Free Dragons' Bond by Berengaria Brown Page A

conversation.”
    “Tonight,” she said firmly.
    Angus nodded.

    * * * *

    Mallory found some interesting papers in the filing cabinet, but nothing more about Tanner’s daughter. In the end, she decided to take only the female upstairs. For a start, they were reasonably heavy, and carrying two of them up four flights of stairs wouldn’t have been a lot of fun. But more importantly, she felt if they were both on the bad team, at least she’d halved the danger to herself and the men.
    She waited until dusk was deepening then tidied up the desk, filing the papers she’d been looking at neatly except for a couple she wanted to take upstairs. Then she picked up the female and said, “I hope to start your paperwork tonight, so let’s take you into my office.”
    As always, she checked all the windows and doors, looking forward to when the new security system would be installed and she’d feel truly safe. Trudy’s quotation for the work was likely sitting in her inbox already. She wanted to see that, soon, too. And presumably Angus would have prepared another meal. She sure could get used to having men who cook around the apartment. Although she’d likely get fat. But then, if they stayed around, the sex would be mighty fine exercise, so it’d all work out.
    Mallory shivered with lust. It was hard to believe she wanted them so much when she hardly knew them. But of course, she’d been talking to them for three months, before they came to life, so in a way, she was used to having them around.
    Mallory didn’t hear any noises behind her, but instinctively she knew William and Mark were following her up the stairs. I guess being naked and barefoot does make for silence. No shoe noises or swish of fabric as you walk . But they’d better put some clothes on before we see if this statue comes to life. I don’t want another woman looking at my men’s cocks!
    Mallory went straight into her office and put the statue on her desk, wiggling her shoulders and shaking her arms. It had been heavy to carry up so many stairs. Angus appeared instantly, two pairs of jeans in his hands, one of which he passed to each of the other two men, who were, indeed, right behind her. She smiled at him. “Thank you for that. I really don’t want other people seeing you three naked.”
    “Yeah, I guessed you’d be a tad possessive about our equipment. And speaking of equipment, I’ve checked the apartment and the roof garden, and there’re no electronic bugs up here. We’ll check the rest of the museum later tonight just to be sure.”
    “Oh, thank you. Trudy did mention something about that. I can’t wait to see how much it’s going to cost to do everything she wants.” Mallory slid into the chair at her desk, the three men gathered behind her, and she turned the statue to face everyone.
    “Jaydeline Tanner, it’s time for you to transform to your human shape and tell us what’s going on,” she said firmly.
    The statue wavered and shimmered for long moments. Mallory realized she was holding her breath and let it out slowly, and then with a pop, the dragon on her desk was a woman whose long legs were hunched against her body.
    Angus’s arm reached past Mallory, holding a man’s baggy T-shirt. Jaydeline slipped it over her head and stood up, the shirt almost reaching her knees.
    “Thanks, Angus. Hi, William, Mark. And please call me Jay. I’ve always hated the name Jaydeline.”
    “Have we met before? I don’t recall you,” said Mark.
    “I know all the shape-shifters. There’s so few of us, just you three, the four Celtic men, and Sinclair and me. But Dad was very keen for no one ever to know about me. And wisely so as it turned out. I’d like to know who’s been blocking the portal all these years.”
    “Isn’t it Crevan and his gang?” asked William.
    “Everyone knows Celtic oak controls portals, but who is controlling them? Graegor and Sinclair were really good friends, so it has to be someone who has a hold over one