“But what of the dragon heat? What happens if it hits you out of nowhere?” Taco asked.
Shaking his head, Cobra replied, “I’ll be fine. Taj has those herbs he takes. I’ll get some from him. It will hold things off until we can figure out what we’re all going to do. Just stay with Gio.”
Cobra watched as his maharishi shrank and then laid himself on Cal— Gio’s chest like a large tattoo. Gio gasped, saying, “I can feel him moving inside me.”
“Of course, you can. He’s your mate as much as I am.” Cobra stated.
Gio yawned, murmuring, “When I wake up, you guys are really going to have to explain all this to me, because I’m not having sex with a dragon, no matter how much I like him.”
Cobra left the room and found Pit standing there waiting for him. “You alright?”
Sighing heavily, Cobra replied, “I don’t really know how to answer that. I’ve waited to find my sentience for centuries, but for it to be the son of the godfather… my mind keeps going to what kind of things did Cal— Gio... do for his father and then I ask myself if I can live with whatever it is.”
“He saved your life, Cobra. While your mind is running wild, remember that tidbit. Also, you need to consider the reason he did those things and all he did to try and make things right. Ca— Gio is a good man. Everyone here loves him. There’s a reason for that.” Pit said as he left to go meet up with the others.
Cobra drew in a deep breath and let it our slowly. Pit was right. Gio did what he had to do, not just so he could survive, but so could his brother. It couldn’t be easy having Marceli as a father.
He could hear Pit explaining things to the guys as he walked into the kitchen. Blade saw him coming in, and said, “Dude, fate really knows how to pick ‘em. The son to a Godfather? Holy shit.”
“Shut the fuck up, Blade. Gio is a sweet sexy man who had a shit father.” Cobra snapped.
“I wasn’t dissing Calvin… I mean Giovani. I was just saying that your mate is in some serious trouble. Marceli has big connections out there. Some of them are even in law enforcement. We all need to be on alert around here.” Blade gently replied.
Cobra patted Blade on the shoulder, “I’m sorry. I just need a bit more time to wrap my mind about everything I just learned about my sentience. He’s not who he says he is, he’s a multiplex elemental, and oh yeah, let’s not forget he’s the son to one of the most wanted men on the FBI’s list.”
“The one thing that makes all that shit mean nothing is the fact that he’s your sentience. That means the fates know he is a good man who needs a strong partner, and Cobra, you are one of the toughest SOBs on our team.” Nautical said from behind him.
Turning around, Cobra replied, “Thanks, Nautical. I appreciate that. I just need a few minutes to process everything.”
“I think it’s crazy that your sentience has been right here in this town since damn near the start, and you had no clue. I wonder if mine is too and I just didn’t know it?” Wiz said wistfully.
“You know it wouldn’t be a hardship to actually get to know the people in the town. Jude and I have been doing it since we got here and these people are all really nice. Some were a bit skittish at first, but now they are more relaxed and accepting of us. It’s your town. You should really know who all are here, and not just by name.” Bren suggested.
Pit nodded, “My sentience is right, and it’s something I was thinking about when we had the big celebration last year. Wiz has been putting together new files on all our residents. I want you guys to read them. Get to know the people, and from now on, we need to make ourselves more available to them. That means eating at the restaurant, shopping at the stores, getting our hair cut at the parlor.”
Jude quickly piped in, “Hell, that’s the best place to find out all the gossip. Like did you know that Old Man Timmons was gettin' some from Nancy Rutker at the hat shop, and it really pissed of Margret from the salon because—”
“Jude! We really don’t need to hear about Old man Timmons’ sex life.” Bren said with a shiver.
Giving off a loud laugh, Jude said, “Why not? I told them all about yours.”
“You did not!” Bren gasped.
“People. People. We’re getting off track here. I think it’s time we get with the people of this town and maybe look at helping our place grow. Maybe there are some businesses they would like to start, or things they might like to do. It’s a way for us to bond with our residents and really get to know the people that are here.” Pit suggested.
Wiz held up his hand, saying, “I think it’s a great idea, Pit, but who are we going to have shopping here or buying from us? It isn’t like we can let the outside world in.”
“What about online things? Maybe some of them would like to make things and sell them. That might be something they’re interested in.” Solo suggested.
“I think Pit is onto something when he suggests we ask the residents themselves.” Lex announced.
“What if we had a town meeting? We need to find out if someone might be interested in running the café now that Cameron isn’t here anymore. We can’t just let it sit there. It’s the only place people can go to grab a bite to eat when they don’t feel like cooking.” Stone suggested.
Nodding, Pit replied, “I like that. Stone. You and your mates can join up with Boomer, Taj, Rylee, Casper, and Jude to let them know we are having a town meeting and why.”
“Hey, why do we have to help?” Jude asked, sounding put out.
“Because, like you already said, the people here already know you and they’re comfortable. If just the D.O.A. goes in, they’re going to think something’s up.” Pit said.
