Chapter 13 What I Want #2
“You’ll never be one hundred percent sure, Leonard,” he finally said. “But how about we book a time on Thursday afternoon? If you opt for pregnancy, you message my office, and we cancel the appointment.”
“That’s in three days.”
“And in four days, your heat will come.”
I rubbed my hands down my face, suppressing a groan.
“If it helps, dragon alphas are very caring and present fathers,” the doctor continued.
“If you decide to go for it, you won’t feel lonely in your parenting.
Besides, sooner or later, you will have children.
With the excitement I see in your eyes, it’s simply a question of time.
Now or in two years—in the grand scheme of things, it doesn’t make such a big difference. ”
Suddenly, one rational thought lit up my mind, and I straightened in my chair. I wasn’t completely stupid, thank God.
“And my body? Are there any risks? He’s practically a monster, six feet and eight inches. I’m a human omega and rather skinny.”
“You’re not human, dear Leonard. You’re a dragon mate.”
“People keep calling me that, but what does it really mean?”
“In terms of pregnancy, it means that you’re one hundred percent guaranteed to become with child during every unprotected heat with your mate.
You’ll be fertile until approximately thirty-eight to forty years old, but I’ve had patients who had a fruitful heat even at forty-three.
Meaning that sooner or later, you might opt for the contraceptive unless you want a preschool of children between the two of you.
But again, why not? It’s your choice. You don’t have to fear any complications.
Dragon mates are exceptionally healthy both physically and mentally, not only during pregnancy.
The labor itself is specific, and I recommend you read this brochure.
” He pulled a paper out of a drawer and laid it on the table.
After paging through the book Lawrence had brought, I could imagine what he meant by specific.
“I would go through the details with you, but I have another patient in ten minutes.”
“Specific as in more painful?” I double-checked in case the paperback on dragon procreation had been full of shit.
“No.” The doctor smiled benevolently. “Not at all. It’s a profound experience and very pleasurable for both partners. Read the brochure.”
He moved the folded paper toward me, and I took it.
Rotating on his chair, he glanced at his computer screen and scrolled. Then he tapped a few keys. “Thursday, 4 p.m.?”
“Yes.” Not that I had anything planned for the rest of my life.
“You can simply text the office number if you want to cancel. Good luck, Leonard.”
“Thank you.”
Davidson waited for me by the door and immediately cast an arm around my shoulders.
“How are you?”
“I’m okay. We booked a time on Thursday, but I can cancel it if I change my mind.”
He pressed a firm kiss to my temple and inhaled deeply. “Good. That’s good.”
Davidson called the driver from the elevator.
“Okay, we’ll meet you there,” he said before ending the call. His frown made me instantly nervous.
“Everything okay?”
“Yes. There’s a large truck blocking the street. We have to walk for a couple of blocks.”
He handed me the sunglasses. I put them on and adjusted the ball cap.
Only a couple of blocks. Nobody knew I was here.
How could they? And it wasn’t like Fabio could have had hundreds of people looking for me all over Ardaine at eight in the morning.
There was no reason for me to fear anything.
I was with Davidson, and as he pointed out, very few men in this country were more dangerous than him. I was safe with him.
Except as soon as we stepped onto the street, I felt like everyone was looking at me. People streamed in both ways, and the bumper-to-bumper traffic only inched forward. It was the worst of the rush hour on the way to the business district.
I leaned into Davidson, and he must have sensed my discomfort because he immediately put an arm around my shoulders.
Holding me close, he walked slowly but determinedly.
The crowd seemed to part in front of him.
Of course—he towered above all those people, and with the resolute scowl he wore, he looked like he would plow through them if they didn’t jump out of his way.
They were all staring at me as we passed.
Only two blocks.
In the sea of faces, one focused frown stuck out. I thought I recognized him. Blond, around fifty, clean-shaven, wire frame glasses. A stocky alpha in a dark suit. Where did I know him from? He stood still at the edge of the sidewalk on the other side of the road, his gaze pinned on me.
Then he made a step in our direction.
It couldn’t be. No.
I turned away, hiding my face in Davidson’s chest.
“Please, hurry.”
I wasn’t sure if he heard me over the honking and cacophony of voices.
Disoriented, I stumbled, but he supported my weight around my back.
He all but carried me the rest of the way, holding me glued to his side.
We passed a pedestrian crossing, and a car door opened in front of me.
Davidson gently shoved me inside. I scooted to the other seat so he could climb in behind me.
The driver weaved into the lane, crawling away from the business district at a snail’s pace.
Looking back through the window, I searched for the blond alpha in the crowd but couldn’t see him.
“Are you okay?” Davidson asked, rubbing a hand down my arm.
“I thought I saw someone I recognized, but maybe I’m just panicking.”
“Who?”
“He worked for Fabio back in Dalton City.”
Davidson stiffened.
“Where is he?”
I pointed through the window. “He was standing over there, on the other side of the street. But he’s not there anymore.
” I scanned the street once more, but the crowd was just a sea of bobbing heads.
The spot the alpha had occupied was now obscured by a delivery truck.
Then our driver swung into a side street and sped away.
My heart was pounding, and cold sweat covered my neck. Fear seeped into my conscious mind, and I shuddered. “It couldn’t have been him. I only saw him a few times in Fabio’s house. I’m not sure I would have recognized him.”
Davidson took my hand and squeezed it while he dialed on his phone.
“Who are you calling?”
“Devon Hassel.”
I blinked. The sense of guilt and stupidity made me cringe when I thought of my bodyguard.
“Good morning. We might have a situation here. I’m putting you on speaker. Leo and my driver are in the car with me.”
As he said it, the driver nodded at us and pushed a button. A tinted plexiglass rose between us and the front seats.
“Hi, Leonard. How are you holding up?” Devon’s cheery voice only enhanced my guilt.
“Hello, Devon. I’m good. How are you?” Ugh.
“Glad you’re okay. What’s happening?”
Davidson answered before I could collect my thoughts. “We were just at a doctor’s office downtown and had to walk two blocks to the car. Leo thinks he might have seen someone from Altera’s team in the street.”
“Did you visit any of the places we talked about?”
“No. We haven’t been to Leo’s apartment nor to any of the venues he frequented before.
We took my car this morning directly to Dr. Clearbridge’s office by the business district.
Got out of the car right in front of it.
Leo was wearing glasses and a ball cap. We were there for about an hour, then we walked for two blocks, crossed the street, and got into the vehicle. We’re on our way to my house.”
“It might not have been him,” I said.
“Did he look at you?” Devon asked.
“Yes. He stared at us from the other side of the street as we walked.”
“Do you remember his name?”
“No. He was one of the people who often came by for business, but I never asked or cared about what he did for Fabio. But like I said. It might not have been him.” I sincerely hoped it hadn’t been.
“We can’t leave these things to chance,” Devon said. “I have a list of people who I know work for Altera. I’ll bring the pictures with me today so you can have a look.”
“Thank you,” Davidson said. “We’ll see you at one.”
“Just to be sure, do you have the possibility to enhance the security at your estate?”
“Already done. I’ll welcome your input, though, once you arrive.”
“Sure. Thanks for the update. See you at yours.”
“One more thing,” I interrupted. “Do they know you work for me? They can follow you to Davidson’s and—”
“It’s okay. I changed locations last night. I didn’t use conventional means of transport, so there’s no way a human could have followed me. I won’t be coming from Ardaine.”
I sorted through his words in my head while Davidson said goodbye and ended the call. Then I raised my eyes to my mate.
“You mentioned Dr. Clearbridge’s office, and he knew where it was. And he said a human couldn’t follow him.”
A slight ache in my stomach and light-headedness announced an approaching panic attack. I breathed through my nose slowly.
Davidson looked worried. “You’re right, Leo.”
“But he’s an omega.”
“And a dragon shifter too. Many in the personal security business are. They also often work with fire and rescue, police, as pilots, or with anything that has to do with heights.”
How many people around me…? How many I knew… I glanced at the tinted barrier between the driver and us.
“Yes. He’s a shifter. About half of my closest staff are either shifters or dragon mates. It makes things easier.”
Breathe. It’s not a problem. In fact, it’s probably a good thing. The shifters can protect me, right? Even against someone like Fabio. In fact, without the magic, I’d be locked up in some dungeon by now.
“Shh, darling. It’s okay. They’re good people. They’re on your side.”
Flashes of memories flickered in my mind. Orange eyes. A sharp metallic claw over my rumpled coat. Wind swooshing. Thorns. Teeth.
A warm breath on my naked skin. The fresh scent, like mountains in the rain and clouds. The same scent seeping into my lungs right now.
Davidson kissed my forehead, and I closed my eyes, leaning into his embrace. The seatbelt dug into my shoulder, but I didn’t mind. I needed to feel my mate’s warmth.
“I’m okay.”
He stroked my back, soothing me all the way to the house.