Taming London (Warwick Dragons #1) - Milly Taiden Page 0,14

and balls of a shifter. London respected him for that.

“Yeah, well, I should.”

London quickly gave his friend a rundown of what had transpired with his mother and with the lovely Bethany. He spared no details. There was no point. Not with James. They had been friends for nearly twenty years, and James knew the depravity London could get up to. But more importantly, he also understood how London secretly felt horrible for the life he led.

“For fuck’s sake, London. You really stepped in it. And she’s your mate?” James only waited for London to nod. “Well, you’re done for now. Those silly little cards you sent to her won’t help you any. Not if you mean to mate her.”

“But I don’t. Not really.”

James quirked his eyebrows all the way up into his hairline. “Oh? And does your mother know Bethany is your mate?”

“No.” London blew out a breath. “Though if I didn’t know any better, I would think she planned this. But that’s not possible. There’s just no way she would have known. No, this is just one of those happy coincidences of life.” His words dripped with sarcasm.

“If she’s your mate, and you don’t want to mate her, why are you reading up everything on her online?”

“I have no explanation for that except curiosity. She’s beautiful and wicked smart. She’s had a rough go of it.” He motioned to the screen.

It didn’t take long for James to be all caught up on the mystery of Lilly Russo’s death.

“Why do I feel like this is going to be my problem?” James asked as he crossed his arms. He wasn’t as tall as London, only about six feet. His shoulders weren’t as wide, but for a human, he was well-built and strong. They had been on the rowing team at Eton together, the last time London had gone. Their friendship had been a fast one to develop. It helped that London always seemed to become close to James’ ancestors. They were just good people.

“I have a huge favor to ask. I can’t go to the States to look into this. And if I ask York to do anything, the ass will just get me to reveal that Bethany is my mate. I don’t need that grief, because you can bet my dear older brother would immediately tell Johanna.”

“Shit. You want me to go to the US and investigate a murder that happened almost three years ago?”

London shrugged. “Unless you think it’s too much of a challenge for you.”

“Oh, no, you don’t. You can’t play on my sense of competition.”

“Usual bet that you can’t solve it in under a week,” London shot back, leaning back in his chair.

“Usual bet,” James echoed.

“Yup.” London popped the last syllable for dramatic effect.

“Fine. I’ll go see what I can find out. Turn on the British charm on and uncover a mystery.”

“You’re a good man,” London said as he stood up. He clamped an arm on his friend’s back.

“Usual bet, London. If I win…” The sentence dragged on.

“If,” he emphasized with a wide smile.

London very rarely lost. But if he did? It would be a small price to pay. Rowing naked on the Thames was not what it used to be.

Chapter Seven

Bethany

A few boxes of takeaway Chinese were spread out on the coffee table. The spices danced on the air, making Bethany hungry again even though she had sworn, but moments ago, that she was full. There was just very little to do against the power of good Chinese food. She grabbed the container of orange chicken, the deep orange sauce calling her name. With a fork, she speared a piece of chicken and munched on it with a moan.

“I can’t eat anymore,” she said with a full mouth.

“I know,” Eugenie responded with her own mouth full of egg roll.

“Hey, save some for me,” Bethany quipped.

“We are two very sad ladies. Arguing over takeaway foods instead of being out on the town. I’m sure I can find us a hopping club in two seconds if I look at the right social media feed.”

“There is no way I am leaving this house. I am in my comfy sweats, and I have every intention of finishing this plate.”

Eugenie laughed and playfully tossed her a fortune cookie. “You’re the best friend a girl could ask for. That is exactly what I wanted you to say.”

“Ugh. I just need another shower to wash off that conversation, and I think I’ll be human again.”

“It was rather crude. If I didn’t know any