Smoke and Fire: by Donna Grant

anything but. And right now, even Kinsey could tell that Con was angry.
    But more than anything, the recognition in Esther’s eyes gave her away.
    “Constantine,” Esther said.
    Henry pivoted to stand between his sister and Con. He faced the King of Kings. “No. This is what she wants.”
    “Then let’s give her what she wants,” Con said with a shrug.
    Kinsey slid her gaze to Ryder to find him watching her. She wished she knew what he was thinking, and she still wasn’t entirely happy with the fact that she was in the room. If nothing else, she was getting a taste of what the Dragon Kings were capable of.
    And it made her wonder why any human would dare intervene in their war.
    It wasn’t as if humans were any different when they interrogated others. In fact, there was usually pain involved. Esther wasn’t feeling any of that. Kinsey wondered if the spy had any idea how lucky she was to be getting off so easy.
    Ryder’s hazel eyes held her, refusing to allow Kinsey to look away. Not that she wanted to. How she wished she didn’t continue to gravitate toward him when she became uncomfortable or fearful, and yet that’s exactly what happened.
    Twice now she’d nearly kissed him. There was no way she could withstand much more of his seduction. And Ryder wasn’t even trying to seduce her.
    Yet.
    Kinsey knew how sexy and charming Ryder was when he wanted. He’d not turned that on her, but if the look he was giving her now was any indication, it was coming. Soon.
    Why the hell did that give her a jolt of exhilaration?
    She took a step toward him before she even realized it. Kinsey drew up short instantly. This same irresistible attraction she felt was how she and Ryder first came together across a crowded street.
    A hundred years from now she would still recall that moment of looking up from the streets of Glasgow and finding Ryder standing still in the middle of people moving all around him. His gaze had been locked on her, much as it was at that moment.
    Kinsey had attempted to turn away then, but she didn’t bother this time. He’d walked across the busy intersection without ever looking away from her, not stopping until he stood before her.
    His smile had been amazing, his face swoon-worthy.
    At that precise moment, Kinsey had become Ryder’s. Now, four years later, much to her horror, she realized she was still his.
    Would always be his.
    “I’m sure you have questions,” Con said to Esther, splintering into Kinsey’s thoughts.
    Kinsey silently thanked Con and focused her attention back onto Esther before she gave in to the urge to go to Ryder. But she could still feel Ryder’s gaze, still sense the desire that filled the air.
    “Yes,” Esther said.
    Kinsey’s mind echoed that word as her blood heated, thinking of being held within Ryder’s strong arms.
    Henry returned to his position, his narrowed gaze on his sister who stared at Con as if he’d been delivered to her upon a silver platter.
    “Ask away,” Con urged her.
    Esther’s smile was slow. “Show me who you are.”
    Con’s laugh was loud and hollow. “What you see is what you get. I’m nothing more than a man running a verra large, verra profitable company.”
    “You’re dragons,” Esther said, her hand upon her chest as she drew in a large breath. It was everything she could do to hold her head up.
    Kinsey looked at each man in the room to see their reactions. They all observed Esther intently.
    Henry gave a shake of his head and snorted. “You can’t tell me you really believe that dribble all over the news.”
    “We … have proof,” Esther said breathlessly and added a smile despite her growing weakness.
    Con cocked his head to the side. “What proof?”
    “Eyewitness,” she whispered as if it took her great effort.
    “A bloody lie,” Henry stated.
    Con squatted down so he could look Esther in the eye as she began to lean to the side, her body unable to keep her upright. “Have you wondered where Henry’s