Chapter Four
“Thanks so much, Merry.” Working hard not to growl, or worse yet get all scaly and burn the place down, Van added, “And be sure to tell your mom and sister I asked about ‘em. It’s been a month of Sundays since we got together. I need to make a trip out there and take ‘em some of those pecan pralines they like so much.”
“They would love that, Van,” the Dwarf nodded, the twinkle returning to his eye as he stroked his thick, brown beard. “Mom’s always asking if I’ve seen you and checking on Ranger and all his brothers. All of ya’ should go over. You know she’ll bake up a storm and keep the ale flowing.”
“That she will,” the Guardsman chuckled, remembering the last time he’d been out that way and all the fun he, Ranger, Zach, and Gage had had. Nobody new how to make a guy feel welcome like Mrs. Longbottom. “I promise I’ll make time as soon as I can.”
“I’ll tell ‘em,” Merry cheered. “Have a great stay. Your dinner should be up in about twenty minutes. “Shane said he’ll just sear it on both sides.”
“Just the way I like it,” Donovan called over his shoulder, giving a final wave as he got out of the way of an especially grumpy Walrus shifter and his perturbed Mate who were arguing about getting lost on the way to the resort.
In the elevator and pushing the button for the fourth floor, the Dragon blew out a long-suffering breath the instant the doors slid shut.“Ya’ know, Daig, I hope to the Heavens Lottie and I don’t argue like that couple.”
“No worries there,”the Dragon King snickered. “She’ll just snap her fingers and send you flyin’ through the ether. That girl does not play around when it comes to makin’ a point.”
“No, she doesn’t,”Van chuckled, deciding to take his most recent interaction with his independent and impetuous Mate in stride.“That woman knows what she wants and isn’t afraid to go after it.”
“Shame she doesn’t want you.”
“Oh, she does,”Van laughed. “She just doesn’t know it yet.”
“The famous last words of a man in love.”
“Well, at the very least, I’m in serious lust rounding the corner to Lovesville.”
“Okay, I’ll let you have that one even though I know different. And speaking of things you thought the beautiful Carlotta didn’t know, what is she doing here? I was sure you said there was no way she would be able to track Vanessa and Ham-bone faster than you.”
“Yeah, well, I underestimated her resolve.”
“And her power?”
“Oh, hell, no,”Van quickly corrected. “I know exactly how powerful she is – both mentally and magically. Lottie is the most formidable person I’ve ever known. I just thought…”
“You just thought she might listen when you asked her to let the DIA do their job? Or that Jianna wouldn’t tell her goddaughter that the woman responsible for her mother’s death was seen at the very resort she owns?”
“Well…”
“Yeah, Bud, that’s a deep subject…”
“Very funny.”
“… and when you said those very stupid words – the ones about letting the DIA do their job- Lottie was hightailing out of the Head Office with a head full of steam and fire in her eyes. You’re just lucky she can’t breathe fire. It’s the only thing that saved you from a sore ass, my boy.”
“But nothing…”
Furthermore, you didn’t advise Jianna not to tell Lottie which leads me to believe you wanted your Mate here. Go on, tell me I’m wrong.”
Unwilling to admit that Daig might be right, Van pushed off the handrail he was leaning against as the elevator doors slid open. Following the signs, he went left then right before making his way to room four-twenty-five.
“End of the hall, Old Man,”he chuckled. “I’m pretty sure Ji thinks I’m gonna cause trouble.”
“Close to the exit just in case.”
“Thanks, Daig. You were supposed to say, ‘No way, man. Nobody would ever think that of you.”
“Yeah, but I don’t lie.”
Ignoring the snide comment from the most contrary Dragon to ever exist, Van slid his keycard into the door, turning the knob as soon as the electronic lock dinged. Shrugging out of his jacket even before the door shut behind him, it took less than two seconds to shed his shoes, unbutton his shirt halfway and magic his suitcase out of thin air.