His gaze became serious. “Aye, that and more.” Bram gave one more gentle kiss before he pulled away and stood. “I need to leave, but there’s a satellite phone on the kitchen counter if you need to use it, as well as a landline on the small table near the entrance. The number for my mobile is on the fridge.”
She nodded. “How long before you return with Nikki and Charlie?”
“If everything goes to plan, fifteen minutes. If not, then a bit longer.”
Standing up, she placed her hands on Bram’s chest. “Be careful.”
“I always am.”
After one more quick kiss, Bram exited the cave dwelling. Evie was a resilient person; her years working with Clan Skyhunter down south proved that. Standing alone in the room, however, her eyes prickled with tears. She put up a brave front for Bram’s sake, but the thought of losing him squeezed her heart.
She might only have known him a short time, but she cared for the dragonman. She hoped they would have a future together.
As a tear slid down her cheek, Evie wiped it away and took a deep breath. “Right, Evie Marshall, crying isn’t going to help anyone. Bram needs information. Work on that.”
She ran her fingers through her hair a few times, picked up her still warm cup of coffee, and moved to the laptop sitting on the kitchen counter. She wasn’t going to waste another second. If there was something in the information she downloaded from the DDA database which could save both Murray and the clan, she would find it.
Chapter Three
Evie had barely sorted through the first few files on her laptop when Bram returned with two female dragon-shifters. Standing up, she smiled at Nikki and then looked at the other dragon-shifter. She was a tall woman in her late thirties with short, blonde hair, blue eyes, and a faint smile on her face. At a glance, the woman looked more like someone she’d see carting around three kids in an SUV to various after-school activities than a dedicated soldier. But Evie knew looks could both be deceiving and used to one’s advantage.
Before she could say a word, Nikki turned to Bram and said, “Now that we’re alone, I have news to report.”
Bram frowned. “Why didn’t you report during our five minute hike here? The longer I stay, the longer Murray is in the hands of the dragon hunters.”
Nikki squared her shoulders. “I know, sir, but on the off chance someone was hiding in the forest, I didn’t want to risk them listening in.”
Bram replied, “This area is secure. Tell us what’s going on.”
Nikki glanced to Evie and then Bram. Once Bram nodded, no doubt to tell her it was okay for Evie to hear the information, the young dragonwoman continued. “Right before I left, I finally tracked down Olivia’s location. Kai is in the process of bringing her in. I know you mentioned driving back to Stonefire, but Kai asked for you to fly back, if at all possible, so you two can question her together. Your dominance may be required to make her say something, especially concerning Neil Westhaven.”
Bram was silent for a second, no doubt communicating with his inner dragon. When his pupils flashed to slits and back, Evie moved to his side. Rather than air out what had happened earlier in front of his clan members, Evie merely asked, “Are you okay?”
Ten more seconds passed before his pupils became round again. Her dragonman looked down at her. “Yes, I’m fine.” He looked to Nikki. “Right, then I’ll fly back.” He then glanced from Nikki to Charlie and back. “You two take care of Evie and follow the protocol for reporting sensitive information.” The two dragonwomen nodded. Bram then looked to her. “If you find anything at all in those data files, Nikki or Charlie will pass on the information. Even if it’s the smallest bit significant, pass it on. I don’t want to overlook anything.”
Placing a hand on his chest, she said, “Of course. Just make sure I’m able to report to you. I’m sure your dragon wouldn’t like Finn taking my call.”
His eyes flashed again and she resisted a smile. She was learning how to push his inner dragon’s buttons; the beast wouldn’t want Finn talking to her. He would have to allow Bram to shift back to do that.
After Bram made a motion with his head, the two Protectors went to the kitchen and faced away from them. Bram lowered his head and murmured, “My beast is behaving. There’s no need to prod him.”
Evie batted her eyes. “Who said anything about prodding? I just stated a fact.”
Bram hugged her close. “I don’t have time to challenge you. I want a decent kiss goodbye. Make it good.”
“I don’t take kindly to orders.”
“Then I’ll just do this.”
Bram lowered his head and kissed her. As his tongue invaded her mouth, his hands gripped her arse and pressed her soft stomach against his hard abs. Continuing to caress her tongue with his, he then moved a hand to her back and pressed her chest against his. Her hard nipples brushed against him and she moaned, not caring that two dragonwomen were able to hear her. No, then she would worry about them scenting her arousal, too.
Instead, she clutched Bram’s shoulders and explored the inside of his mouth with her tongue. She would never get enough of his taste, his heat, or his scent.
As her pussy pulsed between her legs, she wished they had time to have sex one more time. Not to say goodbye, because he would come back to her, but rather, for luck.
All too soon, Bram broke the kiss, his breath hot against her lips as he whispered, “Now I’m determined to return so I can finish what I started.” He moved to her ear. His whisper was quiet; to the point, she strained her ears to hear his words. “Everyone in the room knows how you’re aching for my cock.”
She swatted his chest. “Bram, stop it.”