He frowned and finally tore his gaze from the two dragons soaring away from the surrounding mountains. "Great. So that's what I have to contend with, times how many men in your family?"
"Only thirteen adult males. I have a second cousin who's too young still, so that's one less worry."
"Gaby," he growled.
She grinned. "Oh, come on, this is fun." Her expression turned serious. "I can tease you. However, if my family does, they'll have to deal with me."
He played with a section of her hair. "I hope you'll let me try to handle them first."
The ADDA employee driving the car, Ashley, snorted. "Good luck with that. It took me about three years on the job to finally meet them head-to-head without flinching."
Gaby growled, "You're not helping, Ashley."
The woman replied, "Hey, it's the truth, and I find that helps the most when it comes to humans and dragon-shifters. And since I'll be watching over Ryan—in addition to your new sister-in-law, Tori—you'll just have to put up with me and my ways, Gaby."
Ryan chimed in. "It'll be fine. And honesty is always the best policy, even when it's bad news." He touched Gaby's cheek with his free hand, until she looked at him again. "Just give me a chance with your relatives before coming to my defense, okay? You mentioned how they like strength, and I want to show them I have it, especially beyond just the physical."
Gaby sighed. "You know what? I just realized that I sound like all my overprotective male cousins, and I really don't want to. So yep, try away. But I'll always have your back, Ryan. So don't be afraid to ask for my help. They can, after all, change into giant dragons."
He lightly pinched her side. "I'll keep that in mind, minx."
She grinned and Ryan's heart skipped a beat. Yes, for this woman he'd face an army of dragons and find a way to come out the other side in one piece.
Ashley pulled in front of a nondescript building several stories tall and shut off the engine. Turning in her seat, she glanced between them. "I waited to tell you this until we were here, so you wouldn't get nervous. But while you two were away, someone attacked Jose and Tori's cabin."
Gaby's brother and his wife. Gaby leaned forward and Ryan did, too. Gaby said, "Tell me they're okay, and the baby, too."
Ashley waved a dismissive hand in the air. "They're both unharmed, although a little shaken. The reason I bring it up now instead of letting your clan leader tell you is that both of you need to be on your guard from the second you step out of this car. While Wes has started to clean house, he thinks there may be a few lingering clan members who are pretending to accept humans living on PineRock, but in truth, they're lying in wait to try and attack again."
Ryan tightened his grip on Gaby's shoulder. "I hope the clan leader can tell us how to spot them, apart from the obvious, such as when one attacks me. Or, at the very least, he should give me some tips on how to protect against them."
Ashly nodded. "Wes and his head Protector, Cris, will have plenty to say to you. But since no one can hear anything said in this car—ADDA decided to take precautions in light of recent events—I want to add that it's possible even one of the Protectors could be suspect at this point. So trust Gaby's family, Cris, Wes, and the head doctor, Troy Carter. The rest we'll have to watch and be vigilant about."
Gaby unconsciously put a hand over her belly and murmured, "Not the best atmosphere to have a half-dragon-shifter child, is it?"
Ryan leaned closer to his woman and said, "Whatever needs doing, I'll help. I won't allow any child or woman of mine to come to harm if I can help it."
Gaby smiled weakly at him. "Let's hope the worst is over."
Ashley cleared her throat. "Probably, but regardless, given everything Wes, Cris, and ADDA are doing, things should be figured out in no time." She gestured toward the building. "Now, let's get going. If we're late, I'll never hear the end of it."
Once he and Gaby disembarked, Ryan drew her against his side and rubbed her upper arm.
He'd known there would be challenges, but it seemed as if he'd be facing them from day one instead of some later date.
However, he hadn't been bluffing—he'd do whatever it took to protect his child and hopefully future wife. Sure, he was at a huge disadvantage being human, but there had to be some way—or ways—for him to protect his soon-to-be family.
And even if it took him training every day until he fell dead from sleep, it was a small price to pay for the future he wanted so desp
erately.
Gaby walked down the corridor of the main clan security building, her head buzzing, and tried her best not to give everyone the side-eye.
She'd always thought PineRock was a relatively peaceful place, one that didn't suffer some of the extreme hatred and prejudices of other dragon clans in the US.
But it seemed even her beloved home had its share of bad apples.
Her dragon spoke up. I trust Wes and Cris. They'll make it a safe space. Until then, we'll just have to be careful.