19. Chapter Seventeen

Chapter Seventeen

E nzo’s mother downed another shot of dragonshine. Izzy slammed his empty glass on the bar a fraction of a second slower than Mom. The drinking game was Mom’s idea.

Izzy cursed as he pulled out his wallet. “You hustled me. Sneaky old lady.”

Mom took the twenty-dollar bill with an evil giggle. “In my heyday, I used to bar tend at a bar near a Navy base. Sailors can drink and curse worse than you lads. Even the humans.”

Enzo hadn’t known that about his Mother.

Mom waved Casper over. Casper slid a glass of wine to Enzo’s sister before heading over. When Mom beckoned Casper to lean toward her so she could whisper something to him, Enzo knew he had to stop whatever conspiracy she had rolling around in her brain.

Enzo slid next to her. “Having fun, Mother?”

She huffed and waved a finger at him. “Don’t squash my fun, Enzo Galloway.”

Casper chuckled and poured her a beer. It was one of the craft ones from a local brewing company. At least it wasn’t Ronin’s moonshine. “We’re contemplating who she can swindle out of another twenty dollars.”

Mom put her hand over Casper’s and held his hand. “You weren’t supposed to tell him.”

“Daruss is an excellent target,” Enzo supplied.

“Daruss is far too smart to fall for it.” Mom had probably pegged Daruss right.

“Mitchell. He’s as charming as Izzy thinks he is and he used to be a thief,” Casper said.

Mitchell was far more than a thief. He had a reputation for being the best. It was part of the reason he’d had to quit.

Mom grabbed her beer and headed across the room. She was a dragon shifter, so she was tall. Jazlyn resembled her in some ways. They shared the same build.

Enzo made a gesture for Jazlyn to head off his mother.

Jazlyn nodded and closed the distance, pulling her mate along with her.

Enzo turned to Casper. “How are you feeling?”

Casper had healed the same as a normal human. His injuries were nothing more than bruises and his broken arm. But he had a wariness in his gaze. Enzo wondered if it had always been there or had shown up because of the beating. “I’m okay. Thanks for asking. Daruss told me to stop bartending and enjoy the party a few minutes ago, so I’ll do that. Not until your mother gets done swindling some of the Dragon Skulls out of all their money.”

Enzo shook his head and smiled. “She’s entertaining. I’ll give her that much.”

“It’s so funny.” Casper searched the room. “Where’s Landry?”

Enzo wasn’t sure what Landry was doing. He’d taken off about an hour ago and hadn’t been back yet. Where are you, baby?

Pulling up to the club right now.

“He’ll be here in a second.”

Casper smiled, as if he knew something Enzo didn’t. Considering Landry hadn’t told him where he was going, Casper probably knew what he’d been up to. Likely, it had to do with the gift Landry had been talking about for a few days. He’d kept his sketch pad close to him, closing it whenever Enzo came too close. He’d smile and distract Enzo with a kiss that had sometimes turned into making love.

Enzo didn’t mind the secrecy. He had been keeping his gift under wraps, too.

Landry opened the door as Enzo’s aunt closed the distance. “They’re criminals, Enzo.”

Landry wrapped an arm around Enzo.

Enzo pulled him close, kissing him. “This criminal is mine .”

Landry smiled, not taking offense. “I have something to show you.”

Landry took his hand and pulled him out of the room when Raylee intercepted them. “Josh is flirting. With everyone. Including Ulises. Izzy’s going to kill him.”

Enzo sighed. Of all the things that could have derailed the Christmas party, flirting had never occurred to him. “I’ll take care of it.”

Raylee’s mother came up beside them. “No. I’ll take care of it. You go with your mate.” She focused on Landry. “Hello, I’m Max. Raylee and Jazlyn’s mom.”

Landry held out his hand. “Landry. Nice meeting you.”

Landry was uneasy, even though he didn’t show it. Enzo felt it through their bond.

Enzo held him close. What’s wrong?

She’s your ex.

She’s the mother of my children and my friend. Nothing more. Not for years.

I know, but I’m just…protective. She didn’t hurt your feelings or anything, right?

Enzo chuckled, which made Raylee and Max curious. She never hurt my feelings.

Landry leaned into him, satisfied with that answer.

“Go. We’ll head off all the problems,” she smiled.

“Jude and Daruss are helping too.” Raylee pointed to where they were talking to Enzo’s uptight sister.

“It won’t take long.” Landry pulled him across the room and then down the hall to Landry’s studio.

When they got there, Landry pulled his shirt over his head.

“You want to make love here? Right now?” They would have to be quiet.

Landry chuckled. “No.” But there was interest in his gaze. “Well, always. But I want to show you a new tattoo. And how fast I healed.”

Landry pointed to a tattoo over his heart. The tattoo was of two dragons intertwined in the shape of a heart. Enzo recognized himself and Landry. In the center of the heart were their names with a plus sign.

Landry’s cheeks turned pink. “I know it’s kind of cheesy and typical, but it seems to fit us.”

“I think it’s beautiful.” Enzo hugged him. “Thank you, baby.”

“Someone else tattooed me. A guy in Wingspan. I had to take off my shirt so he could do the tattoo. It took three days to finish because it…was hard for me.”

Enzo growled and tightened his hold. “I would have gone with you.”

“I wanted it to be a surprise.” Landry snuggled into Enzo. “The point is that I did it. It’s progress. And I’m proud of myself. Like really proud.”

“I’m proud of you, too. You’re a good boy.”

“I put more presents under the tree at home.”

“Did you peek in on my secret project?” Enzo made it obvious Landry’s gift was in the three-season room. He’d taped paper over the windows and door. And then put a big bow on the paper.

“Yes.” Landry even sounded guilty. “It’s a studio.”

It had everything an artist needed. At least all the stuff Enzo could think of. He had limited knowledge. Enzo had included a gift certificate for an art supply store nearby.

“Do you like it?”

“I love it. It’s amazing. But it’s…too much.”

“You tattooed my name and dragon on your body, baby. That’s too much. All I did was carve out space that’s all yours in our home. You deserve it, baby. That and more.”

Landry met his gaze. “Merry Christmas, Daddy.”

“Merry Christmas, baby.”

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Skippy loves a good fight. So what’s he supposed to do with a mate who won’t even defend himself? Find out what will happen when Skippy finally meets his match .

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