Dragon Reign: A Paranormal Love Tale

by Pressley James

  “Stop it!” Nicole snapped, coming to her feet surprisingly fast. Slowly, she made her way to him. “I will not let you insult him this way. At least show some common decency. I know that you have a lot of shortcomings. But, there’s no point in being so damned rude.”

  “Oh, no,” the woman said aghast, and her hand fluttered to her chest. Then, she sobbed quietly, finally dissolving into tears. Her husband enfolded her in his arms as she stepped into them. “And she’s even cursing now, John. Could it be any worse?”

  “Mother, stop with the theatrics, why don’t you?” Nicole snapped, coming to stand beside him. She clung to his arm gratefully as she faced them. “As usual, you have to make anything and everything about you. Is this the end of your performance---if so, you can go.”

  “Has this become the nature of our relationship, Nicole?” her father asked, his eyes filled with naked pain. “Certainly, your mother isn’t perfect. But, she does love you. We both do.”

  Grasping Xander’s arm tighter, she blinked back the tears. And for once, she was grateful that she had someone else to lean on. “I suppose that there’s a part of me that realizes that,” she said stiffly, absorbing his warmth as she leaned against him. “But, you can’t dictate what I do with my life.”

  “We heard about the break-in,” Mary began miserably, dabbing at her tears with a silk, embroidered handkerchief. “And it saddens me that you didn’t come to us.”

  “What good would it have done?” she whispered, and the old hurt and pain surfaced again. “It would be more of the same---just blatant accusations with you having no insight into my thoughts or feelings.”

  “We would protect you. Nicole, I can’t lose you,” her mother sobbed. “Not after losing---”

  “Don’t you dare say her name,” she whispered, and the huge tears pooled in her dark brown eyes. The anger seethed through her as she pulled away from him. She crossed her along her chest defensively. “You have no right---not after what you’ve done. Please, go. I don’t want to hear anymore.”

  “But, surely, you don’t plan on staying here---with him. Nicole, it goes against our principles,” John snapped disapprovingly, releasing his wife as he stepped towards her. “I refuse to allow you to tarnish our name by staying with your lover! Where are your things? I’m not having this!”

  Face flushing hot, she couldn’t hide her uncertainty.

  Would Xander make her go?

  Switching his gaze from her parents, he looked at her.

  The surprise filled him.

  She was actually afraid that he’d send her away.

  Not a chance.

  “Ok, I think that everyone needs to take a breather here. I’m sorry, Mr. and Mrs. Williamson,” he muttered, treading lightly, and shook his head. “But, I’m going to have to ask you to go.”

  As if offended, her mother gasped in shock. “What?”

  “Listen, you young buck,” her father warned, stiffening, and took a step forward. “This is between us and our daughter. Butt the hell out---it’s not your problem.”

  He eyed the man closely.

  Hell, it was apparent that they were all upset, and the last thing he wanted to do was intensify the moment further. “With all due respect sir,” he began again. “It is my problem since Nicole is my friend and I care about what happens to her---”

  “What part are you not understanding, you damned fool!” her father interrupted, and the veins bulged in his neck. “I want you to get the hell away from my daughter. From the looks of this place, you’re barely rubbing two pennies together. So, the last thing that you could ever do is help my child.”

  Oh, fuck, he mulled, narrowing his gaze.

  All reasoning just flew out window.

  Now, he was getting pissed off.

  John looked at him coolly. “Now, you,” the man said, wiggling a finger at him. “…are going to move out of my way while I collect my daughter’s things. But, if we have to settle this in a man’s way, we will.”

  Then, to his surprise, her father edged in his direction.

  “Hey, now, hold up, pops,” he warned, placing a firm hand against the man’s shoulder. “I’m not looking for trouble. But, this is my fucking place, and I want you to get out.”

  Still though, her father attempted to pass him. “Nicole, get your things--”

  He blocked the man’s path. “I said, get the hell out.”

  “Dad, just do it,” Nicole said quietly. “Stop causing a scene and making this about you---there’s no reason for either of you or mother to be acting this way.”

  Finally, her father relented. “Nicole---”

  Her words were firm. “Leave.”

  The tension heightened in the room, and even the silence was shattered by its violent nature.

  “I suspect my initial instincts were wrong about you, young man. Although you’re plainly a thug, I had at least expected you to respect her. Living in sin certainly isn’t the way to do that,” her father suggested coldly, joining his wife again. “On my mother’s grave, if you so much as hurt her---”

  “Get out,” she said deadpan, scrambling past him, and walked towards the door. “I think that it will be best that we don’t see each other for awhile---a long while.” She wrenched the door open. “Leave.”

  “You haven’t seen the last of us,” Mary muttered unkindly, her eyes shooting angry daggers as she stalked past him. “I swear you haven’t!”

  “You’ve done a very bad thing, Mr. Sullivan, and that is interfering in my daughter’s life,” John agreed as he passed him, and followed behind his wife. “And you’ll learn soon enough that I’m not the man to cross.”

  “Fuck, I’m already trembling in my little booties,” he said dryly, and didn’t fight to hide the sarcasm in his voice. “Tell me, pops, should I tuck tail and run for cover now?”

  “Xander, stop,” Nicole said, and her expression was pensive as her parents joined her side. “Please.”

  At her words, his anger deflated, and suddenly, he was ashamed of his own behavior. “Nicole, I’m sorry---”

  “Can I please talk to my daughter?” Mary interrupted, throwing him an angry look. Then, she settled her attention on Nicole. “Baby, listen. We only want what’s best for---”

  She opened the door wider. “Please, just go,” she murmured, and her tone was devoid of emotion. When her mother hugged her, she stiffened. But, she couldn’t mask her raw emotions at the brief embrace. The tears stung her father’s eyes as he looked at her one final time. But, then he followed behind his wife silently.

  Staying silent, he watched as she shut the door.

  Her face was carefully controlled as she turned and faced him. She walked towards him before stopping beside the armchair. “Please forgive our display of familial drama, Xander. Believe me. Our encounters have been much worse.”

  His brows arched at her assertion. “Are they usually that warm and welcoming?” he quipped sarcastically, shrugging on the suede jacket.

  “They weren’t always that way,” she defended them softly, her face taking on a dazed look. “Isn’t it strange how your life can change instantly with you having no full control over who gets hurt?”

  “Yes, I know exactly what you mean,” he admitted before turning away.

  Hadn’t he been thrown for a loop the moment they’d met?

  And would he be the one ultimately responsible for hurting and betraying her?

  Anger surged through him as Princeton’s words played in his mind again.

  I’m never going to hurt her, he vowed silently as he stalked to the kitchen and turned the lights out.

  She grabbed her bag from the coffee table. “Xander, what’s wrong?” she asked, looking at him curiously. “Why are you so quiet all of a sudden? I didn’t scare you away did I?”

  Even though she said it jokingly, he could tell that she was dead serious. He sighed heavily as he stopped before her. “Of course not. Why would you think something like that?”

  She could n
ever do that.

  “Good,” she smiled, though it didn’t quite reach her eyes.

  “You ready?” he asked, grasping her elbow.

  “Ready when you are.”

  With the recent trouble behind them, they left.

  ***

  “Well,” Dr. Peters drawled, pausing as he shined the pen light into her eyes. Still, he couldn’t disguise the eagerness in his voice. “It seems that we’ve had a major breakthrough, Nicole.”

  Hope surged through her as she gripped the edges of the lounge. “What does that mean exactly?”

  The doctor patted her hand reassuringly. “It means that your chances of regaining your sight have improved substantially. So much so that I want you back here within the next couple of weeks to run some extensive tests and then schedule surgery.”

  “Is it really happening? Will I finally have my life back?” she asked with a tear-filled voice.

  “Yes,” Dr. Peters admitted, his own voice seeming choked up. “I’m willing to stake my life on it. So, you should go ahead and make preparations for your recovery, young lady.”

  She brushed the stray tear away hastily as it rolled along her cheek. Then, hesitation filled her tone. “Will I have full sight in both eyes?”

  “From the beginning, Nicole, I have always been forthright with you. And this time isn’t different from any other. From my standpoint, your vision will be fully restored after this next surgery,” the doctor spoke confidently.

  Trembling, she released her pent-up tears, and she grasped Xander’s hand tightly when he joined her side. “How soon can we schedule surgery?”

  “After the tests are run, we’ll have a better idea of when to proceed,” Dr. Peters murmured. “For now, I want you to relax and enjoy time with this young man of yours. Take good care of her.”

  A flush spread along her face.

  Did she and Xander really seem like a couple?

  A refusal rested on her tongue, but it wouldn’t issue forward.

  “Don’t worry,” Xander interrupted smoothly, tightening his hold as she turned in his direction. “I plan on taking good care of her.”

  “Good,” Dr. Peters said, lifting the heavy chart. “I’m going to check my schedule. And my receptionist will let you know your next scheduled appointment, Nicole.”

  “Thanks, doctor,” she murmured as she rose from the chair. The door opened and she could hear the doctor’s heavy footsteps as he left. She purposely frowned when the door closed behind him. Slowly, she pulled her hand from his. “I appreciate your help. But, you don’t have to pretend to be anything more than my bodyguard. First, my parents and now Dr. Peters have jumped to the wrong conclusion.”

  “Does it bother you that they’ve assumed that we’re together?” he inquired curiously, his tone holding something else.

  Did he really care if it bothered her? And for some reason, she felt he did.

  She had the good grace to blush again. “I’m not bothered by it. And of course, it’s no one’s business. But, I certainly don’t want to cramp your lifestyle by allowing people to believe that you’re shackled with me.”

  “Trust me, I can think of far worse assumptions,” he asserted. “I’m not bothered. You’re not bothered. So, let’s not make a big deal out of it.”

  “Certainly,” she said primly as she stiffened. She pulled the purse back onto her shoulder. He followed behind her silently as they departed. Seconds later, she’d confiscated the card with her scheduled appointment date and they were soon on their way again. After a visit to the vet and rehearsal, they headed to 23rd Southwest Street where his office was housed.

  “I gather that you remodeled before moving in here. I shouldn’t expect to find any art collectibles, easels, or anything, should I?” she inquired, turning as he locked the door behind them, mentioning the old craft shop that’d once occupied the place. “Were the renovations too costly? Before, this place was past outdated.”

  “Actually, no,” he admitted, accepting her coat as she shrugged it off. “The previous owner was anxious to make the sale, so he sold it at a reasonable price, and the sale also included a fifty-percent offer towards renovation expenses. So, it was practically a giveaway.” His warm breath fanned across her upturned face as he moved closer. “Follow me.”

  She didn’t protest as he grabbed her hand and pulled her along.

  “Doesn’t it have two floors?” she questioned, her perfectly-shaped brows arching in a frown. A blast of warm cedar wafted up her nostrils as they entered the next room. “If my memory serves me correctly, the upper level served as an apartment while business was conducted downstairs.”

  “The layout is rather extensive,” he agreed, stopping beside a chair. “Here, have a seat.” Gently, he eased her down into the chair that obviously faced his desk. “Basically, I transformed the two smaller rooms into one large area which is where we are now. And it serves as my main office. I added a small, waiting area for clients. I updated the plumbing and moved the kitchenette area downstairs rather than upstairs. But, upstairs there’s a large bathroom and bedroom.”

  “Well, it seems that you’ve added the masculine touch,” she chided, sliding her hands gently over the chair’s smooth leather. “And no doubt a modern finesse as well.”

  “I suppose so,” he remarked distractedly, sitting down in the desk chair. The computer tower beeped twice after he turned it on. And his chair squeaked slightly as he leaned back in it. His heavy sigh reached her across the desk. “I’m going to pull up the national data bank to see what I can find.”

  “Surely, we’ll find out something since he’s been identified,” she said. “I just want this nightmare to be over.”

  “I know you do. And I’m going to do everything in my power to make sure that it happens. For now, just sit there and relax.”

  Like that’s possible, she muttered to herself, pushing the loose strand of hair behind her ear. She was faced with two immediate dangers. First of all, she had a deranged killer snapping at her heels. Who knew when he’d show up again or what he’d do next? Secondly, she was in danger of losing her heart to a man that was certainly an enigma. And with each passing day, she was becoming more attached to him: emotionally and physically. Often she wondered if this wasn’t the greatest danger that she faced. For how would her life be once this was all over with and she no longer saw him everyday. The entire thought was unfathomable.

  She cleared her throat noisily. “Do you have any particular leads yet?” she asked, leaning forward in the chair.

  “Right now, I’m following all the leads that I’ve received from Garcia. So, far, I’ve come up empty-handed. But, I have a few ideas of my own that are a little unsavory. And as a private investigator, I can follow them.”

  Fear stabbed through her as she sat up higher in her seat. “Xander, I don’t want you to do anything risky or dangerous. Please don’t take any unnecessary chances,” she insisted firmly as she stood. “I don’t want anything to happen to you.”

  “Be careful,” he scoffed. “Or I’m going to actually think that you care.”

  “Well, I do!” she protested, fighting to push the tears back. She blinked them away quickly before inhaling taking a deep breath. She didn’t know what she’d do if he were to get hurt. It would be utterly devastating. She pushed the unsettling thoughts away as she took a more practical approach. “You are my bodyguard. What good are you to me if you’re dead?”

  And she’d probably literally die with a broken heart.

  No, I won’t let anything happen to him, she vowed defiantly.

  “Protecting your investment, huh?” he remarked smartly, and she couldn’t understand why he was miffed. “Don’t worry about me, Nicole. I can take care of myself. And trust me. I’ve dealt with criminals far worse than Gates.”

  More anger surged through her as her hands clenched into fists.

  And they claimed that the female population was clueless when feelings were involved.

  Apparently, stat
istics were wrong!

  Couldn’t he see that she was worried about him, for personal reasons not professional?

  Or maybe he didn’t want to, she fumed, moving away from the chair.

  “And just where do you think you’re going?” he demanded in surprise, and she could hear him as he stood.

  “I can’t learn anything if I’m half-way across the room, now can I?” she scoffed as she maneuvered around his desk carefully. She stopped when she felt the warmth of his hard body. And she imagined him staring down at her with his sexy gray eyes and a shiver coursed through her. “Are you going to make me stand or pull my chair around?”

  “Anyone ever told you that you’re bossy, too?” he replied before moving to retrieve the chair. “Here you go.”

  “Thank you,” she added before sinking onto it. “What do you have so far?”

  “Apparently, Larry Gates was a private practitioner,” he said easily, sinking into the chair beside hers. “And as Gates said, he lost his license a few years back because of an illicit scandal. His career hits the skid and the man practically becomes a recluse. The best thing that I can do is touch base with the trail of victims that he’s left behind. Then, I think we’ll strike pay dirt.”

  “Usually, I don’t wish ill will on anyone. But, this time, it’s rightly deserved. The sooner he’s off the streets, the better I’ll feel. Then, he can’t hurt me or anyone else again.”

  For a brief moment, he was silent.

  “It says here that one of Gates’ last places of employment was an illegal, Atlanta-based pharmaceutical supply company called Palmers Medical Supply. The Feds cracked down on it and several people were carted off to prison, everyone except the receptionist, Mildred Baker.”

  “A pharmaceutical company? Why would he be involved in that?” she asked, frowning in concentration. “Do you think that he was dealing drugs illegally?”

  “If anything, he was probably their gopher, distributing it onto the street corners while ruining some poor kid’s life as he tried to get a high. It’s just something else to make me hate him more.”