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“I should. If I do need a face-to-face meeting with one of my journalist contacts, I want more backup than you. Not that you aren’t a fantastic soldier, but when dealing with crazies, the more protection, the better.”
After handing over the USB backup to Jane, Rafe closed his briefcase. “I agree.”
Jane eyed him a second before saying, “Nikki has been good for you.”
At the mention of Nikki’s name, he yearned to see her face. He was so close to staying with her forever that he could taste it.
Clearing his throat, Rafe changed the subject. “Let’s head back to Stonefire. You have the roundabout way memorized to get back to our car, right?” Jane nodded and Rafe motioned to the door. “Right, then it’s time to go.”
As Jane exited first, Rafe waited sixty seconds before following her.
He only hoped his sister was right and that they had enough to bring down the DDA Director. Otherwise, Christie would increase his security and Rafe will have lost the upper hand.
No. If anyone knew how the media worked, it was his sister. As much as he would hate for Jane to lord it over him later, Rafe would gladly take her teasing if it meant he could stay with Nikki.
Chapter Twenty-Four
Two weeks later in one of the meeting rooms, Nikki leaned against Rafe’s side while they stood with Bram, Evie, Tristan, Melanie, Kai, and Jane inside the Protectors’ central command. Everyone’s eyes were glued to the television.
Rosalind Abbot was being sworn in as the newest Director of the DDA.
When the ceremony completed, the announcer’s voice boomed out, “With Rosalind Abbott sworn in, all dragon-shifters must be sighing in relief. The recorded conversation between Jonathan Christie and one of his assistants, identified as Tobias Wh
ite, was a shock to the nation. Especially once inquiries were made and evidence of murder surfaced. Nineteen human bodies were staged in a mass grave on the edge of Clan Skyhunter’s land in the South Downs National Park. They were identified as the attackers on Clan Stonefire. Hired men posing as DDA enforcers had taken custody of the individuals from Stonefire. We now know they were hired by Tobias White.
“While Christie still awaits trial and the result of further inquiries, the prime minister and parliament have relieved him of his duties as Director of the DDA. The former candidate, Rosalind Abbott, was the obvious choice as his successor. The newly sworn in Director Abbott is about to speak, so let’s listen.”
The shot changed to a close-up of Abbott as she began speaking, “Thank you all for coming out today and to those watching at home. I truly hope this marks a new beginning for us all.
“As I mentioned many times during my campaign to be DDA Director, I wish to strengthen ties with all the dragon-shifter clans in the UK. It is my hope we can work together to root out the terrorists while also forming a closer alliance. To accomplish this, a few proposals will be announced over the coming weeks. I even hope to have a public ceremony of good faith soon, to show with actions what my goals are for the future. Under my leadership, the Department of Dragon Affairs will become a trusted institution once more. I only hope the human public will show their support.”
The crowd on-screen clapped. When the noise died down, Abbott continued, “In addition to changes within the DDA, I also want to petition you, the British public, to help my cause. If you see abuse toward a dragon clan, report it. If you live near one, and they hold an open celebration, one of the changes I hope to see realized, then please attend it. Only when we understand one another can we move forward to create a better future.”
Cheers erupted, and the announcer went on to summarize Abbott’s accomplishments. The TV went dark and Nikki looked to Bram. Her clan leader motioned toward the blank screen. “Now that Abbott has made her speech, I’m free to share one of her proposals.” He looked from Nikki to Rafe and back again. “It concerns you two.”
Nikki’s heart rate ticked up, but she managed to keep her composure relaxed. “How?”
“Do you two want to be mated?”
Rafe answered before she could, “Absolutely.”
The confidence of Rafe’s answer made her lean a little more against him. “But how, Bram? Surely Rosalind Abbott hasn’t managed to change the laws about female dragon-shifters mating human males? She’s been in office for less than quarter of an hour.”
“That may be,” Bram answered. “However, she hopes that the ceremony of good faith would feature you two being mated publicly, with a special license, in front of cameras.”
Nikki stopped breathing. Rafe squeezed her hip before replying, “But what about the others? It doesn’t feel right that Nikki and I should have special privileges whilst other dragonwomen don’t have the same option.”
If she didn’t already love Rafe Hartley, Nikki would’ve fallen for him again. “Rafe’s right. As much as I want my human, it seems unfair.”
Nikki looked at Jane as she spoke up. “Fair or not, it might be the catalyst for change. Without mine and Kai’s case, or even Holly and Fraser’s case up in Lochguard, the special licenses for our clans, allowing dragonmen to mate human females, might never have materialized.”
Melanie added, “I can understand it might seem selfish to accept this deal, but Jane’s right. Besides, the human public has never seen a mating ceremony live before. The article about Bram and Evie was the first step, but images can be much more powerful.” She threw a sympathetic look to Jane. “Although, it will mean delaying the launch of your videocast again. I know you wanted to kick it off with yours and Kai’s mating ceremony.”
Jane shrugged. “I’m already mated to Kai legally. It’s just the ceremony we haven’t performed.” She grinned up at her dragonman. “I know how much he wants to see his name on my arm.”
Kai grunted but hugged Jane closer. “We can do it today if you like, love.”
Jane blinked. “What about your family or mine? Don’t you want them in attendance?”
