Free Ruby Dragon (Awakened Dragons Book 3) by Terry Bolryder Page A

people couldn’t see him.
    So that was one point for the alley. He looked over at Faye, looking innocently happy to just be holding his hand. No, he couldn’t risk anything happening with her right there.
    He looked around and saw people waving their hand and getting into yellow cars. “Let’s take one of those. You have money?” he asked.
    She nodded. “But—”
    “Trust me,” he muttered. “I’ll pay when we get back, but we’re being followed.”
    Her face paled, and she nodded, stepping forward to signal for one of the yellow cars to stop. When it did, she got in and gave them the address. Then she put her hand in his as they rode.
    He flipped around to look behind them, trying to see what was following. If it was a shifter, he didn’t recognize the scent. But he definitely sensed something more than the humans that were out on the street.
    Something sinister.
    “Was it Braden?” she asked. “Did you see him?”
    He shook his head. “I don’t know what it is. It’s just a gut feeling, and while I’m sure I can fight them, I didn’t want to get you caught in a bad situation.”
    “Do you think they were waiting for me?” she asked.
    “Maybe,” he said. “All the more reason I’m glad I came to pick you up. At the same time, I’ve had this same uneasy feeling since I first left.”
    “Oh,” she said. “You think they could be following you?” She twisted her hands in her lap, taking hers back. “Now that I think about it, there is a lot I don’t know about you.”
    “I told you,” he said. “There isn’t a lot to tell. I’m just here on a sabbatical from work, figuring out the city.”
    “Right,” she said. “Then why do I feel like you’re keeping secrets?”
    “We all have secrets,” he said, keeping his eye on what was happening outside the car whenever it stopped. “Sometimes secrets are just facts we haven’t found the right time to share. But you trust me, right?”
    She flushed. “I would hope so. But you know it’s hard for me.”
    “I know,” he said. “That’s why I don’t expect everything at once.” He took her hand and squeezed it in his reassuringly. “But I promise I’m going to keep you safe. Body and heart.”
    She just looked at him, flushing again, and he fought back a grin. She was wonderful.
    She made him want to be more than he’d ever been. The best version of himself.
    And right now, he was hell-bent on protecting her from whatever was following them.

    * * *
    W hen they arrived at the apartment building, they paid the driver and then got out, Red looking around warily as he kept Faye behind him.
    “Is it safe?” she asked.
    “I don’t see anything,” he said. “Let’s just get upstairs before anything can happen.” He grabbed her hand, and they jogged toward the stairs. She nearly stumbled, making him aware he had to be careful with her much smaller stride. “When we get up there, if anything goes down, lock yourself in your apartment and don’t come out.”
    She wrinkled her nose. “I’m not just going to leave you out there.” She held up her purse. “I have pepper spray.”
    He grinned ruefully. “I don’t think this is the type of thing pepper spray can fix.”
    She frowned. “Just what is it you know that I don’t? I saw you handle Braden. What has you so nervous?”
    He wasn’t nervous for him. He was nervous for her. He had someone he really cared about now, and if something inhuman was targeting her for being involved with him, he didn’t know what he’d do.
    “I just… Let’s go.” They cleared the second landing and he breathed out a sigh of relief when he saw the way was clear to her apartment.
    Then he saw the fire escape door open, and a few men dressed in black spilled out, wearing masks.
    “Shit,” he said, running down the corridor, yanking Faye with him. He got her to the door of her apartment, kicked it in, and then shoved her inside. “I’m sorry,” he said. Then he slammed the door behind her