Chapter Eighteen
Lily awoke to find herself snuggled against Birk’s body, and she smiled. He was snoring soundly, and while she didn’t have the heart to wake him, she did lightly run her fingers over his shoulder, marveling at how lucky she was to end up with such an amazing man.
Not wanting to disturb him, she eased out of the bed, washed up, and then returned to her bedroom to dress. He’d fixed her breakfast the last few times, so it was her turn. Okay, he had ordered the food from a local restaurant, but that was beside the point. She owned a phone and could call too.
At some point, she’d suggest they take that shopping trip to the grocery store he’d promised her. She liked to cook and wanted to make some tantalizing meals for Birk. The number of his favorite breakfast place was on a magnet stuck to the side of the fridge, so she called in an order. He told her he used the Egg Hatchery often and had checked out the delivery boys. They’d been given permission to enter the secure building.
Hopefully, Birk would be up before they arrived. Opening the door to a stranger might not be wise.
Lily had just set the table when sounds of Birk stirring reached her. She was tempted to walk into his room and seduce him again, but with her luck, the food would come sooner rather than later.
Birk’s cell phone rang and a minute later he pushed open his bedroom door, cell phone still pressed against his ear.
“We’ll be there as soon as we can, Dad. Oh, okay. An hour then.”
Birk disconnected, and from the way his jaw had tightened, the news wasn’t good. “What is it?” she asked.
He spun to face her. “Toma contacted us.”
She reached behind her to grab the dining room chair, fearing she might fall. With everything that had happened, she’d almost forgotten about the threat on her life. “What did he say?”
“The man who wants you contacted him.”
Her stomach nearly revolted. “But he can’t have me.”
Birk closed the space between them and gathered her into his strong arms. “No, he can’t. I won’t let that happen.”
A knock sounded on the door and she jumped. Birk inhaled. “Did you order breakfast? I smell eggs.”
Wow. His sense of smell was amazing. “Yes.”
The deliveryman knocked again. “I’ll get it,” he said.
She let him pay since he would insist anyway. Birk placed the food on the table while she fixed the coffee. “What else did your dad say?” Lily tried to sound as casual as possible, but she really didn’t think she succeeded.
“I don’t know all of the details, but apparently, the man who has Toma’s daughters called him to let him know his time was up.”
Something wasn’t right. “Toma is in jail. How can he have a phone?”
“He doesn’t, but my cousin Anderson Caspian, who works for the Avonbelle Province Police, made arrangements for Toma to receive calls in case the man who has Toma’s daughters called him.”
“What did this guy say exactly?”
“Why don’t you have some breakfast first, and then we’ll head on over to SinCas. My dad, Uncle Jamison, and Declan have come up with a plan. They’ll fill you in.”
Lily wondered if this was what Birk’s life was always like. “Don’t you ever have a break? I mean, first you have to protect me from that guy after Nessa and now this.”
He smiled as he reached across the table and rubbed a thumb across the back of her hand. “It’s not always this busy. I do have a job that requires me to keep the mines free of any disturbances, but trouble seems to come in waves lately. Eat up.”
Even though her appetite had basically disappeared, Lily didn’t know the next time food would be available. She told herself she had total faith in the Guardians, but somehow, her stomach wasn’t buying it.
Once they had more or less finished their meal and cleaned up, Birk flew her over to the SinCas building. This trip was becoming all too familiar, and the dread that had once occupied her body returned. The Guardians would protect her, but being the target scared the crap out of her.
This time when Lily entered the conference room, she was met with solemn faces instead of a party atmosphere. Birk had only mentioned three people would be there, but a lot more had come, all looking at her, as if they expected her to fall apart. She didn’t recognize one man and looked up at Birk.
“This is my oldest brother, Griffin.”
She tried to smile. “Nice to meet you.”
“You too.”
Birk placed a hand on her back and led her over to the table where pitchers of water sat in the middle.
“Good, everyone is here,” Jamison Sinclair said. “I’ll bring you up to speed, Lily. We’ve been aware for quite some time that a loan shark, by the name of Richard Dorlack, is into everything from human trafficking to money laundering.”
“If you’ve identified him as someone who engages in illegal activities, why can’t you or the police take him down?” As soon as the question left her lips, Lily realized it was a stupid question. “You need to catch him in the act, right? That’s where I come in.” Well, damn.
He tossed her a quick smile. “We’ve been trying to catch him, but the man is rather illusive.”
“He’s a dragon shifter, isn’t he?” Lily asked. Birk hadn’t been sure.
“We’ve recently learned that he is, but that alone doesn’t make him bad, honey.”
Lily wanted to sink into her seat. “I didn’t mean it that way.”
Birk cupped her hand. “We know.”
Jamison nodded. “Dorlack is unaware that Toma is in jail, and we want to keep it that way. We needed Dorlack to reach out to him. It’s why Toma has been kept in solitary.”
Good. “So now what?” She looked around the room, but she couldn’t read anyone’s expression.
“That’s what we’re here for. Declan and I have been discussing tactics. Dorlack demanded that Toma deliver you to a warehouse in Glen Meadow at five this evening or Toma’s two daughters will be sold.”
Her stomach soured, and bile burned her throat. “Those poor girls. They must be out of their mind with grief and fear. What are you going to do?” she asked, knowing full well Birk wouldn’t let her be given to this man.
Tory piped up. “I’m going in your place. We look enough alike to fool most people.”
“No way. It will be too dangerous,” Lily blurted.
Tory cocked an eye. “At least I’m a dragon with excellent fighting skills. You aren’t. But even if I pretend to be you, there will be issues. For one, I’m taller. I can only slump over so far without making it look obvious.”
“Who’s to say this Dorlack person knows how tall I am?” Lily said.
Tory smiled. “Let’s hope he doesn’t, unless the photo of you was taken when you were standing next to Toma.”
“I wasn’t even aware anyone was at Toma’s place other than the two of us.” She glanced over at Birk. “I didn’t see Birk until he charged out of the woods.”
His dad seemed to be fighting a smile.
“Height aside, we both have the same color hair, and I’ll wear mine like you do. I figure with a hat and a pair of sunglasses, I should be good,” Tory said, sounding very professional.
“What about your dragon signature?” Birk asked. “The moment you meet Dorlack, he’ll know there’s been a bait and switch.”
Tory waved a finger at him. “I plan to ask Magnolia if she can give me the same signature cloaking stone she gave Nessa.”
Lily couldn’t help but wonder how successful the Guardians would be without these pottery ladies. Were they somehow connected to the Guardians? Relatives perhaps?
Griffin pushed back his chair. “I’ll head on over there now and ask them for the stone. Nessa and Tory need to stay here since they are part of the plan.”
Lily had yet to hear the details of this crazy scheme.
“Good luck,” Jamison said. “Without it, we may have to change our tactic.”
Griffin nodded and left.
“Let me get this straight,” Lily said. “Tory pretends to be me. What happens when she and Toma arrive at the designated place? Once Dorlack realizes there’s been a switch, he’ll kill her.”
“We won’t let it get that far,” Jamison said. “We have to assume that Dorlack has men watching our every move. They might even know that you’re in here with us now.”
A cold shiver raced down her spine. “What are you saying?”
Declan leaned forward. “It’s why we would like you to go with Toma until you are close to Glen Meadow.”
Her breath whooshed out. “I don’t trust him. What’s to stop him from killing me? Or incapacitating me?”
“He needs you,” Declan said. “If he doesn’t turn you over, his daughters will die.”
“But you said Tory will take my place.” Lily thought she had understood, but apparently she hadn’t.
“Yes, she will, but we don’t want to tip off Toma too soon. You and she will change places at a gas station close to Glen Meadow. Toma will be told to stop there.”
“What if he doesn’t?”
Birk clasped her hand. “I’ll stop the truck and make him turn around if he doesn’t. Besides, he’ll want to gas up. Once he has his daughters, he’ll want to make it back to town without stopping.”
“Don’t worry,” Jamison said. “Neither you nor Tory will ever be alone. Our men will fly overhead. Sometimes they will be in their cloaked form, and at other times they won’t.”
“What’s to stop Dorlack from killing Tory the second he realizes she’s not me?” She’d asked that before, but the answer didn’t satisfy her.
Declan shook his head. “We’ll instruct Toma to keep Tory in the truck until he is positive his daughters are alive. That may or may not be what happens, but we’ll be ready for any contingency.”
Tory tapped the table. “If I do have to get out of the truck, and if I am recognized, I’ll shift into my dragon form. Dorlack is a dragon, and even if he has several of his men with him, I can fend them off for a few seconds until everyone else arrives.”
“It’s dangerous.”
Tory nodded. “It is, but it’s what we have to do.”
They spent the next hour going over the strategy. If they expected Toma to arrive in Glen Meadow by five, they had to leave soon. Right before the departure time, Griffin returned and handed the stone to Tory.
“How did Magnolia seem?” Tory asked.
“She was hesitant at first, but when I explained what had happened, she gave it to me. Like before, it comes with the twenty-four hour expiration.”
“I’ll stop in and thank her when I get back,” Tory said.
That was one hurdle jumped. Lily looked down at her pink shirt and Tory’s blue one. “We aren’t dressed the same.”
Kaleena, who’d left a while ago, returned with two bags, almost as if she was waiting for someone to mention it. “Sorry I took so long.” She handed Tory and Lily each a bag. “I decided to go with jeans, a white T-shirt, sandals, and a cute pink hat. I hope I guessed your size, Lily. Why don’t you two go into the bathroom and change? I tossed in some makeup, hairbrushes, and clips. Try to look as alike as possible.”
This was like a bad dream. If things went according to plan, Lily would be safely hidden in some gas station bathroom while Tory would be out there fighting dragons—all to save some scumbag’s daughters. True, his daughters were innocent, but it was a lot to ask of Tory—Guardian or not.
With their bags in hand, they entered the SinCas building bathroom, and Tory locked the door for privacy. They undressed and changed into their matching clothes. They both decided to keep things simple by pulling their hair into a ponytail. They then put on the same color lipstick, the same shade of blush, the pink hat, and sunglasses. When they stood next to each other, they both smiled.
“I have to admit that at first glance, we could be twins,” Lily said.
Tory bent her knees so they were the same height and the similarity increased. “Let’s hope they don’t remember how tall you are. If someone is watching, when you get in the car with Toma, pull down your cap and bend over.”
“That will make me even shorter,” Lily said.
“True, but it disguises your real height.”
Lily practiced slumping and pulling the hat over her eyes. She then spun toward Tory. “I can’t tell you how much I appreciate this. I don’t know what I would have done if Toma tried to turn me over to that horrible man.”
Tory smiled. “First off, Birk wouldn’t let that happen.”
Lily nodded. “I know.”
“Don’t look so glum. Nothing will go wrong. The men will watch Toma’s every move. He will be told that if he doesn’t stop at the prescribed gas station, we won’t prevent his daughters from being sold. That’s not true, but he won’t know that.”
It still didn’t set well with her. “Thank you again.”
“Come on. We don’t have much time.”
“Am I supposed to sit in the gas station bathroom until the fighting is over?” she asked.
“I would wait at least ten minutes before coming out in case someone becomes suspicious. Nessa and Logan will be there, ready to drive you back to Edendale. Once we arrive at the warehouse, all hell will break loose. I imagine they won’t be worrying about where you are.”
“Where will Birk be?” She hadn’t meant for her voice to waver, but Lily was used to having him around.
Tory looked off to the side. “He was torn. He wanted to stay with you, but he trusts Nessa and Logan.” Tory looked to the side.
“What is it?”
“If you want my opinion, Birk has this driving need to eliminate Dorlack. The fact the man wants you is eating away at my cousin. He won’t rest until the man is dead.”
Or until Birk is dead. “I get it.”
When they entered the conference room, several jaws dropped. Tory raised her arms. “Well? Other than me towering over her, what do you think?”
Birk pushed back his chair. “It’s amazing. It will take a hard look to tell the difference. If you are in a car with tinted windows, you should be good.”
Jamison and Laird stood. “Time to go, guys,” Jamison announced.
Birk rushed up to Lily. “How are you holding up?”
She loved the concern in his voice. “I’m fine. While I don’t like driving a few hours in a car with Toma, once he drops me off, I’ll be good.”
Birk hugged her, and all of her worry washed away. “I’ll make sure nothing happens to you.”
“I know. How far is this warehouse from the gas station?”
“It’s about a seven-minute drive,” Birk said. “We wanted you close in case Dorlack tried anything at the last minute.”
“Tory told me to wait ten minutes before leaving the bathroom,” she said.
“That’s smart.”
They took the elevator down to the first floor, while the rest headed up to the roof.
“Are you sure you’re okay with this?” Birk asked.
She looked up at him. “I can’t say no. I don’t want to be responsible for those two women being sold, but I’m not really the one at risk. Tory is.”
He smiled down at her. “Tory will be fine.”
Birk stopped at the front door. “Where are we going?” she asked.
“See that large black truck?”
Shit. The name Toma Construction was plastered on the side. “He’s really free.” It was a statement, not a question.
“For now. We are responsible for returning him. We are assuming that Dorlack’s men are watching even now. Cross the street as if you are heading to the café. Toma will jump out of the truck and place an unloaded gun to your back. He’ll force you into the passenger’s seat. Struggle some, but not overly so. We don’t want to draw the attention of any do-gooders.”
No one had explained this to her before. “What if he ties me up? Or knocks me out?” Her pulse shot up thinking about the restriction.
“He doesn’t want you harmed in any way. Remember, you are his ticket to getting his daughters back.”
“Does he know about the switch at the gas station?”
“No. I’m hoping he won’t notice because he’ll be too nervous and anxious to see his daughters again.”
She shook her head. “You’re giving this scum a lot of credit. I’m not so sure he cares all that much for them. He probably just wants the chance to join forces with Dorlack.”
Birk stroked her face. “Stop worrying. We have this covered.” Birk leaned over and kissed her. “Remember that I love you.”
He loved her? “Really? You’re not just saying that to calm me down?”
He tapped her nose and smiled. “No. I didn’t tell you before because I didn’t think you were ready to hear it.”
“I’m always ready to hear it,” she said.
“I’ll remember that. And speaking of remembering, all you have to do is rub that ring I gave you, and I’ll be there in a flash. Camden will be tracking your every move.”
Without thinking, she touched it. “I’ll remember.”
He swatted her butt. “Now go. And I’ll see you soon.”