CHAPTER EIGHT
Marshall
“I have to save her—I have to take her away from that wretched family.”
I paced my apartment for hours after Brianna was taken from me. I wasn’t sure how her father or that selfish man accompanying him had found her—let alone how they had found my apartment at all—but I knew I had to intervene.
I was moments away from making her my mate. A dragon interrupted during such a process was a force to be reckoned with. And Mr. Thornton had no idea just how badly he had offended.
Most dragons who were challenged in such a way struck a deal with the offending dragon—that they would fight to the death. But considering how large Mr. Thornton’s estate stood and the resources he had available to him, he was correct about me being far too poor to do much.
I couldn’t afford to lose what little I had.
But I could afford to rescue Brianna.
I set my plan into action immediately, heading to the jeweler with my life’s savings. I bought the finest diamond ring I could afford and took it with me to work the next day, intent on making a huge deal out of my proposal.
But Brianna was nowhere to be found.
I figured perhaps she was late for work and dove into my tasks. I went through a handful of routine appointments, doing my best to focus on the needs of my clients as much as I could. While worrying about the love of my life, it was hard to worry about anyone else.
I nearly regretted coming into work at all. If I had simply followed Brianna and her father last night, I would have gotten my answer much faster. I knew she wanted to be with me. I just wasn’t sure how much.
She wouldn’t have asked me to mark her if she wasn’t serious, I considered as I made my way to the receptionist desk. That’s essentially a proposal in itself. Mates don’t mark each other without the intent to spend the rest of their lives together.
Mating culture for dragons was rather unique. It wasn’t possible for us to partially shift without the strength of a golden thread woven between two dragons. The fact that my teeth had appeared was enough evidence for me to believe that Brianna was mine and only mine—and I had to make sure that it remained that way.
Geraldine greeted me from behind the desk. I scanned the lobby, only one patient remained to be seen. I tapped the desk to get Geraldine’s attention.
In a whisper, I asked, “Where’s Brianna?”
She blinked. “What do you mean?”
“I mean, where is she? She’s never late for work. She didn’t call?”
“Dr. Bishop, she did call.”
I stared at her for a long time, waiting for her to explain.
Geraldine sighed heavily, glanced over my shoulder to see if the patient that was waiting to be seen was listening, and then leaned forward. “She quit this morning.”
“What?!”
So much for being discreet.
Geraldine chuckled nervously and motioned for me to follow her to the staff hallway where she had taken Brianna’s drunk brother the week before. With my excellent nose, I could still smell a hint of schnapps lingering in the air, mingling with the scent of disinfectant and cleaner.
Once the door was shut, she wrung her hands. “I’m sorry I didn’t tell you sooner. We had a lot of appointments call in today.”
“We did.”
“I think, between you and me, it was forced.”
I glared at the ground, trying to reformulate my plan. This was fast becoming a dangerous situation. If her father was keeping her under lock and key, then I would have to physically rescue her from her home.
Which I didn’t mind. My pride was eager to make a show of my affection.
I focused on Geraldine. “Where’s her home?”
“On the edge of town. It’s an estate. Do you need the address?”
“Please, I’m going to get her.”
She looked nervous as she whipped out her phone and texted me the information. “Dr. Bishop, I should warn you that the Thorntons are highly traditional people. They won’t take kindly to you showing up.”
“Would you not sacrifice everything for the love of your life?”
She blinked for a moment, shock registering on her features as she realized what I was saying. “You really do love her, don’t you?”
“More than anything in this world.” I paused, thinking of Hector. “Just as much as one of the most important people in my family.”
“I thought you didn’t have a family?”
“That’s changed, dear Geraldine.” I checked my phone and nodded. “See to it that the rest of my appointments are handled. I don’t care how you do it. I just need to go get her.”
She smiled warmly, tearfully. “She’s always needed someone like you in her life. I used to tease her about crushing on you, but I can see why she liked you so much.”
“Does she like me enough to marry me?”
“I believe so, Dr. Bishop.”
I smiled. “Handle my appointments. I trust your judgment.”
“Yes, sir!”
I left Geraldine behind, my back itching to release my wings so that they could carry me to my mate. I had to rescue her. I had to save her.
And I had to make sure I did it correctly.
* * *
Night came swiftly.
I had spent the afternoon organizing my affairs, including Hector. Lydia contacted me about the paternity test being positive. I had already known in my bones that Hector was mine, but now I knew for sure. I needed to show up for him.
Just as much as I needed to show up for Brianna.
Once I rescued Brianna, I planned on going to Lydia’s. We would need a place to lay low while things blew over. I didn’t take Mr. Thornton as the type of man to simply bow out of a fight.
And if what I had seen already was any indication, he was going to be a vicious fighter.
The moment I had everything in place, I left my apartment, taking a backpack with me that held everything I needed. What Mr. Thornton missed about me being a poor doctor was the fact that I could travel light.
Contrary to most dragons, I didn’t need to hoard my wealth. The treasures I collected were many, but were not physically tangible, the sort of gold that could only be found in the rich connections I formed with others. One of them was my foster brother. Another was Brianna.
And I intended to cash in on my investment as soon as possible.
I wandered to the park around the corner, the shadows overwhelming the grand oak trees that provided a personal screen of privacy from prying eyes. I closed my eyes and focused on the cord within my soul, the plucking of which would prompt a song to erupt.
I followed the cord to the beast that lay slumbering within. I called him forth, urging him to appear faster than usual as we had a great task ahead of us. He came swiftly without much coaxing, scales appearing first and then bones cracking, elbows bending, body morphing and growing many times its original size.
In my full glory, I towered over the city, quieter than a mouse with a tail that was gargantuan as a bridge. I observed the city for a short time, eyes glittering like pools of fire as I inhaled the crisp night air, my dragon senses aware of everything around me.