“I gathered that. Although since I don’t have supersensitive dragon-shifter hearing, how about you tell me what the hell is going on?” Holly bit out.
Fraser leaned against the desk. “The dragons holding the hospital have demands and Finn just found out what they were.”
“And?”
His dragon snarled. Just tell her.
Fraser managed to spit it out. “They want you in exchange for allowing everyone else to go free.”
“Then—”
“Don’t even bloody think it, woman. They damn near killed you in Aberdeen. They’ll finish the job this time.”
Even though he couldn’t see Holly, Fraser could just imagine her narrowing her eyes just by the tone of her voice. “Are all dragonme
n so impatient? What I was trying to ask was what is the plan?”
Fraser blinked and Finn answered her. “Holly, lass, it’s Finn. Grant has a plan to get you all out of the hospital alive. I don’t want to say more on the slim chance someone is listening to your conversation. However, it will be some time yet before they arrive. At the first sign of trouble, you call us back, do you hear?”
Holly’s tone was a little less irritated. “Of course. But before I go, can I talk to Fraser in private?”
“Aye.” Finn looked to Emma MacAllister. “Sever the bluetooth connection and give Fraser a few minutes.” Then Finn gripped Fraser’s shoulder and leaned down to whisper, “Calm your lass down, but don’t take too long. We need those photos.”
Picking up the mobile phone, Fraser nodded and walked out of the room. As soon as he was in one of the small, empty offices off the hall, he cleared his throat. “It’s just us now, honey. I just want to say you’re handling all of this remarkably well.”
Holly’s tone was a bit lighter as she replied, “Well, you clearly haven’t been around a mother-to-be after thirty-six hours of labor. The dragons are nothing by comparison.”
“Aye, and let’s hope I never need to witness that. My dragon doesn’t do well when our female is in pain.”
Silence fell and Fraser wished he had Holly at his side. He’d never been very good at phone conversations; he needed to see a person’s face to gauge their emotions.
Still, he was aware of Finn and the others needing the photos from Holly. So he blurted out, “Just be careful, lass. The thought of losing you forever terrifies me.”
When Holly didn’t respond immediately, he rubbed his hand against the back of his neck. Maybe she meant more to him than Fraser meant to her.
Then Holly’s soft voice came on the line again. “You’ll have to try a hell of a lot harder to get rid of me, Fraser MacKenzie. I’ve already made up my mind to be with you.”
Both man and beast wanted to shout in happiness and ask Holly to be their mate forever.
But considering the circumstances, he held back. Instead, Fraser gripped the phone tighter. “Now that you’ve said that, only death will prevent me from bringing you home to Lochguard, Holly Anderson. Take care of yourself.”
“I will, Fraser. We’ll talk more when I’m home. For now, I’m going to snap those photos.”
The line went dead and Fraser stared at his phone.
Despite everything going on, he smiled slowly. Holly was coming home to him and he would do everything in his power to not only keep her safe, but to also make her happy.
Chapter Seventeen
Fraser paced the length of the central command’s main operation room. Every once in a while he would glance at the news report on the far screen. A hospital held hostage by dragons had been too good of a story to pass up.
Yet every time he saw one of the dragons circling the hospital, Fraser clenched his jaw. They were after his female.
His dragon growled. If the DDA doesn’t punish them, Finn had better do so. Otherwise, our mate will never be safe.
If only he were a trained Protector, then Fraser could help rescue her. Believe me, dragon, as soon as Holly is safe in my arms again, I’m going to raise some hell.
Not right away. We should hold her first and make sure she’s okay.