“Everyone needs to take a step back once in a while before they can move forward, Gio. If we don’t, then bad things might be said or done, and once the words or actions are out there you can’t take them back. We want everything to do with you. Yes, we’re pissed because we were lied to about who you really are. Not because of the name change, but because your father is an evil, vile man that has always been one step ahead of us, each and every time we get a lead.” Taco said, as he walked through the balcony doors. “Then, when we heard what you said, both Cobra and I were upset because we were in on the raid to take out your father, and missed him by one lousy hour. Had we moved in quicker we might have gotten your dad and he wouldn’t have had two more chances to try and kill you.”
Gio looked at his maharishi. He saw a sadness and a bit of regret, but there was something else in the dragon’s caramel eyes that he couldn’t quite place. The door flew open and Taj rushed in. “Rylee, we need to go to the police station, now. Sparky and Cobra are in trouble.”
Gio gasped, “What happened? Why is Cobra at the police station?”
Taj shook his head, saying, “It’s going to be fine, Gio. He got into a bit of a fight with a rival biker gang and was arrested along with them. We’re going to see about getting him and Sparky bailed out, and then he can tell you all about it.”
Gio tossed off his covers, saying, “I’m coming with you.”
Jude and taco rushed to Gio, both shouting, “No you’re not!”
Gio slapped at both of them saying, “I will not lie here in bed while my sentience is sitting in a jail cell. I’m coming and that’s that.”
“You can’t go.” Taco insisted, hissing out, “Besides the fact that you are still healing from a gunshot wound, it isn’t safe for you to leave Drago. Now lie the hell down before I sit on you or get Jude to give you something to knock your ass out.”
Gio pursed his lips, really looked at Taco. He and the dragon had been friends for a very long time. The way Taco was acting was the same way he acted when Cobra took off without him on an assignment. It was pissed with a bit of fear added in, and right now, there was more fear in the maharishi’s eyes than anger, and that only meant one thing. “My father’s in town isn’t he? Somehow he found out about me being in Drago, didn’t he?”
“I didn’t say that.” Taco quickly said.
“That’s not an answer and just saying, you didn’t have to say anything, Taco. I know you better than I know anyone in this town. Your eyes tell me everything. You’re afraid, and the only thing I can think of that would put that look in your eyes is if you were fearful of something you felt could happen to someone you care about, and if I believe Jude and Rylee, no matter how angry you might be with me, even though I am still your mate, that means my safety is a priority. The only thing threatening my safety is my father. Don’t lie to me or try and hide the truth from me, please.”
Sighing, Taco lifted Gio and placed him back onto the middle of the bed, then covered him up, “I don’t know if he’s in town or not. Cobra and Sparky were having dinner in the outer town, and when they were leaving, one of the Tiger Sharks made a comment about telling you that daddy said hi. Cobra flipped and a fight ensued, and as you just learned he and Sparky were arrested. Now you know all I do. So, lie there and we will wait until Rylee and Taj return with Cobra and he can fill us in on the rest.”
Gio was stunned. His father knew where he was. He knew he was in Drago. Son of a bitch, how did he find him? Yes, it had taken the man twenty-five years, but Gio hadn’t left for the outer town in over three weeks. He hadn’t seen anyone except the usual people. How did his father find him? It had to be someone else that recognized him… but who? Cameron! It had to be Cameron! Looking up, Gio realized it was only he and Taco in the room. “What happened to Cameron?”
Taco must have been thrown off by the question Gio asked, “Cameron? Um… He’s a human so Stone would have been the one to deal with him. We would have to ask him. Why?”
“He’s the only one that could have told someone I was here. He’s the only one that has been out of Drago.” Gio said in concern.
Taco replied, “Someone in Drago might have heard the news. Gordy could have told someone. He found out this morning. He could have let the cat out of the bag.”
Shaking his head, Taco quickly said, “No way. Gordy would never do that, and I refuse to think anyone in this town would as well. Besides, the fact that they never leave Drago, no one besides all of you and Gordy knows my secret at the moment. No, the only one that could have said anything would be Cameron.”
“We’ll have to ask Stone. He can let us know where he took Cameron, but not until tomorrow. You’ll get your stiches out and…”
Gio tossed the covers off once more, and was out of the bed before Taco could stop him. Taco hissing, “What are you doing, Gio? You need to get back in bed.”
Gio held up his hand, stopping Taco from walking towards him or saying anything more. “I can do this. My strength is returning. Granted I’m not at full strength and this is going wipe out my charge, but I can do this.”
“Do what?” Taco asked in confusion.
Closing his eyes, Gio spread his arms wide and called to his healing fire. It took a little longer than normal, but soon he felt the warmth he was all too familiar with. Taco gasped, telling Gio he was standing there, his body turning to burning embers as it got hotter.
Gio was concentrating on what he was doing and barely registered Jude’s shocked, “What the hell?”
Within moments, Gio felt the flames licking his skin, the intensity of it causing Gio to toss his head back on his shoulders as he let out a shout of pain while the flames took over healing Gio from the inside out. Taco screamed his name, but Gio ignored him as he focused until the flames began to die down and finally dwindle to nothing, and he dropped to his knees panting.
A blanket was quickly placed around Gio and someone said in wonder, “Damn, Cobra is one lucky bastard.”
Opening his eyes, he saw Taco looking towards the door, growling and showing his very large teeth. “Keep looking at our sentience like that, Wiz, and I will eat you.”
“Hey, you can’t blame a single man for staring at the goods when they are out and flapping free.” Wiz replied with a snort.
Gio looked towards the door and found just about every D.O.A. agent standing there, looking at him in awe. A tiny dragon with beautiful aqua-blue butterfly wings, pink underbelly, grey body that got darker to his tail, stood there clasping his tiny claws, sitting on Wiz’s shoulder.
“I wasn’t trying to be rude. I was only saying that Gio is a very handsome man that has been very blessed.” Wiz stated defensively, without anyone having said anything.
Gio was confused as he asked Taco, “Is Wiz alright? No one even said anything to him.”
