17. Chapter Fifteen

Chapter Fifteen

E nzo knew he’d end up losing the fight, but he still felt compelled to voice his opinion. What he wanted to do was demand Landry stay home and let the other Dragon Skulls handle it. He wouldn’t because doing so would make Landry something that he wasn’t, and that was separate from the Dragon Skulls. Landry was still a Dragon Skull. It didn’t matter how much Enzo thought of him as being something else.

“You’re my mate, baby. I want you to be safe.” Enzo put a plate of scrambled eggs, sausage, bacon, and toast in front of Landry.

Landry’s eyes widened when he saw the plate. “Why did you give me so much food?”

“Because you won’t listen to me when I tell you to stay home. You’ll get your revenge whether I like it or not. Revenge takes energy.” Enzo nodded to the plate. “Now eat.”

Landry rolled his eyes. “That was so backhanded you deserve an achievement award.”

He closed his sketch pad. Enzo noticed how he drew whenever he was nervous. What Landry didn’t know was what made him that way. Was it the thought of facing the man who had hurt him or was it knowing Enzo didn’t approve?

“How is it backhanded?” Enzo had said what he meant. He didn’t promise not to start an argument, although he had told himself he shouldn’t. Landry needed to concentrate on not getting himself killed. He didn’t need to worry about Enzo’s approval, but maybe he did anyway. It wasn’t as though Enzo could hide it. He wouldn’t have been able to, even if they weren’t fully bonded without an internal link.

“You basically just told me to stay home without actually telling me.” As much as Landry had complained about there being too much food, he ate as if he were starving. With all the calories he burned off making love last night, it was no wonder. “Also, I’m not going on a revenge mission. It’s self-preservation at this point. Ellis wants to kill me. I’m simply fighting back.”

The bullet wounds he’d had when they first met were evidence of that. Enzo couldn’t refute it. “All right. But couldn’t you wait for him to come to you?”

“So he can shoot me again? No thanks.” Landry didn’t look up from his eggs. “I’ll have the upper hand if I go into his territory. I have the element of surprise just being a dragon shifter. He doesn’t know I can burn his stupid fucking club down to the ground, either. It should be a clean in-and-out.”

“What if it’s difficult?”

“Daruss and the others will be on standby. And you won’t be far away.” Landry met his gaze. “Right?”

Enzo reached across the counter and cupped Landry’s cheek. “I live inside your head now, baby. I’m only a thought away.”

Landry leaned into his touch. “I know you don’t want me to go. I don’t want to either, if I’m being honest. But the only way to stop someone like Ellis is to kill him once and for all. I have to do this. But I…I really need you on my side on this. Please, Enzo.”

Enzo came around the island and pulled Landry into a hug. “I’ll always be on your side, even when I don’t like what you’re doing. And I know you think you’re right about this guy. Hell, for all I know, you might be.”

“I spent six years with that asshole. I know I’m right. Montgomery Ellis is relentless and brutal. He deserves to die.”

“You’ll have not one second longer with him. Do you understand?” Enzo pulled back and met Landry’s gaze. “Get in. Do what you need to do. Get out.”

“And when it’s done?”

“Are you asking me if I’ll be there after?”

Landry nodded, averting his eyes to something on the floor.

Enzo tried to keep the growl from slipping, but he couldn’t contain it. “Look at me.”

Landry’s gaze locked on him. He could see how much the thought of going stressed Landry. He didn’t want to face Ellis any more than Enzo wanted him to. It was there in his expression, and it came through in their internal link as well.

“I’ll hold you for as long as you need. Nothing can keep me from you.”

Landry wrapped his arms around Enzo. “Even if it’s forever.”

“I’m looking forward to forever with you.”

“Me too.” Landry sighed. “It’s not easy. Facing him again.”

“You’re my brave mate.”

“I don’t feel brave. I feel as though I don’t have any other choice.”

“You have a choice.” Enzo didn’t want to admit that maybe Landry’s plan was the best one. It just might be the way to end it with Ellis. He’d already shot Landry and kidnapped and injured Casper. Even though Casper’s injuries could have been a lot worse, any at all were too many. Who would Ellis hurt next? Raylee? Jude? Jazlyn? Maybe Landry again. It was too much. “You’re doing what you think is right. That’s brave, baby.”

“Right. Necessary. Whatever.” Landry shook his head. “I’m going to go to his club and let him push me around a little. Let him get worked up. He makes stupid choices when he gets mad.”

“Yeah. Like provoking you.” Enzo started eating. At this rate, his food would get cold. “What’s the plan, then?”

“To burn his club down with him inside. But I have to know if there are victims inside first.”

“Raylee and I will be on standby if anyone needs medical attention.”

Landry smiled. “I’m counting on it.”

“I’m glad you know you can count on me. For everything, baby.” Enzo would be there to pick up all of Landry’s pieces should they fall.