Page 20 of Red Marked

“Good news,” he says. “Reed has given the go-ahead. She doesn’t like it any more than I do, but if those really are two of our Draig females, we need eyes on the ground. Get in, get intel, extract them if you can manage it, but you need to be careful, Flint. You won’t have immediate backup. Don’t do it if it’s too risky.” His voice has taken on a pleading edge.

“I’ll be fine. I’m going in.”

“Don’t do any crazy shit.”

“I won’t go in alone. I’ve made friends since coming here. People I can trust.”

“All Red dragons,” he growls.

“My friends, Magma. You’re going to have to trust my judgment.”

“I do,” he says. “I’m just worried, that’s all. I’ve got two children coming, Flint. I’d like you to meet them. Hell, I want you to be godfather to one of them.”

“Really?” I’m smiling.

“Of course.” I can hear he’s smiling too.

“I’ll be fine,” I say. “I’ll keep you informed.”

“You’d better.”

“Give Carla my love.” I’m on my feet already and on my way to the door. “Ridge and Robyn too.”

“I will.” A pause. “Watch yourself out there.”

“You know I will.”

The line goes dead.

I push my phone into my pocket and head out, walking down the hallway.

Atlas’s place is just a few doors down. I knock.

He opens the door.

“Flint.” He frowns. “This is unexpected.” Whatever he sees on my face has him stepping back. “You’d better come in.”

“I wasn’t happy with today’s meeting,” I tell him. “I gave the head of Draig Security a call because I feel like those females might be in real trouble.” I tell him about the call I had with Magma. “I’m going in. I need to know what the fuck is going on. I know what I saw, and I’m not willing to sit on it. I don’t want to go alone.”

“I didn’t like it either. They’re hiding something.” He looks at me squarely. “You definitely shouldn’t go alone. I’m in. I think we need a small group of strong males.”

“I agree.” I nod. “Rift would be cool, but I don’t think we should risk taking a female.” I lift my brows. “There needs to be at least five, maybe even six of us.”

“I agree about Rift.” He rubs a hand over his jaw, his eyes lifting in thought. “I’m sure Saber would be on board.”

“Maybe tell Rift what’s going on just in case.” We don’t make it back. I don’t say the words out loud.

He nods. “I’ll talk to her. Make sure she’s on the up and up. There are a couple of others I’d like to approach to come on the actual mission.”

“Do you think Brian would agree?” I ask. “It would be helpful if he brought his dart gun and pegged off any ferals that came for us. I want to try to avoid bloodshed as much as possible.”

Atlas nods. “He might. Brian has a crazy streak. He’ll do it for the kicks, if nothing else.”

“I want to go in tonight once this place shuts down. Tomorrow night at the latest.”

“I think you’re right.” He nods. “The sooner we get to the bottom of this, the better. Give me a couple of hours to get a small team together.”

“Be discreet.”