Chapter Eleven
Nessa hurried out of Kyle’s apartment and rushed down the two flights of stairs. As she exited, she glanced upward, checking for dragon shifters. Yup. There they were, but the big question was whether they were waiting for her or not.
After sitting on the stair stoop for a bit to be sure none of the shifters were circling, she jogged to her car. Once inside her vehicle, she locked the doors and started the engine. Sure, a dragon could attack her in the car and rip off the metal door, but Nessa crossed her fingers that none would risk it with all the people coming and going around the apartment building. It might be late, but no one seemed to sleep in this town.
Nessa headed home. Just before she turned into her underground garage, she realized the car behind her had been following her for a while. Instead of entering the parking garage, she sped up and then took a sharp right turn followed by a quick left turn. When she exited on the street one block from the garage entrance, the car was gone. Okay, maybe her talk with Kyle had made her a bit paranoid. It also might have been a coincidence that the gray sedan was behind her during the whole drive home.
Nessa rounded the block, and when she didn’t spot the car again, she went into the lot and up the ramp. Because the garage serviced more than just her building, the parking structure was three stories tall. To make doubly sure no one was lying in wait, she circled the first level and then drove up to the second. Few spaces were free, but she managed to squeeze in between two large vans.
The sound of tires squealing on the ramp below her caused her heart to jackhammer. Holy crap. What appeared to be the same gray car that had followed her rounded the corner and then slowed. She tightened her hands on the wheel. Two men were inside. Oh shit. She ducked her head. If she slipped out now, they’d see her for sure.
Think.
She could hide in the trunk. It was accessible by pulling down her back seat. When the car that had passed backed up, she had to do something.
Move!
She crawled over the front seat and climbed in the trunk then pulled up the back to secure her hiding place. Nessa then sneezed. Damn. And sneezed again. The trunk smelled of dust and potting soil. Even if they couldn’t see her, they would hear her and definitely scent her dragon signature.
Nessa’s rapid heartbeat prevented her from hearing where they were. What was wrong with her? She could set explosives, yet she couldn’t remain still when a bunch of goons were looking for her? Sheesh.
Without thinking, she stuck her hand in her pocket for her phone, and her fingers touched the stone Magnolia had given her—the stone that would cloak her dragon signature. Perfect. Nessa clasped it and concentrated on eliminating her shifter scent. If the men did come near her car, they’d never know she was there. Her pulse slowed at that comforting thought.
The car stopped right behind her, and then two doors opened. Her pulse skyrocketed again. With her free hand, Nessa pulled her phone from her shirt pocket to text Birk, but her fingers were shaking so much. It took forever to text him to tell him she was in trouble. Thankfully, she remembered to silence it before she messaged him.
“Where the hell did she go?” one of the men asked the other. She didn’t recognize his voice, but maybe it was a Caspian employee looking for her help. Right and the Royals would cut taxes starting tomorrow.
“She must have spotted us and gone upstairs. Come on.”
Who were they? The car doors opened then closed, and the car drove off. While the coast was clear for the moment, Nessa didn’t need to be wandering around the parking garage waiting for the men to return from her condo. She just hoped like hell they didn’t harm the man guarding her place.
Her cell lit up a few seconds later. It was a return text from Birk.
Birk: Where are you now?
Me: I’m in the trunk of my car on the second level. They went up to my condo. I think there are two of them.
Birk: Stay right where you are. I’ll check it out.
Me: Okay.
The tension in Nessa’s body released somewhat knowing help was on the way. She wouldn’t let down her guard though until her brother arrived. Each time a car drove up the ramp behind her, her blood pressure rose.
Being in a confined space reminded her of being trapped in the mine, making it hard not to climb out. For her safety though, she’d stay put. If Birk flew from his place to hers, it should only take a few minutes. After checking her phone every thirty seconds, she wondered what was taking him so long.
Four minutes. Then five. Then six. Where the hell was he? Had he checked her apartment first to make sure the men were gone?
Twelve minutes later, someone tapped on the trunk.
“Nessa, it’s Birk.”
Never so happy to hear someone’s voice, she punched the seatback, and it fell forward. She crawled out and then unlocked her door. A second later she was in her brother’s arms. Logan stood next to him, and she gave him an equally tight hug. “Thanks for coming,” she said to Logan. While he was an amazing fighter, he preferred handling business deals instead of racing around the countryside saving people—like Birk did.
“I had to. You were in trouble.”
Another car pulled up behind them and rolled down the window. She recognized both men from the mine. They looked over at Birk. “Where do you want us?”
“Stay down here while I take Nessa to her condo.”
“What about the two men who were here?” Ernie said.
“Sanchon said they showed up, but when they saw him, they turned around and left. I didn’t get Nessa until I was sure they were gone.”
“We’ll make sure they don’t return.”
“Thanks.” Birk wrapped an arm around Nessa’s waist. “I bet you could use a drink.”
She laughed. “Boy could I.”
They escorted her upstairs, but even as they walked down the hallway to her condo, she remained on edge. Sanchon was standing watch at her door, and when he spotted them, he smiled.
“I’m glad to see you’re okay,” he said.
She was happy he was all right. “Thanks for chasing them off. Did you recognize either of them?” she asked. Birk gave her a dirty look. “What? It’s not like I’m investigating.”
Birk shook his head then returned his attention to her guard. “We now have two men downstairs to make sure they don’t come back. When I leave here, I’ll head to the mine and send someone over to relieve you.”
“Appreciate it.”
The three of them headed inside, and for the first time since she left Kyle’s apartment, Nessa relaxed.
“I’ll fix us all a drink,” Logan said.
“Beer is in the fridge, and a bottle of whiskey is in the cupboard next to the sink.”
The cupboard opened, glasses clinked, and the door shut. Logan returned and set three shots on the table in front of the sofa. She downed half her drink in one gulp.
“Ah, now that’s smooth,” Nessa said.
“What were you doing out so late?” Birk asked, his tone almost harsh. “I thought you were staying in for the night.”
Had she told him that? “After I bathed, I began worrying about Kyle.”
Logan swigged his drink. “I’ll ask you again. What is it about this guy that has you so concerned?”
She couldn’t hold it in any longer. “He’s my mate.”
Logan almost spit out his drink. “Seriously?”
She sat up straighter. “What’s wrong with that?”
He wiped the look of surprise off his face. “Nothing. It’s just that I thought you considered the mining inspector our enemy, especially since he indirectly works for the Royals.”
“I did, but Kyle is different.”
Logan shrugged. “Of all of us, I figured you’d be the type to give Fate the finger and say she was wrong.”
“I can’t deny how my body reacts to him.” Her face heated just saying those words.
“Okay, then. Kyle is your mate. Good to know. So how is he doing?”
“With the exception of a major headache, he seems okay.”
Birk leaned forward. “How does he feel about you? I thought I heard his sister isn’t high on dragon shifters.”
“She’s not. Lily poisoned him against our kind, but he’s coming around.” She explained about Nelor and what he’d done to Lily.
Birk’s hands clenched. “Geezus, that’s horrible.”
“I know.”
Nessa hadn’t taken more than a few sips of her drink when her cell glowed through her pants. She retrieved it from her pocket and turned the sound back on. “It’s a text from Kyle.”
Her fingers shook, partly out of excitement and partly from dread, fearing he’d had a setback. She swiped the screen and froze. She had to read it twice, wanting to make sure she understood what he was saying.
“You’re pale,” Logan said. “What does it say?”
“At Lily’s. Need help. We’ve been—” She sucked in a deep breath. “That’s all. The rest of the message didn’t come through.” Or at least she hoped that was all that happened.
“Or someone is there and smashed his phone.” Birk jumped up. “We should check it out.”
Birk was the consummate protector. “When I left Kyle’s, Lily was asleep at his place. Why would they go back to her apartment?”
“You’ll have to ask him. We should go to his sister’s and check it out,” Birk said with much urgency in his voice.
“I don’t know where she lives.”
“Where is your computer?” Logan asked.
“In my bedroom.” She rushed in there and turned it on.
“What’s her name again?”
“Lily Harper. She works at the Avonbelle Insurance Company.”
It took less than five minutes for Logan to find her address. “Got it. Let’s go.”
Because there were three of them, they flew and were at Lily’s apartment building in under a minute. They would have landed on the roof had it not been covered in air conditioning units. They found a park a half-mile away instead, landed, and then shifted. Running, they reached her place in less than three minutes. She lived on the first floor. The moment Nessa saw the damage to Lily’s door, her heart nearly gave out.
Birk held up his hand. “I don’t sense any shifters.”
Both she and Logan shook their heads, indicating they didn’t either. Birk pushed open the door, and when they stepped inside, Nessa’s legs shook, and her heart dropped to her stomach. Chairs were turned over and what looked like had been a vase was in pieces. Lily was sprawled on the floor with blood all over her face. Kyle was face down in an odd position. Claw marks marred his arms and back. Birk ran to where Lily was laying, while Nessa shot over to Kyle.
She gently shook him. “Kyle, can you hear me?”
They may not be mated yet, but pain was rushing through her veins. He groaned, giving her hope he would survive. “Who did this to you? Was it Nelor?”
Kyle lifted a hand to his face and grunted. As much as Nessa wanted to hold him, it was safer for him to lie still.
Birk spoke to someone on the phone. “We need you now, Greer.” He gave her the address. “Thank you. He’s in Plux, but maybe he can get away.” Birk pressed a few more buttons. “Declan. Thank goodness I got a hold of you.” He explained about the extensive injuries. “I’m worried about this girl, Lily. We need you fast. Yes, I know you are in Plux, but—oh, that’s great.” Once more, he gave out Lily’s address.
Thank goodness help was on the way. Nessa stood and went in search of some towels to clean the blood off their faces and to stem the flow on Kyle’s arm and back. She wet a few then returned to the living room.
“I’ll take one over to Lily,” Logan said.
She held out a towel to him, but when Birk made an odd growl at Logan, she gave it directly to Birk instead. They both watched as he gently dragged the cloth over Lily’s face. Something was going on. Birk was more of the warrior type than a nursemaid. It was Logan who was the gentler of the two.
And what was up with Birk growling at Logan wanting to help Lily? She couldn’t think about it right now though. She was worried about Kyle and needed to be with him.
Nessa wrapped one of the towels around the wound on his arm and then tried to clean his face. He opened his eyes and pushed up on his elbow. “Why are you here?”
He was recovering from a concussion, so his confusion concerned her. “You texted me that you were in trouble. Don’t you remember?”
He glanced down at the blood covering his hand. “Oh, fuck. I did. Thank God you’re here. I see you brought help.” He managed to sit up. “I need to check on Lily.”
When Kyle tried to crawl toward her, Nessa stopped him. “Just lie still Kyle; you have been hurt pretty bad too. Birk is helping her.”
Kyle blinked. “Oh, yeah. Birk. He’s in charge of security at the mine.”
She sighed with relief now that he seemed more aware of his surroundings. “Yes. Can you tell me what happened? Was it Nelor?” From the claw marks on Kyle’s body, it was a shifter. The question was which one?
“No.” Kyle looked over at his sister again and then back at her. “Is she going to be okay?”
“She will be. My sister Greer and our cousin, Declan, who’s flying in from Plux, will be here soon to help. They’ll be able to give her better care than at any hospital.”
He dropped back down to the floor and winced. “If anything happens to her—”
“It won’t,” Birk said with such force even Nessa didn’t question him.
She hadn’t realized he’d been listening. “I thought Lily was spending the night at your place.”
“She was, but after you left, she woke up and was quite agitated. Lily insisted I take her home. Not wanting to upset her, I did. I locked everything up for her and said I would call her when I got home to make sure she was all right. I was half way to my place when Lily called to say she heard footsteps outside her door. I think I told you that Nelor, her ex-boyfriend, had recently been released from prison and had come over to see Lily, and that visit ended in him hitting her.”
“Yes, you did.”
“Well, she thought he might have seen me leave and had returned. She was really scared.”
“I’d be scared too.”
“She was crying so hard. Shit. I knew I shouldn’t have left her. Damn girl is so stubborn. I turned around and headed back to her apartment. I didn’t see anyone outside her place or in the hallway. I wasn’t here more than five minutes when someone knocked on the door. I told her not to answer it, and she didn’t. But apparently, they heard me and broke it down.”
“Them?”
“There were two of them.”
This was worse than she thought. “Then what happened?”
“After they smashed their way in, they threatened me, saying I had to make sure your mine never reopened.”
Her mind swam with questions. “Why come to Lily’s place instead of yours?”
“I didn’t think to ask them. This is all my fault. I should have insisted Lily remain at my place. She would have been safe there, damn it!”
Now Nessa felt bad for questioning him when he was obviously so upset. “Kyle, it wouldn’t have mattered. It sounds like they would have gotten to you both one way or another. They obviously aren’t amateurs as they got through what security Lily had too. Can you tell us what they looked like?”
“Fuck if I remember. They were huge and were able to turn their hands into claws.” Kyle faced her. “Like the way you can.”
“It’s possible they were the same two men I heard come after me tonight,” she said more to herself than to Kyle.
As if he forgot about his injuries, he grabbed her hand. “They came after you? Are you okay?”
She appreciated his concern. “Yes. I hid in the trunk of my car until Birk rescued me.”
“I thought you were a tough dragon lady,” he said with a half-smile.
Tough was a relative word. “Can I fight a dragon and win? Most likely, but two dragons? Probably not. When these two guys located my car, I was in the parking garage of my condo, hiding in the trunk. I couldn’t have shifted even if I’d wanted to. If they’d remained in their human form, I would have been injured.”
“I’m sorry, Nessa. I’d hug you, but I don’t want to cover you in blood.”
He was such a sweet man. “A virtual hug it is then.”
A knock sounded on the door, interrupting their moment. Greer pushed it open and stepped inside. “Oh, my.”
She was dressed in a crisp navy blue suit and three-inch blue and white heels. With her hair piled on top of her head and her makeup perfect, Greer was a vision of loveliness. She glanced between the two injured parties.
“Greer, I’m so glad you’re here.” Nessa said.
“Help, Lily first,” Kyle said.
Her sister nodded. She kicked off her shoes and knelt in front of Birk. “Has she regained consciousness at all?”
“I don’t think so,” Birk said with more worry than she’d heard in his voice in a long time.
Greer placed her fingertips on Lily’s forehead and dragged them across her cheeks to her throat. Her sister closed her eyes as she began to hum.
“What is she doing?” Kyle whispered.
“Greer uses magic to close the wounds and heal the skin.”
“That’s incredible.”
Birk held Lily’s head steady while Greer did her work. When Lily moaned, Kyle grabbed Nessa’s hand and squeezed, but she doubted he was even aware he was doing it. Lily finally opened her eyes and looked around. Fear and distrust radiated off her body.
“It’s okay, Lily,” Kyle said. “They are here to help.”
Kyle’s sister tried to push up to a sitting position, but when her arms collapsed, Birk stopped her from hitting the floor. Once he propped her up against his chest, Lily’s gaze focused on Nessa, and her lips thinned. “What are you doing here?”