Hot Blooded by Donna Grant Read Free Book Online Page A

conversation with Iona.
    â€œInteresting,” Con mumbled. He shifted his gaze to Laith. “How long did you talk to her before they arrived?”
    â€œA wee bit. She’s no’ sure how she feels about the things she’s learning regarding John. She’s thought of her father one way all these years, but she’s seeing him in a new light.”
    Con leaned back in his chair behind his desk as he steepled his fingers. “So she doesna yet know what she guards?”
    â€œNo’ that I can tell.” Laith dropped his arms to his sides and crossed his ankles. “She doesna want to stay in Scotland.”
    â€œThat can pose a problem,” Ryder added.
    Con frowned and asked Laith, “Do you think she’s that determined to leave?”
    Laith clenched his jaw and nodded.
    â€œShe took a shine to Laith,” Tristan pointed out. “Maybe he can turn her around.”
    Laith glanced at Tristan before turning back to Con. Here was his chance to point out that Ryder might have a chance with her. But those weren’t the words that came out of his mouth.
    â€œShe doesna know I’m from Dreagan. That could be to our benefit. I can learn what she does or doesna know. If John has told her what she guards, then I’ll tell her who I am and hopefully convince her to remain.”
    â€œDo whatever it takes,” Con said matter-of-factly.
    Laith knew Con would do whatever it took to convince Iona, but he wanted to do things his way. The only kink in that plan was that they didn’t have a lot of time. “Aye,” Laith finally agreed. “I’ll see what I can do.”
    Tristan shifted in the chair and grinned. “You may no’ have to do too much. She’s pretty taken with you.”
    Laith could still recall in exact detail the scorching desire that raced along his skin and through his veins. It hadn’t lessened after Iona left. He didn’t like how he felt disoriented near her, or how he tried to think of ways he could touch her without her realizing it.
    â€œIf she doesna want to stay, we’ll have to set up extra patrols,” Con stated.
    Laith braced his hands on the table on either side of his hips. “And if she stays, but John hasna told her what she’s guarding?”
    It was Ryder who blew out a breath and got to his feet. “She’ll need to know how important that piece of land is. She’ll need to know the truth. Frankly, I’m glad I’m no’ the one to tell her.”
    Would Iona be so frightened that she didn’t let him near her again once she saw him in dragon form? Or would she welcome the dragon that he was?
    Every Campbell that guarded the secret doorway knew of the Dragon Kings. It was only right that Iona did as well. The Kings only had to tell the first Campbell. The burden then fell to each Campbell before the land was passed down.
    â€œThere’s something about her that’s familiar,” Tristan said, breaking into Laith’s thoughts.
    Con lowered his hands to his stomach. “John. She has the look of her father.”
    Tristan shook his head, frowning. “Nay. Someone else. I can no’ place it right now, but it’s as if I should know.”
    Laith uncrossed his ankles and straightened. “I think she’ll return to the pub. I’ll try to talk to Iona more and see what I can learn.”
    â€œOh, she’ll return,” Ryder said with a chuckle.
    â€œBugger off,” Laith said, but there was a smile on his face. “I’m going to take to the skies.”
    Laith and Ryder were walking out of Con’s office when Tristan blurted out, “Hayden.”
    Laith stopped in his tracks and exchanged a look with Ryder before they turned to look at Constantine. Con had his forearms on the desk, and a frown of concentration on his face.
    Tristan smiled widely. “That’s it. She reminds me of Hayden. Look at her eyes. They’re