Jason didn’t want to let Christina out of his sight. They went straight back to his apartment and didn’t leave for a whole twenty-four hours. He didn’t want to share her either, wanting to keep her to himself, so he didn’t tell anyone he’d made it home.

Even though they were mated, he knew that there were many things they had to work out. This wasn’t some romantic movie where they would be living happily ever after and the screen faded to black. He would do anything in his power to make sure she was happy, but he knew it wasn’t going to be easy. Christina was a complicated woman, and that was one of the things he loved about her. So, he knew they would have to talk things out.

“What are you going to do now?” he asked as they lay in bed. They were having a lazy afternoon cuddle. He enjoyed feeling her naked body against his, and running his hands over her soft skin, even if they weren’t making love.

“What do you mean?” she asked in a sleepy voice.

“Well, you can’t sponge off me the rest of your life—ow!” He rubbed his head where she hit him, though she had a cute grin on her face when she did it. God, was everything about her sexy and adorable? “I mean,” he said, pulling her close, his voice turning serious. “Your mom’s killers. The Agency.”

She frowned. “My father and brothers will find the person responsible for her death and make them pay.”

“What about you? You’ve been wanting to do that your whole life.”

“Yes,” she nodded. “But I have you now. I don’t want to be away from you.”

“And I don’t want you away from me. But I also don’t want you to resent me for the rest of our lives.”

“I would never resent you.”

He kissed the top of her head. “I want to do whatever I can to help you. Name it, I’ll do it. We’ll find the people responsible for your mom’s death and we’ll make sure she gets justice.”

“Are you proposing we go on some kind of wild revenge spree?” she asked.

He laughed. “No, we’re not going to go Bonnie and Clyde on anyone. Though, you would look cute in a fedora.”

“Then what do you mean? How could I possibly do my work with The Agency and be here with you? Because I told you, I choose you.”

“I know,” he said. “But if it had been my family and I wanted to find justice, you’d support me right?”

“Of course. I love you.”

“And I love you, Christina. All I’m saying is that I don’t want you to feel stuck here. When The Agency finds these fuckers and you decide you want to go get your revenge, then I want to be there too.”

“To protect me?” she asked.

“Yes. Those bastards also tried to kill me and my family. I’ll want to make sure they won’t ever try it again.”

Her expression turned clear. “I understand. We’ll do it. Together.”

* * *

Jason didn’t realize it, but the solution to their problem came in an unlikely form the next day.

“What?” he said in an annoyed voice as he yanked his front door open. He had been in the middle of shower sex with Christina when the doorbell rang. He’d ignored it, but when the ringing became impatient, he had no choice but to answer it.

“Jason Sinclair Lennox,” Riva Lennox said as she stood in front of him, hands on her hips. “Are you ever going to leave this apartment?”

“Not if I could help it,” he muttered under his breath. “Hey, Mom. What’s up? Oh, you brought Sybil too.”

“Jason! You’re naked!” Sybil shrieked and slapped her palms over her eyes.

“Yeah, people usually shower naked,” he said dryly.

“My, you took your time opening the door. I’m glad you’re taking your personal hygiene seriously,” Riva said, her brow raised. “But we didn’t even know you’d arrived back from London.”

“I landed the other day. Christina picked me up,” he said smugly.

“I know,” Riva said with a knowing smile. “She came to Blackstone Castle a couple of hours before you did and told us everything. We gave her the keys to your truck.” She clapped her hands together. “I’m glad everything worked out and you found your mate. She’s a wonderful girl.”

“She is,” he agreed.

“Jason?” Christina asked as she peered around from behind the door. Her hair was still wet from the shower, but she was fully dressed. “Who—oh. Riva, Sybil. Nice of you to drop by.”

“We were worried when we didn’t hear from you,” Riva said.

“Sorry, we got…distracted.” She blushed. “Please, come in. And Jason, go put on some clothes.”

With an unhappy grumble, Jason trudged back to his bedroom and put on a fresh pair of jeans and a T-shirt. He considered shaving, but he loved torturing Christina with his stubble by rubbing it all over her sensitive places. And he had yet to find all of them.

“Ready?” Riva asked when he came out of the bedroom.

“Ready for what?”

“We’re having lunch with your parents and my father,” Christina said. “Let’s go.”

He wasn’t looking forward to meeting Ari Stavros under the circumstances, but he supposed he should make nice.

They drove back to Blackstone Castle, Jason and Christina in his truck and Riva and Sybil in his sister’s car. When they got to the dining room in the east wing, Hank Lennox and Ari Stavros were deep in conversation. They broke off when the four of them walked in.

“Glad you could finally join us,” Hank said, his gaze directed at his son.

“Nice to see you, too, Dad.” Jason walked over to Ari. “Sir,” he said formally. “It’s good to meet you again.”

Dark eyes looked up at him with a steely expression. “Is that all you have to say to me, after you destroyed my townhouse and put my family in danger by traipsing through London for everyone to see?”

“Papa!” Christina said, her face mortified.

“Er … sorry?” He cleared his throat. “I mean, my apologies, sir. I’ll pay for your house. But, there was something else. I wanted to ask you something.”

“And what is that?”

“For your daughter’s hand in marriage,” he said with a gulp. Beside him, Christina let out a gasp. “I know it’s old fashioned, but I wanted to get your permission to ask her.”

Ari looked at Christina, his smile wistful. “You don’t need it, but you shall have it.” He shook his head. “I just can’t believe a Blackstone dragon is taking away another one of my daughters. You don’t have a third brother hiding somewhere, do you? Let me know so I can keep my Cordelia away.”

“No one age-appropriate, sir,” Jason quipped. Then he turned to Christina. “This was kind of spur-of-the-moment, so I don’t have a ring. But I’ll fly you to any store in the world and we can pick out any ring you want. So,” he got down on one knee and took her hand. “Christina Stavros, you’re already my dragon’s mate and my soul mate. Would you do me the honor of being my wife, too?”

Christina’s jaw dropped and she took a quick gasp of air before she said, “Yes. I will marry you.”

Jason got to his feet and picked her up, then kissed her tenderly. She returned his kisses with an urgent fervor before pulling away.

“Congratulations!” Riva said, her eyes shiny with tears.

“Oh. My. God.” Sybil said. “You’re really mates!”

Hank stood up and hugged his son, and then Christina. “Welcome to the family,” he said. “I’m glad my son is finally settling down.”

Christina and her father also hugged warmly, the older man almost reluctant to let her go. “May your marriage be blessed with love and many children.”

“Eager to be a grandfather?” Christina quipped.

“Yes.” He shook his head and laughed. “A wolf with dragonling grandchildren. Who knew?”

Hank cleared his throat. “Son, I wish you’d given us some warning before you decided to be spontaneous.”

“And romantic,” Riva added.

“Warning? What for?” Jason asked.

“Sit down, both of you,” Hank said, his voice serious. At the change in tone, the mood turned from celebratory to somber and everyone took their seats “Ari and I have been talking since they arrived here,” Hank began. “He told me everything. About the SPA and what they’d uncovered.”

“You did?” Christina asked. “You’ve never told anyone about us.”

“I know,” Ari said. “But times are changing. Your brother was right. We need as much help as we can get.”

“And we’re going to help,” Hank said. “The Lennox Foundation has enough resources to bring to this fight. This isn’t just about our family, but our kind.”

“We must come together and form a strong alliance,” Ari said. “Which is why I’m expanding The Agency to Blackstone. And I want your help, Christina.”

“Me?” she asked.

“Yes, you. Who better to establish our headquarters here than you? You’ve worked behind the scenes and in the field.”

“But it’s only been a year, Papa,” she said. “How could I run it all?”

“You’ll have me,” Jason said, looking at her warmly. “I told you, remember? We’ll do it together.”

“And you’ll have me and your brothers for advice,” Ari added.

Christina looked floored. “I … I don’t know what to say.”

“Will you do it?” Ari asked.

“Of course!” she said, beaming at him. “Thank you, especially for your trust in me, Papa.”

“I know you can do it,” Ari said. “You’ve always made me proud.”

Christina sniffed back the tears and Jason placed a hand over hers. “You’ll do great.”

“All right,” Riva said, wiping the tears from her eyes. “What do you guys say we get some food? I think we’ve had enough excitement for one day.”

Christina laughed and looked at Jason warmly. He returned her smile and squeezed her hand. Deep inside him, his dragon gave a contented snort, finally at peace and whole.