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“I know.”
“Do you?”
She felt stupid. He referred to Kelly. “I guess you’re going to fire her too?”
“I’m not her boss. Either way, that has nothing to do with you.” He gestured, still waiting for her to release her badge and weapon.
With a sinking heart, she turned them over. Years ago when her first fiancé was murdered, she thought nothing could ever be that bad again. She couldn’t have been more wrong.
Chapter 2
“Gerard.”
He stood with his back to her, gazing out the window. They waited for the others to join them. Restaurant after restaurant had turned them away. Finally, Declan contacted a friend who lived in the city and owned a small warehouse.
The man stored furniture for his online store in the warehouse. When he agreed to allow Declan and his group to meet with Kelly there, his guys arranged the place almost like a restaurant with tables and chairs, and even couches in the main area.
To one side, near some oversized windows, Lachelle joined Gerard to be alone. While they weren’t out of earshot, she felt isolated enough to have a conversation with him. The problem was, she didn’t want talk. Dread rolled up and down her spine. To hear the words, that there might be a dragon law that said Kelly had claim on him was too much to take in.
Not to mention whether he even wants to stay with me.
That was the crux of the matter. Did Gerard’s feelings for her fade the second Kelly showed up? How did it work with them? A part of her wanted to ask him. Another part preferred to stay ignorant.
“So, um, does this mean you’re married to her?”
He spared her a glance as she moved up beside him. His hands pushed deep inside his pockets bunched into fists. Usually, he would free them to hold her hand. It was rare for her to be near him and him not reach for her. She’d claimed in jest that she was his drug.
“We didn’t bond.” His voice was monotone.
“Yeah, but you were about to. What happened?”
A muscle in his jaw flexed. He didn’t answer.
“I’m having a hard time understanding. I don’t know what any of this means, and it would help if I could at least know how you feel right now.”
“I don’t know.”
“What do you mean you don’t know? You don’t know if you love me anymore?” She bit her tongue. Her complaint sounded like a whine. It was weak and wimpy and drove her insane. “It’s a simple question that you should be able to answer. I mean it hasn’t been a day since we—”
“Hello, everyone,” Kelly sang as she strolled into the warehouse. “I know I’ve kept you waiting a while, but I come bearing gifts.”
Every shifter in the place breathed in deep with a supreme attitude of satisfaction. Here was another common trait. Their appetites were off the charts, and Kelly arrived with food. She had convinced someone to provide them lunch. Two of Declan’s men he left with Kelly carted in white bags Lachelle assumed contained catering for the dragon group.
One of Declan’s men forgot himself and tore into a bag. “You’re an angel.”
Kelly’s peal of laughter grated on Lachelle’s raw nerves. “Gerard, I’ve got something special for you and me. Our table will be this one here.”
She waved a hand to the two men already chowing on food at the table. They vacated the spot, carrying their food with them. Janessa dragged over another table and bumped it against the one Kelly chose. She added chairs all around.
“You seem to forget you’re not in charge here,” Janessa told her. “We’ll all share the table. And in case you missed it earlier, my sister is with Gerard now. He’s hers.”
The sweet smile left Kelly’s face. Lachelle imagined a cold breeze blew through the warehouse. Then again, it might have.
Kelly raised her chin. “That’s impossible because Gerard and I are bonded. That’s forever.”
The entire warehouse went silent. Lachelle’s scalp tingled. Her stomach roiled, and she swallowed just in case something wanted to come up. The last thing she wanted at that moment was to eat.
She dared to peek at Gerard. He’d gone pale, and his jaw hung slack. Confusion clouded the silver eyes and then curiosity. As if in a trance, he wandered over to the table, once again forgetting about her.
