She needn’t have worried about a response, though, because Drake stepped between them, blocking her from the other man’s view.
"I had hoped to speak to you in private, Etienne, but since the opportunity has arisen, it seems silly to put it off.” He spoke so quietly it was almost a whisper. “If you ever come near my woman again, I will gut you like a fish and leave you flopping on the ground, wishing you were dead. Are we clear?”
His words sent a chill through her and she couldn’t resist peeking around Drake’s broad back to see how they were received.
Etienne’s grin only widened and Willa found herself wondering if maybe he was a little touched in the head. Drake sure as hell hadn’t sounded like he was kidding, but the Frenchman seemed unfazed.
“I understand, my old friend, although I have to admit, I’m confused.” He leaned forward almost imperceptibly and his nostrils flared as he drew in a breath. “You call her your mate, but we both know that’s not exactly true, now is it?” Drake tensed at her side and she instinctively closed a hand around his forearm.
“Still,” Etienne said, taking a step back and holding up one hand in mock surrender. “We’ve known each other a long time, so I won’t press the issue. For now. Should the lady decide that she tires of your company again? Well,” he flashed his teeth again, and this time, the smile didn’t reach his eyes. “I can’t make any promises.”
He dipped into a half bow in Willa’s direction and backed away, keeping his eyes locked on her for far too long. Then, he turned, stuffed his hands into his pockets and sauntered across the parking lot like he hadn’t a care in the world.
“Cocky son of a bitch,” Drake muttered. “Big talk when there are humans around.”
He faced her, his dark eyes simmering with banked fury.
“I know we went over this once already, but I need you to say it one more time. No more half-baked escape attempts. I need your word on this.”
“I guess so. But, now that I’ve met him in a more civil fashion, he doesn’t seem all that scary,” she admitted with a shrug. “You made it sound like he was some evil beast who was going to eat me for supper if he caught me.”
“He’s not evil, but he is most definitely interested in eating you, little wolf. Just not the way you imagined.”
She could feel heat bloom in her cheeks and she looked away.
His expression had turned heart attack serious, and she released the hold she still had on his arm and took a step back. “Please, promise me. I don’t want to have to kill him, Willa.”
She wet her lips and nodded, shoving aside the prickle of guilt. She wasn’t a dragon, after all. She was a wolf. And while she took pride in behaving honorably in most cases, she had no qualms about lying to a veritable kidnapper. Besides, she wouldn’t technically be breaking a promise.
Her next escape attempt would be fully baked.
She’d make sure of it.
“Scout’s honor.” She held up three fingers and wiggled them. “Now let’s eat. I’m starving.”
She scurried away, not waiting to see if he followed, and pushed in through the door of the crowded little diner. That display of dominance with Etienne should’ve had her pissed off and ready to fight. Instead, she was a little flattered by the attention, and a lot hot and bothered. Any space she could get from him, even if it was fleeting, was like manna from heaven to her right now.
Before she could give her libido another lecture, the scent of fried eggs and bacon filled her nostrils and her stomach growled.
Business first, then food.
She turned to face Drake who’d pulled up behind her and was leaning on the long, Formica counter, gazing up at the chalkboard specials menu on the back wall.
“Why don’t you order for us while I go to the bathroom? I’ve been holding it since we got into town.”
His perceptive eyes searched her own and she willed herself not to fidget.
Think innocent thoughts.
He held her gaze for a second longer before finally nodding and glancing at his watch. “If you’re not out in five minutes, I’ll be coming in to check on you, ladies room or no.”
She started to argue out of habit but then stopped herself. It wasn’t important. Even if the bathroom had a window to climb out of, she didn’t fool herself into thinking she could get away from him on open ground, even with a four and a half minute head start. To accomplish an escape on her own, she needed to get to tree cover that his dragon form would be too large to navigate. In lieu of that, she’d have to find some accomplices if she hoped to get away.
“K,” she chirped over her shoulder as she made her way toward the restroom sign. “Be back in a jiff.” She managed to keep her pace slow and measured, even though adrenaline was pumping through her, demanding that she run.