Chapter Seven
Connor shifted his weight from foot to foot and sniffed the breeze. His eyes kept darting to one corner of the estate, but he hauled them back each time. That was where Jenna had disappeared to with her sister for whatever talk they had to have.
He wished he and she could have a talk too. Just the two of them sitting down and figuring a few things out. Like why he could barely see straight, let alone think straight, around her. Like what she was doing visiting this estate. Did she know about shifters? Had he somehow missed the fact that she might be one herself?
The wind stirred the palm trees that circled the estate’s helicopter pad, and Connor bounced impatiently on the balls of his feet. So many questions. More questions than answers.
“Quit fidgeting,” Tim hissed.
“I’m not fidgeting.”
Tim gave him a look.
Okay, okay. Maybe he was fidgeting. That was his dragon, insisting he go after Jenna and haul her away like some kind of prize.
Good plan, the beast noted.
Connor snorted. Not a good plan. Especially not when so much was at stake.
“Focus, already,” Tim muttered as Kai strode toward them from the edge of the clearing.
Connor scowled. He was focused. Well, he had been a little while ago when he checked the chopper over for the upcoming flight. His first mission, as it were, in his new job at Koa Point. But Kai had taken forever to show up, and the wait was killing him. Too much time to think, no opportunity to act.
Exactly what he had to practice, in other words. He could practically feel his mother and every commanding officer he’d ever served under scrutinizing him. A good thing Kai finally showed up and the action could begin.
“Ready to go?” Kai asked as his mate, Tessa, joined them.
Connor and Tim replied with two thumbs up and boarded the helicopter — Connor piloting, Tim beside him, and the finely groomed Kai and Tessa in the back. Once they were all strapped in, Kai nodded for him to take off. “I’ll explain once we’re underway.”
It was a rare occasion, indeed, when Connor flew by the books. He was a dragon, and flying was second nature to him, whether under his own power or in a machine. But with Kai there — a dragon and an accomplished pilot — Connor did a strict preflight check. Twice. He could feel Kai’s eyes on him, almost waiting for him to mess up.
“No unnecessary stunts, hotshot. Just fly,” Kai murmured.
Connor nodded tersely and swore to fly in a straight, boring line.
Tim grinned. I guess he heard about the time you—
Connor glared him into silence. Okay, so he’d earned a reputation for the occasional wild ride, like flying upside down under bridges — backward. Barrel rolls were fun too, but maybe it hadn’t been the best idea to do one with a commanding officer on board. But really — what fun was flying without trying out something new?
Back then, though, the worst consequence he had to fear was being grounded for a while, in which case he could sneak off in dragon form and fly under cover of darkness, any way he damn well pleased. Now, his chance to make something of himself in the shifter world was at stake. So he eased the chopper off the ground, got a feel for the weight distribution, and climbed higher, watching the estate shrink below.
Jenna must be somewhere over there. His dragon looked toward a thick stand of trees on the north side of the property.
“Aw, come on, Kai. Let him have a little fun.” Tessa grinned.
Connor hid a faint nod. He liked that she-dragon already.
Kai shook his head in a strict no and pointed south. “Just follow the coast for now.”
Connor sighed and forced himself to look forward, not back. Ribbons of greens, blues, and indigo divided the ocean into ever-deeper sections the farther he looked offshore. Flying over Maui beat flying over featureless deserts and inhospitable mountains, that was for sure.
“All right, here’s the deal,” Kai said, speaking through the headset. “I’m representing Silas. We’re going to pay a visit to an esteemed guest, and you two are my backup. Tessa is backup, too, but she also helps to make this look like a social call and not a reconnaissance mission. Got it?”
Connor glanced back. Backup? Reconnaissance? What did that have to do with meeting a guest?
“Not just any guest,” Kai explained, catching his expression. “Randolph Draig — a high-ranking dragon shifter from out of town. An associate of my late uncle’s.”
He said the name Draig in a way that suggested Connor ought to recognize it, but all he did was roll his eyes. Dragons and their family bloodlines. How could anyone keep track?
“He’s asked permission to visit the island,” Kai continued. “Normally, we don’t tolerate any outside shifters here, but seeing as he’s a friend of the family…”
Connor nodded the way he did when dragons talked about treasure, properties, or inheritances, pretending he knew all about that kind of thing when he actually had no clue. Basically, he was an accidental dragon. With a myriad shifter for a father, he could have turned out to be anything.
Think of the bright side, Tim used to joke whenever they got down about their deadbeat dad. We could have turned out to be reindeer. Or worse, skunk shifters.
So Connor supposed he ought to be satisfied with being a dragon, even if he didn’t fit into the dragon world.
“That means we have to show respect, but make it clear who’s boss. You copy?” Kai asked.
Connor gave a curt nod as he flew south, keeping a good distance away from the condos and beaches of the coastline.
“You two keep your eyes open for anything suspicious. Not that I expect trouble.” Kai pointed ahead. “That’s Lahaina, and at the back of the anchorage…”
Connor searched the horizon, following Kai’s finger. The visiting dragon was on a boat?
A minute later, Tim whistled.
“Yeah. Nice sea toy, huh?” Tessa said.
Connor sized up the three-story motoryacht. The vessel had to be at least two hundred feet long, complete with a helicopter pad, a pool, and a jacuzzi on the aft deck.
“Circle it once,” Kai ordered. “Not too close, not too far. Let him know we’re checking him out without being obnoxious about it.”
As Connor guided the chopper in a slow circle, a man appeared on the helicopter pad, making hand signals to warn him of a crosswind. Connor snorted. Having landed in far trickier places — and under enemy fire — this was a walk in the park. A minute later, they touched down, and the rotors gradually slowed.
“Like I said,” Kai murmured before opening his door. “Don’t do anything. Don’t say anything. Just follow me.”
“Yes, sir.” Tim nodded.
“Yes, sir.” Connor nicked his head, making sure to dim the resentment out of his eyes. Kai was a good man, giving him a second chance. It was up to Connor to prove he wasn’t the loose cannon they thought he was.
Two men in crisp white polo shirts and blue shorts quickly secured the helicopter while a hostess in a snug-fitting dress that showed off every curve of her figure led them down an exterior stairwell. Connor sniffed as he went. So far, all the crew were humans, as were the next staff members they were handed off to. None carried the signature scent of a shifter, but one thing was quickly apparent.
Whoever owns this yacht likes redheads, huh? Tim muttered into Connor’s mind.
He gave a curt nod. Yeah, that was obvious. Every female member of the crew had red hair — everything from strawberry blond to rich auburn. They came in all shapes and sizes too, from the petite purser who met them at the second level to the buxom hostess who led them down a long, lavishly decorated hallway, but every single one was a redhead.
Like Tessa, Connor couldn’t help noting. Somehow, he was glad Jenna was a blonde.
No shifters yet, Tim murmured. It was only when they were ushered into a huge stateroom on the second level that his nose caught the scent of a fellow shifter.
Tim took up position half a step to the right of Kai and Tessa. Connor took the left, facing two burly security guards — one wolf and one bear shifter, if his nose was right. An aquarium at least fifteen feet long was built into the wall behind the men, and a puffer fish drifted lazily back and forth. For the next, long, quiet minute, the only sound in the room was the bubbling of the aquarium and the quiet hum of the air conditioner.
Connor glared. Neither of the guards actually took a step back, but he did catch them blinking. He hid a smile. He and Tim could put on pretty fierce expressions when they wanted to, and it worked every time. Those two guards wouldn’t go stepping on his toes anytime soon.
And for a long time, that was it. Nothing happened. No one appeared. Connor found himself studying the aquarium just to have something to do. Fish of all colors flitted around, some ponderously, others rushing as if to find a way out. One ducked into a tiny model — the wreck of a galleon — and another disappeared into a miniature treasure chest.
Treasure. Dragons. He nearly snorted out loud. Well, that fit.
Are those things real? Tim asked, subtly angling his head toward the aquarium.
Connor tried to figure out what Tim meant. What things?
Those pearls.
Connor looked closer. Wow. The pearls scattered around the treasure chest did look like the real thing.
Jesus, how rich is this guy? Tim muttered.
Connor looked around. Plenty rich, judging by the yacht.
Then a door opened to the right, and Connor’s head snapped around. The door fit so seamlessly into the woodwork he hadn’t spotted it before. A gray-haired man stepped out with a sly grin that said sneaking up on people was a specialty of his.
“Kai Llewellyn. My, my,” the older man said, coming straight for Kai. “Jack and Cornelia’s little boy.”
Connor held back a snort. Dragons loved playing the game of who outranked whom. But he had to give the guy credit for making a pretty formidable impression himself. Tall and not the least bit stooped in spite of his age. Long, wavy hair. A thick, chest-long beard. If the guy had a trident in one hand instead of a cigar, he’d make a perfect Neptune.
“Mr. Draig,” Kai said in a perfectly even voice.
“Please, call me Randolph. And you must be Tessa,” Draig said, holding her hand a little too long.
“Nice to meet you,” Tessa said, extracting herself after an awkward pause only Draig seemed to miss.
“My, she’s lovely,” Draig said to Kai as if Tessa were a painting or a vase.
Connor leaned forward, watching the old man’s eyes gleam. What an asshole, he muttered to Tim.
Pure asshole, Tim agreed.
Kai bristled but didn’t act other than subtly stepping forward while Tessa stepped back.
“This is my nephew, Anton,” Draig said, motioning to the young man who’d followed him in. A twentysomething-year old with carefully styled hair and an upturned nose, wearing a polo shirt embroidered with some kind of sailing emblem. The guy exuded private school snob and big money.
I hate him already, Connor couldn’t help muttering into his brother’s mind.
“Come, have a seat.” Draig motioned to the leather couch while reaching for a decanter. “Can I get you a drink?”
A striped angelfish drifted past the glass wall behind Draig, looking every bit as self-important as its owner.
“No, thank you,” Kai said, sitting down in a way that protected Tessa from Draig.
Draig didn’t acknowledge Tim — lowly bear shifter and all that — but when he caught a whiff of Connor’s dragon scent, he did a subtle double take. A second later, he exhaled a thin plume of smoke in Connor’s direction — cigar smoke mixed with a disdainful puff of dragon’s breath — and turned his full attention to Kai. And a good thing, too, because Connor could just imagine how that introduction would go.
You’re Mister Who? Hoving? Funny, I’m not aware of that clan.
Connor had received the same dismissive response from dragons for most of his life. Kai and Silas were among the few dragon shifters who judged a man by his merits rather than his pedigree, but most dragons tended to sniff and turn their noses up — like Draig and his even less subtle nephew, Anton, who yawned.
Connor ignored them — on the outside, at least. When Draig’s security guards fanned out to opposite corners of the room, Connor and Tim did the same, staying on high alert. Draig might have been a friend of Kai’s extended family, but he sure smelled like an enemy to Connor.
“So good of you to indulge my wish to visit this beautiful island one more time,” Draig said, getting all chummy with Kai. “May I offer you a cigar?” Kai turned it down with a polite shake of his head, and Draig went on. “Your uncle was a great host in his time. I was so saddened to hear of his death.”
That part sounded genuine enough, but Connor kept a close eye on the guy for any sign of deceit. Kai’s uncle had been poisoned by a rival dragon — just more evidence of how fucked up the dragon world was. It was practically medieval at times — shiny megayachts aside.
Nothing like Jenna, his dragon sighed.
That was for sure. She was genuine, down-to-earth. The antithesis to all this bullshit he couldn’t stand. He could picture her there, wearing cutoff jean shorts, popping gum, refusing to play by the rules. A little like him.
Anton dropped three ice cubes into a glass and poured himself a drink, wearing a don’t you wish you were me expression the whole time.
Right. As if Connor ever wanted to be anything like that. Pampered. Privileged.
“May I ask how long you’d like to stay?” Kai asked, sticking to business.
Draig gave the ice cubes in his glass a little shake. His eyes strayed over to Tessa — or rather, the hem of her skirt — then jumped back to Kai’s face. Connor could see Kai fighting to keep cool. No self-respecting shifter put up with another man eyeing his woman, but this was one of those delicate situations even Connor could recognize. The old geezer was checking out Tessa, but — well, she was beautiful. As long as Draig didn’t go any further — and judging by his old-time manners, he wasn’t likely to — Kai had no grounds to react.
“Our departure is weather dependent, I’m afraid. And regrettably, my captain has informed me that he is having trouble locating a replacement engine part.” Draig frowned and waved a hand as if to say, It’s so bothersome to have to deal with staff. Don’t you agree?
Not just an asshole. A snobby asshole, Tim muttered into Connor’s mind.
Snobby, womanizing asshole, Connor agreed, watching Draig eye the hostess, who moved silently around the room, setting down macadamia nuts and crackers. Anton ogled her even more openly, turning Connor’s stomach.
“I hope not to remain for more than a week or two,” Draig said, sounding bored already. “I so wanted to visit the island, but not quite for so long.”
“I’m sure we could arrange for a private jet,” Kai said in a thinly veiled hint. I can get you away from this island anytime I want.
Draig puffed out three perfect smoke rings. “I’d appreciate that, my boy, if it comes to that.”
Boy? Connor would have socked him for that. Which was why he supposed Kai did the talking. Maybe Connor could learn a thing or two from him.
“And how exactly do you plan to spend your time on Maui?” Kai asked, making it clear he intended to establish strict limits when it came to anyone visiting his turf.
Draig grinned and held a hand to his back. “I’m not quite up to my old carousing these days. Just a little golf. A little wine sampling. Old man activities. Someday, you’ll understand.”
The man was a master of subtly reminding his audience that he was the elder and better dragon.
Kai sat straight, his shoulders wide, reminding Draig — and Anton — who ran this place. Finally, he nodded slowly. “We’d be happy to accommodate your request. With one stipulation — one we insist on for the few dragons we allow on our territory. No shifting and exploring in dragon form. You will remain in human form at all times.”
Anton opened his mouth to protest, but Draig laughed first. “Oh, that won’t be an issue, my boy. I like the occasional swim when the water is warm enough, but sadly, these old bones are not up to flying any more.”
Kai glanced at Anton in warning, then looked over at Tessa, who gave him a quick nod of approval. Connor had to agree. The old dragon might be an ass, but what harm could he be as long as he stuck to golf carts and wine bars? Anton, he wasn’t so sure about, but it was up to Draig to keep an eye on him.
Kai stood briskly and shook Draig’s hand. “Good. We have an agreement.” And I expect you to abide by it, his stern eyes said.
Anton stuck out his hand, but Kai ignored it, as did Draig.
“Enjoy your time on the island,” Kai said. “We’ll check on you from time to time.”
In other words, We’ll be keeping an eye on you.
Connor liked that part, because it assured him his new job wouldn’t only consist of routine patrols around the estate.
“And remember,” Kai finished. “We’re happy to arrange for a jet for you anytime.”
That was polite dragon code for We can boot you off this island whenever we want. That much, even an uninitiated dragon like Connor knew.
He hid a grin. Kai was one smooth operator when he had to be, toeing a thin line between etiquette and threat.
“We’ll be sure not to impose. Now, I couldn’t persuade you to stay for a round of bridge, could I?” Draig asked. His eyes slid over to Tessa.
She barely wrinkled her nose, but the message was clear. No way.
Kai deftly translated that to, “So sorry, but we have pressing business to attend to. Thank you for your time.” Then he took Tessa’s hand and turned to go. Connor and Tim closed ranks behind them, following the hostess who escorted them to the helicopter.
Goodbye, assholes, Tim muttered as he glanced down at the lower deck where Draig and Anton remained.
Connor gave a tiny nod. Assholes he’d be watching closely, just in case.