If they did, he’d also include Ava this time. She hadn’t been angry that he’d pushed her away from them the night before, but she was curious. She’d questioned him about it several times, and he had a feeling she wasn’t going to give up. She was well-traveled and she’d met people from all over the world. Despite his dragon’s instincts, maybe there was something he was missing.
When he got back to the hotel, she was awake. Luckily, he’d stopped to pick up some coffee and blueberry scones. He settled next to her on the bed. This time, she seemed a lot happier to have him bring her breakfast in bed.
A pink blush spread across her cheeks as she accepted the coffee cup. She seemed to know exactly what he was thinking. He ran his hand over her pink cheeks, caressing her soft skin. He wished they had time to indulge again, but their morning schedule was tight.
“I’m certain those investors will be back today,” he said.
She sipped her coffee. “Are you going to tell me what the problem was?”
“I wish I knew.” He took a bite out of his own scone, wishing they were in a cafe somewhere far away from this issue. “I’m a scientist. But I also know that people are complicated and we have instincts, just like animals.”
“And your instincts told you there was a problem?” she asked.
“Absolutely. I’ve never had such a visceral reaction. There was nothing overtly wrong with them, but something was off. They all looked the same. They were all dressed the same. And none of them had an accent.”
“I noticed that, too. Is it common for investors to approach you?”
“No, it’s not common at all. Any major players know that I can’t determine what genetics research happens. It’s a multilayered process that involves the hospital board and the CEO of the lab. It can involve a legal team, too, if there’s relevant legislation or restrictions. And as you know, funding is always an issue. Of course, we’ve had people try to influence us in the past.”
He picked up his own coffee, even though the caffeine wouldn’t affect him at all. He still enjoyed the taste of a dark roast.
“You mean by donating money to the lab or hospital in order to push the research they want done to the front of the line?”
“Exactly,” he said. “And it’s worked before. But that’s not my call to make. It never has been.”
“And you don’t want it to be.”
Ava already knew him so well. “No. I want to fix genetic disorders and improve quality of life, or at least find out why they’re happening. I don’t want to be the one to decide who gets that kind of help first.”
“So, you think these guys don’t understand how the system works?”
“They could just be from another country. A place that operates differently. Or they think I’ll do some side research for them and not document it.” He finished his coffee and smiled. “That seems to be a common enough movie plot.”
She put her food down and leaned in to kiss him. “Mmm. You’re right.” She pushed the covers back and stood up. “I better get in the shower.”
He wrapped his hand around her small wrist. He’d already felt protective of her before, but now that they were officially dating, the feeling was even stronger. “Hey, I don’t want to be an overbearing jerk, but if they come back today, and I think they will, please be careful. Don’t let one of them corner you. And stay with me the entire time.”
“You’re not overbearing.”
“I can be,” he said. So far, he’d kept his dragon under wraps. If he let loose, then he’d probably ask her to stay behind at the hotel. But he wasn’t going to do that. Not yet, anyway.
They got ready together, which was pleasing to him and his dragon, and then made their way to the conference.
As he’d expected, the group of investors was back. As soon as he was done with his first meeting, they were waiting for him in the hallway. His hand immediately went to Ava’s back, where he placed his palm flat against her lower back.
His dragon roared. He wanted to attack.
Not now.
The investors weren’t any less threatening to him today.
“Would you all be willing to have lunch and discuss our plans?” one of them asked.
He wanted to say no, but ignoring them was not the responsible answer. “Yes, we’ll meet you at the Kitchen Pub at noon.”
“Very well. We’ll see you then.” The man gave him a saccharine smile and turned away.
Eli shuddered. Just as Eli had told Ava the night before, the men were interchangeable. None of them were distinct at all, yet they weren’t identical like clones would be. It was bizarre.
Quickly, Eli pulled his phone out and texted Nora. He wanted to get her opinion. He’d called her and Niall the night before, and she’d offered to run over and see the group. If they were demons, she’d be able to tell.
She and her husband had fought a wide variety of creatures, and any insight they had would be welcome.
At the lunch, the investors showed that they were knowledgeable about the specifics of genetic research, more so than any non-medical professionals that Eli had ever met. They had detailed questions and soaked up any information Eli gave them. But they were weird in every other way.
They ordered food just like everyone else. When their ale and sausage arrived, they even ate it, but they looked strange, as if they’d never eaten at a table before. Nora was sitting at a nearby table and came over
