It was latewhen we finally went downstairs.My legs were sore—all of me was, actually—but I felt so satisfied that I didn’t mind.Konni held my hand, letting me use my own two feet to get to the kitchen, where everyone was gathered.
“Are you hungry?”Kaya said, popping out of her chair.“I made cannolis.”
“I’ll take two,” I said, “and a round of overdue hugs.”
Mom hugged me first.Then Kaya and Becky.Balak and Palmen didn’t try to hug me, but said they were relieved I was home safe again.
We sat around the table, and they talked while I ate dessert.
Not only had they quietly swayed public opinion to view what happened as a real-life fairytale damsel rescue, but they’d also met with investors associated with Hestian’s various businesses to encourage them to pull funding, citing his ethics based on recent events.Hestian Global’s stock was dropping daily.
“Good,” I said.“Any leads on who kidnapped me?”
“None yet,” Balak said.“We acquired the financial records for the accounts associated with the shell company behind Abbye’s employment issues and linked them not only to the job losses, but to the car accident, and the house fire.Not the kidnapping though.There hasn’t been any activity since the arson.”
“Pass the information on to the police,” Konni said.
“It wasn’t lawfully acquired,” Kaya said.
“Doesn’t matter anymore,” Balak said.“Someone is targeting a dragon’s mate.We follow our laws now.Sharing what we know is simply a courtesy to keep what peace we can.If they’re smart, they’ll act on what we share to mitigate the fallout.If not, we’ll find whoever is responsible and use whatever means we choose to protect our own.”
“I still think Lianna’s behind my kidnapping,” I said.“And before anyone says dragons don’t mess with dragon mates, she called Konniexactlyat ten and left some dumb message about mending their friendship.Why ten?Why apologize at exactly the time I was being kidnapped?Establishing an alibi?Setting the stage for emotional support once I disappeared for good?”
Konni frowned, his expression still filled with doubt.
“One word in her defense and I will bite you, Konni.”
Becky smirked, and Palmen shook his head.I think it was to tell her to cut it out more than to scold me because she immediately sobered.
“Lianna never hid her hope that she and Konni would be together someday,” Kaya said.“But she’s never done anything to indicate she’d actually harm someone to ensure it.She doesn’t just know dragon law; she lives it.Despite the inherent precarious nature of female dragons, she’s always been sweet.”
“I think one of us met a doppelgänger because that’s not the Lianna I know.”
“Sometimes sweet is only there to hide the mean,” Mom said.
Kaya’s worried gaze locked with Balak’s.
“We’ll look into it,” he said.“I promise.”
“Are we any closer to figuring out who was behind the shell company’s payouts?”Becky asked.
“Not yet,” Balak said.
Kaya sighed.“I thought sending the invitations would help keep Sophia safer, but now I’m not so sure.”
“No, the welcome party is exactly what we need,” I said.“Think about it.We’re inviting everyone, including Lianna.Whoever’s been behind everything will not sit back and watch Mom and me attain what they’ve been trying to take from us.They’ll act.”
“Your welcome party is supposed to be something special,” Kaya said, showing her disappointment.
“Catching the person who burned down our house and tried to kill Mom will close the chapter I need closed to start a new one with Konni.”
“And if it doesn’t work?”Konni asked.“If no one steps forward?”
“Wearing a pretty dress and publicly claiming you as my man in front of Lianna is still a win.”
He glanced at his dad and grandfather.
“We’ll ensure it’s as secure as here,” his dad said.
