“Sure. As long as we don’t order tons of lobster and mai-tais.”
“That’s good then.” Jenkins beamed. “You three will head south for the winter, stay safe from the bad guy until we can catch him.”
“Are you going to pet watch?” I inquired politely. “Two cats and the dog.”
“Er.”
“I didn’t think so.”
“I’m sure you can find a kid to feed the critters,” Jenkins said easily. “Once Carter knows you’re traveling, he’ll depart for his home territory.”
“Or wait until we get back.” Jacy stood to start clearing the dishes away. “Pounce when we least expect it.”
“Believe me, he can’t stay away from his business too long or he loses both clients and goons. He can’t afford to sit on your house for weeks at a time.” Jenkins also stood and grabbed his coat. “Let me know where you’re going. And when. I’ll need to keep tabs on you.”
He kissed Jacy’s cheek, then dropped his coat over his shoulders. “Thanks for dinner. Stay in touch now.”
“We will.”
I walked him to the door, Declan, cheese smeared around his mouth, watched with curiosity. Jenkins waved to him and received one in return.
“Cute kid,” he muttered as I opened the door. “You and Jacy planning on perpetuating the species?”
“We don’t know yet. In time maybe.”
“You two make a great couple,” he added before stepping out into the cold darkness. “You look good together. Make beautiful kids.”
“Are you married?”
He waggled his beringed finger in my face. “Yep. And have a daughter. Around Declan’s age.”
“And are you and the missus planning to perpetuate the species?”
Jenkins sent me a bleak smile. “I’m afraid she’ll be an only child. Take care, Avery.”
He strode down my walk to his car parked at the curb, then got in. I watched him drive away, suspecting there was much more to Detective Jenkins than what I saw. Much more.
I returned to the kitchen and Jacy. “Are we really going to hide away and let the cops deal with your brother?”
“Nope.”
“I didn’t think so.”
“We’re dragons. Dragons don’t run and hide.” She glanced at me over her shoulder. “I can handle Carter.”
“You’ve just learned what you are, babe.” I put my arms around her from behind. “You’ve never fought another dragon.”
“Have you?”
I said nothing. Jacy laughed shortly. “I didn’t think so. Look, I doubt he’ll be dumb enough to waltz in here and start shooting. He doesn’t know we don’t have machine guns waiting to cut him in half.”
“What if he thinks we’re sitting ducks? We don’t haveanyguns much less machine guns.”
Jacy turned in my arms to face me. “He kept telling me he wanted to talk. He could have killed me but didn’t. Maybe all I have to do is talk to him and he’ll go home.”
I lifted my brow. “And the shooting that nearly killed you?”
“We don’t know if that was truly his doing.”
