Cover Reveal for Lies Don't Matter

 Lies Don't Matter Cover is here. I do not have a release date at this time or the blurb ready, but I wanted to share the amazing cover that got designed this time round. Hope you all love it. I will post the blurb and release date soon as I have them ready.

Lies Don't Matter Chapter 27

Lies Don’t Matter

By

Julia Matthews

Adult M/M Content

If under 18 leave sight

Unedited Story

Chapter 27

Cree

Last seven hours crawled slower than a flock of geese crossing the road. Hop and I played the PS4 for the first three hours, then we hit the kitchen and created a unique style of soup with Mexican sausage. Turned out great. Godfather told us we’d be making much more of it. Can’t get a better praise than that. Godfather wasn’t the style of man who liked homemade food. He preferred to go to a restaurant and let others do the cooking and serving. Me, I loved to cook. Or long as Hop was at my side. I was more of a baker.

“Ready, baby?”

Hop’s tiny smile fit the tense undertone flowing from him. He was not pleased about taking me with him. He feared my vision shifting, which his father said could happen if Raquel decided to go along with Agent Carter. I doubted it, but . . . anything was possible.

I took Hop’s hand and tugged him from the kitchen. “It’s going to be okay.”

“Putting your life in danger does not set well with my dragon.”

“I know.” I place my free hand around his upper arm. “But it’s the best way to achieve our goal.” And Hop knew it. It’s the only reason he went along with my plan. “Godfather.”

“Got an agitated dragon on our hands, do we?”

More like two. I kept me and Hop walking towards the door. I was not going to rise to his bait. One thing Godfather loved to do was grate others when he disliked what had to be done. We climbed in the limo and settled in. Hop’s father and the Senator set the meeting to take place a couple of hours away. No one spoke during the ride, which only intensified Hop and Godfather’s unease. Me . . . I could not lose it. Had to keep it together, which wasn’t hard. Huge lie. I disliked it as much as Godfather and Hop, but . . . had to be done. If we stuck to our path of closure, then my vision meant we had protection against the threat that came our way.

The limo slowed to a stop and the door creaked open.  Hop took hold of my arm as I went to slid out.

“Remember the plan. Do not deviate. Remember what Father said.”

How could any of us forget. Hop’s father pretty much roared and spat fire at us. Took Godfather blocking his view of Hop and I. Not sure what all Godfather whispered to him, but the blazing reddish orange that had claimed Hop’s father’s entire face lightened. Still clung to him, but it was not to the point that any of us feared an explosion. It was the first time I saw a full-blown pissed dragon. Kind of scary. Explained why Raquel feared a child of hers destroying the human race. If the leader of the dragons lost because he’d been around his son for an hour then . . . That’s right. Hop’s skin was almost as red as his father. Tension clung to the air like smoke on clothes.

“They are here.” Godfather pointed at the huge statue of Cornel Lewis, the founder of the town. Since it was considered state property, the state police would be called in. Not to mention that the entire town consisted of Senators and House Representatives. A shooting anywhere near them would be considered a threat. “Hop you made a great choice of meeting places.”

“Shot time.”

I slid from the limo and tugged my t-shirt down. Soon as I moved from behind the door, I felt eyes on me. Didn’t have to be told who they belonged to. She might as well have been screaming her plea of understanding, because it was loud and clear, even though she never said a word. But that wasn’t the only thing that swarmed around me. Nope. Revenge lurked around the silent pleading, all but squashing it into oblivion.

“Atmosphere fits the vision.” Godfather gave me a small squeeze. “You relax and he will.”

“Huh?”

I glanced over at Hop. His fist were clinched as tightly as his teeth were. I could all but see his jaw bone poking out of his cheeks. Wasn’t sure why he thought I . . . okay, I was a bit tense. Bit scared. Dreaded what lay ahead. I took a couple of deep breaths, letting myself search Hop’s mind for the one emotion that would calm me. Didn’t take long to find the love he felt for me. Worked like the magic it was. My legs dipped and he had his arm around me, catching me before I hit the ground.

“Easy there, baby.”

“I’m fine.”

“That you are.” Hop leaned down and gave me a gentle kiss. “Let’s get this over with.”

Lies Don't Matter Chapter 25

Lies Don’t Matter

By

Julia Matthews

Adult M/M Content

If under 18 leave sight

Unedited Story

Chapter 25

Hop

Simple. Right? Not. “We arrange to meet Raquel and Agent Carter in the presence of someone that will be honest and not related to us.”

“Who’s that?” Charlie propped his shoulder against the doorframe as I walked back into the bedroom and sat down beside Cree.

“Not sure.”

“Why not ask your dad?” Cree scooted under my arm and wrapped his arms around me. “I’m sure he will have some suggestion.”

Ugh. More time around my father did not sit well with my dragon, or me. I’d about blown up over him trying to aid me with my other half. What would I do if he tried the ‘tried to tell you’ speech.

“I can ask him.” Charlie gave me a small nod.

“Thanks.” I didn’t have to tell Charlie him running interference was appreciated. He knew what it took for me to be around my dad.

“I,” Cree’s sniffle had me locking eyes with him. Water shimmered down his cheek, settling in the little crevis that rested under his lips. “Would give anything to see my dad again, and here you are . . . you can’t stand to be around yours.”

“Not by choice, baby.”

“I know, but . . . it’s not right. I’m sure he would love to be around you.”

“I know he does.” I wiped the tears from his eyes and tugged him into my chest. “Let it go, baby. Let the last few days wash over you.”

It was like I’d given him permission to raise a surrender flag. My man did just what I told him to. Let his wavering breath rush free as long hard hiccups style cries flowed from him. Wasn’t a pretty sight, and definitely not one I wanted to relive again. It sucked not being able to stop my man’s heart from breaking. Least I could give him some closure. Agent Carter had taken Cree’s dad and mom, but he would get his. And at the hands of his own family.

Lies Don't Matter Chapter 24

Lies Don’t Matter

By

Julia Matthews

Adult M/M Content

If under 18 leave sight

Unedited Story

Chapter 24

Cree

It was happening again. I was floating above my body as thing unfolded. Raquel and Agent Carter sat in Godfather’s office. Hop, Charlie, John, and me were all there. I wasn’t sure exactly what had happened before, but Raquel’s face was blazing red. If she had a dragon she’d been breathing fire. That I was sure of. It wasn’t until the volume kicked in that I realized what had happened before the dream . . . or as I’d just been told vision. Or I guess that’s what Seers would call them.

“You lied to me.”

Raquel had jumped to her feet and was closing in on Agent Carter, whose face was as equally red.

“Why? You led me to believe that it was my daughter that would become the destroyer when it was . . . Oh God. I’m the reason that . . . You all told me it was a . . . God. You should have killed me the moment I was born. Or before I was born, like you wanted me to do to Ka - - I mean Cree. Why did you want me to kill my child, but you let me live?”

“We were able to suppress your dragon inside your mother’s womb. We tried with you, but . . . Your daughter was stronger than you and refused to . . .”

“Give up her given birth.”

“You . . .” Godfather puffed out some white smoke, but it fade soon as Hop rested his hand on his arm. “You are why that wonderful child was born without a dragon. You stole her birthright.”

Lord have mercy. I had a dragon before I was born, but they stole it from me. Could it be retrieved? Is it why I became a Seer. Not that I minded being one. Or I didn’t think I did.

“I did what had to be done.”

“When did you do this to me?” Raquel snapped.

“During your sleep.”

It was then that chaos reigned down and it was not like the vision I had before. Nope. The rest of the vision had Raquel pulling a gun and firing it into the chest of Agent Carter instead of Hop or me. That sent shards of relief coursing through my entire body, but at the same time . . . it was sad to see the life flowing from someone. Not that I minded that Agent Carter would not be there to harass the Logan Den any longer. What bothered me was that Charlie had to explain the entire situation to the cops. Or . . . come up with a story to feed them.

“Come on baby. Open them sexy eyes for me.”

Fear streaked across Hop’s eyes. My hand came up to his face. He leaned his cheek into it and sighed.

“Just what I needed.”

“I always know what my man needs.”

“That you do, baby, that you do.” Hop sat back. “You okay?”

“Yeah. Think . . . the future has changed.”

“What do you mean?”

“We do not need to call Raquel here.”

“Why? We need to know - -“

“Yes, but not here. If we do, . . . Godfather will have to explain Agent Carter’s death.”

“What?”

“I saw it.”

“You had a vision?”

“Yep.”

“Shit. That’s what dad was trying to tell me.”

A knock cut off my remark.

Hop kissed me and then went and opened the door. “I know. A vision.”

“Ah, he’s awake then.”

“Yes, Godfather.”

“You scared me.”

“Sorry.”

“Okay. Long as you are fine.”

“He is.”

“Then our next step is . . .”

Lies Don't Matter Chapter 23

Lies Don’t Matter

By

Julia Matthews

Adult M/M Content

If under 18 leave sight

Unedited Story

Chapter 23

Hop

“We need to talk.”

Charlie spun on his heels and walked us towards his office. He shook his head as we entered the office and muttered about Mr. Davis needed to clean us the shit he brought in. He wasn’t wrong, but I bet Mr. Davis was keeping it out until the entire situation was out of the hands of the courts. Not that it would be brought there once we produced Cree’s birth certificate.

“What’s up?”

“Take a seat, baby.” I helped Cree sit down then propped my ass over the arm of the chair. “Raquel, or Agent Carter is with holding more than we thought.”

“Really?”

I jumped up and dropped to my knees, taking Cr4ee right along with me.

“Stand up, Son and introduce me to your other half.”

Not how I wanted Cree to meet my dad. Guess I know what Charlie was coming to tell us. Wished he warned me on the way to the office.”

I tugged Cree to his feet and walked over to my father. Held out my hand and took his, giving him a small bow. “Great to see you.” My dragon pushed at me. Cree must have felt it because he scooted closer to me and put his arm around me.

“I see you have completed the process.”

“It was not done on purpose.”

“Okay.” My dad turned to Cree and held his hand out. “I’m John. Welcome to the family.”

I felt Charlie’s eye boring into me. He was not pleased about me completing the bonding process, but he would mind his manner in front of my dad. Good for me, but once dad was gone . . . I was in for it.

“You can stop that, Godfather.” Cree shook my dad’s hands and then walked over to Charlie, snagging him into a huge hug.

Charlie chuckled and kissed the top of Cree’s head. “I’d not be a good Godfather if I didn’t give him a hard time about taking my Godson from me.”

“Been in the words for years.” My dad said.

“I know.” Charlie held his hand out to me. “Welcome to the family, officially.”

“Thanks.”

Now that the formalities were out of the way I retook my seat, pulling Cree onto my lap. My man wiggled and wiggled until he was comfortable, leaving my cock hard again. One thing that would keep happening for about a day or two. It was normal for a bonded pair to come together often for the first day or two. No matter how much I tried to calm my hormones, it would not work. I’d apologize to my dad and Charlie, but would not embarrass Cree.

“What did you mean?”

Charlie sniffed and shook his head. I hoped he got my silent apology as I looked at him. He might have, because he gave me a small smile.

“I think . . . No, I know . . . Just take a closer look at Cree’s eyes.”

Cree held still, which I knew took a lot out of him, which had me kissing the back of his neck as Charlie and dad titled their heads from side to side. It wasn’t until the tension left Cree’s entire body that dad and Charlie’s eye went wide.

“I can’t . . . believe it.”

“What . . . Sorry, honey.”

“Wow.” Charlie shook his head. “Thought it would take longer for him to catch onto our way life.”

“He’s a great other half.” I snuggled us closer. “You two know what this means?”

They both nodded, but Charlie was the one that spoke.

“He needs to be told.”

“That’s why I came in here.” I wasn’t sure how much more Cree could handle and I did not want to have to handle him and my dragon at the same time. We were bonded now and if he got upset too much so would my dragon.

“Only one way to do this.” Dad knelt in front of Cree and me. “Let Hop keep hold of you until I’m done talking. We clear?”

Cree nodded to him and pushed further into my arms. Out of reflex my arms tightened around him.

“It appears there is more to Raquel’s story. I’m not sure if even she knows it, but . . . I’m sure that Agent Carter knows.”

“What . . .” Once again Cree let his question fade, but dad shook his head.

“Ask?”

“What did they leave out?”

Dad sat back on his heels. “There are a rare and special child born to a female dragon that bares no dragon. We call these special people Seers.”

Cree stiffened in my arms and then went limp. I lifted her until she was stretched across my lap with her legs on the sofa. I’d expected her throwing a yelling fit, not her passing out. Charlie must not have expected it either, because he was up on his feet and in front of us.

“You want me to call the doctor?”

“Not yet.” Dad stared at her, then nodded. “My dad told me about something like this.”

“What is happening to my other half?”

“Relax son.”

Not something my dragon would let me do. It was demanding I attack the stronger threat to my seat of power. He did not care that the man was my dad. All he saw was a dragon that could take what belonged to him. Now my other half was out in my arms.

“Charlie, I’ve got to . . .” I lifted Cree and stood. “Going to our room.”

“Son, she’s not passed out.”

“Tell Charlie.” I said as I walked out of the room. If I stayed much longer with my mate unconscious in my arms I was going to start breathing fire. Charlie did not need to deal with that. Nor deserved to.

“Let him go.” Charlie said as dad started to protect. “His dragon is shoving at him.”

Dad sigh was the last thing I heard as I kicked the door shut.

Lies Don't Matter Chapter 20 part 2

Lies Don’t Matter

By

Julia Matthews

Adult M/M Content

If under 18 leave sight

Unedited Story

 “Hope so.” Hop pushed my shirt up and over my head, but instead of removing it he left it over my wrist. “Keep them there.”

“Not fair.”

“Want to enjoy a Cree buffet uninterrupted.”

“But . . .” A moan slipped free as his teeth scraped a path down my chest to my bellybutton.

“Remember our earlier conversation.” Hop nudged the button of my jeans with his nose. “Best place to practice is in bed.”

Good point. I knew how much Hop loved to dominate. He’d never taken it real far, but I’d know he would have loved to bind me in a more intense way. Only reason he hadn’t was because of my unease of being strapped down.

“Baby,” He straddled my legs and tilted his head to the left. “need me to remove the shirt?”

I shook my head and lifted my hips. “Take what you need.”

“Don’t need it.”

Right. He might not have needed it, but I could see the gold flakes in his eyes when he held me in place. I’d always thought it was a fetish, but . . . new facts told me different. It was more than a want. He was a dominate man. His way of life entailed giving orders. People doing as he said. Hop might try to fool himself, but he . . . or his dragon side needed to overtake me, once in a while at least. Full picture of his life meant taking into consideration what my man truly needed.

“Think you do.”

“Fine, but I can live without it.”

“Don’t have to.” I placed my palm against his cheek, smiling up at him. “I can handle it.”

Hop’s slow nip of her lower lip screamed his indecisviness. More like he was taking a beat or two to debate what to do. When he shook his head, my ire rose, but I kept my mouth shut.

“I don’t want to scare you. Or hurt you.”

“Hop, you would not do either. I know you. You would die before you did either. Now give my dragon what he’s been craving.”

Lies Don't Matter Chapter 20 part 1

Lies Don’t Matter

By

Julia Matthews

Adult M/M Content

If under 18 leave sight

Unedited Story

Chapter 20

Cree

Wasn’t keen on being ordered, but . . . worth it to have Hop at my side for the rest of my life. People looking at me as a role model didn’t bother me. Once I learned to listen and do as Hop and Charlie said without bucking it’d be smooth sailing. I hoped. Until I did . . . uncomfortable, but handleable. Setting a poor example disgusted me, which would make it easier for me to catch onto what had to be done. Pure thought had my stomach twisting and turning like a tornado.

“Have to admit . . . you are taking it way better than expected.”

Hop’s fear made my forehead burn and the twisting turned into a bubbling that raced from head to toe. Then again . . . it might have been the entire last couple of days. My life had been flipping and flopping everyway. I’d taken thing in stride, on the outside. Inside . . . unease thickened worse than cement. Hop and Charlie couldn’t be allowed to see the real distress coursing through me. I wasn’t fooling myself. They’d be aware of it, but they knew me well enough to keep their mouths shut until I approached them ready to talk.

I’d done a bit of discussing, but . . .the entire situation with Raquel, dad, and mom bothered me more than letting a man control every aspect of my life. Small fact compared to the rest.

“Baby,” Hop cupped my cheek giving me a chaste kiss. “You going to be okay?”

Soon as I knew what to expect from Raquel and Agent Carter. The dream bugged me more than discovering dad and mom lied to me. I’d had many dreams over the years, similar one of pets dying. Even dreamed about one of the raids Agent Carter made on Mr. Thompson, the third ranked Logan House member, after he decked a couple of FBI agents. I told dad about the dream and he’d swore it was a fluke. I hadn’t thought so then, and right then I wished I’d taken my concerns to Hop or Charlie.

“Baby?”

I gave a shake of my head. ‘Not bothered by what you’ve told me. I get all that and will be able to life your way of life.” A simple shrug earned me a quirked eyebrow. “I’ll slip up for a few months. Maybe more. I’ll do my best to be the best other half I can be.”

“Not worried about mess ups.” Hop hugged me close. “It’s unavoidable. Charlie and I know that. So does, the other house members. They’ve watched you grow up and know you. Not as well as Charlie but . . .”

Wasn’t going there, so I diverted things. Sort of. “When’s your dad arriving?” Keeping things based on Hop gave me time to figure out the best way to approach my dream. Wasn’t sure if telling Hop and Charlie was best or not. Might give them a heads up, but . . . if I was wrong then . . . unnecessary worry. Not to mention I’d look like a fool. Worse, insane and in front of Hop’s father. The leader of all Dragons.

“Charlie will come and tell us.” Hop took her waist and directed her onto her back. “Forget about him. Forget about what I told you. Forget about Raquel, Agent Carter, and everything related to the fiasco.”

I arched my neck further back as he kissed the base of it. Sizzling heat followed in the wake of his tongue as he traced my bare skin down to the bottom of my V-shaped t-shirt. Goosebumps formed as his hand slid under my shirt.

“You starting something?”

Lies Don't Matter Chapter 19

Lies Don’t Matter

By

Julia Matthews

Adult M/M Content

If under 18 leave sight

Unedited Story

 Chapter 19

Hop

Cree finding out in my bedroom hadn’t been the plan. Everything had been ruined. The claiming phase began before I asked him to marry me. It sucked ass. I’d wanted the entire experience of Cree learning about my way of life to be easy. Not a jumbled up mess.

Not like his question was a major issue. I knew Cree would know about my Dragon by the end of last night. Meant he’d would’ve been told about what would required of him as my other half. Cree already sated my fears of rejection. Yet . . . him having to follow every little thing I said could have changed his way of thinking on that aspect.

“Hop?”

Here went nothing. “A dragon’s way of life is different, very different, than the way you were raised.”

“How so. Why? Dad was one.”

Good point. Why hadn’t Rex followed the dragon’s way of life. Had he? If so . . . did that mean Cree would be more accepting? A fact I should have thought of asking Charlie.

“You can tell me if the way of life I describe is different than how your parents lived.” Best way I could think of answering without outright showing I’d failed to take note of how Rex and Grace lived. “Our other halves have to do as we say at all times. more so in my case since I’ll be the full leader one day.”

Cree’s pursed lips put a swirl in my stomach. My man wasn’t keen on others giving orders. He accepted them from Charlie and me pretty easy, but . . . He bucked  on ours a time or two.

“What else?”

Uh . . . What else was there to say. I’d pretty much stated it. It’d been clear and concise. Couldn’t think of a different way to say how dragon and their other halves lived. There was no detouring from that path. Other might get away with bending it, but Cree would not. I was the future leader. I had to set an example and that mean living up to the laws. No exceptions. “Not sure what you mean.”

“In all things. No exceptions. Even if you are not around I have no say if an unknown situation arises and you are out of contact. Does what you say overrule what Charlie says, or your father? Do other men have the right to order me around?”

Should have known Cree would nail me with all the fine details. He was smart and had no trouble working out the smallest facts of a situation. She took an in-depth look and broke thing into small scenarios and solves them before they arose.

“Since I’m the future leader there will be no exceptions.” I only restated that part to stress how important that aspect was. Cree knew how to behave, but it was harder for him to not step up and take control of a situation that affected him or his loved ones. “Other dragons, old and new, will look at us as a role model. There will be few times you are without guards, or me.” Another point I made sure to stress. My man had a thing about others watching his back. He tended to take a stand for himself. It’s how he’d been raised. I have to admit, I gave in for Charlie to teach her how to defend herself. Came in handy when Agent Carter invaded his home. “Since my main guars is Charlie he will always be around your, therefore if I am not around you would listen to him. Other than him or my father, no man will give you orders.”

He’d be the ones to give the orders. After me, he’s the next in line until we adopt a child. There were many dragon children that became parentless. Father set up an orphanage for them several years back. It would be a wonderful day when we chose a child to join our family.

That was actually a part of dragon’s way of life that made no sense to me. My other half wasn’t allowed to make decision without my consent, but if something happened to me, the leadership would fall to Cree until a child of ours was of age. And an heir to me did not have to be a male dragon. It could be a she-dragon.

“You are in deep thought.” Cree ran his thumb over my lip. “What’s bothering you?”

“Just confused about how strange our world is operated.”

Hadn’t meant my comment to be spoken, thankfully father wasn’t around to hear. Although . . . if it came right down to it, father might have agreed with my viewpoint. Made no sense for the men to have such tight reins on their other half when it’s possible that one day a female might rule over the entire dragon world.

“I have to agree with that.” Cree’s cute chuckle had me leaning in for a kiss, but he braced his hand on my chest. “I don’t and won’t understand why society did and some still do, believe that there should be a top dog in a relationship.” Cree shrugged and let his hand drop into my lap, resting just an inch from my hardening cock. “But . . . if this is how you live . . . I’ll do my best to adjust to it. You are my life. I’ve known that since we met. That won’t change because you are a dragon or because you are a future leader or because of your way of life.”

Words that sent rapid waves of relief from head to toe. Settled me more than I expected. More than I even knew I was worried about. The dragon might have been all gun-ho about making Cree theirs, but it had been afraid of rejection as much as I had. Hell, Charlie and father had been fearful. Most dragons mated to a human were.

Lies Don't Matter Chapter 18 Part 1

Lies Don’t Matter

By

Julia Matthews

Adult M/M Content

If under 18 leave sight

Unedited Story

Chapter 18

Cree

“Don’t.” I moved in front of Hop, blocking Agent Carter’s line of sight.

“Move. It’s either you . . . or him. I don’t want to kill my blood, but I will.”

Agent Carter would to. The dark, deep-set eyes were all I needed to see to confirm how serious he was.

Hop gripped my waist and spun so his back was to Agent Carter. I squirmed and squirmed, screaming for him to let me go, but . . . his grip remained firm. I was not going to let Agent Carter kill Hop because of me. Not a breath of me would allow it.

“He won’t get the chance.” Hop said just as I broke his grip and zipped in front of him.

“I mean it, Zoe.” There the jerk went again calling me by my ex-name. Could he not get it through his thick head that I was no long Zoe. I was Cree. Guess that just gave the man one more reason to point a gun at me. “Don’t make me break my promise to your mom.”

The door flew open and Raquel came flying in and right in front of Agent Carter. “Don’t you do it. She’s my daughter.”

“I’m no ones daughter.” Anymore.

“Move and take her with you.” Agent Carter shoved Raquel aside, never breaking his dead-on aim.

Raquel reached for the gun as Hop jumped in front of me. The gun fired, echoing through the room, making me cringe as I screamed my lungs out as Hop dropped to the floor, blood gushing from his chest.

I sat upright in the bed, shouting Hop’s name. His bedroom door flew open and he rushed to my side.

“What is it? What happened?”

My hand came to rest on his chest as my fingers traced the area above his heart. It wasn’t good enough. I needed to feel solidness, so I slipped my hand under his shirt, taking relief in cool skin. “You are fine. You’re fine.” I took a couple of deep breaths and rested my head against his chest.

Lies Don't Matter Chapter 15

Lies Don’t Matter

By

Julia Matthews

Adult M/M Content

If under 18 leave sight

Unedited Story

Chapter 15

Hop

I followed Cree and Charlie back to the living room, shutting the door behind me. More than I’d wanted to come to life. Damn unexpected visit, yet . . . Cree being told the truth b y them gave him some answers about the last couple of days’ events. Not all, but some. Put me in a bad spot. Then again . . .

Cree being told about dragons by someone else, which didn’t set well with my other half. It roared and snuffed his displeasure in his other half learning from others ticked it off more than it did me. I just hoped Cree didn’t let his anger rule him. Cree wasn’t the type to jump to conclusions before all facts were presented, but . . . he wasn’t in his right frame of mind. Not completely. How could he be? He’d been through hell the last few days and not had time to comprehend what had taken place in his life. No time to handle the grief from losing his mom and dad. Been lied to by the FBI, the people he expected to protect every citizen, even the ones they deemed a gang full of hardened criminals that’d never been caught. There was Raquel’s actions. Doctoring a DNA test, even though she was Cree’s biological mother. As if that wasn’t enough for one person, Cree’s dad, Rex, had lied to her. On top of all that, Cree had been told about the existence of dragons. Not to mention Raquel had all but said she would have aborted her child if she knew Rex was a dragon, simply because of her family history, a legend passed down from generation to generation.

“I need a drink.”

So did I, but I watched Charlie as he poured him a double scotch. My mouth watered at the mere thought of the cool drink easing my soar dry throat.

“Hop?”

My hand itched to snatch Charlie’s bottle of scotch, but I shook my head instead. Least Charlie knew I needed something, because he tossed me a cold bottle of water.

“I’ll take something.”

I all but snickered when Charlie rolled his eyes at Cree and threw him a bottle of water.

“This,” Cree twisted the cap and downed half the bottle, “was what I was asking for.” The rest flowed down his throat, but what caught my attention more was the way his throat bobbed as he swallowed. Had my dick hardening. Inopportune time, but what could I say, my other half drove me up the wall one hundred percent of the time. “Think you two need to do what you need to and then fill me in.”

His calm, yet stern tone doused me in cold water. My man hardly ever ordered people around, but when he did, I knew he was beyond his breaking point.

“Charlie.”

“Going.” Charlie patted me on the shoulder as he walked towards  the door. “Settle my Godson down.”

“I’ll do my best.” Boy would. I’d do whatever it took to ensure my other half had all the information he needed. Or the best I could do until I had word from my father. Charlie best get down to business fast. Cree would give us so much time before he exploded and started demanding answers. If he didn’t get them from us . . . he might just go to Mrs. Stone. He needed to hear the story from me not her.

“You’ve,” Cree pointed at me, frowning. “been keeping secrets from me. I don’t think I need an explanation as to why. It’s clear you feared my reaction.”

Partly right. Some humans flipped the fuck out when they were told. Not so much because dragons, but because of our laws. I’d not purposely lied to him. Laws stated I couldn’t tell him about my dragon side until I officially announced him as my other half. That’s why I’d been so pleased about the upcoming party.

“Not sure if it’ll help,” I doubted it would, but worth a shot. “Tonight’s party was to be the night I told you.” I sat down beside her, making sure our bodies touched. My dragon needed the comfort only his other half could provide.

Cree leaned back and snuggled into my side. “Why tonight?”

“It was supposed to be a very special night for us in many ways.”

Didn’t want him to know I’d planned to propose to him. I’d spent months planning how I would officially announce Cree as mine. Sure wasn’t on the day his parents died and a shit load of lies came to life. Okay, I might have been about to tell him I’d kept a major secret from him, but it wasn’t an outright lie. More of an omission. Cree knew that sometimes thing were buried for good reasons.

“How much more is there for me to know about your other side?”

“Loads more, but . . .”

“I’m not asking for the full truth before you can give it.” Cree’s sigh told me how much that was exactly what he wanted to do, but . . . “I just need to know it wasn’t kept from me because you feared my reaction.”

How to answer that? I had been. Normal reaction. Right? Him denying me meant hardship not only for me, but all dragons and humans alike. Course I was scared of his reaction. Just not for the . . .

“You were.” My body lost the warmth that he provided as he slid to the other side of the couch. “Why?”

I reached for him, but he shook his arm free of my grip. Not what I wanted. Nope. Had to make him understand.

“It wasn’t . . . I didn’t . . . Shit. It’s hard to explain. My fear wasn’t so much your reaction, it was more - -“

“Cree, sweetie,” Charlie’s gentle tone soothed me. He always had a way with Cree and was the only one that got by calling him sweetie, other than me. “If you rejected him it would have affect every dragon and human.”

“Huh! What? Why in the world would you think I’d reject you.” Cree cupped my chin, forcing my eyes to remain on him when I’d been trying to read Charlie’s expression. Not that it would have done me much good. Man was like a blank screen when he wanted to be.

“Many human have rejected dragons when they were told about them.” Lame excuse and I knew better than to put Cree into a classification with others. He was the most open-minded person I’d ever met.

“I’m not human though, I’m part dragon, aren’t I?”

“You have no dragon inside you.”

“Don’t understand. My dad was dragon, so . . . oh, children born to a dragon and human don’t get dragons?”

“Not always.” I darted my eyes towards Charlie, spotting a blank expression like I feared. Didn’t stop me from asking him if my father gave him permission to explain so much to Cree. Should have known Charlie had it. He would not have gone into that much detail without it.

“What else did he say, Charlie?”

“Full truth. It won’t affect the outcome considering the new facts.”

Yes! Bout time I get to fill in my other half.

“Does this mean I’m going to learn more than I did from Raquel?”

I tugged her closer, kissing her cheek. “It does. Also explain some of what Raquel wanted you to know about your heritage. What I know might be different than what she would’ve told you.” Figured it would be. “I have no way of knowing what history was passed down through the years. As you can imagine . . . what one generation passing to the next can change with just one interpretation. Proven fact over and over. All one had to do was play the past it along came.

Lies Don't Matter Chapter 14 part 3

Lies Don’t Matter

By

Julia Matthews

Adult M/M Content

If under 18 leave sight

Unedited Story

Damn it. If Hop brought that up then Godfather would not answer even if he wanted to. I’d promised to let him makes some calls. Okay. In times of confusion take in everything. Especially, ones posture. Godfather shoulders were slack. Face a bit red, meaning he was nearing his explosion point. Feet kept shifting, not much, but enough to alert me to discomfort. Once in a while, his eyes shifted towards Hop. But . . . what got me most was the hint of pleading shining in his dark brown eyes.

“Shit.”

I locked eyes with Hop, letting the last years play over and over. Whenever the family gathered Godfather had directed glazes at Hop whenever someone asked him something. I’d paid little attention to it, but it was as if Godfather answered to Hop. Hop never addressed Godfather like the others. Other family members called Hop, Sir, just like they did Godfather. I’d played it off as Hop being his nephew. In the limo . . . Godfather had apologized to Hop. So damn clear.

“You are in charge, aren’t you?”

Hop scooted closer and took hold of my hand, not answering, out loud, but he blinked his eyes. The code we’d used when dad had been chaperoning our dates. Dad was cool about me dating Hop, but for the first three months he kept a close tab on us. We’d decided that if we asked a question and the answer needed to wait we’d blink one eye. If the answer was a yes or no, then one full blink meant no, and two meant yes.

“Is she telling the me the truth?” I doubted Hop would answer in any method, was right, because he tugged me close and pressed his forehead to mine.

“My niece speaks the truth. She wouldn’t lie to you. Our family doesn’t believe in lying to family. Just like the dragons can’t tell a lie to their other halves.”

Agent Carter’s words flowed by me, but clung to me as well. Brought up more questions, but ones Hop and Godfather would not answer at that time.

“She believes me.” Raquel pushed off the wall. “I would like to tell you the rest of your heritage, but I can’t do so while the dragons are present.”

“Out of luck then.” Didn’t matter what had been kept from me. Godfather was family. He loved me. Taken care of me. Ensured I had a great life. Ensured I had my Gender Transfer surgery soon as I turned eighteen. He loved me. Hop . . . there was no way the man did anything other than love the hell out of me. I knew that. Whether Raquel told the truth or not did not matter. Whether it’d been kept from me, did not matter or not.

“Why? You know they are not telling you the truth. Why not listen to the story then decide for yourself what you believe.”

“You might not think they answered me, but they have.” Raquel could take that however she wanted. I didn’t care.

“Then you have no reason not to listen to what I can’t say in front of them.”

Raquel was right, but what she had to say was no concern of mine. I didn’t want ot hear her. Whatever she had to say wouldn’t change the hardcore fact that her arrival had costed dad and mom their lives. Agent Carter had known about her for at least five years and only reported her presence four days ago.

“There’s plenty of reasons. You have no right to ask what they are. I’m nineteen and you have no control over me. If you wish to avoid jail time for you and Agent Carter then I suggest you leave me alone.” I motioned for Mr. Davis, who had been standing behind Raquel and Agent Carter. “Please let them know why.”

Mr. Davis pointed to the video camera in the corner. Raquel gasped and Agent Carter went white.

“As you can see . . . if you don’t adhere to my wishes I can and will live up to my word.”

“Recording our conversation without permission is illegal.” Raquel went to Agent Carter’s side.

“Would be if I hadn’t warned you both that the hallways was under video and audio surveillance.” Mr. Davis lowered his hand. “if you don’t believe me, ask Agent Carter.”

“Raquel, it is best if we leave.”

“not without my daughter . . . son, hearing me out.”

“Raquel,” Denny took her by the arm, “for now it’s best if we leave. Let her calm down and then we’ll try talking to her . . . I mean him again.” Denny’s face twisted and his eyes lost the bright blue color. Red consumed the dead center of them. Looked as if Denny did not take keen to having a stepchild who was a man when he was born a woman. Not that it mattered to me. I’d said my peace to them and Raquel’s ten minutes were long up.

“Be wisest to listen to what I said and follow it.” I took hold of Godfather’s hand and began moving him towards the living room. “Mr. Davis, please show them out.”

Lies Don't Matter Chapter 14 part 2

Lies Don’t Matter

By

Julia Matthews

Adult M/M Content

If under 18 leave sight

Unedited Story

 “We did. When he took you I had no idea why.” Raquel sighed. “I was frantic when he didn’t bring you home. I called Uncle Randy and he began researching  Rex and discovered out where he was from. It was four months after he disappeared with you that Randy uncovered Rex came from Hexton. I knew the moment he told me what Rex was.”

There it was again? Hexton. Place held many secrets. I sure needed to find out what was so special about it.

“Problem was,” Raquel looked over at Agent Carter, “your father knew how to hide. Took Randy and our resource two years to locate you. By the time we made it to China he was gone.”

I’d been a toddler when we left China. Had little to no memories about the place. Until I was fifteen there’d bene no discussion of the time mom and dad spent there. When dad took me to China I asked him why we’d moved. He’d told me his job died. I’d believed him. I was pleased we moved. Put me closer to Godfather.

“Like I said the other day, I never quit searching. You were my daughter. I pined for you each day. It should’ve been me raising you. You should’ve had been told your heritage each night. Your father robbed me of my right as your mother. Randy worked hard to locate you, but he never gave up hope.”

Really? How much truth was too that? Agent Carter been hounding the Logan Family for the last five years. Surely, he caught onto who I was. I mean he knew dad’s name. He question dad in the FBI headquarters as well in our home five or six times. Why had it taken him so long to make a move?

“When did he find us?”

Ah . . . The good Agent Carter did not like my question. The second step back had Hop kissing the top of my head. Didn’t need him to tell me he was pleased with the path I took.

Raquel gave Agent Carter a side glance then said, “Four days ago. Took us a few days to catch a flight.”

“Huh . . .” Just what I thought. Agent Carter was a liar. Not like I’d not known that for years, but . . . “When did you find out why my dad broke the legal custody agreement?”

“Like most dragons he knew our family history. Knew what your birth meant.”

“And . . .” Just what did that mean. I was just another little girl at time. One that might have turned into a man, but still . . . I gave Raquel a minute to continue, but she remained quiet, so I shifted my attention to Agent Carter. “You going to answer for her?”

“Destruction to the human race.”

Agent Carter spoke with such candor that my skin crawled. The growl in his voice and the death pending scowl had me thinking of a tiger landing the killing blow. Man truly did not like me. What had I done to him, other than be born? Was that truly enough to suffice death?

“You aren’t believing me.” Raquel reached for me, but Hop moved us back.

Not one bit. No human being born could be destruction to the world. although, Agent Carter said human race. There were nothing other than humans. “Why would I? You and your Uncle believe dragons are real.”

“Shit.” Raquel shifted her full attention to Godfather. “Rex didn’t tell her. Why did you allow him to keep her - - his entire heritage away from her - - him?

Godfather would tell her how ridiculous she was being. I waited one, two, three breaths, but he remained quiet. An answer without answering, because Godfather hated liars. If someone asked something he could answer, but did not want to . . . he kept his mouth shut. Best method he told me.

“Godfather?” I unwrapped myself from Hop’s arms and move so I faced Godfather. “Are you going to answer her?” Silence greeted me. “You are going along with her?” More silence. “You going to tell me what she means?” My words were faint and shaky. My gut churned with anticipation, because if he agreed with what Raquel had been saying it meant . . .

“Cree,” Hop stepped in between me and Godfather. “Remember what I asked you in the limo?”