Reawakening the Dragon: Part One (3 page)

His heat at her back was better than any dream she’d had of him over the last few months.

Realizing she was going off on a tangent, she forced her brain to focus. “A scream from me and the pub patrons will spill into the street.” She tilted her head up until she could see Kai’s blue eyes. “If I tell them a dragon-shifter is causing trouble on the streets of Newcastle, that would definitely be a big enough distraction to allow me to slip away.”

Kai remained silent. The second she opened her mouth to scream, Kai released her and she swore she saw a flash of irritation in the unshakeable dragonman’s eyes.

However, the look was gone in the next breath. Kai merely shrugged. “Do what you wish. But does your boss know you’re out here wielding a gun and rubbing elbows with the hunters? You should be behind a desk.”

“I’m a journalist.”

He shrugged. “If you say so.” He turned toward Joe. “I have a job to do. Go home and let me handle the hunters.”

Jane clenched her fingers. “I found them first. This is my story and I won’t let you brush me off.”

Kai met her eyes again. “Go home or I will send you home.”

A million ideas raced through her head. Given what little she knew of Kai Sutherland, he could be carrying chloroform or who the hell knew what that could knock her unconscious. And he would use it, too.

Before he had a chance to do any of that, Jane would play her only card. “You can send me home and waste your time interrogating the hunters for information, or you can work with me. The men were quite chatty before you rudely interrupted. Give me access to a computer with internet and I can point out the possible new living quarters of the former Carlisle gang.”

Kai studied her, but despite the butterflies banging around in her stomach, she didn’t so much as fidget as she waited for his response.

Chapter Two

Kai knew it was only a matter of time before the hunters sent reinforcements. He needed to get the hell out of the alley and back to his temporary safe house on the outskirts of Newcastle.

The easiest way to accomplish that was to drug Jane Hartley and drop her off somewhere safe. The damn female had already complicated his investigation. Hell, her actions might cause the hunters to move bases again. If that happened, he’d have to start from scratch.

She was definitely a pain in his arse.

Yet as she stood up to him with fire in her eyes, his dragon roared and clawed at his mental prison to get out. His dragon wanted her.

Not in the way his dragon had lusted after their true mate all those years ago, but it was pretty fucking close. Even without a mate-claim frenzy, his dragon wanted the human naked and under them as soon as possible.

And a small part of Kai agreed. His cock was still hard from holding the human female in his arms, with her tall, soft body against his chest.

No.
He wouldn’t let his dick control his brain. His entire clan’s safety was riding on his actions. Until he took down Simon Bourne, Clan Stonefire would always be a target. Even with heightened security, it wouldn’t be long before more of his Protectors would die.

Jane raised an eyebrow and asked, “Well? Are you going to just stand there or are you going to reply?”

His mobile phone vibrated in his pocket with a text message, which meant his ride would be here in two minutes.

Kai needed to make a decision.

His dragon finally broke free.
She comes with us.

Not if you’re going to lust after her constantly.

She has information. Once we plot our next move, then we can fuck her.

No fucking the human. End of discussion.

When you stop lying to yourself, I’ll be ready.

His beast fell silent and Kai mentally cursed. Being near Jane Hartley was a bad idea, yet he couldn’t resist finding out what she knew. Her intel could save him a few days if the hunter bastards proved resilient, and that could make all the difference in the world. “Come with me, but no more talking until we’re some place safe.” She opened her mouth and he cut her off. “That’s the rule and it’s non-negotiable. Nod if you agree.”

Anger flared in her eyes, but for whatever reason, Jane nodded.

At the gesture, his dragon preened.
Good. I can’t wait until the anger in her eyes turns to desire. Then I will make her scream.

Ignoring his dragon, Kai moved to Joe, pulled out one of the pre-filled needles inside a case in his pocket, and pumped the sedative into the dragon hunter. Hefting the unconscious man over his shoulder, an SUV stopped at the opposite end of the alley. Nikki Gray, one of his junior Protectors, waved from the driver’s side and exited the car.

Kai motioned his head and looked to Jane. “Get in the car.”

Jane clenched her jaw and moved toward the car. His dragon spoke up.
I don’t like her so quiet. Hurry up so I can hear her voice again.

Now you only want her voice? I think you’re planning something else.

Maybe. But admit it—you love her voice, too.

As Kai loaded Joe into the back seat, he replied,
Why do you bring it up? You already know the answer.

Because I want to remind you of how much you want her, too.

True, Kai had listened to every report of Jane’s he could find over the last few months. The rise and fall of her voice had relaxed him. For the first time in eleven years, Kai had been able to temporarily forget about the female who should’ve been his mate.

But he didn’t have time for a female. Jane’s voice was all he could allow himself to have.

Shutting the car door, Kai moved to the passenger seat and retrieved a long, black scarf from the glove box. Turning to Jane, he held it out to her. “Put it on.” She shook her head. Bloody stubborn female. “You agreed to remain silent until we arrived someplace safe. Arguing with your eyes isn’t going to change my mind.”

She glared and stuck out her tongue before swiping the cloth from his hand. His dragon whined,
Why didn’t she touch our skin? I want to feel her warm, soft skin again.

Not replying, he watched as Jane tugged off her wig and tied the scarf at the back of her head. When she finished, she put out her hands with a flourish and Kai couldn’t help but smile.

Nikki finished loading the other human into the back and climbed into the car. “Why are you smiling? You never smile.”

With a grunt, Kai answered, “Drive.”

Nikki turned on the car and changed gear. As she moved the car down the narrow streets, she added, “So much for a thank you, boss. One of the men who guarded me during my time with the hunters is in the back seat. Being in the same car as him isn’t exactly easy.”

Kai snapped his fingers and pointed toward Jane. Nikki sighed. “Right, the reporter. I’ll keep quiet for now.”

Stonefire’s clan leader, Bram, had suggested Kai bring someone else to help him with his mission since Nikki was young and inexperienced. But ultimately, Kai’s argument had won. After all, Nikki had seen a large number of dragon hunters while she’d been imprisoned by them earlier in the year. She had details Kai would need. Not only that, she could identify members by sight.

Helping to bring them down should also bring a sense of closure to the young dragonwoman.

However, Nikki would serve another purpose now that the human was with them. As long as one of his subordinates was around, Kai should be able to keep his emotions under control. And more importantly, he could keep his hands to himself.

His dragon chimed in.
That’s what you think.

Kai didn’t like his beast’s smug tone.

Glancing back at Jane, he decided he would get rid of her once she gave him the information he needed. Considering he had kept his distance from his true mate for years without touching her, he could spend a few hours with Jane Hartley and act normal.

~~~

The silence in the car rubbed Jane the wrong way. Since she’d watched Kai inject Joe with some kind of drug, and had a feeling the young dragonwoman had done the same with Jason, Jane was fairly certain they would be unconscious for a while yet.

Not only that, but over the last few months she’d learned how cautious Stonefire could be about sweeping for bugs or any other sort of anomalies. She’d bet her life savings that the car was clean.

There was no bloody reason to waste time in silence. She should ask a question, but her gut told her Kai would carry out his threat and discard her somewhere. And she needed to stay on his good side long enough to find out what he knew.
 

Then she could slip away and continue her investigation on her own. A tall, brooding dragonman constantly looking over her shoulder would only bring suspicion and scare away the locals.

She could pretend that was the only reason to send him away. In truth, constantly having his heat nearby might addle her brain.

Tapping her fingers against her thigh, Jane pushed aside the memory of Kai’s hard chest at her back. The more pressing problem was that the hunters would run before she had a chance to pinpoint their location.

The car made a turn and soon stopped. Kai’s voice filled the car. “Take off the blindfold and follow me.” She opened her mouth, but he cut her off. “No talking until we step inside the safe house. That’s the rule.”

She wanted to tell him where he could stuff his rules.

Just a little longer, Jane. Then speak your mind.
Taking a deep breath, she followed Kai out of the car. He gave the other dragon-shifter some directions and then motioned toward the front door. “This way.”

The second they stepped inside the house, Jane stopped in her tracks. “I’ve followed your daft rules. Now, tell me what you know and what you plan to do.”

Kai frowned. “I never agreed to tell you everything, only that I wouldn’t send you home.”

Closing the distance between them, she poked his chest. “If you think I’m just going to tell you everything I know for free, you’re out of your bloody mind.” She poked again. “As I mentioned, I was in the pub first. This is my story and you’re not going to take it away from me.”

“Stop with the ‘my story’ bullshit. While you’re aiming for glory, I’m trying to ensure the safety of my clan.”

“Don’t make me sound self-centered. I’ve done more than you will ever admit to help your clan. It’s my reports that have helped reveal how the dragon-shifters are more human than beast.”

Kai leaned forward. “Don’t sugar coat a pile of shit to make it taste better. You report to help your station and yourself. You have yet to prove you care about the dragon-shifters.”

Jane moved an inch closer, tilting her head up to Kai’s. “Listen, Mr. High-and-Mighty, just because I’m human doesn’t mean I don’t understand the animosity some feel toward dragon-shifters. From the second my interview with Melanie Hall ended, I’ve received death threats. People have also broken into my flat so many times that I moved not once, but three times. Not to mention the colorful insults people shout at me on the street on a daily basis.” She shoved against his chest. “If I were truly only looking out for myself, I wouldn’t put up with that shit. I’d find a nicer, safer position. But I don’t. I stick it out. So don’t pull your judgmental crap with me. I won’t put up with it.”

When all Kai did was stare, she pushed against his chest again. This time, however, he trapped her hands against his chest and his touch sent a shock of heat through her body.

It took everything she had to focus when he replied, “Tell me the truth of why you want this story. Give me an excuse, and I’ll send you packing.”

The way his gaze burned into hers turned her mouth dry. Kai might be a quiet man who liked to be in control, but she wondered what would happen when he lost that control.

Then he squeezed her hands and she pushed that thought aside. She definitely wouldn’t stick around long enough to find out.

He spoke again. “Tell me, Jane. And if you lie, I’ll know.”

Fighting him hadn’t worked very well, so she decided what the hell; she’d tell him. The worst he could do was throw her out on her arse, which he’d do anyway if she remained quiet.

Still, she wouldn’t let him be in complete control. “Release my hands first.”

His pupils flashed to slits and back. She wondered why he’d be talking to his dragon at this second. For all the reporting she’d done on Stonefire, she still had yet to truly understand how both man and beast worked together in one mind.

Releasing her hands, Kai stepped away. “Now talk.”

She raised her brows. “I’ll ignore your tone for once. As for the truth, well, of course this story would help my career. My boss sees me as a pretty face people want to see on TV rather than a serious journalist. I want to prove that I am one.” Kai remained silent, so Jane continued, “The other reason is that the dragon hunters are bastards who fly under the radar. They kill humans and dragon-shifters. All they care about is money. And as you know firsthand, the DDA doesn’t always do what it promises. A good exposé might be the final thing we need to convince the public that the dragon hunters are much more than troublesome gangs we just shake our heads at. The dragon hunters are murderers and criminals that we should all demand be thrown into prison for life.”

She waited to see if Kai believed her. As far as she knew, dragon-shifters weren’t walking lie detectors, but given his military training, he probably could tell she wasn’t lying.

After another few seconds, Kai finally nodded. “I’ll believe you for the time being. However, the second you start lying to me, I will have you removed and kept out of trouble. Are we clear?”

She raised an eyebrow. “If you’re expecting me to salute you as I say ‘Yes, sir,’ then you’ll be waiting a long time. You’re not my commanding officer or boss. We stand as equals. That’s my condition.”

Kai crossed his arms over his chest, which made his biceps bulge. Jane forced herself to move her gaze back to Kai’s face as he answered, “I’ll consider it. But first, I need something to merit keeping you around.”

“Keep me? Does anyone ever question you or tell you to stuff it?”

He shrugged. “Patience ultimately wins. Those who let their emotions cloud their judgement and reactions always make mistakes. I simply pounce on the opening.”