The Dragon’s Chance by Jessie Donovan

Chapter Four

Jake felt the dragonman's eyes on him, but he ignored Connor to stare at his daughter and took her tiny hand in his.

He knew why Sylvia had insisted the boy watch them. Jake was, after all, still a virtual stranger.

What concerned him more was how Sylvia had fled. Not to mention the way she'd dismissed him having enough time for both Sylvia and Sophie.

True, they had a daughter together, but that didn't necessarily equate a happily ever after. Unplanned pregnancies happened all the time.

But Jake wanted more than that. Or at least the chance for more. Not only because he wanted to be near his child, but he had a feeling he'd never get Sylvia out of his head, no matter how much time had passed.

Hell, it'd been a year and he still dreamed of their night together on a regular basis. Finding out he had a child with the beautiful woman of his dreams only made him want to try all the harder.

Jake was good at plans. It was what had made him the successful restauranteur he was. He'd just need to think of how to approach this situation. While not the same as figuring out locations, staff, menus, and the like, he would think of something. He just needed to get to know Sylvia a little better first.

Well, Sylvia and all six of her children, too, since they were obviously a close-knit family and a packaged deal.

Connor's voice—softer this time, no doubt for Sophie's sake—stated, "So you're staying, aye?"

He knew dragon-shifters had better senses, especially hearing and sight, than humans. Still, he finally met Connor's gaze and raised his brows. "Were you supposed to be eavesdropping?"

The young man sat up taller. "When it concerns my mum, of course I do."

Sensing the dragonman liked being direct instead of beating around the bush, he asked, "How old are you?"

The dragonman bristled, as if people always dismissed him because of his youth. "Why does that matter?"

Jake merely shrugged the shoulder of his free arm. "Call me crazy, but I thought it'd be nice to get to know my daughter's siblings a little better."

Connor grunted. "You abandoned my mum. Don't expect me to be nice to you."

He sighed. "I didn't know that I'd abandoned her. And then something happened in my family that I had to help with, or I would've come to Scotland sooner. If nothing else, I think we both care for our families, right?"

Connor didn't soften at all. "My family means everything to me. And anyone that hurts them, well, aye, they're going to have to deal with me."

Jake knew Connor was serious, and yet it took everything he had not to smile. The dragonman was so young and yet trying so hard. "Twenty-three? Am I close?"

His pupils flashed. "I just turned twenty-five. More than old enough to help my family."

Jake wondered if everyone underestimated Connor because of his age. "Of course it is."

The words seemed to stroke the younger man's ego a little. He studied Jake a few beats before saying softly, "Mum's had a hard time of it. Don't hurt her. I don't know if she can take it."

He frowned at Connor's words, but a doorway opened and voices filled the hallway before Jake could say anything else. Within seconds, Ian MacAllister and two more dark-haired young people stood in the living room.

As the three new arrivals frowned down at him, his lips twitched. "Let me guess—two more of my daughter's five siblings? Where's the last one?"

Ian and the still-unnamed man growled, but the only young woman rolled her eyes and pushed past them. "Ignore my testosterone-filled brothers. I'm Emma, the fourth youngest. The eldest, my sister Cat, is on bedrest. She's about to pop out her bairn any second, so it doesn't surprise me she can't charge over here like she'd want to."

Jake blinked. "Sylvia's daughter is about to have a baby?"

Emma shrugged. "Strange, isn't it? Aunt and niece will be months apart. It was the talk of the clan until you showed up. Everyone is going to want to meet you now, so be prepared for some inventive reasons for them to just drop by, aye?"

He muttered, "More than enough have already gawked."

Emma snorted. "They're not who you have to worry about."

Jake glanced at each of the four siblings in the room. "Why? Is it the four of you I have to worry about?"

The only man he didn't know the name of—the one who looked to be the youngest—smirked. "No, that would be Finn."

The name rang a bell. He'd seen it often enough in his paperwork. "The clan leader."

The man opened his mouth, but Emma beat him to it. "Haud yer wheesht, Jamie. Finn gave me the message, probably because he knew I wouldn't kick Jake's arse before he even had a chance." She faced Jake again. "Aye, Finn's the clan leader. He sent us here to help Mum with Sophie so you can chat with him." She put out her arms. "I can take her."

Jake instinctively leaned away and held his daughter closer. "I just met her."

Emma's gaze softened a fraction. "Aye, I know. But she'll be here when you return, I promise." His gaze traveled to the door Sylvia had exited. As if reading his thoughts, Emma added, "We'll look after her too."

Sophie squirmed a second in his arms, drawing his attention. Just as she snuggled more against his chest, strong emotion flooded him.

Was it possible to love someone so quickly?

He traced her soft cheek, smoothed down her flyaway hair nearly the same color as his own, and leaned down to kiss her forehead. He murmured, "I'll be back as soon as I can, Sophie girl. Be good for your mom, okay?"

Sophie continued to snore softly.

God, he didn't want to leave his daughter so soon. And yet if he pissed off the clan leader, he might not get the chance to know her at all.

Standing carefully so as not to wake her, he held the slight, warm weight of his daughter another few beats before gingerly passing Sophie to her sister.

Thankfully Sophie stayed asleep and Emma smiled at him. "Aye, well, know that at least I like you." She motioned toward her brothers. "If that lot gives you trouble, just say the word and I'll teach them a lesson."

Jamie muttered something, but Jake ignored him to touch Sophie's cheek one last time before dropping his arm. "I'll be back as soon as I can. Although I hope someone can guide me, or it's going to take me a hell of a long time to find my way around, knocking on doors until I get to the right one."

Ian snorted. "Come on. I'm the least likely to challenge you the entire way. Let's go before Jamie feels the need to prove how strong he is again."

Jamie frowned as his cheeks colored slightly.

Jake knew what it was like to be the little brother, and it wasn't always easy. Taking a shot, he asked, "You're the youngest, aren't you?"

The dragonman blinked. "Aye."

"So am I." He smiled. "Maybe we can help each other? One youngest sibling to another?"

Jamie stared a second and said, "Um, aye?"

He nodded and slapped the dragonman's shoulder. "Then I'll see you later."

Ian led the way and Jake followed, doing his best to gather his thoughts. He had a feeling it was going to take everything he had to face the clan leader and live to tell the tale. Even if Finn had granted Jake permission to visit Lochguard, he could order him to leave at any moment.

Jake just needed to ensure that didn't happen.

* * *

Sylvia was still fixingsandwiches in the kitchen when her middle daughter walked in. Since Emma was the bluntest of all her children, it should no longer surprise her what came out of the female's mouth. However, when she asked, "Is he going to be our stepdad?" Sylvia froze.

Clearing her throat, she continued cutting the sandwich in front of her. "No."

Emma swiped a sliced tomato and said, "I like him. He didn't want to let Sophie out of his sight. Even though he's human, he seems like a good male. Sexy, too, even if he's a wee bit old for me. His accent just adds to his appeal as well, don't you think?"

Knowing that if she didn't put this to rest now, Emma would keep prodding until Sylvia either threw her hands up in exasperation or, on rare occasions, lost her temper. Turning to face her daughter, she stated, "I want him to know Sophie, aye, of course I do. But that's it. Don't meddle, Emma."

Her daughter swallowed her bite of tomato before replying, "I only meddle when absolutely necessary." Sylvia raised an eyebrow and Emma sighed. Her daughter added, "Okay, so sometimes I do it because I'm trying to help people see what's right in front of them. But it's worked out well a few times, aye? That should make up for all my failures."

Even though Sylvia had eaten a snack and fortified herself with plenty of tea, meaning she wasn't going to faint anytime soon, she still nearly massaged her temples. Emma was clever, too much so for her twenty-three years, and trying to argue with her could last a long time.

So she decided blunt honesty was the best route. "Sophie, and soon Cat, need me. I may no longer be ill or afraid of dying, but raising a child as a single parent is exhausting. I don't have the energy for more than the six of you and my soon-to-be grandchild."

Emma's voice turned serious as she said, "Us older children can take care of ourselves. Besides, you're lonely, Mum. Dad died twelve years ago. It's okay to find and care for someone else."

She quickly pushed aside the pang she always felt when her children mentioned their father. "And that only reinforces my point about keeping my distance. I love you, Emma, but I'm not like you when it comes to flirting with one male and then another. I get attached rather easily, and when something is torn away from me, it devastates me. You were old enough to remember how I couldn't get out of bed for weeks once your father died. Even if it's not death and would merely be a male leaving, I can't risk another spell, not with Sophie to think of. Recognizing my faults is all I can do in this situation, and make the best of it."

Emma said softly, "But you're also the mother who says we shouldn't be too afraid to try something new, to fight against expectations to be happy. I may not deal with males in the same way as you, but you have no idea the amount of shite I have to put up with in my line of work. Females aren't supposed to be good at hacking, or coding, or with computers in general. At first, it hurt me that everyone dismissed me because of my age and gender. But you know what? In the end, it was worth all the crap I endured to do something that I enjoy, something that helps the clan." She bit her lip—a sign her daughter was gathering her thoughts—and then added, "What I'm trying to say is that sometimes you have to risk a little to get what you want. And that is something I learned from you and Dad. I only hope you remember it for yourself."

Before she could reply, Emma walked out of the kitchen, leaving Sylvia to ponder her daughter's words.

On the one hand, she was proud of how Emma had grown up. Aye, she was a massive gossip and flirt, but when it really counted, her daughter knew what mattered.

And yet, Emma's words made Sylvia doubt herself a wee bit.

Should she risk a little to see if Jake could be more than merely a father to Sophie? Or should she play it safe to ensure she didn't fail her children again when she faced heartbreak?

Ifshe faced heartbreak.

Her dragon was never the chattiest of beasts, but she finally spoke up. I think you know the answer already. You took a risk last year and had the best day in over a decade.

Aye, but that was for a day, not weeks or months, let alone forever.

Then don't think of forever. Take it as it goes because Emma's right—you're lonely. And tired. And frustrated. At least give the human a chance to know us better.

Oh, how she wanted to. And yet, Sylvia didn't do half-measures. At least she'd never done so to date.

Could she really take it easy and just have fun with Jake and let things develop as they did?

Her dragon said, Remember Gregor? He lost his mate and was determined to shut everyone out. Now he's mated for a second time and has a son. If he could risk it, why can’t we?

She and Dr. Gregor Innes had been friends in school, were around the same age, and both had endured the loss of their mates in rather tragic circumstances. His from complications with pregnancy and Sylvia from dragon hunters capturing and draining Arthur of blood.

Too bad Gregor now lived with Clan Stonefire down in England with his mate and son. Maybe talking with him would've helped.

Her dragon said softly, I think you already know what you want but are afraid to admit it. Aye?

The thing with inner beasts is that they knew a person better than anyone else.

And her dragon was right—if given the choice, she'd like more time with Jake. To laugh, to smile, to revel in the heat of a male body against hers.

To feel desired and special, to be more than just a mother, if only for a few moments.

Her dragon spoke up. Then give him a chance. You don't have to plan the next five years, just the next two weeks. All you have to do is not fall in love with him right away.

As if it were that easy. Sylvia had fallen in love with Arthur after a week of dating.

Still, she'd been sixteen back then, and now she was forty-four. Surely she could practice a bit more restraint.

She said to her beast, I'll not shut him out completely, but that's all I can promise for now.

Good. At least that's a start.

Smiling to herself, Sylvia assembled the sandwiches and went into the living room, only to find Emma, Jamie, Connor, and a sleeping Sophie, but no sign of Jake. "Where'd he go?"

Jamie plucked a sandwich from the plate and answered, "To see Finn."

Her first instinct was to go help Jake. He was human, not dragon-shifter, and despite Finn's usual jolly demeanor, he could be serious and stern when it came to his clan.

But then she realized Jake needed to handle Finn on his own. Because if he couldn't handle a clan leader, then he would never be able to live with a dragon clan.

Not that she was hoping he would. But she wouldn't completely dismiss anything going forward.

That would be the new Sylvia—one who didn't obsess over every detail and how it could go horribly wrong.

No, she was going to try and relax a little—not a lot, but a wee bit—and see how the cards fell.