She raised an eyebrow. “Someone’s crotchety this evening.”
“Crotchety is something my gran would say. How old are you again?”
Cat rolled her eyes. “You sound like my brother Connor.”
While he’d perused all of the participants’ files closely, he’d looked over Cat’s again right before supper. She had tried to hide it, but he’d caught her staring at him. He wondered why. “Then Connor sounds like a fine lad. Embellishments can often hide the truth.”
He’d done it often enough when all he could think about was his next drink.
She searched his eyes. “Aye, but sometimes we want to hide the truth. Only then can you help someone forget the present and make them laugh.”
“And again, you sound like a grandmother, but this time, as if imparting wisdom to a younger generation. Odd, considering I’m older than you.”
“Some of us grow up faster than others.” Before he could ask her to clarify, the corner of her mouth ticked up. “If you think that was bad as far as advice, you should meet my granddad. He wouldn’t be above dropping boulders on someone’s barn to get their attention.”
“What are you talking about?”
However, before she could reply, one of the DDA security team motioned for him to meet them in the hall.
Lachlan looked back to Cat. “Thank you for your reassurances, but I have matters that require my attention. If you’ll excuse me.”
As he turned to leave, he heard Cat whisper, “It would take less time to say, ‘I have shit to do.’”
He chanced a glance over his shoulder, and Cat’s face was one of pure innocence. She even raised her brows in question.
Shaking his head, Lachlan went into the hall. He knew working with artists was going to be different than the bureaucracy and campaign events he was used to, but he was quite certain no one had ever suggested he swear as a matter of efficiency. In his experience, most enjoyed the formality and praise.
He wondered if all dragon-shifters acted like Cat MacAllister. In all his time working with the DDA, he’d only focused on the human public relations side. For the most part, women were inspectors since human sacrifices tended to open up to other women. There were few chances for men to visit the dragon clans, let alone interact with them unless they were in the armed forces.
However, with Rosalind Abbott in charge of the Department of Dragon Affairs, he had a feeling a lot more changes would be coming and he’d be seeing plenty of dragon-shifters in the near future.
But first things first, he needed to ensure his inaugural dragon-related event went smoothly. Otherwise, he’d never be given another.
Stopping in the hall, he looked to Arjun, the head of the DDA’s security team. “Is there any new information?”
The man’s Birmingham accent filled the hall. “It’s too soon to hear back from the dragons on patrol, but one of my contacts spotted a man wearing a worn leather jacket to the west of here. I think the Lochguard bloke was right about where Holbrook went.”
“Good. Then we’ll wait for their call. In the meantime, have you found someone to watch over him?”
“I was talking with my team and we think he should be assigned a dragon-shifter.”
“Explain.”
“Well, if he tries to run off, the dragon can easily scoop him up. Besides, Holbrook seems fascinated with them. Maybe that will tame his wanderlust for a bit.”
Lachlan nodded. “It’s a good idea. I’ll talk to the Protectors once they return. For now, do another perimeter check. We can’t
risk anyone else trying to leave or come in.”
“Yes, sir.”
With that, Arjun disappeared down the hall.
Lachlan debated going back into the main living room, but decided against it. He couldn’t afford to be distracted by Cat MacAllister and tales of her strange family. His assistant could look after them.
Besides, he would need to report to his superior at the DDA as soon as Holbrook was found. He needed to prepare and smooth things over. He’d done it many times before, but when things tended to stray from the plan with dragon-shifters, his superiors would sometimes overreact.
However, before heading upstairs, he did take one last peek into the living room through the window on the door. He saw Cat laughing at something Dylan from Stonefire said. He wondered what his life would be like if he could afford to be carefree and take things as they came.