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“It definitely was.” Biting her lip, she went quiet for a moment. “So what now? They know who both of us are and what we’re driving. I’m even more for going back to Atlanta now and drawing them out so we can end this before one or both of us gets hurt.”
Exhaling, he tightened his hands on the steering wheel as he shook his head. “I still don’t think that’s a good idea.”
It’s definitely not a good idea, his dragon hissed, not liking that plan any more than he did.
I know. I don’t know what to do next, though. I can’t look for Justin and keep her fully protected at the same time. It’s clear that they want to silence her for being able to identify them.
His dragon went quiet inside him, and when he spoke again, his voice was dripping with reluctance. Maybe she has a point.
What? About going back to Atlanta? She’d be in danger, he retorted, scowling. He couldn’t believe his animal would even suggest it.
Like she’s not now? At least this way, we can get Justin away from the bastards and make sure she stays safe. We can end this.
Fuck. Why was he even starting to think his dragon had a point?
“I do think it’s a good idea,” Katia replied, bringing him back to the conversation. “And we don’t have to do this alone. My uncle knows what’s going on. He can help. I might not believe he or any of my family are in the mob, but he has some terrifying, badass friends, there’s no denying that.”
Cocking an eyebrow, he glanced over at her. “He let you be around terrifying men?”
She waved her hand dismissively. “They were never anything but nice to me. I wouldn’t want to be a stranger and meet them in a dark alley, though.”
He shook his head as he checked the rearview mirror, relieved that the road was as dark and empty as it had been when they first got on the interstate. “You have an interesting life.”
Her eyebrows rose and she laughed as she looked at him. “No, not at all. My life is beyond boring. I just know some interesting people, is all.”
Exhaling, he considered her words about her uncle, but he honestly didn’t know what the hell to do. He wasn’t used to not knowing exactly what to do next, and he hated it. The indecision literally grated on his nerves.
The thought of having help eased some of his fear for Katia’s safety, but he still had no clue who the bastards after her were. Or rather, what they were. If they were humans, her uncle’s friends would come in handy. If they were shifters… everyone could end up dead at the end of it.
No, they won’t, his dragon said resolutely inside him. Remember, you have me, and we’re almost indestructible in my form. We won’t let anyone die and we’ll kill those fuckers for daring to mess with Katia and Justin.
Did you forget that we have to hide what we are? If I have to shift—and in the middle of Atlanta, of all places—it not only lets humans know shifters exist, but it puts a big target on our backs. Humans and hunters alike will be hunting us and trying to kill us.
Would that stop you from shifting to defend Katia or Justin? his dragon asked quietly.
He didn’t answer because there was no point in it. He and his dragon both knew he wouldn’t hesitate. If it came down to a choice between saving them and exposing what he was, or keeping the secret and letting them die, he’d choose them in a heartbeat.
“I’ve been watching, and we weren’t followed this time. Let’s get another room for the night and we can decide then what we’ll do tomorrow.”
A glance over at her showed her narrowing her eyes on him, and he knew she didn’t believe he’d give in about going back. It was the last thing he wanted to do, but dammit all, he was actually contemplating it. It was a risk, but if it meant keeping her safe and getting Justin back, it would be worth it.
If he could do those things.
“Okay. But don’t think I’m just gonna give up on trying to convince you to go back.”
His lips curled as he huffed a laugh. “I never imagined for a moment that you would.”
“What do you do for a living? I don’t think you ever mentioned it,” she said after a short silence.
“I have a small ranch in Montana. Actually, it’s mine and Justin’s. His parents left it to us about seven years ago when they moved to Maine.”
“They left it to both of you?” she asked, surprise in her voice.
He shrugged, slowing down to take the next exit off the interstate. “Yeah. My parents died when I was five and I went to live with them. They said I’d become as much their son as Justin, and they know we’re close, so they left it to both of us.”
She was quiet for a moment before speaking again. “I’m so sorry about your parents.”
“It’s okay. I missed them something fierce at first, but it was twenty-five years ago. I hardly remember them now.”
