The Dragon’s Chance by Jessie Donovan

Chapter Nine

Once Jake had an idea in his head, he did everything he could to see if it would work. And if so, see it through.

Finn had liked his idea of inviting his family to come to meet Sophie. Although instead of going somewhere near Lochguard, he'd suggested staying in a collection of cottages not far from Clan Stonefire down in the Lake District in England. The DDA didn't mind if dragon-shifters stayed there due to some decades-old agreement made between Stonefire and the British government, and humans could stay freely as well, since it was mostly humans who rented the cottages.

The dragonman had quickly called the Stonefire clan leader, booked dates Jake thought would work, and then directed him to a room with a phone he could use.

Inside of three hours, he'd booked and coordinated everything. Thanks to a family vacation to Costa Rica two years ago, everyone already had passports. And his sisters had thought it a good idea to get away—they'd kept the dates for the original camping trip blocked out for some sort of family time—although they didn't like him footing the bill.

He'd assured them they could help with meals and the like once in England, or help take care of Sophie. The revelation of his daughter had been a little awkward, but both Lila and Ada had been happy in the end. They wanted a niece to spoil. Lila, in particular, had sounded more animated than he'd heard her since Nick's death.

Although they didn't like his evasive answers about what he planned to do with Sophie's mother. However, Jake was still working on that himself and he didn't need his sisters trying to meddle.

The only people who hadn't confirmed yet were Ashley, her mate, and their son. Something about Wes—Ashley's mate—needing time to think about it. Since Wes was a dragon clan leader, Jake understood the man couldn't just up and leave on a whim; it would take a tremendous amount of planning.

But he hoped his favorite cousin and her family would make it eventually, especially since he'd hinted at how it'd give Ashley and Wes the chance to better know a few clan leaders in the UK.

With everything planned out, he headed back toward Sylvia's cottage. He hadn't meant to be away so long, but she'd stopped by Finn's place hours ago and had said she could manage a few hours on her own.

Still, he missed her and Sophie and the coziness of their little bubble.

And fuck, if it was this way after only a couple of days, he couldn't imagine what it'd be like at the end of two weeks.

Because he would have to leave and go back to the US to sort out a few things for his restaurants before coming back to Scotland again. And that could take him weeks, or even months, to arrange.

Jake didn't like that one bit.

However, as he reached Sylvia's place, he pushed that thought aside. He'd take what time he could for now and figure out the rest later.

He entered the house to a low hum of conversation. Entering the living room, he spotted Ian, Jamie, and a few older dragon-shifter men he didn't know.

Sylvia noticed him. The tightness of her jaw relaxed as she smiled. "You're back."

He glanced at the unknown people and then went to her side. "Yes, I have everything planned out now. Is Sophie asleep?"

She nodded, but before Sylvia could reply, the elderly dragonman with gray hair and blue eyes the same shade as many of Sylvia's kids grunted and asked, "How do we know it's safe to keep you around my grandkids? For all we know, you could be some undercover spy for the dragon hunters or whatever they're called in America. Has Finn run a background check? I'd like to see it."

He eyed the elderly dragonman a beat. Despite being in his sixth or seventh decade, he was tall and maybe even imposing to the average human. But Jake didn't bat an eye. "And you are?"

The dragonman stood a fraction taller and jabbed his own chest. "I'm Archie MacAllister, father to Sylvia's true mate."

The way the male emphasized "true mate" was a dig at Jake, to be sure.

Sylvia spoke up. "Archie was just about to leave, aye?"

The older man bristled. "Don't try to push me out the door, lassie. Someone has to look out for you."

The fingers of one of Jake's hands curled into a fist. This man was part of the family that had all but abandoned Sylvia when she needed their help the most. And he hadn't seen hide nor hair of the man since Jake had arrived, either. He doubted he helped out with Sophie at all.

Jake's first instinct was to kick the old man out the door, along with the two males who stood next to him.

But as one of the younger men—relatively, given how they looked older than Jake—placed his hand on Archie's shoulder, he said, "Sorry for my dad. Meg's been in a huff all day and he wants to play the hero."

He glanced at Sylvia and she explained, "Meg Boyd is involved with my father-in-law."

Jake focused on the two males standing to either side of Archie. Given the shapes of their eyes and noses, he bet the third unnamed dragonman was also related. Jake said, "I'm Jake Swift, as you probably know. Who're you guys?"

The dragonman gestured to himself and the other as he said, "Seamus and Arlo MacAllister. Arthur was our younger brother."

More MacAllisters. He eyed Arlo for a few beats, remembering the name from Sylvia's story about him wanting to take away her children without even talking to her about it.

He nodded. "Okay, well, with introductions out of the way, I'm still not sure why you all are here with Sylvia. I dealt with Meg, not her. If there's a problem, you should've come to find me instead."

Archie narrowed his eyes at Jake. "I was hoping she would toss your arse out."

Arlo added, "Or at least convince you to give Meg an apology."

Jake raised an eyebrow. "Why?"

Everyone blinked at his question. Seamus looked at Sylvia. "You know what Meg could do, if she carries a grudge, Sylvia."

Jake glanced at her and could see indecision in her eyes.

And in that moment, he noticed quite a lot. It seemed everyone kept trying to enforce their wills on Sylvia in the guise of trying to protect her. No wonder she didn't have a chance to relax and laugh, to be the person he'd met in Glasgow the year before. No doubt then she'd had the chance to merely be herself for a change, without living up to people's expectations or demands.

Instead of treasuring her kindness and desire to please, they all took advantage of it.

And Jake wasn't having it. He wouldn't smother Sylvia, but he'd sure as hell do his best to let her breathe and do what she wanted for a change.

He looked at each of the dragonmen in turn as he said, "I won't apologize for speaking the truth. I think it's time for you three to leave. Sylvia and I have plans, and I was already running late."

If Sylvia was confused by his obvious lie—or, rather, fudging the truth as they had planned to hang out with each other again—she didn't show it.

Arlo and Archie glared daggers at him, but Jake didn't flinch. He hadn't become the owner of some of the most sought-after restaurants in the Bay Area by being weak and giving in with a little bit of pressure or intimidation.

Seamus looked apologetic, but Jake was undecided about the dragonman still. If he really felt that way, he should stand up to his relatives instead of helping to gang up on Sylvia.

Sylvia finally spoke up. "He's right. I think it's time for you all to leave."

All three dragonmen blinked, clearly not expecting her to agree with him.

Jake itched to put an arm around her waist and pull her to his side, but resisted. She didn't need another person trying to make a show of using her as some sort of tool to boost their ego.

Seamus nodded. "Aye, we'll go. Come on, Dad, Arlo."

Archie grunted. "Meg deserves an apology."

Seamus gently nudged his father. "Then talk with Finn about it. For now, it's time to go."

With another glare, Archie finally turned to leave, along with the other two dragonmen.

Once they were alone, Jake turned to face Sylvia. "I know it was a little rude, but I couldn't stand by and let them guilt-trip you into anything."

She smiled at him, pulled his head down, and kissed him gently before she whispered, "Thank you. I wish I had the same courage."

He pressed Sylvia up against him with one hand and cupped her cheek with the other. "Hang out with me long enough and you'll be able to do it in your sleep."

She grinned. "And then I can claim it's some sort of American corruption, aye?"

"Call it whatever you want, as long as you're happy." He kissed the corner of her mouth. "Blame me for all of it." He kissed the other side of her mouth. "But just know I can give you lessons whenever you want."

She laughed and the light sound did something to his heart, making it thump harder.

Damn, he loved it when she laughed. He needed to ensure she did it more often.

For now, he satisfied himself by taking her lips, licking the seam, and groaning as his tongue explored her sweet taste, loving how her tongue shyly met his.

But only for a moment, then they each clung to each other, and the kiss turned fierce, needy, hot—as if neither one could get close enough to the other.

Desire and attraction would never be a problem between them.

But he refused to dwell on any of the obstacles in their way for more than that. Instead, he slowly guided Sylvia to the sofa, lifted her, and sat her on the back of it.

He ran his hand down her body, but before he could even reach her breast, a wail started from upstairs.

Breaking the kiss, he leaned his forehead against hers. Sylvia smiled and said, "And I'm going to have to teach you how to be quicker with a bairn in the house."

He leaned back, tucked a section of hair behind her ear, and murmured, "Then as soon as Sophie's asleep again, I think you need to give me my first lesson."

She ran her fingers along his jaw, and Jake nearly groaned at her soft touch. "Aye, well, let's see what she needs. Maybe your magical touch can help settle her sooner rather than later."

Stepping back, he took her hand and tugged her off the couch. He winked. "I'll see what I can do."

And as they tended to Sophie, falling into the rhythm they'd already adopted about who did what, Jake couldn't be mad about his daughter's interruption. There was something right about the three of them making a little family. He only hoped he could find a way to keep them together.