Page 56 of Dragon Tempted

“I’m surprised Tessa and Megan didn’t want to come today.”

Sienna hesitated. “They’ll be part of the plans when we’re further along.”

“I get it,” Ryan said as he put on his turn signal.

“Get what?”

“You want to start this on your own.”

She looked over at Ryan. “Is that bad?”

“No. I understand you wanting to stand on your own, Sienna. But you don’t have anything to prove.”

She shook her head. “How do you know me so well?”

He grinned. “From spending way too much time with you.”

She grinned back. “Well, now that we’re no longer friends, you won’t need to worry about that.”

Ryan pulled into the parking lot. “Still your PA and guard. Not sure how we’re going to reduce exposure time.”

Sienna chuckled. “I guess you’re right. You ready?”

Ryan nodded. “Let’s go, Madam Clan Leader.”

She sighed. “Remind me why I put up with you again?”

An hour later Sienna sat back with a smile. The luncheon and meeting had gone much better than Sienna could have hoped for. Susanna had already taken the initiative to start looking for properties. The hope was to possibly refurbish an already existing building. Depending on the condition, that could save them time and money versus new construction. Colleen had broached the subject of the safe space initiative with some city council members to start greasing the wheel, as she called it. Ryan had taken notes for most of the meeting and then excused himself to take a phone call about another clan issue.

“Thank you all so much for meeting today. I am so excited that this could become a reality.”

Susanna placed her napkin next to her plate. “I can start showing you properties as soon as you’re ready.”

“Ryan has started to fill out the paperwork and requests we’ll need for the city.”

Colleen nodded. “Tell him to reach out if he needs help.”

As they stood and said goodbye, Sienna texted Ryan to let him know they were finishing up and she would be outside shortly. She headed into the bathroom. Finishing quickly, she stepped out of the first stall to find a woman at the sink. Sienna went to the other sink and washed her hands. Feeling the weight of her stare, she turned to the woman. Was she someone that Sienna should know?

Sienna took a good look at her. The woman had short, chin-length reddish hair and glasses. Even with those changes Sienna recognized her from the few pictures Jonas had found of her online. Her heart ping-ponged in her chest. “Mia?”

“Very observant, Sienna Simonson.”

Sienna’s brain shorted out. Even Veronica had nothing to say. “What…what are you doing here?”

“I thought it was time to meet you.”

Why her? “Adam’s been trying to reach you.”

Mia shrugged. “Didn’t feel like talking to Adam. But Megan was a favorite TA of mine. I regret that knowing me resulted in her becoming a part of this mess.”

Sienna’s hand inched toward her bag. Could she get to her phone and alert Ryan? “I can’t speak for Megan, but I don’t think she feels her life is a mess.”

Mia tilted her head as if thinking through something. “She did get a dragon husband and baby out of the deal.”

They were so not talking about Bella. “Why did you want to meet with me?”

Mia held out a paper towel to Sienna. “I wanted to talk to the person in charge. Rumor has it that you’re the clan leader now, correct?”