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  “No, this was given to me by dad’s dad, Fergus MacAllen, with the strict instructions to give it to my mate when I found her.” Kissing the tip of her nose, he leaned back and took the ring from the box.

  Sliding it onto her finger, he explained, “This is one of the very rare red diamonds and old Fergus found it uncut, in this very shape, the very day he met Granny Mae.”

  “The color is for their endless love and the shape, well, since it’s a Dragon scale, I’m thinkin’ you get the symbolism there.”

  “Yep, puzzled that one out,” Dax chuckled. “But, I still think…”

  Laying his index finger to her lips, cutting off her next rebuttal, J.D. looked her right in the eye and adamantly asked, “Do you want me to call old Fergus? He still lives in the mountains not far from here. I can get him to fly on over and kick your butt if you’d like?”

  “No, hell no.” She shook her head and made her eyes as wide as they could go as she pretended to be scared. Laying her left hand over her heart, she even put a little quiver in her voice as she immediately sat back and straightened her shoulders. “I don’t want to make my new in-laws mad at me already. I’ll keep it if you insist.”

  Raising a single eyebrow but quickly losing her stern façade, Dax laughed out loud as she wrapped her arms around his neck and purred, “Thank you, J.D., for everything.”

  Pretending to tip the imaginary hat on his head and putting even more southern in his voice than was already there, he winked. “My pleasure, Ma’am. I aim to please.” Laying his lips to hers, he added telepathically, “And please you I will every day of my life.”

  “Damn am I glad Daisy Mae broke down where she did,” came her happily breathy reply just before he deepened their kiss and added, “Ditto, Sweetheart. Ditto squared.”

  Until we meet again…

  Epilogue

  Buzz! Buzz-Buzz-Buzz!

  “Who is it?” She screamed from under the covers where she’d fallen asleep on the couch, promising herself to disconnect the stupid doorbell on her first day off.

  “Your partner. We’ve got a case,” came Fitz’s gruff reply.

  Pulling the blanket from her head, Donnatella Hale, called Hale since she’d joined the police force ten years ago and Nat to her friends, groaned aloud as she realized not even the sun was up yet. Throwing her feet onto the floor and making her body follow, she grabbed her robe and threw it on as she made her way to the front door.

  Looking through the peephole just to be sure, she unlocked the door and turned the knob, before opening it all the way and grabbing Fitz’s cup of steaming coffee.

  “Hey! I just bought that,” he snarled.

  “I can tell. It’s still hot and doesn’t smell like your nasty cigarettes.”

  Taking a sip as she started up the stairs to her room to get dressed, she called over her shoulder, “What the hell time is it any way?”

  “Four am, your Ladyship. Got any food in your fridge?”

  “Yep! Stopped at the store last night.” Stepping onto the second floor, a cold chill raced down her spine. The kind a person gets when someone rakes their fingernails down a chalkboard or walks over their own grave. Stopping at the railing and looking down, she asked, “What and where?”

  Having worked together since Nat became a detective three years ago, Fitz knew what she was asking and answered, “DB in the Park.”

  Closing her eyes, knowing what the answer to her next question was going to be, but needing to hear him say it, she asked, “It’s a girl?”

  “Yes.”

  “In Manlowe Park?”

  “Yes.” Fitz walked into the foyer holding half a ham sandwich and looked up at her. “And?”

  “And she’s twenty-one. Her neck’s been slashed. No signs of sexual assault. All her belongings are with her and she has a yellow ribbon wrapped around her right wrist.”

  “Yes.” He took a bite of his sandwich. “And?”

  “And a jogger found her by the pier.”

  “You are right again, but then, I never doubted otherwise.”

  Blowing out a long breath, she turned towards her room, crossed the threshold and closed the door. Leaning her back against the wood, she ran her fingers through her hair, pulling the scrunchie out as she went, and looked at the picture of her mom and dad she kept by her bed.

  Taking a deep breath and slowly exhaling, she crossed the room and picked up the frame, running the tip of her index finger over their faces. Setting it back on the bedside table, she walked into the closet and grabbed her last clean suit.

  Laying it on the bed, she looked back at her folks and smiled. “I know it’s not your fault I can see all this shit. Hell, it even helps with my job, but the dreams with the hot guy and the Dragon, those are seriously freakin’ me out.”

  COMING JULY 3rd as Part of the Multi-Author Lick of Fire Series –

  BURN DRAGON BURN

  Book #34 in the Dragon Guard Series

  THE ONE THAT STARTED IT ALL

  Book #1 in the Dragon Guard Series

  HER DRAGON TO SLAY

  ALWAYS FREE on Amazon!

  Sassy and stubborn have gotten Kyndel through everything life had to throw at her. Will her moxie help when destiny falls at her feet?

  Hundreds of years of loyalty to the Dragon Guard have made Rayne a fearless leader. When the long-foretold pull of his mate rocks the Commander’s world to its core will he be able to save her from his enemies in time?

  The chemistry between this strong-willed curvy girl and fierce warrior makes all the difference in the world where nothing is as it seems. The existence of an ancient race of honor-clad, tradition-bound protectors might be hard to accept but now the dead are coming back to life and holding a knife to her neck.

  Can these fated mates defeat their greatest enemies and get their happily ever after?

  Fate Will Not Be Denied!!

  About Julia

  Find all my stories on Amazon!

  Hey Y’all! I’m Julia Mills the New York Times and USA Today Bestselling Author of the Dragon Guard Series. I without a doubt admit to being a sarcastic, southern woman who would rather spend all day laughing than a minute crying. Living with my two most amazing daughters and a menagerie of animals, keeps me busy but I love telling a good story. Now, that I’ve decided to write the stories running through my brain, life is just a blast!

  My beliefs are simple. A good book along with shoes, makeup, and purses will never let a girl down and no hero ever written will compare to my real-life hero, my dad! I’m a sucker for a happy ending and alpha men make me swoon.

  I’m still working on my story but I promise it will contain as much love and laughter as I can pack into it! Now, go out there and create your own story!!! Dare to Dream! Have the Strength to Try EVERYTHING! Never Look Back!

  I ABSOLUTELY adore stalkers so look me up on Facebook, sign up for my newsletter at JuliaMillsAuthor.com and follow me on Amazon.

  Send me a message!

  XOXO Julia

  Also by Julia Mills

  Find Them All on Amazon

  *****

  The Dragon Guard Series

  Her Dragon to Slay, Dragon Guard #1

  Her Dragon’s Fire, Dragon Guard #2

  Haunted by Her Dragon, Dragon Guard #3

  For the Love of Her Dragon, Dragon Guard #4

  Saved by Her Dragon, Dragon Guard #5

  Only for Her Dragon, Dragon Guard #6

  Fighting for Her Dragon, Dragon Guard #7

  Her Dragon’s Heart, Dragon Guard #8

  Her Dragon’s Soul, Dragon Guard #9

  The Fate of Her Dragon, Dragon Guard #10

  Her Dragon’s No Angel, Dragon Guard #11

  Her Dragon, His Demon, Dragon Guard #12

  Resurrecting Her Dragon, Dragon Guard #13

  The Scars of Her Dragon, Dragon Guard #14

  Her Mad Dragon, Dragon Guard #15

  Tears for Her Dragon, Dragon Guard #16

  Guarding Her Dragon, Drago
n Guard #17

  Sassing Her Dragon, Dragon Guard #18

  Kiss of Her Dragon, Dragon Guard #19

  Claws, Class and a Whole Lotta Sass, Dragon Guard #20

  Dragon with the Girl Tattoo, Dragon Guard #21

  Dragon Down, Dragon Guard #22

  Twinkle, Twinkle, Sassy Little Star, Dragon Guard #23

  Dragon Got Your Tongue, Dragon Guard #24

  Her Dragon’s Fury, Dragon Guard #25

  Dragon in the Mist, Dragon Guard #26

  Dragon Got Run Over by A Reindeer, Dragon Guard #27

  Tangled in Tinsel, Dragon Guard #28

  Cupcake Kisses & Dragon Dreams, Dragon Guard #29 (Part of the Sinfully Delicious Anthology)

  Her Dragon's Treasure, Dragon Guard #30

  Aww Snap, Dragon, Dragon Guard #31

  Imagine Dragon, Dragon Guard #32

  Her Love, Her Dragon: The Saga Begins, A Dragon Guard Prequel

  *****

  Dragon Guard Berserkers

  BANNING

  ASHER

  *****

  The ‘Not-Quite’ Love Story Series

  Vidalia: A ‘Not-Quite Vampire Love Story

  Phoebe” A ‘Not-Quite’ Phoenix Love Story

  Zoey: A ‘Not-Quite’ Zombie Love Story

  Jax: A ‘Not-Quite’ Puma Love Story

  Heidi: A ‘Not-Quite’ Hellhound Love Story (Magic & Mayhem Kindle World)

  Lola: A ‘Not-Quite’ Witchy Love Story (Magic & Mayhem Kindle World)

  Sammie Jo: A ‘Not-Quite’ Shifting Witchy Love Story (Magic & Mayhem Kindle World)

  Harmony: A ‘Not-Quite’ Haunted Love Story (Magic & Mayhem Kindle World)

  *****

  Kings of the Blood

  VIKTOR: Heart of Her King ~ Kings of the Blood ~ Book 1

  ROMAN: Fury of Her King ~ Kings of the Blood ~ Book2

  ACHILLES: Soul of Her King ~ Kings of the Blood ~ Book 3

  *****

  CAUGHT: A Vampire Blood Courtesan Romance

  CONDEMNED: A Vampire Blood Courtesan Romance

  *****

  MARROK: A Wolf’s Hunger

  *****

  Out of the Ashes: Guardians of the Zodiac: Pisces ~ Book 1

  Scorched Ember: Guardians of the Zodiac: Taurus ~ Book 2

  *****

  Alaric: A Vampire’s Thirst