Audrey Wright

The look Francesco gave me when I let him know that I was worried about my heart left me breathless. He looked shocked, amazed, and happy.

I shouldn’t have said that. I shouldn’t have implied that.

But it was the truth.

All of the dragons seemed to have a keen, vested interest in me, and honestly, I returned it. I was inquisitive by nature. All reporters had to be, but this was different. This wasn’t just about my job and wanting answers and justice for the victims and the truth for the people. This was me being selfish and desiring three men.

Three dragons.

No way. No how. I couldn’t want them all. It was so wrong of me.

But I did. That was another reason why I had to get away. I needed space so I could return to reality. So I could be myself again. So I could ground myself in the real world.

Only the world was realer now than ever before because I knew a truth that no other living human knew.

Dragons existed. There were men and most likely women who could change and shift into dragons. With wings. And claws. And a tail. And fangs.

Majestic. Terrifying. Horrible. Monstrous. Terrible.

Francesco wrapped my arm through his and nearly strolled along, leading me through the huge house. Once we reached the lower level, he paused.

“Would you like anything to nibble on for the ride?”

I patted my stomach. “I’m fine. You all try to fatten me up.”

“That’s because we want to eat you.” His gaze wandered down my body, and I flushed with embarrassment and desire.

“Not now.”

“Maybe later?”

Were we still talking about food or something else?

Francesco chuckled. He brought me to two massive doors. He undid several locks before pushing one open. A loud creaking sound echoed.

“If you please,” he said.

He walked me outside and over to an attached three-car garage. He opened the one to the left, and revealed a hot Italian sports car, a bright red one that matched his personality perfectly. I couldn’t help laughing.

“I approve,” I said.

“You know your cars?”

“I can appreciate them. Please tell me it’s stick.”

He glowered at me. “Who do you take me as? Of course it’s stick. You can drive stick?”

“I can, but this is your baby. I wouldn’t dream of asking.”

“Maybe I’d offer one day.”

“After you eat me?” I whisper.

Francesco brought me close to him, flush against his body. His lips hovered inches above mine.

“Whatever you want,” he promised, but then he drew back. He glanced toward the middle car, glowering.

The dragon was upset with the other dragons. Envious? Jealous? I couldn’t tell if he was angry or not, but he then turned to me with a winning smile. No anger for me at least. Good. Because if he wanted me to pick between him and the others, I couldn’t do it. Miguel had been rather sweet. Damon and I had butted heads some, but that had only made me appreciate him all the more. I hated a guy who would beat around the bush or try to placate me. Say what you mean. Mean what you say. Words were as important as actions. I knew that better than most, being a reporter.

Francesco walked me around to my side of the car and opened the door for me. “Your chariot.”

“Thank you,” I murmured as I folded my legs into the small car. It didn’t feel cramped.

Although Francesco was not a small guy by any stretch of the imagination, he seemed to have more than enough room for himself. He seemed so comfortable in his own skin. His demeanor wasn’t an act like it would’ve been with other guys. He wasn’t putting on airs. He truly was this fun, outrageous, romantic guy, and I couldn’t help it. I adored him already.

He raced the car out of there, and I squealed with delight, rushing to put on my seat belt. He already had, so that should’ve been my first clue to follow suit.

I gave him my street name, and he began to drive as if he knew exactly where my house was. Good because I wasn’t certain where we were. I paid attention to the street names, so I could return if I needed to.

If I wanted to.

I already wanted to.

Before the mansion had disappeared from view, I glanced back at it. All in stone, so beautiful, a fitting home for dragons.

And for me.

I shook my head. What a thought! How could I dare be so bold? Especially when I couldn’t even bring myself to pick one of the three.

Francesco’s little car sped along like a demon. Seriously. He was speeding. I was surprised that no cops were around to see him, but when I caught him sniffing for a third time, I grew suspicious.

“Can you smell cops?” I accused.

His laugh echoed in the car. “Maybe.”

“You can!”

“Yes. None are nearby, and trust me, I can drive as well as I can fly.”

Despite his insane speed, I didn’t feel worried at all. The car handled the speed perfectly, and we were never in any danger. The mansion had been outside of Philly, and once we reached a more residential area, he did slow down. I assumed to ensure no one would get hurt, but there wasn’t much traffic at this time of night. The bars would be hopping but not this area of the city.

In far less time than it should’ve taken, we were on my street.

“What house number?” Francesco asked innocently.

“Hmm. I thought I said I didn’t want you to know my house number.”

“You don’t trust me?”

“To not break into my house and sneak into my bed? Exactly right. I don’t trust you to not do that,” I retorted.

“Do you honestly think I would do that?”

“Yes!”

“Not uninvited,” he insisted.

“Maybe not into my bed uninvited but into my house, yes, you would!”

“You know me so well.”

“I do.”

He drove up the street a few more blocks. Once we hit the thirteenth block, I held up a hand.

“You can pull over here, and then drive away like a good little chauffeur,” I teased.

“Is that all I’m good for?” he asked, feigning hurt feelings. He did pull over and park.

“No.” I leaned over and kissed his cheek.

At the last second, he turned slightly, and instead of my lips brushing his clean-shaven skin, they met his warm ones.

A shock went straight through me right to my core. I jerked back. Not because I didn’t trust him. Because I didn’t trust me.

I wanted him.

But it felt like it was a betrayal to Damon. And to Miguel too.

So wrong but I couldn’t separate them in my mind. They were a package deal.

Francesco touched his forehead to mind. “Do not worry. We will avenge the attack on you.”

“Oh, I don’t… Just worry about the war. I’m not at the center of it.”

He just stared at me. “We will avenge you throughout the war,” he said, sounding calmer and more like a leader than ever before.

My heart skipped a beat. Seeing him like this was so intense.

“Damon, Miguel, and I, we are the leaders of the Three-Tailed Clan. We will crush the Fanged Serpents. Their reign of tyranny will come to an end. Have no fear.”

Of course they were all three the leaders of the clan. No wonder I couldn’t separate them.

I swallowed hard. “I do have fear,” I murmured.

“Then stay with us,” he pleaded.

“No, silly.” I patted his cheek. “I’m worried about you three. If I stayed with you, you’d all be too focused on me.” I winced. “Man, does that sound narcissistic or what?”

“It’s not narcissistic if it’s true, and you’re probably right,” he admitted. “Audrey, please, let me drive you to your house. I want to see you walk in safe and sound.”

“You have a cell?” I asked, grabbing mine. “Give me your number. I’ll text you once I’ve locked myself inside. How does that sound?”

“Like you’re going to win this round,” he grumbled.

I received his number and plugged it into my phone.

“Thank you.” I wanted to kiss him again, but instead, I just waved and bolted out of the car.

From the sidewalk, I waved until he drove off. Then, I raced to my house. I didn’t slow down until I had locked the door behind me.

There, safe and sound.

And no dragons in sight.

I quickly texted Francesco that I was safe and thanked him, and then rushed to study. At my desk, my laptop was ready and waiting. I booted it up and settled in to creating a password-protected file that contained details about the attack and the dragon who saved me and the three dragon shifters I had met.

I wouldn’t expose the dragons, not unless I had to. Well, actually, it would be there for someone to find if I was dead.

Before I could back out of this, I emailed Detective Hugh Mark and told him that if I disappeared and couldn’t be contacted in any way for over forty-eight hours, there was a message for him in the password-protected file on my laptop.

There. I sat back in my seat and tried to feel better about everything.

Instead, all I felt was lonely for three men. Three dragons.

When I went to bed that night, I wished any one of the three of them were holding me.