Been There Dragon That

Been There Dragon That KRYSTAL SHANNAN Contents Acknowledgments Chapter 1 Chapter 2 Chapter 3 Chapter 4 Chapter 5 Chapter 6 Chapter 7 Chapter 8 Chapter 9 Chapter 10 Chapter 11 Chapter 12 Chapter 13 Chapter 14 Chapter 15 Chapter 16 Chapter 17 Chapter 18 Chapter 19 Chapter 20 Chapter 21 Chapter 22 Chapter 23 Chapter 24 Chapter 25 Epilogue Read EXCLUSIVE Content Enjoy another paranormal romance Also by Krystal Shannan About the Author Acknowledgments Wrath and Rylee’s story evaded me for quite some time, but I’m happy to say it landed in an amazing place. I’m so proud of this story and how it came together. I hadn’t been able to write for quite some time and this book lifted me closer to myself. It helped me find my joy again and it showed me that I always need to write what I love. And what I love is “adrenaline filled action” mixed with “heart and commitment”. And action packed adventure mixed with small town charm. Thank you to everyone who helped me on this journey. My husband for supporting me and pushing me just the right amount. To my kids who had to take extra days off from school so I could work, LOL. My assistant Kate Tilton. My whole business works because of you. My editor Dawn. I couldn’t have done this without you. And to Net and Karen who were patient and supportive during the process and dying to have those draft chapters a lot faster than I gave them. Thank you for being such amazing fans. Go forth and fall in love with Wrath and Rylee! —Krystal Chapter One OCTOBER IN DALLAS, TEXAS… Rylee Florence Rylee Florence smoothed the lacy dress over her hips and held her breath. She looked into the bridal shop mirror, and all the stress she’d been carrying on her shoulders since last night melted away. It was gorgeous. The alterations made it like a second skin. Her breasts were perfectly accented by the sweetheart neckline. The dress nipped in above her hips and flared out beautifully into a short train covered in lace and pearls. It was flawless, but she hated the niggling thought in the back of her mind warning her it might all be a waste. “If it wasn’t for that Sweetie Belle pony’s hair, I’d say you were picture perfect.” Her mother’s voice purred a soft Texan lilt from the couch behind her. Rylee tipped her head and caught her mother’s gaze in the mirror. No judgment. Just a tease. Rylee’s room at her parent’s home was filled with collections of My Little Pony. And Rylee’s hair had been various shades of pink and purple for the last twelve years–since she was sixteen years old. Up until then, Rylee and her mom had been a matching pair. Champagne blonde hair. Ice-blue eyes. And the prettiest cowboy boots money could buy. “You like my purple hair.” “You know I do, my Sweetie Belle.” “Will it be too much for Grandmother? I could always have it dyed out and then put back later.” Concern crept into Rylee’s voice. “Heavens no, your grandmother loves your hair too. She’d be furious if you changed it.” A chuckle rolled up through Rylee’s chest. Grandmother Agatha was ninety-six, but she still lived alone in her own house and liked to brag to everyone that she could do everything she’d always been able to do. “Do you think Jeff will like the dress?” “Oh, sweetie. He’ll love it.” Her mother got up from the couch and approached the raised dais. “What about your name?” “What do you mean?” “Mrs. Jeffrey Douglass Harrington the third. Don’t you want to keep your name too? I’d consider hyphenating.” “Mrs. Jeffrey Florence hyphen Harrington the third. Or Mrs. Jeffrey Harrington the third hyphen Florence.” Something shivered and twisted in the pit of Rylee’s stomach. Neither were right. Nothing had been quite right since she’d accidentally overheard her fiancé of nine months on the phone in the middle of the night, last night, ordering some guy taken care of. Ordering someone hurt? Ordering someone’s death? His words and his tone had left her feeling scared. And what about the other middle-of-the-night calls? The ones he’d given stupid excuses for when she’d asked. But telling her parents she thought her soon-to-be-husband might be mixed up in criminal activity or be a criminal himself… How did a person do that? A week before one of the biggest weddings in Dallas society circles. The media had dubbed them the sweetheart couple of the year. * * * She’d known Jeff for years. Their families had vacationed together every summer since she and Jeff were in college. They’d seemed like decent people. Jeff had always been sweet and kind and romantic, and she still couldn’t believe he’d said those words. As a couple, they had good chemistry. Plus, he had goals of being in the senate. Maybe more. They were a true power couple. She could be wrong, maybe she heard wrong. She could be ruining their lives and their future over a misunderstanding. Sometimes it really sucked being rich and having the public so invested in her private life. “Rylee, you look worried. What’s wrong?” Her mother was wearing the same what's-really-going-on look that she’d worn the night Rylee had punched her sweet-sixteen-party escort for sexual harassment. She hadn’t been mad at Rylee for punching the guy, only for trying to hide why she’d done it. Rylee shrugged and tried to force her doubts about Jeff away. “Just nerves. One week. It’s so close. It’s hard to believe.” She should ask her mother’s advice, shouldn’t she? She really should. Just … not right now. Rylee looked back at her reflection in the mirror. The dress was everything she’d ever dreamed it would be. And her mother’s face was filled with so much joy. Ruining this perfect moment wasn’t an option. “Well, the wedding planner has a few more things on our list to