Smoke and Fire: Part 4 Read Online Free PDF

her conviction there for him to see.
    But it wasn’t enough. “How can you be so sure? Both Esther and Kinsey are still alive.”
    “We need Kinsey alive,” Harriet said. “That’s the only way you’ll get what you need from Dreagan.”
    Mikkel sat forward in his chair and placed his forearms on his desk. Never far from reach were his six mobile phones placed in a neat row. “If you honestly think the Kings haven’t realized what’s been done to Kinsey, then I’ve given you more credit than you ever deserved.”
    “Kinsey won’t fail us,” Harriet stated firmly.
    There was a snort from the shadows behind him. Mikkel didn’t turn around to look at Ulrik, though he wanted to. Harriet for her part suddenly realized they weren’t alone in the office.
    Mikkel smiled. He loved when those who worked for him were reminded of how lethal and dangerous he truly was. He enjoyed their fear. But it only partially made up for him no longer being a Dragon King.
    That made him think of Ulrik attempting to gain his magic again by going behind Mikkel’s back. He hadn’t disciplined Ulrik yet for that—but it was coming.
    Just as he would betray Ulrik, killing him right after Ulrik put an end to Con. Mikkel would be King of Kings and the planet could be returned to what it was always meant to be—a dragon realm.
    But that was for a later. Right now he had to take care of this mess. Mikkel didn’t want to kill Harriet. She was loyal and bright, but she’d let him down.
    “You’ve failed me epically,” Mikkel told her. “The whole point was for Kinsey to get in, gather all the information, get it to us, and then let her betrayal become known to Ryder so he’d kill her for us.”
    Harriet swallowed and opened her mouth to talk.
    Mikkel spoke over her. “I’m not finished. Then there’s Esther. I thought I told you not to send her in yet.”
    “Did none of your probing into Esther’s mind reveal that she had a brother who worked for MI5 and who was helping the Kings?” Ulrik asked from the shadows.
    Mikkel wanted to demand why Ulrik had waited to tell him that bit of information, but he held himself in check. Barely. Instead, he focused his growing ire on Harriet, whose eyes had gone wide.
    “What?” she asked. “That’s not possible. We did every background check there was. She’s an orphan.”
    Ulrik tsked. “She was trained by MI5. I’m fairly certain they could make you believe whatever was needed.”
    Mikkel had had enough. He stood, his chair flying back to hit the shelves behind him. “What?” he bellowed. He stalked around his desk to Harriet. “Are you telling me Esther was sent to spy on us?”
    Harriet backed up, the stiletto of her shoe getting caught in the rug and causing her ankle to twist. She caught herself by grabbing the back of a chair set before the desk. “I’m thorough in my work. You know that.”
    “No’ thorough enough!” Damn, he hated when his Scots accent came through with his anger. He was getting better at controlling it, but sometimes it slipped through.
    “Kinsey should’ve killed her for giving up a name anyway,” Harriet hurried to say.
    He looked over her pale face and the fear in her gaze. “The only reason you’re alive right now is because you’ve done what no other has been able to do. You got a human onto Dreagan. This is your last chance, Harriet. If you can’t finish what you started, then I’ll claim your life.”
    “I’ll finish it,” she vowed with a firm nod. “I’ve never let you down before. I’ll fix this and prove I’m worthy of continuing to work for you.”
    He gave her a nod. Without another word, she hurried from his office.
    “Do you believe her?” Ulrik asked.
    Mikkel turned to face his nephew. “I hope she comes through because she’s been a great asset. In the end, however, I’m sure she’ll have to die.”
    “Even if she corrects the problem and gets you all you need and want from Dreagan?”
    Mikkel narrowed his gaze on