Seed of the Dragon: A Paranormal Dragon Shifter Romance (5 page)

I put the meat into the skillet with the onions and peppers. It made a wonderful hissing sound as it hit the hot metal. I picked up my cell phone and turned down the television. I went through my speed dial and found my Aunt’s phone number. She was the one I was closest to in the family so it’d only be right that she would be the first to know.

The phone began to ring and I fidgeted with my surroundings, grabbing at a tea towel and scrunching it up in my free hand.

“Hello?” a familiar feminine voice answered.

“Hey Auntie,” I called out.

“Rachel! How are you my sweet darling?” Auntie asked.

“I’m alright, I just wanted to call to talk to you about something.”

“What is it?”

“I quit my job,” I admitted.

“What?! Why? You loved modeling,” Auntie asked surprised.

“I do love it but I can’t, at least for the next year or two most likely,” I said.

“What do you mean?” Auntie asked in a concerned tone.

“I’m pregnant.”

Silence met my ears for a few moments.

“Who is the father?” Auntie asked.

“Shawn,” I replied.

“Shawn…?”

“I don’t know his last name.”

“Does he know?”

“I’m trying to find him so that he can know.”

“Without his last name? That’ll be near impossible,” Auntie said.

“I know… I know…”

Auntie was right. It
was
impossible. No matter where I had looked or asked no one could tell me where Shawn was. It was terrible that I didn’t even have a picture to show everybody because then it might have sparked some memories. I even went and checked the guest list of the party but there were no Shawns on it, which meant he wasn’t even invited. Somehow it all became very suspicious. Something was wrong about this whole ordeal. Something was out of place but I couldn’t put my finger on it.

                                                          *  *  *

CHAPTER FOUR

“Rachel”

“Train!” Michael called out, “Train! Train!”

His golden eyes were his fathers, twinkling playfully. It reminded me so much of the past but somehow it was warmer now than regretful. Michael’s dark hair shifted over his eyes and I mentally noted that it was time for a haircut.

“I’m sorry Michael, I can’t play with you right now. Just wait until Samantha gets here and she’ll play with you,” I said in my most soothing voice.

“But I want to play with you!” Michael called out.

“I know baby, but Mommy can’t right now,” I said, “Mommy has to get ready for work.”

“Why is Mommy working?” Michael asked.

He was becoming such a smart kid these days.

“Mommy is working because she wants to,” I explained. No need to explain the financial benefits of working since it might confuse him.

“You
want
to leave me?” Michael said sadly, staring at the ground.

“Oh no, baby, Mommy doesn’t want to leave you! I just need to go and do some things without you,” I tried to explain.

Michael sniffled and ran to his room without another word. After spending four years straight raising him in my apartment, funded by my Auntie of course, he’d be worried when I finally started up my career again. It took some time but I eventually regained my figure and some more muscle (as a bonus). I hardly spent time away from the little angel, which meant he was a bit spoiled. He’d have to start school soon too… Perhaps I made some mistakes in my parenting but it was all said and done now.

I sighed as a knock rapped at the door. “Just a moment!” I called out.

Opening the door, I found my new agent, Justin. Charlie recommended him after he retired at the ripe old age of 34, the lucky bastard. I was getting on in years for my runway career but I had a baby face that allowed me to get away with it. Luckily, I had experience to back me up otherwise getting into the business would be much more difficult.

“Hello Rachel, I’m Justin,” he introduced himself.

“Come on in Justin, it’s nice to finally meet you,” I said.

“Who is that?” a little voice called from behind the doorway to Michael’s room.

I walked over and kneeled down beside Michael. “Michael, this is Justin, my agent,” I explained.

“Agent?” he asked, forming the word for the first time in his mouth.

“For work, Michael,” I said.

The little boy’s eyebrows knitted together. He pointed at Justin with his chubby fingers. “I hate him!” Michael declared.

“Michael!” I snapped, “It’s rude to point!”

Michael put his arm down and repeated himself, “I hate him.”

“That’s okay,” I said, “but it’s rude to say so.”

Michael hummed as he looked between me and Justin. Then he ran back into his room.

“Quite the energetic kid,” Justin laughed.

“Yeah, ha, he’s also got quite the attitude,” I agreed.

“I hope you’re just as energetic,” Justin winked at me.

A shiver ran up my spine, somehow that sounded really creepy to me. I laughed half-heartedly. A knock sounded at the door.

“Come in!” I called out.

“Hi Ms. Angelo, sorry I’m a little late,” the sitter said.

“No worries, you actually have perfect timing, Sam,” I smiled at the young woman. “Just let me say goodbye to Michael and the little devil is all yours.”

I walked into Michael’s room and found him playing with his toy train, making sound effects.

“Michael?”

Michael hummed under his breath.

“Mommy has to go now. Samantha is here to take care of you, so please be good.”

Michael ignored me. I couldn’t blame the kid so I just sighed and exited the room.

“Make sure he behaves himself, Sam,” I said.

Sam looked at me, startled and stepped away from Justin. She seemed extremely uncomfortable then. I wonder why?

“I’ll try my best, Ms. Angelo,” she said as her voice shook.

“Are you alright?” I asked with worry.

“She’s just tired, I’m sure,” Justin said with a smile. “Come now, or we’ll be late.”

“Okay…” I said.

Something was wrong again but I couldn’t put my finger on what it was. Justin put his arm around my shoulders and guided me out the door. His hand burned into my flesh, it felt so uncomfortable. He must be the type of guy that didn’t understand physical boundaries. I grabbed his arm and unwound itself from me.

“Whoa? What’s up?” Justin asked sounding insulted.

“Nothing, just think it’d be easier to walk without your arm lying atop me,” I explained. I didn’t want to say it made me feel creeped out since that might be a bad move considering I had only just met this man.

“Alright, alright, gosh I didn’t realize you were so picky,” Justin said.

I felt a pang in my chest. Was I just being overly sensitive? “Sorry,” I apologized.

“No worries,” Justin said with a smile.

We both entered the elevator, Justin just a tad too close. Now that I looked at him more, he didn’t seem like a creepy guy. He was well groomed, short golden locks spiked up a little and well dressed. He had a sharp jaw and nose along with round cheeks. He was good looking, although definitely not my type. He seemed like a good man so it must’ve been my imagination when I felt that bad feeling in my stomach about his demeanor.

“So who's the father?” Justin asked, breaking the silence.

“Pardon?” I asked.             

“Your kid, Mikey, who is the father?” Justin repeated himself.

“
Michael,”
I corrected, “and the father is not in my life right now.” I didn’t feel like disclosing the details so I remained unspecific.

“So you have no one in your life right now?” Justin asked.

“I have Michael, my friends, and my family,” I said.

“No man?” Justin asked with a smile.

“Don’t need one,” I said.

“Some women would disagree,” Justin said.

“Not all women, though,” I corrected.

Justin was getting on my nerves, and he was standing way too close. I could practically feel his gross breath on my neck. The elevator dinged, informing us that we had arrived at the underground parking level. I exited as fast as I possibly could.

“Where’s your car?” I asked.

“Over there,” Justin gestured towards a black vehicle.

I got into the passenger seat and tried to calm myself down. This was a guy that Charlie, my old agent, had recommended, so he can’t be that bad. He had said he hadn’t personally met the guy but all his models got really good deals so he must be a great talker.

Justin turned the key into the ignition and started the car. The black vehicle revved underneath us as he began to drive us out of the parking lot.

“So you are experienced, correct?” Justin asked.

“I’ve done a lot of shoots and runway gigs before but that was about 5 years ago,” I explained.

Justin hummed. “That’s good, it means that you’ll have an easier time getting used to the business again,” Justin said.

“Yeah,” I agreed.

The car was filled with silence. I looked out the passenger side window and fidgeted with the hem of my shirt. My heart was beating so fast and I felt the need to shake my leg. I chalked it up to nervousness since this would be my first shoot in a long time. I would finally be back in front of a camera lens in fabulous clothing.

Today’s shoot was going to be a perfume ad, which is exactly what I ended my career with so I must admit it’s funny. It wasn’t a large brand but any sort of work I could get right now, I’d take. I was lucky enough to get a photoshoot for my first gig, and I had Justin to thank for that. He must’ve pulled a couple strings to get me in since there are probably tons of amateur models younger than me that were eyeing this job.

We pulled into a parking lot outside a company building.

“It’s here,” Justin said.

I was about to get out of the car when Justin’s hand caught my arm. “Before you go in, I need to tell you, I promised the photographer a favor from you,” Justin said.

“A favor?” I asked, not liking the sound of this at all.

“Don’t worry, it’s small and I’m sure you’ve done things like this before,” Justin said.

I searched my memory, what kind of favors had I done before? I had done things like be the runner for coffee and lunch as well as helped the crew set up. That’s probably what Justin meant, not sexual favors. There’s no way that’s what he meant.

“Got it,” I said with confidence.

“Good to hear,” Justin smiled.

A shiver went up my spine again, must be my nerves.

***

I slammed the door behind me. I could still hear the man’s voice echoing in my ears. Favor? FAVOR?! I’m so glad I got out of there.

“Ms. Angelo?” Samantha called out. She appeared from behind the wall.

“Are you alright? You’re home early?” Sam asked.

“I’m-
not alright, my agent tried to sell me sexually to the photographer
, “I’m alright.” I sighed and put my head into my hands. “I’m just tired,” I admitted. I shuffled through my purse for my wallet and handed Samantha her money for the day. “Go home early, Samantha,” I said.

She looked up at me, concerned, but didn’t say anything else.

“Feel better, Ms. Angelo. Call me if you need anything,” Sam said before leaving.

“Michael?” I called out.

“Mommy!” Michael returned my call.

The small boy ran from his room into my arms. “I missed you!” he exclaimed.

I smiled. “I missed you too, Michael,” I admitted. I kneeled down and gave Michael a huge hug. I squeezed my eyes shut to stop the tears from falling.

“Mom?” Michael asked.

I let him go.

“What’s wrong, baby?”

“There’s a man at the door,” he said.

I looked behind me to see Justin standing there with a horrible look on his face.

“What are you doing here?” I asked.

“You said you could do the favor,” Justin said.

I stood up to face Justin. “I didn’t know that’s what you meant,” I explained.

“You said you had done that sort of stuff before, not to mention you have a kid without a father so you must be some kind of slut,” Justin spat.

I looked down at Michael, “Go to your room,” but Michael shook his head.

“Hey brat! Go to your fucking room!” Justin yelled.

“Don’t talk to him like that, you bastard,” I yelled back,
how dare he?!

“C’mon Rachel, you need to suck a little cock to get anywhere in the industry these days,” Justin tried to reason.

“I didn’t have to back when my agent was Charlie,” I said.

“Well, I’m not Charlie,” Justin said proudly.

“Do you pimp out all your models?” I asked.

“They do it of their own accord, the whores,” Justin said with a touch of disgust.

“You’re a disgusting pig, taking advantage of them like that,” I said.

Justin grabbed my arm, “Say that again, bitch!”

“DON’T TOUCH MOMMY!” Michael yelled.

“Michael, go to your room!” I called out.

I didn’t want Michael to see whatever was about to happen. My gaze went to my side where I knew I stashed some scissors in the tall dresser.

“Stop!” Michael yelled.

A crack of thunder and lightning boomed in the room. Michael jumped forward and tackled Justin’s leg.

“Agh!” Justin screamed.

Something smelled as if it was burning. Rain pounded at the windows and lightning flashed. Justin tried to grab Michael but the moment his hand made contact with my son’s arm he tore it away. Justin looked at his hand in what looked like pain. There was a sizzling sound that I could hear just above the storm.

“What the fuck?!” Justin yelled. He shook off Michael and ran out my door. Michael stood and began to cry. The storm began to calm, but rain continued to fall against the windows.

I stood in wonder before coming back to my senses. I quickly went to my door to close and lock it. I turned around to see Michael standing close to me. I kneeled down next to my son and hugged him.

“It’s okay,” I cooed into his ear. I rubbed his back soothingly as I felt his hot tears fall onto my blouse.

“I thought- thought- he was going to hurt- you-“Michael struggled to say between hiccups.

“You protected me. You’re such a good boy,” I said.

My mind was racing. I was trying to explain what had just happened. Why didn’t Justin just throw Michael off? There was a sizzling sound and he looked as if he was in pain. I let go of Michael to grab a hold of his hands but found them empty. I looked at my son.

“What did you do?” I asked quietly.

Michael cocked his head to the side in confusion. “I grabbed the bad man’s leg,” Michael said while wiping his tears.