Chapter Thirteen
CHAPTER THIRTEEN
Jac knocked on the door of Dash’s upscale apartment, about thirty minutes from the club in a quiet neighborhood. One thing she’d noticed when she pulled up in her truck was that the building had a flat roof and a fire escape around the side.
She immediately wondered if this was where Dash took off for flight or landed when he came home.
So strange thinking of him getting all scaly and sprouting wings. Also, how did the whole fire thing work? So many questions.
The door flew open, and Dash stood there with his messy hair and tired eyes, looking downright sexy in blue boxers.
“It’s two in the morning. What the fuck are you doing here?” he asked.
Okay, maybe more grumpy than sexy . She held up the grocery bag. “I couldn’t sleep and thought that maybe dragons are nocturnal eaters? I brought ribeyes.”
He shook his head. “So you know now.”
“Can I come in?”
“Why the hell not?” He stepped aside.
She entered his sparsely furnished living room, which contained a glass coffee table, brown leather couch, and TV. There were no decorations or personal effects anywhere. “Minimalist look, huh?”
“My last five places caught on fire, so I’m not big on owning more than I need.”
She frowned, noting the faint scent of something burnt in the air. “How awful.”
“Yeah, well, we all have challenges in life. So who spilled the beans? Minky? Cimil?”
“You mean Mink and Mrs. Peepers? No. It wasn’t them.”
He gave her a look. “Then who?”
“The man who filled in for you tonight. Apparently, he needs Cimil’s help, and we know what she wants.” She paused. “I overheard your conversation backstage.”
“Did she put you up to coming here? Is that what this is about?” He folded his strong arms over his bare chest. “Sorry to tell you, but steaks aren’t going to change anything.”
She set the bag of meat on his coffee table. “These were only meant to get me in the door. I already figured you weren’t going to change your mind.”
“It’s not about my mind, but why are you here, then?” he asked.
To gain your trust and sympathy . “That is a very good question.”
He gestured for her to sit.
“Thanks.” She plunked down on the couch and rallied her warmest smile. “I came to offer you refuge. Safety. If you ever need it.”
He remained standing, which put her at eye level with the bulge in his shorts. Very distracting. Stick to his eyes. His beautiful eyes. No. Stop thinking about how stunning blue they are.
Okay. Look at his neck or ear.
Dangit. Those were nice, too. She went back to the eyes.
“You locked me in a cage. Why the hell do you think I’d ever want your help?” he asked.
“As you know, I run a sanctuary for exotic, wild animals. And I figure that you might need medical care one day, right?”
He gave her a cold look. “How generous, but no thanks.”
“Okay, then what’s your plan? Because you can’t go to a regular doctor or vet—whichever. At least I’m used to dealing with grumpy old carnivores, and I don’t judge them for acting like impolite, ungrateful beasts.”
“You’re calling me a beast?”
She shrugged. “Yes, but that doesn’t mean you don’t deserve my help. Great white sharks, cheetahs, dragons, grizzlies, and even mosquitos are all deadly, all part of nature. Doesn’t really matter if I like them or not. I just have to respect them.”
He shook his head at the floor. “I commend you for caring about all the creatures of the world, but have you ever considered that some species need to end, dragons specifically?”
She blinked. “No. Why?”
“Well, for starters, young dragons prefer eating children. The plumper and juicier, the better. When they get older, they use pheromones to attract large numbers of humans and then gobble them up. That, or they turn them into slaves until such time as the dragon gets the munchies and eats them, too.”
She gasped. “Pheromones? Is that why the women lose their shit at the club?”
“Yes. And I have sex appeal.” He lifted his chin. “It’s part of the package.”
She leaned back in the couch, her mind spinning. “So-so…if there’s a mass spike in dragon births—”
“Thousands of children will disappear. In a few years, entire towns will go missing. Is that really what you want?” he asked.
“Of course not, but there has to be another way to keep the species alive.”
“Or you let nature take its course. Dragons never should’ve made it past the dinosaur era.”
Jac really didn’t know what to say. If Dash fathered a gaggle of new dragons, they’d go after kids. They’ll eat them! She did not want to be responsible for mothers and fathers losing their precious babies. Afterwards, the deaths would fall on the mothers and fathers. Brothers and sisters. People who were loved and needed. I’m going to have to tell Damien I can’t help.
“I should let you get some sleep.” She stood. “Enjoy the steaks.” She headed for the door. “Oh, and I meant what I said about giving you medical care if you ever need it. Not that I’m sure the sanctuary will be around much longer if I don’t find more donors with deeper pockets. But if we’re still here, you have a place to go.”
“Thanks, but my kind doesn’t get sick, and we heal quickly.” He added, “Though, I’m sure you haven’t seen the last of Heebie. He really likes you.”
Yes, she knew. He’d already told her. “Well, you and I still need to have a chat about him. I know he’s your special companion and you have magical healing abilities, but is that loud music really the best for his ears?”
Dash gave her a strange look. Maybe he didn’t like her bringing this up again.
“Okay, well, have a good night,” she said.
“Will I see you back at the club?” he asked. “I can talk to Cimil. I mean Mrs. Peepers. She can make sure Minky behaves.”
“You mean Mink?”
“Minky. Mink. Same evil unicorn.”
Okay. I really can’t digest this right now. That included understanding where unicorns came from, why it was evil, or how it had appeared human. Then invisible?
“Thanks.” She stepped out the doorway. “By the way, why aren’t you afraid of Cimil? I mean, given what she is?”
“We have an arrangement of sorts. We both get something we need, so…” He shrugged.
“But why do you do it, Dash? Why do you strip? I mean, you seem smart. I bet you could find something less—”
“We all need to eat, and the money is good.”
The word eat made her think. “You don’t eat people, do you?” He seemed so against it, but she didn’t know for sure.
“Never.”
Never? Dash must’ve been a young dragon at one point. Maybe he just didn’t want to talk about it.
“Good to know. Thanks for the chat,” she said.
“Night.”
Jac went to her truck, feeling like this new world wasn’t as frightening as she’d thought. In fact, part of her felt relieved. If a dangerous creature cared enough about the world to end his own species, maybe there was hope for everyone else. Not that everyone was in it for themselves. For example, she was here to help in any way she could. So were all of her volunteers.
Jac drove home and got into bed, knowing she had to get up in a few hours to start the rounds with the animals and prepare the volunteers’ schedules.
At five a.m. her alarm went off. She showered, made piping hot coffee, and texted Damien that the deal was off. She wasn’t going to push Dash to do something he felt morally against, and she couldn’t blame him.
Unfortunately, that left her right where she’d started. No money.
“I don’t know what I’m going to do.” She sighed and stepped out onto her porch.
Sitting there was a big white box with a black satin bow. She opened it, finding bundles of hundred-dollar bills.
“Oh my god.” She read the note inside.
Jac,
Sorry about your giraffe. But if you have any doubts about what happens when dragons get hungry, now you won’t.
–Dash
Jac’s eyes went wide. “Larry?” She bolted toward his enclosure, finding it empty except for his prosthetic leg.
“Oh, Larry.” Dash had said he didn’t eat people, but her giraffe?
Her eyes teared up. She could only hope that he’d been killed mercifully.