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the file and tucked it in a false bottom of his desk drawer with others.
    One of his mobile phones rang. He answered with a curt, “Aye?”
    “He’s no’ been here, boss,” said the deep voice on the other end of the line.
    Ulrik sat back and grinned. “Are you positive?”
    “We are. I kept watch on the front of the building while Jonas watched the back. Darius didna pay the doc a visit.”
    “Did you watch the roof?”
    “Aye, boss. Just as you ordered.”
    Ulrik sat there a moment. After what Darius had gone through, he’d be the last of the Dragon Kings who would get embroiled with a mortal. Ulrik needed to be sure he was telling the truth, however. It looked like Darius had been.
    Except he recalled how infuriated Darius became when he realized Ulrik had watched them make love.
    “Follow the doctor to work. Discreetly,” Ulrik cautioned. “I doona want her seeing you.”
    “Will do.”
    Ulrik replaced the mobile with the others on the corner of his desk. His interest in Dr. Sophie Martin went deeper than finding Darius with her. She’d helped Thorn and Lexi.
    Sophie worked outside the hospital, often going to visit those who couldn’t get to the hospital or who couldn’t afford it. It was by chance that one of Ulrik’s spies had seen her going into a building with Thorn. The same building where Darcy’s flat was located.
    That building was now decimated by the Dark, so there was no hope of Ulrik finding anything among the rubble. Depending on how much she knew, Sophie could be an asset. He rubbed his jaw.
    With the right amount of coercion and persuasion, Ulrik could turn her and use her as a spy. With the Kings’ penchant for showing up in Edinburgh and any mortal around them becoming injured, it was only natural that they’d call Sophie.
    They trusted her, which meant they wouldn’t hide things from her. It would be another blow to the Kings. Though he was pleased by the video leaking the Dragon Kings to the world, that was only a small fraction of his plan.
    Once Mikkel made himself known, Ulrik had no choice but to alter his plots somewhat. Now he didn’t just have to worry about fighting—and beating—Con, but he had to kill his own uncle as well.
    It was either that or Mikkel killed him, and Ulrik hadn’t suffered through all the millennia as a mortal not to have his revenge.
    As for his uncle, he continued to let Mikkel think he was doing his bidding. So far Mikkel accepted everything while keeping a close eye on Ulrik. But Ulrik wasn’t worried. There was much Mikkel knew, but even more that his uncle didn’t.
    While the scales dipped in his favor, Ulrik was all right. However, he hadn’t gotten to where he was by letting fate decide his path. He made his own way, forging alliances and unions that would ensure his outcome.
    Mikkel would try to kill him by a sneak attack. It was one reason Ulrik never slept. Nor did he trust anyone. Which led him back to ties. Sophie Martin would be a nice addition to his allies.
    His decision made, Ulrik rose and went to change. He had a trip into Edinburgh to make.

 
    CHAPTER
NINE
    Sophie was thankful for the craziness of work to take her mind off Darius. She’d gotten there at six in the morning, and the next time she looked up, it was four in the afternoon.
    She leaned against the nurses’ counter and jotted something in a file. It wasn’t until Claire took it from her that Sophie looked at her friend and smiled.
    “You saw him last night,” Claire said in a whispery voice, her eyes wide.
    Sophie tried to deny it, then she gave up and shrugged.
    Claire looked to the ceiling. “Thank you, God. Now, if you don’t mind, send one my way. Bob is getting tired.”
    “Who’s Bob? You’ve not told me about a Bob,” Sophie said, a little hurt.
    “I have too,” Claire said and gave her a little shove in the arm. “Bob is Battery Operated Boyfriend. B.O.B.”
    Sophie laughed, because only Claire would come up with such a name for her