With a dragon alliance to strengthen protections, it could—just maybe—all work out.
The lingering sadness of giving up her business in Reno faded, replaced with a small thrill of anticipation. If Tasha could create her own place—from the design upward—and deliberately plan how to run it so it appealed to both humans and dragon-shifters, she might be able to break new ground. At least locally, since Tasha had no idea how things worked in other parts of the country.
But no such place—bar or otherwise—had been created from the ground up in such a way. ADDA usually recruited existing businesses.
Which made the possibilities endless.
However, she was also practical and needed more information before letting her hopes get too high. “While it all sounds great, you said David has to agree to the plan first. What happens if he doesn’t?”
Ashley waved a hand in dismissal. “I suspect he will. Wes thinks David wants to form an alliance with PineRock, so this will make it all happen faster. And before you say I’m too optimistic, there are other possibilities. David has no mate, for example, and maybe wants one. If so, opening up a whole new clan for him to visit and see if he can find his true mate will probably be appealing.”
She raised her brows. “You’re obviously happy having a mate, but maybe David doesn’t want one or isn’t ready. I know I hadn’t thought of settling down until recently.”
Ashley shrugged. “Sometimes it’s the unknown that keeps you from wanting to put yourself out there. For you, it was fear of losing control of your business. For my own mate—and myself—it was fear of losing the ability to help dragon-shifters. But you know what? It actually worked out better in the end, and once we saw that, the reservations just melted away. I suspect David is the same. Dragons, in general, want families of their own. So if he’s holding back, there’s a reason I don’t know yet.”
Tasha snorted. “And yet, I have a feeling you’re going to make it your mission to find out if there is a certain reason for his singlehood.”
Ashley grinned. “Of course. I’m a liaison officer now and need to make sure my clan gets along with others.”
Tasha nodded. “Then talk with David as soon as you can and let me know his answer. It might make my decision about what to do with Brad a little easier.”
Ashley searched her eyes. “Is everything okay?”
She hesitated a second and then decided what the hell. If anyone was going to understand, it would be Ashley. “His dragon is getting impatient. And while Brad is doing everything he can to calm him, I think I have to make a decision about the frenzy pretty soon.”
The other woman tilted her head. “And if David says yes to the bar idea, how will it help?”
Relieved she could finally voice some of her thoughts, she answered, “Well, if Brad is supportive, then I’ll be more hopeful about a future and probably agree to the frenzy. If Brad tries to forbid me from trying—even though I’ll be smart and safe about everything, I’m not an idiot—then I can’t imagine a happy future with him. While I do want a family someday, I want more than just being a mom. Otherwise, I’ll be miserable.”
Ashley took her hand and squeezed. “Well, then we’d better go talk with David ASAP, huh, and get this all figured out?”
“What about Brad? I’m supposed to stay here. And if there wasn’t a possible threat to my life, I wouldn’t just say yes to being confined. But there is a small chance danger could find me, and I trust his judgment when it comes to my safety.”
Ashley shrugged. “I said I wouldn’t kidnap you and that I’d stay with you, so I’ll be keeping my promise. Besides, we’ll be visiting the clan leader, which is one of the safest spots on StoneRiver. And if some League asshole did manage to sneak onto the clan, I have this.” The other woman held up what looked like a type of Taser. Ashley continued, “It’s for protection, especially since I’m still in the early stages of my self-defense training. All things you’ll have to do, too, I’m sure. Maybe we can even start a weekly human meet up. That way we can socialize and appease the dragon halves of our mates at the same time since we’ll be doing more than talking—we’ll be learning how to defend ourselves.”
The thought of being able to talk with other humans mated to dragon-shifters on a regular basis lifted Tasha’s doubts a little more about staying on StoneRiver. “I’d love that.” Eyeing the Taser, she decided it was good enough for a short walk. So Tasha stood. “Then let’s go talk with David. I don’t like waiting around for the future, and I can’t start planning anything until we have an answer.”
Ashley laughed. “I like you more and more, Tasha. I’ve talked to a lot of humans over the years about dragon-shifters—I helped run the yearly lottery for a while—and most have some fairy-tale type view. But the world needs more practical people. After all, muscles and great sex will only get you so far in life.”
And so the pair of them left the cottage and headed for David’s office. Tasha didn’t complain as she had to almost jog to keep up with the ADDA employee. Her future was so close to changing in a good way, and Tasha was eager to get it all started.
Chapter Ten
Brad had heard about Tasha and Ashley visiting David, but his boss had prevented him from running over and barging into the meeting. Jon had said it was something between David and Tasha, and so Brad had been forced to focus on other things until the end of his workday.
But his day was over, and as he headed home, where he had been assured Tasha had safely returned, it took everything he had not to run toward his house.
Why had she needed to talk with David? Had she made a decision about the frenzy? Or had it been to discuss her business? Something completely unrelated?
Even though he hadn’t been mated very long to Tasha, the more time he spent with her, the more he wanted to know about her.
His dragon spoke up. Stop wondering and walk faster. Why you won’t run, I have no idea.
I’m trying to look casual.
His beast snorted. Such a human thing to do.
Brad did pick up his pace a little and, within minutes, was through his front door and calling Tasha’s name.
Her reply came from the kitchen, so he strode inside. Tasha sat with Ashley at the counter overhang, the pair of them sipping tea and eating cookies.
Maybe he should be nonchalant, but fuck that. Brad asked, “What did you need to talk to David about?”
Ashley clicked her tongue. “So demanding.”
He growled, but Tasha answered before he could say anything. “Be nice to Ashley. She had a proposal and we went to see David about it. And before you growl again, calm down and come closer so we don’t have to shout across the kitchen.”
As soon as he stood across from the pair, Tasha continued without being prodded. “If I continue to live here, ADDA won’t allow me to run my bar in Reno.”
A small sense of dread filled his stomach, but Brad managed to keep the feeling hidden deep inside. “So that’s what you went to talk to David about?”
She shrugged one shoulder. “In a way. Ashley had a suggestion, one where if David allowed me to build on a small piece of land, I could make a place for humans and dragon-shifters at the edges of StoneRiver’s lands. And before you ask, he agreed to it. There are some finer details to work out with regards to the alliance with PineRock, but as soon as I can sell my place in Reno, I can start working on my project here.”