“I told you I’m coming,” I huffed. “Zaza needs us. What are you waiting for, woman?”
Nicky exhaled a heavy sigh as she grabbed and placed me in the back where I chose to use Zaza’s car seat as it provided me with a bit of elevation for a better view.
As Nicky sped off, driving quickly considering the slippery conditions, I felt like I should remind her, “Bruce will probably have taken care of Joseph before we get there.”
“Doubtful, seeing as how Bruce left only twenty minutes ago.”
“It doesn’t take long to kill the enemy.”
“Assuming Bruce succeeds. Joseph is a sly bastard,” she muttered, her hands clenched tight on the steering wheel.
“Have faith. Bruce is my servant for a reason.”
She snorted. “Don’t even try and tell me you chose him special because I know you only found each other by accident.”
“There are no accidents when it comes to a dragon finding its servants. It’s more akin to what you humans call fate.”
“It was fate that put you in his hot tub?” she queried as she took a turn rather sharply.
“Yes, just like it was fate that brought you into my service.”
“I would have blamed the storm,” she muttered.
“Believe what you wish, you met me for a reason. Just like I molted at this moment for a purpose.”
“Not sure how you getting wings helps.”
“Neither do I, but I’m sure the reason will present itself at an opportune moment.”
“I hope you’re right.”
The driveway Nicky abruptly swung into held the orange-hued car of the strangers who’d visited the chalet parked alongside a larger dark vehicle with smoked windows. The woman I’d seen spying through windows stood by the front door, seeming innocuous until she pulled a gun from inside her jacket.
“Stay here,” Nicky said, exiting the car and closing the door before I could follow.
Had she seriously abandoned me again? I really needed to have a talk with her about obedience. Then again, perhaps me being out of sight would work to our advantage. This Joseph remained unaware of who he messed with. Daring to steal a dragon’s servant-in-training. The gall! I’d enjoy plucking his eyeballs and eating them as an appetizer before I went after his savory liver.
“Look who decided to crawl back,” drawled the woman in Italian.
“Allegra. I should have known he’d send you,” Nicky stated in a flat tone.
Allegra smirked. “I volunteered. Even offered to take you out to save him the trouble, but the boss wanted to handle your punishment himself.”
“Where’s Zaza?”
“Inside with her father. Where’s your male friend?” Allegra’s gaze went past Nicky to eyeball the car.
“No idea. I came alone.”
“What a shame. Joseph wanted to meet him,” Allegra stated as she opened the door and stood to the side.
Nicky’s shoulders stiffened before she marched into the house, Allegra at her back, leaving me to ponder how I would escape the car. While I could yank the latch, the weight of the actual door kept it from swinging open. Annoying.
As I glared at the door—which refused to comply—the woman reemerged from the chalet without Nicky.
Where was Bruce? Had he arrived yet? Was he scouting? Had he been captured?
I had to get inside the house and check on the status of my humans. But for that, I’d need to escape the damnable vehicle.
