“I like you, too. I-I’ve never had a successful, you know, relationship before. I sometimes think I never can. I’m too hard, too jaded, too independent.”
“Gee,” I drawled. “You sound like a dragon.”
That brought a light chuckle from her. “So let’s just wait and see. I don’t like pressure, so, you know, give me space. Okay?”
“You’re a dragon.” I sipped my coffee. “How can I pressure a dragon?”
So intent was I on our conversation, I nearly missed seeing the sleek, black Chevy roll past the diner’s front window.
“Shit,” I hissed, turning my face away from the window. “Turn around.”
As Jade had also seen it, she’d already lifted her arm to shield her face and her red hair. “Dammit. Do they know we’re here?”
“I wish I knew.”
Grabbing my wallet, I piled bills on the table without really looking at the denominations. “Let’s go.”
Taking her hand, I tried to walk casually, smiled at the waitress, then pointed to the money on the table. “Keep the change.”
“Enjoy your day.”
I just hope we survive the next five minutes.
I, with Jade, nearly made it to the front door when three big, burly males stepped inside. They gazed around, perhaps looking for the hostess to seat them, or searching the diner for us.
“Dragons,” Jade hissed.
For a moment, I stared at them, standing in the middle of the diner, Jade’s hand in mine, like a damn idiot.
The trio started to turn, to look in our direction.
Chapter Sixteen
Jade
My hand gripping his, I yanked Magnus around. “Casual,” I snapped under my breath. “Look at me, smile, put your arm over my shoulders.”
Magnus obeyed, his smile brittle, yet was there should the dragons happen to look in our direction. As though we were two lovers who’d just entered the diner ahead of them, I slipped my arm around his waist as his draped across my shoulders.
“Nice and easy,” I muttered when I wanted to run. “We’ll draw their attention if we hurry.”
“Are they following?” he asked, his voice tight.
“I can’t tell. Keep going. Like we’re headed to the bathrooms.”
Listening intently, I couldn’t determine if I heard their feet coming after us, or the ordinary movements of the staff and customers. I looked at the faces of those we passed, marking whether they glanced past us to three big thugs behind us, or if they merely looked ahead. I hoped I read their body language correctly.
At the hall that led to the restrooms, we paused, and I risked a glance back.
The hostess, menus in her hand, escorted the dragons to a booth.
“Oh, shit.” I gasped, bending over, my hands on my knees. “That was close. Too close.”
My chest felt tight. I couldn’t draw air into my lungs. Black spots roamed amid my darkening vision. My head spun in sickening swirls. “Can’t breathe.”
“Easy,” Magnus murmured, his hand rubbing my back. “I think you’re having an anxiety attack. Just relax, I’m here. Just relax, we’re good.”
I focused my attention on his hand, his soothing voice, fighting to obey him and relax while struggling to get air into my lungs. Someone, a customer or an employee, paused nearby to ask if I was all right.
