Damaged Dragon's Forbidden Love (Shifter Doctor Daddies Instalove Romance 1)

CHAPTER FIVE

Brianna

Friday arrived faster than a dragon evading capture. It was me—I was that dragon. And it was my father I was attempting to evade.

Despite the trouble brewing at home, having the morning away from work was good. It meant I didn’t have to face Marshall just yet. It meant I didn’t have to think about his plush lips, the curve of his cupid’s bow arching over my lower lip, or the stinging scent of summer’s bonfires filling my nostrils with the kind of invasive desire that made me want to run up to my bedroom and lock the door for a few hours.

I shuddered to think what would have happened next if I hadn’t hopped out of his car. Would I have taken the next step? Would I have allowed him to do the same?

I pinched my lips together, trying to keep myself afloat as I wandered the giant estate.

My father’s voice rang out somewhere in the distance: “She did what to her car?!”

I closed my eyes with a defeated sigh. I knew this would happen eventually. I just didn’t think it would happen so soon. Considering how expansive the mansion was, word traveled quickly.

I could probably blame my mousy mother for that.

“BRIANNA!”

I clutched the banister at the top of the stairs, trying to compose myself. I had to face the music sooner or later. And delaying would only provoke his wrath.

Within minutes, I was in the foyer at the bottom of the grand staircase, surrounded by the professionally painted family portraits, the antique trinkets, the dragon treasure hidden in plain sight. What could I say? We were hoarders, sort of.

“Brianna,” my father said sternly, his face cherry red with frustration, “what happened to your car?”

“It wouldn’t start. The engine kept clicking.”

“Why didn’t you call me?”

I shrugged. “I wanted to get home. I was tired.”

“Who brought you home?”

My brother sidled into the foyer, stinking of vodka. “Me.” He disappeared around the corner of the hallway that dipped beneath the stairs.

My father shook his head. “Unbelievable.”

“Dad, it’s just a car. I can get it fixed today.”

“You know, this wouldn’t have happened if you were married.”

I gaped at him. “That’s ridiculous and you know it.”

Barty and Mat tumbled down the stairs behind me in their dragon forms. Good timing, kids. I never wanted to have children, but if I ever did, I hoped they were like these boys. They had a sixth sense for interrupting awkward situations.

Father fumed. “Bartholomew. Mathias. You two need to get out to the yard. Your cousin is going to teach you lessons while I handle her precious car.”

“And how am I getting to work later?”

“Since your brother picked you up last night,” Father replied with a snarl, “he can take you in today.”

And that was the end of our little chat. He didn’t chide me. He didn’t press me for a response about a proposal. He tipped his nose to the heavens and wandered off, disappearing into his study with the slap of the door.

I shook my head as I turned to my cousins. Their round, yellow eyes beamed up at me like cosmic flowers.

I grinned. “Who’s ready for flame-throwing today?”

They chirped excitedly and batted their wings as I motioned for them to follow me outside. At least I had the boys. I didn’t know what I would do without them.

* * *

The end of the day was fast approaching. I liked that I could go in late on Fridays, but it also meant my time away from that dreadful estate was cut far too short. I sighed wearily as I studied the sun shimmering through the double doors, the waiting room had remained empty for approximately ninety minutes at this point.

Geraldine appeared and leaned against the counter. “Ready to go?”

“Absolutely.”

“Who’s driving you home?”

A beat-up truck chugged into the parking lot, screeching to a halt in one of the spaces in front of the double doors.

I sighed. “Nathaniel.”

Blush dusted my best friend’s cheekbones and I studied her for a second, trying to determine why she had gone red. But then Nathaniel made a show of waltzing into the lobby, eyes red-rimmed and cheeks puffy.

“Bri?” He hiccupped. “Ready?”

“Oh, we’re not leaving the parking lot like this,” I said. “You need to sober up.”

He waved a shaky finger. “I’m not—hiccup—drunk, Brianna.”

Geraldine gave him a sympathetic grin. “Even if you’re not drunk…” I stared at her, my eyes widening with a silent plea for her not to play his game. She waved away my concerned look and continued, “There are some pastries and coffee in the break room. Are you hungry?”

“Do you have scones?”

“Lots of them.”

I smiled weakly as my best friend collected my drunk-as-a-skunk brother and led him to one of the side doors. The lock clicked behind them, the two disappearing into a back area of the clinic where only staff had access.

I shuddered as I sank into the desk chair, rubbing my temples.

“Was that a patient?”

I jumped; jaw set tight as I focused on Marshall. His eyes glowed with concern and the stubble on his face gave him a handsome appearance, almost fatherly.

I parted my lips to speak but stopped. How much could I tell him? I never talked about Nathaniel. He was something of a family embarrassment, someone we kept hidden in the back so no one could see how bad his self-destruction had become.

I turned away from Marshall and whispered, “No, that’s my brother.”