Page 29 of Dragon My Crazy

I hung up, my heart slamming against my ribs. Samuel was supposed to be behind bars. Locked up. Contained not just physically, but with magic too, since with his magic, breaking out of a normal prison was no biggie. I’d finalized the divorce right before they locked him up for assaulting Hazel, Seth’s wife, who just so happened to be a police officer, and like a daughter to Chief Henderson— yes, the same Chief Henderson I went ona few dates with. Samuel was supposed to be where he couldn’t reach me.

I checked my phone, just to make sure I hadn’t hallucinated it all. But the call from the unknown number taunted me from the screen.

The worry I’d been holding at arm’s length crashed over me all at once. If he could call me, then he could find me. If he found me, then I was in danger. And the only thing that had ever truly kept me safe from him before was a dragon’s lair—Desmon’s once, and now this one, half a continent away.

I sat there for a long moment, the phone growing heavier by the second in my hand. Melly had started to fuss in her sleep, as if she could feel my panic. A little claw reached out, latching onto one of my slippers. I tried to calm.

Breathe in.

Breathe out.

Breathe in.

Breathe out.

Seth had warded me before I came, hiding the presence of my magic. The concealment spell still hummed faintly under my skin. I could feel it the same way one could feel those cheap one-time use makeup spells. He’d tucked protective charms into my bags too. And still, somehow, Samuel had gotten a phone number to a witch he wasn’t supposed to be able to find.

Did that mean the concealment was working on my magic, but not on me? Had someone found me the old-fashioned way? Was someone watching me, even now?

The door creaked open behind me. I glanced up to see Emmett’s chiseled profile.

He leaned against the frame, arms crossed, his expression unreadable. He’d dressed casually again, dark jeans and a fitted Henley that hugged his shoulders. His hair was slightly tousled like he’d run a hand through it when wet. His gaze swept over me once, and the easy humor drained out of his face.

“Are you okay? You look like you’ve seen a ghost.”

I forced a laugh. “Oh… it’s nothing.”

His gaze sharpened. “It’s not nothing. Don’t lie to me, I can smell it.”

I hesitated, then told him. It was best I did anyway, because if I was here, then it painted a target on his castle and everyone in it too. I told him about Desmon and Seth’s extended trip, and then about Samuel calling when he shouldn’t be able to reach me. Then I explained what it would mean, that I’d basically be stuck inside the estate walls, worrying if I wanted to be safe.

Emmett’s jaw tightened with every word, and by the time I finished, a thin curl of smoke had escaped one nostril, and the temperature in the room had climbed several degrees. He pushed off the doorframe and stepped into the room, close enough that I could feel the heat of him.

“There is only one solution. You will stay here with me.”

He made it sound so simple.

“Stay,” he repeated. “At least until Desmon and Seth’s return.” His voice dropped, turning serious. “I won’t pretend it’s only about Melly. I’m a selfish dragon. I won’t let you walk back into danger when I have an entire mountain that could keep you safe.”

I opened my mouth to argue to tell him that this wasn’t part of the deal, but he pulled me up to my feet so that I stood directly in front of him. The closeness did something to my brain, and I couldn’t remember what I was going to say.

“And if you need another reason…” He leaned in, his voice dropping to a low purr.

My brain immediately went there, imagining all the ways he could convince me to stay.

“I make a mean pancake.”

I blinked, processing his words, then laughed, my body shaking from the combination of apprehension and then humor. “That’s your pitch? After all that? Your final offer is pancakes?”

“Best you’ll ever have.” His grin was infectious, his eyes warm. “And I promise not to let Samuel’s friends anywhere near you. No one gets onto this mountain without me knowing. Not even my brother manages that, and believe me, he’s tried.” He held my gaze, and for once, there was nothing playful in it. “You’re safe here, Elana. I give you my word.”

If I went home, I’d be a target. With Desmon and Seth gone, with just me, alone in that big estate with a skeleton staff and the ifrits, Samuel would be tempted to try something.

But here?

Here, I wouldn’t be alone. I’d still be in a dragon’s territory, under Emmett’s protection. I could visit the town and take walks out in the woods. I was useful, helping Melly thrive. I was making a difference.

Melly was awake again now and clinging to my leg. I wasn’t too good at guessing dragon expressions, but I could feel it through the bond. She was happy.