“Probably, but we’re not sure yet. Jason’s been doing some research in his off hours from the hospital.” That much was true. Vague, but I hadn’t technically lied.
Before I could pat myself on the back, the detective questioned me again.
“Sebastian told me they’re a boy and girl, right? Are they shifters? Can you tell yet?”
“No,” I lied, rationalizing that it was for the best for now. I could set everything right once the danger passed, once Adam saw that Sasha wasn’t a threat to the Pack. “We won’t know until they’re older.”
She sighed and stopped walking. Shaking her head, Sasha held her hand out to me. “Sorry about the third degree. You can take the girl away from being a detective, but you can’t take the detective out of the girl.”
I took her hand and got up. “Why don’t I finish showing you around, and then I’ll give my brother a call with our happy news?”
“You should call him first. Best to rip the Band-Aid off fast, right?”
“You’re probably right, but I wanted more time with you before all hell broke loose.”
“Have we ever been together when hell wasn’t breaking loose?”
“True.” I laughed. “Why start now?”
I didn’t let go of her hand as I walked through to the kitchen to grab the cordless phone and made the call.
“Hey, bro. Change in plans. I’m at the cabin in Tahoe.”
There was a pause on the other end of the line. “Where’s Sasha?”
I lifted her hand to my lips, my gaze locked on hers as I kissed her knuckles. “She’s with me.”
“Godammit, Aren!” my brother yelled. I held the phone away from my ear. “When you told me you’d fill me in on the details I thought it’d be before you brought her and the guy hunting her into my backyard. Have you lost your fucking mind?”
I took a deep breath, bringing the phone back to my ear again. “It’s more complicated than we thought.” Sasha gave my hand a squeeze. “This guy’s a werewolf, Adam.” I wished there some other way, but I had to tell him. “He’s also a Green Beret.”
“Fuck.” I could almost hear my brother aching to hit something. When he finally spoke again, his voice was low, almost a growl. “You didn’t give me enough time to get Lana and the babies out of town. I’ll get the Pack over here to guard them and I’m coming to the cabin. Stay there.”
“Will do.” I hung up the phone, guilt digging a bitter pit in my gut. “That went well.”
“I’m sorry I got you involved in this.”
I reached over and caught her chin, tilting her head so I could see her dark eyes. “We’re going to get through this. All of us. This isn’t your fault. Nero thinks they can kill you and no one will notice, but they’re wrong. And I’m happy to be the one to tell them so.”
“Severino won’t stop, Aren. Nero is his baby, his legacy. Men like him don’t take no for an answer. He has money and power and he’ll take out your entire Pack if that’s what it takes to get me before I spill his secrets. I should get out of here.”
“You’re underestimating our Pack. If he started knocking off Pack members, people in Reno would notice. We own businesses, we’re members of society—we’re not lost souls no one would miss. There’d be investigations, questions, and attention he wouldn’t want.” I slid my fingers along her jaw, caressing her soft skin. “They caught us off guard before. It won’t happen again.”
She stared into my eyes and whispered, “I don’t deserve your help, but thank you. For everything.”
I leaned a little closer, aching to kiss her lips. “You don’t have to thank me… Just don’t ever shoot me again.”
She gave me a sexy smile. “Stop making me want to kiss you.”
“Why would I want to do that?”
Her lashes lowered. “We don’t have time to be distracted. It’s too dangerous.”
“Everyone knows those are the most delicious kisses of all…” My lips brushed hers, and I smiled when her arms moved around my waist.
Chapter Eighteen
Sasha
Aren’s cabin was immaculate and pure male. In spite of the rustic landscape outside, every room had some high-tech audio or digital flat screen or wireless networked computer. Most of the rooms had hardwood floors, with only the bedrooms having ivory Berber carpets. Right below the deck was a redwood spa. It would be too easy to imagine myself reclining in the warm water with Aren and a glass of wine, watching the sunset.
I shook off the fantasy. What was happening to me? We had no future. Once we took out the Green Beret, Nadya and I were out of here.
Aren led me back into the living room. Neither of us talked about his brother’s impending visit. What was there to say? Adam had every right to be pissed. I had kidnapped his wife less than a year ago. I had also shot his twin brother. That pretty much guaranteed I wasn’t someone he’d be happy to see again, let alone help.
Aren sat on the sofa and reached for one of the remotes. The stereo lit up and Elvis came crooning through the surround sound.
I smiled. “I never would have pegged you for a fan of the King.”
“My mom loved Elvis. That’s why she named me Aren and didn’t spell it traditionally. Elvis’s middle name was Aron with only one A.”
I rested my elbow on the back of the sofa. “Most kids hate their parents’ music on principle.”
He put the remote back on the table and met my eyes. “We lost her when I was little. I used to play her records, and it’d remind me of her. I didn’t want to forget.”
A lump in my throat threatened to suffocate me at the hurt in Aren’s eyes. I did my best not to think about my own parents. I had never really dealt with the pain of their loss. I dove into caring for my baby sister and never looked back. Did I even remember what kind of music my mother liked?
Before I could say anything, the front door opened. We both turned to see Adam filling the doorway.
His green eyes flicked from Aren to me and quickly back to his twin. “She can’t stay here. You’re putting the entire Pack in jeopardy.”
“Hello to you too.” Aren got up from the couch and went to his brother. They clasped their forearms, and then he took a step back. “I’m sorry we had to come back, but this guy is good. We wouldn’t be able to take him out on our own.”
“You have no right to bring the Pack into this.” He pointed at me. “This is her mess, not ours. I’m already in deeper than I should be by hiding her sister.”
“Thank you for helping her.” I got up and came around the couch, but I didn’t move any closer to the agitated wolf. “How is Nadya?”
His jaw clenched, but he answered even though he wouldn’t look at me. “Your sister is fine. She’s been helping Lana with the babies.”
After I said her name out loud, I wanted to see her. Now. But if she was with Lana, I could bet I wasn’t getting anywhere near her.
Adam’s attention shifted to Aren again. “Tell me what you know.”
We shared how we found the Beretta and our conversation with Sebastian about the Lycan Squad. The information about Nero being mixed up with the military didn’t faze Adam the way I thought it would.
He crossed his arms “Impossible.”
I had enough years interviewing suspects to recognize that flicker in his eyes. He was hiding something about these military werewolves. Interesting.
“Sebastian told us the unit was top secret. Even some people with top security clearance didn’t know it exists.” Aren shrugged. “I don’t know why he’d lie about that.”
“He’d lie because he’s a weasel.” Adam shot his glare my way.
I raised a brow, doing my best not to get in the punchy Alpha’s face. “I’m not a big fan of Sebastian either, believe me. But he’s very well connected inside Nero. If he says there’s a werewolf squad in Special Forces, then there probably is.”