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  “I can’t. I don’t want to talk to them and have them asking me why I didn’t do this or didn’t do that. Okay? I just can’t right now.”

  Shane held his breath for a moment but nodded. The truth was that it probably wouldn’t do any good anyway. He hadn’t been at that fighting ring for Kayla, he had just heard her screaming and had instantly reacted. No, he had been doing a little investigation on his own. As an ex-Navy SEAL he got bored with civilian life. He’d been hearing rumors about an illegal fighting ring for some time. There was even talk that the local cops got a cut out of the profits. Tickets to see it in person were incredibly expensive, and then there was a paid online subscription, too.

  It was no wonder why Gordon Hunt had picked a random woman off the street as the ‘prize’ for his fighters. The man must feel invincible.

  Kayla was silent on the way back to the camp. It was a couple hours drive outside of town and about a half-hour drive from the dig itself.

  By the time they got there, the camp was mostly quiet. Shane could smell the presence of Bryant, Esther’s dragon mate, and scowled. Bryant was the head of the guard meant to protect the Emperor of the dragons. While it made sense for him to be with his mate on occasion, Shane had hoped that he wouldn’t be here. He had had an unfortunate experience with the man that had left bad blood between them.

  As soon as they exited the car, a woman jogged over to them. Normally Shane would have given her a once-over but now he was too worried about Kayla to even consider looking at another woman.

  “Kayla!” The woman skidded to a stop. “I’ve been calling you, why haven’t you answered?”

  “Phone died,” Kayla mumbled, not looking at her. “Bernie, this is Shane. Shane, this is Bernie. Bernice. She’s working with Esther and me to run the dig.”

  Shane barely gave her a glance. “Pleased to meet you.”

  A sly smile crossed her face and a giggle erupted from Bernie’s throat. “Oh, phone died, huh? While you are out having fun in town? You know Esther’s not going to want you bringing home guys once the students arrive, right?”

  “It wasn’t like that at all,” Kayla snapped. “Look I’m tired. I’m back, you can stop worrying. I’m going to bed.”

  “Alone?” Bernie pressed.

  Shane gave her a black glare, moving closer to Kayla as though that would shield her from Bernie’s assumptions. He put an arm around her and walked with her as she headed away. Luckily Bernie didn’t follow, nor did she make any more comments. Kayla still shook, and he pulled her full-figured, curvy body to his.

  “It’s okay. Nothing is going to hurt you.” He stroked her hair soothingly until she relaxed against him.

  The urge to kiss her came again and he gently extracted himself. While it was true that he would have gone into that fighting ring for anybody, Kayla was a special case to him. He had been oddly protective of her from the first moment they had met. Of course, that could be because they had first met when both were taken prisoner and he’d had to break their way out of a dungeon.

  But whatever the reason, he was protective of her. More so than what was normal, even for him.

  Kayla’s big eyes peered up at him in the dark night. “Will you stay with me tonight?”

  Something inside him clenched. The yes was already on his lips by the time he stopped himself. As much as he would have liked to have said yes, to crawl into her tent with her and sleep with her in his arms, he knew it wasn’t going to end like that. They’d either sleep together or he’d frighten her, thinking she wanted more than she did. He ached for her, and that was enough for him to take a step back and shake his head.

  After what she had been through tonight, even if she wanted to sleep with him it would lead to regrets in the morning. She deserved better than that.

  “I’ve got a hammock,” he said reluctantly. “I’ll set it up out here. But I don’t think it’s a good idea for me to share your tent.”

  Disappointment flared in her eyes but she nodded. “I guess… goodnight then?”

  Shane squeezed her hand gently. “Goodnight, Kayla. Tomorrow will be better.”

  He sighed as she disappeared into her tent. Morning couldn’t come soon enough.

  Chapter Three

  Kayla

  If the students hadn’t arrived the very next day, Kayla might have just packed up and left. Being kidnapped, put on display and having the threat of rape was traumatic enough but there was also this deep sense of shame that she couldn’t stop herself from feeling.

  I shouldn’t have kept floating through her mind. I shouldn’t have talked to him. I shouldn’t have accepted that drink. I shouldn’t have. I shouldn’t have.

  Part of her knew it was reductive to simply think about what she shouldn’t have done. Gordon Hunt shouldn’t have drugged her. He shouldn’t have abducted her. He shouldn’t have an illegal fighting ring. The police should have cracked down on him.

  If it hadn’t been her, it would have been another woman. But that didn’t stop her from thinking that it was all her fault, that somehow, she had brought it down on herself.

  Still, once the students started arriving, she was busy enough that she could pretend that nothing had happened. She directed them to where they could set up their tents and reminded them that there was a campfire ban on. A few of them, including a pretty blonde Norwegian named Freida, needed to be reminded a couple of times about that fact. With all the dry weather, a campfire could easily turn into a forest fire.

  The day passed by in a blur, and at the end of the day she and Bernie met with Esther inside the camper Esther shared with Bryant, making sure they were all on the same page as to which group of students were starting where.

  As they were doing so, Bryant slipped into the camper, followed by Shane. Kayla’s face turned a shade of red she imagined was similar to Rudolph’s nose. There was a clench inside of her and she had to look away. It had been unexpected that after everything she had still wanted him to come into her tent and hold her all night long. And not the PG-13 type of ‘holding’. Even now as Bryant wrapped his arms around Esther and nuzzled into her neck, she couldn’t help but wonder what it would be if Shane nuzzled her like that.

  “We’re almost done, babe,” Esther said. “We just need to make sure we’ve got everything sorted.”

  “Take your time.”

  Kayla glanced away as Bryant nuzzled Esther’s neck again.

  Even though she still wasn’t entirely certain how she felt towards Bryant–he’d kidnapped her, after all, even if it was because he thought she was a threat to the Dragon’s Emperor–she couldn’t stop the rising jealousy at how easily Esther’s smile beamed around him. It was like she was the sun and he made her glow.

  “Get a room you guys,” she joked, trying to force herself to smile at them. She was happy for her friend. After all, she had been rooting for them once she realized that Esther was in love with Bryant.

  He was a much better guy than she had thought he was when they first met. And Esther brought out the best in him. He made her happy. It wasn’t like those assholes who treated the women who loved them like shit. Bryant practically worshiped Esther.

  Esther pulled away from her mate, her dark skin reddening as she pushed her glasses up. “Bryant, you’re embarrassing me.”

  “Aw, it’s not like we’re—” he cut himself off and winked.

  Esther playfully smacked his arm. “You’d better cut that out or we’re not going to,” she winked, “tonight either.”

  Bernie smirked at the two of them for a moment before glancing at Shane. Kayla could almost see her mouth fill with drool and wanted to tell her to back off. Not that she blamed Bernie. Shane was, to put it bluntly, sex on a stick. Tall, abounding with muscles, with that strong jaw, high cheekbones and that piercing look that never failed to make her weak at the knees.

  It was no wonder why he had turned her down the previous night. After all, why would a man as tall, built and handsome as him go for a dumpling like her? Ka
yla was aware that she had a pretty face. Symmetrical features, Bambi eyes, full lips. And her bounteous curves were nicely proportioned, her weight spread more on buttocks and thighs than stomach. Still, a guy like him, rich, handsome, not to mention honorable to boot, would have a supermodel girlfriend like a modern-day Marilyn Monroe

  “So,” Bernie purred, sidling a little closer to Shane. “What’re you still doing here? Kayla didn’t tell me she had a boyfriend.”

  “He’s not my boyfriend,” Kayla quickly said, narrowing her eyes at the other woman.

  “I’m funding the dig.” Shane’s voice was even. “Last night I just helped Kayla out of a… situation.”

  Bernie giggled, causing Esther to frown at her. “Is there something you want to share?”

  Please don’t. Kayla bit her lip to stop herself from speaking.

  Bernie’s eyes twinkled. “I was just thinking that maybe she needed help with her pots and pans.”

  Pots and pans? Everybody stared at Bernie as she continued to giggle at whatever joke she had made. Kayla shared a glance with Shane but quickly looked away again. It was hard enough to stop her heart from fluttering every time she saw him but after last night it was surprising that he wasn’t folding up the dig. She was the reason why he had been so badly hurt, although it appeared that he’d been completely healed by now.

  Still. He had fought for her.

  Bernie glanced around and her face fell. “Come on. Pots and pans?”

  “I have a feeling I’m going to regret asking,” Esther sighed. “But what do you mean?”

  “Pots and pans. Because she needed help banging. You know, you bang pots and pans? But I was doing a double entendre and—”

  Bryant laughed as Esther groaned. Kayla’s face heated to the point where she thought she might burst into flames. Shane didn’t make a noise but Esther could imagine how annoyed he would look. And this was her fault, too. She knew what Bernie was like, she should have cut her off before she could start making her weird jokes.

  “You should have seen them slinking in last night,” Bernie continued.

  “Stop,” Kayla begged.

  She glanced up to see Bryant slugging Shane’s shoulder. A fierce frown etched on his face and Kayla winced, seeing it. He didn’t say anything, though. Sparing her feelings by not denying it? Or was he thinking that she’d rather have them think that about her than the truth? Either way, she knew that she couldn’t let it go on.

  “I didn’t know you had it in you,” Bryant said. “I hope you didn’t disappoint her too much.”

  Okay, that was it. Kayla spoke before she could stop herself. “Nobody is banging! I was drunk last night and Shane brought me back to the dig so that I wouldn’t have to drive or pay for a cab. There wasn’t anything going on with pots and pans or double entendres. In fact,” she declared, “I’m not even into dragons!”

  Both Shane and Bryant shot her surprised looks and Esther narrowed her eyes.

  “Not that it’s because they’re dragons,” Kayla quickly said, her face flushing even more. “It’s just that you’re all so muscly and tough. It’d be like cuddling a rock, you know? I like guys who are softer…”

  Well, that was the biggest lie she had ever told in her life. Her face felt like it was on fire and she dropped her gaze again, shaking her head. Anything she said now would only dig her grave deeper. Best she just keep her mouth shut and hope that Shane didn’t hate her now. And Esther, considering that she was mated to a dragon.

  Bernie patted her arm. “You’re a terrible liar.”

  Kayla opened her mouth to argue the point but shut it. Better that she keep quiet and not cause any more humiliation to herself or anybody else. Fortunately, she didn’t have to defend herself, as Esther chose that moment to fix Bernie with a stern look. With her glasses it made her look like a librarian telling rowdy kids to be quiet, even though nobody could accuse Esther of looking old.

  “We’re here to work, Bernice, not gossip and make people uncomfortable. So let’s get back to work, okay?” Esther looked over her lists. “Kayla, you’re good with manning the first aid tomorrow?

  Kayla nodded. She had taken several first-aid courses before coming out here and was certain she’d be able to handle an emergency. You mean like how you panicked last night? She shook the thought off. That had been much, much different than someone cutting themselves or getting heatstroke. Emergencies where she needed to use her first aid? She could handle that.

  “Do you smell smoke?” Shane asked, his head swiveling.

  “I always smell smoke around dragons,” Esther said absently, then frowned. “But now that you mention it—”

  Bernie cursed as she peered through the window. “They’ve started a fire. I’ll take care of it.”

  She left the camper, and Esther hummed for a moment before turning to the men. “Can you two go back her up? I need to talk with Kayla alone.”

  Shane looked a little surprised but Bryant beamed and kissed Esther on the top of her head. They slipped out and Esther rose a brow at her friend. Esther gazed after them for a moment, as though lost in her dreamland, and Kayla poked her in the side.

  “Hello? You in there?”

  Esther shook her head, blushing. “Right. I’m going to have to have you take more duties in the dig than we first thought. There have been… unexpected circumstances.”

  “What circumstances?”

  “Nothing to worry about. Just… um… something.”

  Kayla’s brow rose. Then her eyes widened as she realized what was going on. She couldn’t stop herself from squealing as she launched herself at Esther, hugging her tight.

  “You’re totally pregnant, aren’t you?”

  “Hey!” Esther laughed. “Nobody knows yet. Except for Bryant and me. And we want to keep it a secret until later. So you can’t tell anybody…. But yeah. I am pregnant.”

  Kayla couldn’t stop herself from squealing again, jumping up and down and clapping her hands. “That is so exciting! How far along are you? Was it an on-purpose baby or is it a whoopsie? Do you want a boy or a girl? Are you going to lay an egg?”

  Esther flapped her hands at her. “Not so loud! To answer your questions, we weren’t actively trying but we also decided that we were ready for it if it did happen, so we weren’t going to prevent it, either. I’m two months and the morning sickness is starting to kick in. I don’t care if it’s a girl, a boy or anything else. I just want it to be healthy. And no, I’m not going to lay an egg. Dragons have live births.” Her smile widened and she beamed at Kayla. “But it does mean that I’m going to have to be more careful and I won’t be able to work as much as I anticipated. We can bring in someone else if—”

  “Don’t worry about it.” Kayla grinned back at her. “I’ll handle it.”

  Even though she’d never been in the command staff of a dig before, there was no learning experience like getting thrown off the deep end. Besides, Bernie was there to help and several graduate students–sometimes Kayla forgot that she, too, was still a student working on her master’s degree, since all the others seemed so young–had experience with digs. Kayla herself had been an unofficial supervisor to many of the digs she had participated in previously, too. It was going to be fine.

  Bernie came back a little while later, shaking her head and grumbling about the stupid Norwegian who lit a fire despite the ban. Bryant returned, too but Shane stayed outside on his phone. The meeting was done quickly and the three women went out to get the students in groups for the next morning. Kayla’s mind drifted to Esther and her pregnancy, and she had to push away a stab of jealousy. She had always thought she’d be married with a child of her own by now. But that wasn’t in the cards.

  Her gaze moved to Shane and she repressed a sigh. She didn’t know if he was planning on sticking around or not but she needed to find time to thank him for saving her the previous night. And she also needed to put aside the desire to burrow herself into his arms.

  Even if he was attracted to f
ull-figured girls like her, why would be want to be with someone who he constantly had to rescue?

  Chapter Four

  Shane

  As he had thought, the cops weren’t going to do anything.

  Shane sat in his car just outside the grocery store, trying to pull himself back under control. Smoke seeped from between his closed lips, and he knew that anybody watching would latch onto the ‘angry dragon’ stereotype and be afraid he was going to go on a rampage. He normally didn’t have any trouble controlling his emotions. Even before he joined the navy, he was very schooled and rarely allowed his fires to reach a point where they produced smoke.

  In this case, though… How could they just turn a blind eye to the horrors that were happening in their own town? They had to be taking a cut.

  He inhaled deeply, quietening his fires, and released the rest of the smoke his lungs were filled with. Kayla was safe. That was the important thing to remember at the moment. She was safe, and he had time to figure out his next step. Whether that was going to a higher authority to get Gordon’s fighting ring shut down or to go back and destroy it himself, now that he knew where it was.

  The most important thing was that Kayla stay safe, though. It might be a good idea to wait until the dig was over… or at least until Kayla moved into a new project, as this could be years.

  The ringing of his phone made him jump. Shane shook his head, bringing himself back to the present, and answered.

  “Hey, big bro!” The perennial cheerful voice of his younger brother, Tyler, came over the phone. “How’s it going?”

  “I’m good. But you haven’t called Mom in three weeks.”

  Tyler let out a huffy breath. “Come on, bro. Seriously? I call up and the first thing you do is start scolding me? Aren’t you curious as to what I’m calling for?”

  Shane bit his tongue to stop himself from asking Tyler how much money he wanted. That was always what he called for. Every other time, it was Shane calling him to remind him to call their mom. They had a good enough relationship when they were together but keeping in touch was not a family specialty.