Warrior Rogue (The Drift Lords Series) (23 page)

Her breath caught in her throat. Would he be all right?

She’d come to think of him as
her
warrior. Someone who was there for her, who would fight to protect her, and who worried about her safety. Someone whose kisses turned her knees to jelly and sent her heart into a flutter.

Her heart. He’d captured it despite her resistance.

He was the last man she’d expected to want, an alien from outer space, a foreigner on home soil, and a man who had no real ambition to rise above his station. And yet he was so much more. He had courage and valor and many unusual skills. Didn’t he realize his own worth? Was she wrong in thinking he might be hiding something from her?

If this was the entire package, maybe she could convince him to reach for a greater goal, but first he had to survive.

She stared at the scorch mark on his pants, wondering what to do. A lie sprang to her lips, and she reached for the phone.

“Hello? Do you have a doctor on call? My, er, husband has injured himself and needs immediate medical care. We’d like someone who can come to our room.”

“Yes, ma’am, I’ll send someone straight up,” the front office clerk said in fluent English.

Jen replaced the phone then rushed around to straighten the room and hide away anything that looked otherworldly.

At the sound of a bold knock, she flew to the door and peered through the viewport. A short, dark-haired Chinese man holding a leather satchel greeted her with a solemn nod when she swung the door wide.

“Hello, I am Dr. Wong. I understand someone is injured?” He spoke with a lilt in accented English.

Jen led him inside. “Yes, it’s my husband. Foolish me,” she babbled, “I dropped my curling iron onto his leg. It’s left a terrible burn mark. I hope you have something to treat it.”

“I’ll do my best.” After setting down his bag, he approached the patient. His mouth curved down in dismay as he separated the burnt edges of Paz’s jeans and peered at the wound. “That is a large injury, miss.”

Jen held her breath. Would he question her story?

“We need to cut his pants away.” He withdrew a pair of bandage scissors from his bag and proceeded to cut through the fabric. Watching him brought to mind a vision of the fabric sash wrapped around the officer’s neck at Shirajo Manor. Jen swallowed. She didn’t want to be reminded of that now.

“Shall I remove his boots?” she asked.

“Not yet. Let me examine the gentleman first.” Dr. Wong exposed Paz’s thigh just as he began to stir.

The doctor reached into his bag and withdrew a prepared syringe. He injected Paz in the arm.

“What’s that?” Jen had never been very useful in the sickroom department and sometimes preferred ignorance to knowledge. That wasn’t the case this time. She’d do whatever it took to heal Paz.

“An analgesic for the pain.” He studied the wound while Paz’s eyes blinked open, stared blurredly at Jen, then closed again. “I need to clean the site, debride the dead tissue, and then treat him with antibiotics.”

Jen saw him hesitate. “That’s fine. Is there a problem?”

His gaze scrutinized her. “I am surprised you did not take this injured man to a hospital, but I understand insurance can be a problem.”

“We can pay, if that worries you.”

He nodded in acknowledgment. “I would like to recommend one more remedy, but it is costly.”

“What’s that?” She wished he’d get on with the treatment already instead of talking.

“Dragon Balm. It has been used in China for generations.”

“What does it do?” She didn’t know much about Chinese medicine except their techniques often worked.

The doctor removed supplies from his bag and set up a sterile field. “The ointment speeds recovery and prevents infection, as well as providing pain relief. One ounce costs a hundred and fifty American dollars.”

She blinked. “What? You’ve got to be kidding.”

“It is very rare and made from a secret family formula. Rumor says it comes from real dragon spit.” He peered at her. “Also good for wrinkles and joint pains.”

“Ah, sure.”
Like snake oil claims of old?

She couldn’t tell from his expression whether Dragon Balm was a genuine medication or a scam. If it made Paz worse, she could always complain to the management and get some antibiotic cream on her own. Then again, traditional Chinese medicine was a respected and valid practice.

“We’ll take one container. Do you accept credit cards?”

Dr. Wong grinned broadly. “I do. I have a mobile credit card reader. Very modern.” He laid out his instruments on a sterile pad and then donned a pair of Latex gloves.

Jen turned away while he cleansed and debrided the wound. “You say this ointment comes from an old family formula?”

He focused on his work. “Ra Mat, a local herbalist, developed it in the late 1870’s. His sons built Dragon Balm Gardens up on the hill as a tourist attraction. Now his great-grandson Shlom owns the property.”

Her interest piqued. “So this medicine has been around for that long?” It had to have some therapeutic effects.

“Some say a dragon trapped underground is the source of its secret ingredient. Many have tried to find this beast but failed.” He lifted his head to regard her. “I believe the rumor was created to spur business. No matter; Dragon Balm works. Attempts to analyze its components have not proved fruitful.”

Falling silent, she paced the floor. Dikibie the dog─and she felt like an idiot calling him that─had demanded a drop of dragon’s blood from a creature who lived on the mountain. Was there truth, then, in the doctor’s tale?

Paz couldn’t travel in his current condition, and she had no idea where to get a false passport even when he recovered. If there was any kernel of truth in what the Gatekeeper said, she should follow it through. Jen didn’t see that she had a choice.

Torn between wanting to do the right thing and longing to go home, she considered what would happen when she arrived in New York. She’d check in at work, catch up on mail, and confirm their plans for Fashion Week. All of that seemed so mundane compared to invaders from another dimension.

And if that had proven real, why not a dragon?

“How long until he recovers?” she asked after the doctor had finished his work and she’d settled their bill.

Paz lay slumbering peacefully, his wound clean and bound. Dr. Wong had helped her remove his boots and the tattered remains of his clothes. He rested under the sheet in his underwear.

“For his injured tissue to heal completely, six to eight weeks. For your man to get back on his feet, a day or two. Twice a day, clean the wound, apply the ointment, and put on a fresh dressing as I showed you. Advise your husband to take it slow.”

Jen felt warmed by his use of the word, husband. “Thank you so much, doctor. And please, keep this visit confidential between us. If anyone asks─”

“Yes, I know. He had a serious burn from a curling iron.” Dr. Wong winked before turning on his heel and departing.

Jen shut and locked the door, then spun around. With Paz settled, she could take care of herself.

She showered and washed her hair, changing afterward into her sole nightshirt. Another trip to the shopping mall was in order should they have to stay here much longer.

In the meantime, she called the airport just in case Paz made a miraculous recovery and she found a black market vendor for fake passports. Flights were still backed up from the storm, and one of the runways remained closed.

So she called her Dad, reassured by the hearty sound of his voice. “It’s going to take me a few more days to get there.”

“I’m sorry to hear that, Jennifer. Where are you?”

“We’re still in Hong Kong. All the flights are booked.”

“I hope you’re not delaying your return because you’ve shacked up with that guy you mentioned. Our company is facing a serious challenge, and you’re needed at home.”

“I know, and I’m sorry.”

“You don’t understand. Your cousin Clifford is attempting to compromise your shares with false accusations.”

Her grip tightened on the receiver. “Exactly what is he saying about me?”

Robert Dyhr cleared his throat. “I can’t tell you over the phone. Your mother and I must speak to you in person before you confront the Board. If you don’t show up soon, they’ll accelerate the vote and approve the merger without you.”

“Why can’t I just send a proxy?”

“It’s a personal issue. You need to reassure the directors of your position and quell Cliff’s influence.”

“I’ll get there soon as I can.”

“Let me send our company jet this time.”

“That won’t help. The airport is having issues. Besides, Paz lost his passport.”

“Oh, great. How well do you know this guy? I hope he isn’t taking advantage of you.”

Jen gritted her teeth. “You can check him out for yourself when I bring him home.” Static sounded on the line.

“What? You’re bringing him here?”

“You heard me.” She’d love to see the look on her parents’ faces when she introduced them to Paz.

More static. “This connection is bad. Why don’t you buy a cell phone with an international plan? I need to be able to reach you.”

“I’ll think about it. Gotta go, Dad. Love you.” She rang off before he had a chance to question her further.

After replacing the phone in its cradle, she sat on the free bed and folded her hands in her lap. Facing down dragons seemed easy in comparison to facing the music at home. Maybe she should ask Paz if a permanent place on his team was available.

Then again, what skills did she have to offer? Her fashion sense? Nor could she turn her back on the career she’d worked so hard to build.

A moan from Paz drew her attention. A few quick strides took her to his side. She sank down next to him, stretching out lengthwise.

His warmth penetrated her skin, providing a sense of comfort. He made her feel useful, even when she stumbled along not knowing her way. His lovemaking made her feel special, especially when the shy, plain girl inside craved approval. And his strength made her feel protected, even when she was the one caring for him.

She stroked his arm, relishing the solidness of his muscle and the maleness of his hair-roughened skin. Burying her face in his shoulder, she prayed for his swift recovery.

Right now, getting him better was the only thing that mattered.

Then they had a dragon to slay.

Chapter Sixteen

It took two days for Paz to be back on his feet enough for them to attempt a trip to Dragon Balm Gardens. He still walked with a limp, but the wound was starting to fill in. It hurt like hell as the effects of the ointment wore off. He hoped to buy a few more pots of it at the park.

They didn’t know what to expect so took along their full gear to be prepared. Aware this was another tourist attraction, he didn’t want to take chances. Who knew what scourge would lurk in the shadows?

He would have scoffed at the notion of a dragon if the talking canine hadn’t mentioned one first. If the creature truly existed, they would get the dragon’s blood and bring it to the shapeshifter. Hopefully, he would keep his promise to reward them with a ship.

It all sounded absurd, but so did everything else about this mission. He’d ceased to wonder at the mystical aspects and just focused on his immediate tasks.

He glanced at Jen, who stood beside him in line at the ticket booth. She could have caught a flight home later this afternoon but refused to leave him. His heart swelled at her loyalty, knowing how important it was for her to get to Florida. She’d argued with her father as a result of the delay.

Guilt assailed him, but he brushed it aside. Even without his influence, Jen was involved in this battle. If not for him, she’d be dead by now.

And vice versa. He had little recollection of getting back to the hotel from Manga World. She’d taken charge of his care, waiting on him and treating his wound as the healer showed her. Her steadfastness, devotion to duty, and adaptability broke every preconceived notion he’d had about spoiled, rich women.

He wouldn’t call the females he normally dated
ladies
, but Jen suited the term. She carried herself with confidence, looked fabulous in anything she wore, and took charge when necessary without blinking an eye.

Normally he avoided women with a lifestyle similar to his cool, distant mother. But Jen was different. She had heart, and somewhere along the way in their short relationship, she’d stolen his. Her gentle touch bespoke her true nature, and it belied the worldly image she presented.

He supposed her job required her to appear as sleek and sophisticated as her models, but inside hid a woman with vulnerabilities like his own. Maybe they were more alike than they realized.

Hoping to still accompany her home via a commercial airliner, he’d left their room earlier to hunt for a passport. His inquiries drew the wrong kind of attention. Instead of making contact with a black market dealer, he saw one fellow signal an enforcer.
Police officer
, he corrected himself.

He got away and slipped inside an Internet café in an attempt to contact his team again, but no one responded to his hail. They must be observing radio silence.

Worry gnawed at him for Kaj’s safety. He should have tried to gain more intelligence from General Morar on where his friend was being held.

Frantic to return to Florida to retrieve his equipment and contact his friends, he’d returned to the hotel. They’d had no choice except to go the route involving magical beings and myths.

His chronometer now read thirteen hundred hours on Saturday afternoon. The air was hot and heavy and scented with a sweet floral fragrance. Thunder rumbled in the distance. He hoped they could complete their business at Dragon Balm Gardens and leave before it rained.

While he’d recovered in their hotel suite, Jen had visited the adjacent shopping mall again and mailed several purchases to her New York showroom. He liked how her eyes lit up when she described clothing items. She wore jeans with a V-neck top and short boots in antiqued brown leather.