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Ash frowned. “Then what are you waiting for?”
“He’s busy. After Patrick’s story, the band will have to run another set.” She missed sitting in on Mitchell’s jam sessions with Hank, Big Jim, and Nancy. Those were some of her most fond memories. Mitchell loved his music, and so did she. “I can tell him later. Where is Lucas?”
“He’s sitting with Doc and Mick over there.”
Phoebe looked over at Lucas, the middle-born Wolfe brother, and smiled. He was wearing a toga and a fake beard, no doubt portraying one of his favorite architects, Phidias. The Halloween party was the only time Lucas let down his guard and wore something other than a suit and tie in his office, or jeans and a white shirt when he was on site.
“Time to spill the beans about your stalker to him,” Ashley stated flatly. “And what a good-looking man to tell, too. All those Wolfe brothers are gorgeous. I can’t believe you let them go.”
“But I did.” Looking at Lucas was making her heart race. Dark, thick hair that she loved running her fingers through. Six-one and chiseled beautifully from head to toe. His mysterious dark eyes never failed to mesmerize her. At least he’s not talking to some pretty girl. Are you losing your mind? Stop it. “And I will say it again. The topic of me and the Wolfe brothers is off-limits, Ash.”
“Fine. Tomorrow we can pick up where we left off. Right now, I’m taking you over to him.” Ash took her arm and led her to one of the three men Phoebe couldn’t get out of her heart, no matter how hard she tried.
* * * *
Lucas was thrilled to see Phoebe being led by Ashley in his direction. He stood, hoping they would take his seat. All the sofas and chairs were packed. Like always, it was standing room only for Patrick’s story.
Doc and Mick got to their feet, clearly spotting the approaching duo, too.
“Ladies.” Doc gestured to the sofa. “Have a seat.”
“We only need to talk to Lucas for a moment,” Ashley said. “Well, Phoebe does.”
“Sit,” Mick ordered in his most Dom tone. “The seats are for the ladies. My brother and I need to refill our drinks anyway. We’ll get a good view of Patrick from the bar.”
Doc nodded, and the two Ryder brothers left.
“That leaves three seats,” Ashley said with a wink. “Phoebe, you sit in the middle. Lucas, you take the right. I’ll take the left.”
“Forgive her, Lucas,” Phoebe said with the sass he’d always loved of hers. “She forgets who is boss and who is assistant.”
“I never forget. I’m in charge. You pay the bills.”
“Everyone, please take your seats. Children gather around.” Ethel’s silver hair was twisted into a bun at the back of her head, perfect for her queen costume. Her blue eyes danced as the seventy-nine-year-old woman smiled down at Destiny’s youngest citizens from the bottom of the staircase. The children sat on
the floor in front of the microphone and stand that Patrick was about to give his annual speech from. “Our Master of Ceremonies will be down in two minutes.”
“More like five.” Leaning on one of the dragon statues in the room, Sam O’Leary, brother to Patrick and Ethel’s other husband, wore his glasses on the end of his nose. He rubbed his bald head—a clear act of drama for the kids to enjoy. Eighty-five years old, Sam was as much Peter Pan as Patrick, who was a year older. “The man loves a grand entrance.”
“Stop it, Sam.” Ethel smiled. “But he’s right. More like five.” She walked back up the stairs.
Ashley sat in the place she’d picked out for herself.
Phoebe shrugged. “Best to let Ash think she’s in charge.” She sat in the middle of the sofa.
Lucas grinned and took the seat next to the woman he loved more than life itself. God, it felt so good to be next to her. Before he could ask her what she needed to talk about, the lights dimmed and mysterious music filled the air.
Fog from hidden machines wafted through the room. Patrick does know how to put on a show.
“Good evening, ladies and gentlemen and distinguished little guests on the floor,” Patrick’s voice came from every corner of the room, a new addition to the annual event and quite an impressive one to boot. “Tonight, I ask you to let your minds drift back to an earlier era when monstrous, glorious creatures roamed the sky, the earth, and the seas. Some say they never were, but I know for a fact that not only did they live long ago on this tiny blue planet—they are still with us, hidden from the nonbelievers, those who refuse to see what is right in front of their faces.”
Lucas loved hearing the old man talk about dragons. Everyone did, even Sam, Patrick’s brother, though he rolled his eyes at every telling.
Lucas looked over at Phoebe. How long had it been since they’d sat in the O’Leary mansion listening to every captivating word from the Dragon Master of Destiny?
“In my lifetime, I have seen two dragons, in the flesh. Yes, two. Five more, I have seen out of the corner of my eye, appearing as apparitions, wisps of their amazing selves.” Patrick emerged at the top of the stairs, wearing his outlandish silver garb and red cape. In one hand was the golden staff he always carried every Halloween and in the other his pipe, allegedly carved from a dragon bone he’d unearthed in an expedition to Peru in the seventies. He looked like a wizard. In Lucas’s mind, ever since he was a child, that’s exactly what Patrick was.
Patrick lifted the staff into the air, another change from previous speeches, and thunder rumbled from the speakers. The kids screamed.
