The Dragon's Fate - Roxie Ray Page 0,25

if things go well… maybe get to know you.”

I arched an eyebrow at him. “We only have a name. I’m still not totally convinced we are really brothers.”

Porter chuckled and pulled a picture out of his back pocket, which I took. I walked closer to the light behind the counter and looked down at it.

It was Porter, much younger, and sure enough, he was standing beside my dad. I looked up at him, and he looked more like the man in the picture now than I did. I hadn’t seen my father in a couple of decades, but now that I saw this, Porter was the spitting image of him.

“Well, shit.” I sighed and gave him the picture back. “Guess I’ve got a brother. If you’re going to be sticking around, you’ll need to check in with my alpha.”

Porter seemed to slump a little. Relieved? But I understood. I knew rejection well. He’d probably expected me to send him hiking.

“I have to ask,” Porter said carefully. “He’s not here, is he…ya know, dear old dad?”

I snorted. “Hell, no. And he’d better not show up. I don’t want anything to do with that man.” I eyed him. “And family is family, however we got it. I won’t turn you away.”

With those words, a vision of Briana and Hayden crossed my vision.

Family was family.

Damn. That made up my mind. I was going to make them my family.

9

Bri

“Just because spring break is coming doesn’t mean you can slack off,” I cautioned my sixth graders. “You’ve got some pretty big tests on Friday.”

I grinned at them. “But we’ve studied enough today. Why don’t we go around the room and talk about plans? Are you going anywhere or just enjoying a relaxing week at home without any stress of school?” I pointed to the girl in the front left chair. “Start us off, Anita.”

She grinned and jumped up and started rattling off about a vacation plan.

I was really looking forward to having a week out of school myself. Not that I had any plans, but it had been a while since I’d heard from Damon. I’d given myself a spring break deadline. If he didn’t bother us by then, we’d go home. Besides, I’d passed my carry class and was now allowed to concealed carry a handgun. Except on school grounds, I’d been keeping it on me, and I felt a lot better about my chances with Damon now. I just hoped I never had to use it.

The clock showed the bell would be ringing any minute. We’d gotten through everyone’s spring break plans and I’d let them vent some steam after reminding them to study tonight for their Friday exams.

I stood at my podium, making notes about attendance when the room got really quiet. I looked up to see the kids looking at the doorway and some of the girls giggling.

Turning to my left, my elbow nearly slid off the podium when I realized Jace was standing inside the door. I hadn’t even heard it open.

“What are you doing here?” I asked in shock. I didn’t even realize he knew where I worked. But then again, small town, I was sure it wouldn’t have taken him long to figure it out.

He smiled at me and my heart skipped a beat. He smiled wider as if he could hear it. I tried to warn myself not to react to his smile, but damn, that was impossible when he looked so sincere.

“Jace?” I asked. He hadn’t answered why he was here.

His grin widening, he stepped closer, about halfway across the front of the classroom, and pulled a bag from behind his back. About the time he did, the smell hit me. My mouth watered from the delicious scent. I hadn’t realized how hungry I’d gotten, but the aroma alone told me what was in the bag. There was a small sub shop in town that did an amazing steak sandwich, and I’d been obsessed with it from the moment I’d tried it.

I narrowed my eyes on Jace. “How’d you know?”

He wiggled his eyebrows. “I have my sources.”

When I narrowed them further and put my hands on my hips, he laughed. “I might’ve asked Skye.” He inched forward, holding out the bag.

I bit back my smile. “Well, thank you. That’s sweet.” Maybe a teensy bit intrusive? But it was just my favorite sandwich. Not too terribly personal.

“I wouldn’t have had to ask your friend if you’d give me a chance to get to know you. How about