Hence the beginning of our unlikely friendship.
“I’ve also got some poison tipped daggers I want you to strap to your inner thighs,” Essie added. “I’d make you take a gun, but they’re worthless on Dragons.”
“I’m hoping I won’t have to use any of those items, but I’ll take them gladly,” I said as I grabbed another piece of shrimp and then thought better of it.
“And I’m going to dress you,” Dwayne announced. “Seth said it’s a formal affair and what I’m going to put you in will defend you as much as any weapon.”
“Thanks,” I said as the reality began to hit.
My appetite had disappeared. The thought of what I was about to do weighed heavily. My life was expendable if it kept Daniel alive.
Junior and Sandy left after a round of hugs and I idly wondered if I would ever see them again.
“Essie, Dwayne, I have no plans of dying tonight, but,” I started only to be cut off.
“Daniel will always be safe as long as we both are alive,” Essie promised.
“I’ll move him immediately if you’re not back by morning,” Dwayne said in a more serious tone than I’d ever heard from him. “The Cows already know about Daniel and are so excited they scooped all the poop out of the yard so he can run freely. You are going to come back. I’ll accept nothing less, but Daniel still has to visit. My girls will be devastated if they don’t get to babysit.”
“It’s a deal,” I said, forcing a smile to my lips. If tonight was successful, my father’s end was in sight. I needed to focus on that. “Let’s go back in. I want to be with Daniel.”
“Good idea,” Essie said as she handed me the platter of vegetables and then grabbed the steaks and potatoes herself. “We need to save Seth from Granny. She’s flirting up a storm. I’m a little concerned she might feel the need to do a show.”
“Sweet Kathie Lee and Hoda on wine drinking Tuesdays, that would be mortifyingly fabu,” Dwayne squealed as he hightailed out of the kitchen.
“Thank you, Essie,” I said as I met her eyes and tried to tell her more than any mere words could express.
“You’re welcome, Dragon,” she replied with a smile and a very serious look in her eyes. “I will love and kill for your son. You will come back, but if you don’t, Daniel will always be protected. You have my word.”
“I’m not sure you know how much that means to me,” I told her. “One day when you have children, you’ll understand the magnitude of the gift you’ve given me. Hopefully I can repay you, but I can’t imagine how.”
“Live,” she said simply. “That’s the gift I want. I want you to stay in my life.”
“I’ll do my best.”
“Works for me,” she said lightening the heavy vibe. “Oh hell no, I hear music. Granny’s gonna dance. Move your ass or everyone is gonna see her no-nos.”
Granny was dancing, but thankfully she was totally clothed. She was teaching Daniel hip-hop and Dwayne was filming with his phone diligently. The laughter was loud and my eyes got misty. Hank and Seth were in deep discussion and the mutual admiration was obvious.
I wanted to stop time and savor this moment forever. In my mind I imagined having a little house down the road from Essie and Hank. It would have a big yard for Daniel and a swing set. Seth and I would figure out some kind of business that would be socially acceptable. Essie and Hank would have children and Daniel would play with them. Dwayne and Granny would be the surrogate grandparents for my son and the Cows—as crazy as they were—would be his aunts. Life would be perfect.
But it was a silly dream. Perfect had never existed for me—plus I was probably a little too violent for that scenario.
Life for Dragons never worked out easily. I knew this, but I knew I could eliminate the biggest danger in my son’s and all other Dragons’ lives. Partnering with the Resistance was either going to be the most brilliant move I’d ever made or my last.
I was going to go with most brilliant. I was a Dragon who didn’t lose. I hadn’t beaten my father yet, but the new war was just beginning.
Seth’s smile warmed my heart as he patted the empty seat next to him. Cuddling up with him on the couch was homey and nice. Granny and Essie handed out food and the conversation flowed with ease.
“Here’s the invitation. The address is on it,” Seth said as the meal ended, handing me an expensive embossed card.
He pressed his lips to my forehead and then scooped Daniel up in his arms.
“See you at midnight,” I said hoping he would kiss me for real.
He didn’t, but that was okay. The way Daniel looked at him was enough for me. It had to be.
“It was astonishingly lovely to meet all of you,” Seth said as he hugged the women and shook hands with the men. “I am honored to have been asked and I am forever in your debt for your protection of Dima and Daniel. After we defeat the King, we need to have serious talks amongst our species.”
“I’m in,” Hank said. “It’s time to end the war.”
“God, it’s so hot when alpha guys get all serious. If I had pores I’d be sweating up a storm,” Dwayne announced as fanned himself with a wedding magazine.
“Dima, I’ll see you shortly,” Seth said as he walked toward the door. “It will be fine. I promise. It’s the way it’s supposed to be.”