9. Chapter 9 - Chayce
Chapter 9 - Chayce
M y dragon is riled, and it takes a lot of focus to get him to calm down before I get into my truck. Once he is under control, I climb into the cab.
Starting the truck and turning up the heat, I casually question the woman from the accident. “So, Ms. Chaney…”
“Please, Gina or Regina,” she says softly. The huskiness of her voice has blood rushing to my cock.
“Okay, Regina. What happened out here tonight? Do you remember?”
Trying to remain focused on the task at hand, it is taking a lot to keep my dragon under control. He is huffing and pacing in my head as heat builds in my chest.
“I was trying to find a hotel. My GPS wasn’t working right,” she explains.
“Up here in the mountains, cell signals can be spotty,” I inform her. “Why didn’t you stop before this storm hit? There were weather alerts all over the radio.” My tone is slightly accusatory at the end. My dragon’s irritation pushes forward at the fact that she would put herself in danger for no good reason.
Regina looks down at her lap spinning her cell phone end over end like she needs to distract herself.
“I…I was…listening to an audiobook. I didn’t know the storm was coming,” she admits as a flush creeps over her cheeks in embarrassment.
Focusing on the road, my lips tip up on one side.
“Okay, so you didn’t know about the storm. You were trying to find someplace to stay.” Recapping what I know, it is difficult to keep the amusement from my voice before turning serious. “How fast were you going when you wrecked?” The accusing tone is harsh to my own ears as Regina’s spine stiffens.
It’s my experience that people underestimate road conditions just because their vehicle has four-wheel drive.
“I wasn’t going very fast at all,” Regina snaps before softening her tone. “Being on unfamiliar roads in a storm this severe, I know better. This isn’t my first rodeo when it comes to driving in the snow, Sheriff.” She sneers the word sheriff like it tastes bitter on her tongue before pausing and muttering under her breath. Her tone becomes more defensive as she speaks as if I offended her somehow.
For the second time tonight, one word catches my attention. The first time, I ignored it.
“Wolf.”
“That is the second time you have said that,” I say aloud this time, calling her out to garner a reaction.
“There was one in the middle of the road,” she explains, causing me to cringe. “I tried to avoid hitting it when the car started to fishtail.” She takes a shuddering breath at the memory before continuing. “I overcorrected and just made things worse. The strangest part is when the car stopped after hitting the hillside…the wolf,” Regina pauses again, getting herself under control, “It was still there…watching me.”
Knowing the wolf was one of Crispin’s guards, I let the question drop for now. We ride in silence into town as I make a mental note to chastise Madox for being in the middle of the road. Although, I might have to thank him instead.
Bringing the truck to a stop in front of Doc Russell’s clinic, Regina lifts her head from the headrest, looking around.
“Where are we?” she asks quietly.
“This is Doctor Russell’s clinic.” My tone is slightly condescending since his name is on the building.
“No. The town, where are we?” Now it’s her turn to sound condescending.
“Sorry. I assumed you knew.” My attempt at an apology is lame to my own ears. “You are in Padston…New York…” My words trail off in fear of further sticking my foot in my mouth.
Watching Regina closely, she starts to nod and then stops with a wince.
“Come on, let’s get you inside so Doc can look you over.”
Getting out of the truck and moving around to the passenger side, I open the door to find Regina once again holding her belongings. As she moves to get out, she sways slightly. Catching her in my arms before she falls to the ground, heat blazes in my chest at the feel of her body pressed against mine as I sweep her up again and take her in to see Doc, unable to keep my hands off of her.