The Dragon Warrior (Lochguard Highland Dragons 4)

“I heard that,” Aaron answered. “Murder is illegal, but I’m game for a sparring match or flying competition at any time.”

Faye bit her lip and Grant shot her a glare. “Don’t you dare laugh.”

She put her hands up in innocence. Aaron said, “What, did you fall asleep? I know you’re getting on in age, but surely you can avoid taking another nap.”

With a growl, Grant yanked open the door. “What do you want?”

Aaron looked to either side. “Do you really want me to ask out here, for all to hear?”

Grant clutched Aaron’s shirt and dragged him into the room. Once the door was closed, he demanded, “Well? What’s so important that you had to bellow through the door?”

Aaron looked between Grant and Faye and then smiled. “Like that, I see.”

“Caruso,” Grant growled.

“Aye, that’s my name. And I wanted to know where Faye went today. Between you disappearing last night and Faye today, something is going on. If there’s a threat, I thought the alliance between Stonefire and Lochguard was strong enough for you to share what you know.”

Faye spoke before Grant could. “The alliance is important and Stonefire is the one clan we trust above all others. However, if there was a threat to your clan, you’d talk with your clan leader before us, aye?”

Aaron met Grant’s gaze. “You went to Lochguard last night and I assume you talked with Finn then. Something else has cropped up between then and now?”

“Aye,” Grant answered. “And once Finn gives his approval, you and Quinn will be the first to know. Until then, just be on alert and keep your eyes peeled.”

“That’s not much to go on, but I won’t press for more right now,” Aaron said. “Just know that all teasing aside, I trust you, Grant. All you need to do is ask for Stonefire’s help and you have it.”

Faye jumped in. “Even if we’re planning a huge celebration for Finn and Arabella’s triplets that involves dancing nude in the moonlight?”

“I can’t say Bram will join in, but I have nothing to lose,” Aaron answered.

Grant rubbed the bridge of his nose. “I assure you, it’s not that. It’s time for you to leave, Caruso. I have matters that I need to attend to.”

Aaron raised his brows. “So, in other words, I need to get my arse out of your room? Whatever is going on is making you tense and polite. I hope you solve your issue soon or I’ll have to think of ways to wind you up and get you to relax.” He winked at Faye. “Or maybe Faye can do that for you.”

Grant opened his mouth, but Aaron was gone before he could say a word. Faye moved to stand next to him. “Maybe we should plan a celebration like that for Arabella and forget to mention to Aaron that he’s the only one who will be dancing naked.”

Despite everything he had to tackle, Grant snorted. “I might go blind from seeing his arse, but it might be worth it.”

As Grant and Faye grinned at each other, he took a second to enjoy the moment. He doubted he’d have much time alone with Faye until after the threat was taken care of. And not just because her family would try to meddle. That was an entirely different problem he needed to tackle.

His dragon spoke up. If we find something from the twins’ past, we could hold them for a while in a cell and then sneak off with Faye.

As Grant debated the merits of locking up Faye’s brothers, her phone chirped with a text message. She finally broke the gaze to check on it. “The solicitor needs an answer.”

Pushing aside everything but his work, Grant answered, “Then tell him I’m on my way.”

Faye nodded and typed out the reply. When she finished, she looked up at him again. “I’m here if you need me, Grant.”

“I know, lass. I know.”

“And I really hope we can finish what we nearly started a minute ago.” She waggled her eyebrows and he shook his head. She asked, “What? Unless you regret what you were about to do.”

“No fucking way,” he growled. “When I finally kiss you, I’ll be doing it properly. You might even need to lean against me to keep from falling to your knees.”

“You chide my brothers for being over the top, but I’m starting to think it’s a male trait. You’re no better.”

He took her chin between his fingers. “I’m not one of your brothers.”

Amusement danced in her eyes. “Good, because that would be weird. Not to mention if we do what I think we’ll do, it’d also be illegal.”