So, Ryder arranged a little mission of my own and I am excited to see it through.
Bonnie says with interest. “Are you all set?”
I nod with an excitement that has been growing since he first asked me. “To be honest, Bonnie, I am so ready for this. I need this more than anything and if it goes well, I can return here and feel as if I really earned my place.”
Bonnie laughs and shakes her head. “I think you can safely say you earned your place here, honey.”
She winks and I laugh. “It’s not hard. This place is paradise for a single girl who has no shame. No, this time it’s different because I’m out on my own. It should help me discover the direction I’m heading and I’m impatient for that.”
Bonnie nods and says thoughtfully, “You know, it’s not dissimilar to how I came here. When Snake found me, I was doing the very thing you are expected to do.”
“Any pointers?” I smile but it’s edged with tension because this is serious and I know a lot is at stake.
“It was fine, you have trained well for it, after all, you have run this bar like a pro.”
We laugh because she’s right there and she gets a faraway look in her eyes as she smiles softly. “I never knew it would end up here though. When Snake kidnapped me and virtually held me prisoner, I thought my life had ended. Little did I know he was saving me in the process. You know, I wouldn’t change a thing about what happened and I hope to God you find happiness for yourself because there is nothing like the excitement of danger that fires a woman’s soul.”
I feel a shiver of excitement as I think about the task Ryder set me. The Dragon’s Ruin. It sounds exciting, let alone the reason I’m there. I wonder where it will end, right back here, I hope.
As if she reads my mind, Bonnie says firmly, “You know, one word will bring the cavalry calling, don’t you?”
I nod. “Of course, I will always have the guy’s protection, that goes without saying. The thing is, Bonnie, living among the Reapers has taught me that great rewards come with a little risk involved. I watch those men ride out of here to save the world and when they come back, I am only too happy to give them comfort to chase the bad memories away. The thing is, I want to taste a little danger for myself and the Dragon’s Ruin sounds just the place to find it.”
Bonnie nods and then smiles sweetly. “Let me help you clean this place up. Two pairs of hands are better than one and you can tell me all about it as we work.”
“Don’t you have to get back to Snake?”
She shakes her head. “No, he’s deep in conversation with Ryder. They’re putting the final touches to your mission and setting the protection in place you need.”
As we set to work, Bonnie tells me about her own experience in a world I am to inhabit until the job is done. It doesn’t sound as glamorous as it is here and serves the purpose not to dress this up in excitement because I’m in no doubt this is a special place and there is none to equal it. However, The Dragon’s Ruin sounds like my kind of place and I am itching to see what that involves. Will I be back, you bet because as homes go, this is one you never want to move out of. I just hope that I bring back a whole lot of memories to keep me warm at night because it’s about time Millie made her mark.
The End
One tale ends and another begins - or two?
Millie’s story will be coming soon but before that make sure you don’t miss a brand-new series. We catch up with the Romanos and you can pre-order the first one by clicking the link.
I can’t wait for this!!
The Throne of Pain
1
Riley
“There’s a dead body in the pool, an actual dead body and I want to know what you are going to do about it?”
I stare at the receptionist with all guns blazing and don’t even register that I’m dripping chlorine, mixed with a hint of blood and potential disease, onto the marble tiles. I don’t even record that I’m freezing cold as the air conditioning hits the droplets of water on my dripping body, with only the standard issue beach towel