whispered, “Ask what Nikki wants first. Then I’ll make my choice.”
The dragonman’s pupils remained slitted for a few beats. Once they were round again, Bram released his hold and took two steps back. “Stay here. We’re nowhere near done talking.”
Stonefire’s leader exited the room and Rafe slumped into one of the chairs. Why the hell hadn’t he taken the option to flee? He was the last person looking to be a father at this point.
And yet, the idea of Nikki suffering for who knew how long twisted his heart. She didn’t think he remembered, but Rafe had hurt her once before. He didn’t want to do it again.
But, fuck, a child? Could he handle it?
An image of a little girl dragon-shifter running through a field popped into his head. The girl had Rafe’s green eyes and Nikki’s cheekbones. She stopped in front of him and waggled a finger. The four-year-old wasn’t afraid to stand up to him.
Smiling, Rafe admitted it wouldn’t be the worst thing in the world.
He stopped tapping his finger against his thigh at that thought. Bloody hell. Something must be wrong with him.
As he waited for Bram to come back and talk with him, Rafe wondered what he’d do if Nikki asked him for a child.
~~~
Nikki lay on her side, her body curled up into a ball, with her hands over her ears.
But the act couldn’t block out her dragon’s words. Find him. Fuck him. Now.
Nikki’s strength was waning, but she put as much dominance in her reply as she could muster. No. It’s not what I want. It’s not what we want. The clan’s safety is our top priority.
Snarling, her beast answered, The others will take care of the clan. I want Rafe Hartley’s cock inside us now. He will give us a child.
As they continued to go round and round, Nikki’s resolve weakened. If she weren't careful, her dragon would take control and do whatever the hell she wanted; Nikki’s consent wouldn’t matter.
Clenching her jaw, she tried to block out the roaring in her head to think of a solution. The action only pissed off her beast more. No! Enough is enough. I want control.
Her beast clawed at the weak wall around her. One swipe ripped a sizable hole. Just as her dragon moved to try again, something cold and wet dumped over Nikki’s body.
Nikki sputtered at the ice water. The shock silenced her dragon temporarily. Patching up her mental wall as much as possible, Nikki rubbed the water from her eyes and the tall, ponytailed form of Dr. Cassidy Jackson, Stonefire’s head doctor, came into focus. “Dr. Sid?”
