Chapter 12
“He got shot? Why didn’t you take him to a fucking hospital like a normal person? And what’s the deal with tall, blond, and mopey?” Wendy whisper-screamed at her in the small kitchen. Even if she’d whispered, the dragon shifters would’ve heard her, but she didn’t know that.
“It’s not that simple.”
“Explain it to me, then, because I’ll be honest, this freaks me out a little.”
The less Wendy knew, the better off everyone would be, but she couldn’t leave her in the dark entirely. “They’re not human, Wen. They’re dragon shifters, like me.”
Her head snapped in the direction of the living room. “Dragons? Both of them? He’s not going to hurt me or anything, is he? The way he stares at me is pretty intense.” Her tongue darted out to wet her lips.
Sloane stifled her chuckle. She hardly knew Rory, but if the earlier display was anything to go by, harming Wendy was the furthest thing from his mind. “You’re safe with him. It turns out Mateo is my mate. Some thugs attacked us, and he got shot in the arm. I think they may have broken the right one.
“Do you think we can make use of the roof? The building is the tallest in the area, so we won’t be spotted. Mateo needs to shift so he can heal his wounds.”
Wendy stared at her for so long that she feared the answer might be no, but then she shrugged. “Yeah, I guess. I mean, there’s nothing to sleep on, but no one will bug him up there.”
“Thanks, Wen. I appreciate it. I’m going to spend the night up there, too.”
“And what about Mr. McGrowly?”
What was she supposed to say? That she thought Wendy might have a dragon mate? Since bolting up the stairs as though the devil was on his ass, Rory hadn’t said a thing. He had barely stammered out a hello when she’d introduced him. “I guess we’ll find out.”
As soon as they exited the kitchen, Mateo was at her side again. She couldn’t say that he looked any worse than he had before, but seeing the awkward angle of his arm and the tired lines around his eyes made her heart ache. “We’re going to spend what’s left of the night up on the roof. You guys ready?”
Rory, whose gaze had remained glued to Wendy from the moment she’d emerged from the kitchen, backed up a few steps and reached for the door. “I’m going to deal with the car and meet up with you guys later.” With one final hunger-filled look at Wendy, he hung his head and left.
“I guess that settles that,” Wendy said as she grabbed her jacket. “Alright, what do you guys need?”
Mateo reached into one of the bags he still carried and pulled out the two burner phones he’d purchased. “Would you mind charging these for us? Sloane lost her phone in all the commotion earlier, and I dropped mine in a puddle.”
Wendy gave him a side-eyed glare that said she didn’t quite believe him but then took them from him. “Sure thing. Just so you know, if you do anything to hurt her, you’ll have me to deal with. I don’t care if you’re a dragon, I can still kick your ass.” Her hot pink bob swirled around her face with the attitude she gave.
Sloane grinned at her friend. Leave it to Wendy to try to protect her.
Mateo’s lips quirked up at the corners. “I’ll be sure to be on my best behavior.”
“Right. Okay, follow me. Do you need blankets or anything?”
“Nope, just the roof,” Sloane responded. It was the middle of the night, after all, and unless she’d changed her schedule, Wendy would be due at work at eleven. Time for all of them to get some shut eye.
***
Mateo inhaled the night air, taking the scents of the city into him. It wasn’t fresh like the air in Glen Farley, but with his mate so close, it was the sweetest breath he’d ever taken. Other than the clothes they’d change into come morning, they’d left their purchases inside Wendy’s apartment in case of rain. If the humidity in the air was to be trusted, they’d be in for a bit of a shower.
Sloane hugged her friend and closed the door before turning and coming toward him. Her chest rose and fell with her tired sigh. “All right, there’s no one around. None of the surrounding buildings are as tall as this one, so we can shift and rest. You need to heal those wounds if we’re going to find the hunters tomorrow.”
Mateo snorted. It wasn’t a pleasant sound. “You’re not going to find anything. Rory and I will deal with the hunters. You’ll stay somewhere safe and keep out of sight,” he said.
Her eyebrows shot up. “Oh, I will, will I?”
Seeing the error of his words—and her corresponding irritation—he weighed his next words carefully. “It would be my preference, yes.”
Some of the tension eased from her body. “Maybe we can discuss it in the morning. You’ve been hurting far too long already.”
Both his arms were achy, but in all honesty, he was more tired than anything at that point. “Good idea.” That would give him more time to figure out how to keep her out of harm’s way without pissing her off.
He didn’t bother undoing the buttons of his shirt. It was already in tatters. Gripping the edges, he tugged, sending the plastic disks flying.
“Show off,” Sloane admonished with a shake of her head.
When he pulled the material from his shoulders, she didn’t avert her gaze. Not that he expected—or wanted—her to, but it pleased him just the same.
“You should see me when I don’t have bullet holes. I’m pretty impressive, if I say so myself.” Sloane rolled her eyes at him, but her lips curled up in a smile.
“I did see you without the bullet hole, and you’re right, you’re a sight to see, that’s for sure.” She turned her back on him and pulled her hair over her shoulder, exposing the zipper to her dress. The memory of the last time he’d lowered it to the base of her spine had him groaning as his blood rushed to his cock.
“Don’t get any ideas,” she said in a voice he was sure was intended to be stern but came out husky and sexy as hell. “Healing and rest first.”
If it weren’t for her exhaustion beating at him, he might try to convince her otherwise, but he wouldn’t start their time together by being a selfish bastard. They had their entire lives to get to be together and learn every bit about the other. Tonight, he’d see to her needs, and that meant rest. “Yes, sleep first,” he agreed as he reached for the zipper. Gooseflesh rose upon her silky skin as he lowered it.
She turned to face him before easing the dress past the gorgeous flare of her hips. She rolled the shimmery material and placed it into the plastic bag they’d brought up for that purpose. Her underwear came next, and Mateo held his breath. Watching her undress was sweet torture, but nothing could have made him look away.
Once she was completely nude, she stood there, one eyebrow raised, and tilted her head to the side. “Your turn.”
Then, in the next breath, she shifted into the prettiest dragon he’d ever seen. Dark burgundy scales, the color of a fine merlot, covered her sleek dragon’s form. Curved spikes protruded from her spine all along her back to the tip of her tail. A spattering of lighter scales amidst the darker ones lightened her tone a touch. Fucking gorgeous.
He took the three steps separating them and reached up to stroke along her snout. “You’re beautiful—in both forms.”
A soft purring vibrated from her throat. He stroked her scales once more before she pulled back, looking at him with expectation shining in her eyes.
“Right. Shift, heal, and rest.” He made quick work of removing his remaining clothes. Ignoring the fact that his mate watched him strip was impossible, as was his body’s reaction to having her so close. Nothing short of a miracle would prevent it. “I’m going to need a bit more space, babe.”
Once she was far enough that he wouldn’t knock her over with his shift, he let the transformation take place. The desire pouring into him would wait. He might not be able to hold her in his arms in his dragon form, but that didn’t mean he couldn’t keep her close. The moment he laid down, Sloane came to him, gave a contented sigh, then snuggled into his side.
She fit her head in the crook of his neck, her warm breath stroking his cool scales in an intimate caress. There were no threats on the roof, but he curled his long tail around her, enclosing her within the circle of his body, shielding her while she slept.