Luke and Logan stood together. I knew Luke better than I did his twin brother. Logan sang lead in a local rock band, so he toured around Nevada playing gigs and wasn’t usually home for long stretches of time. I’d seen him perform once or twice, and it was obvious he enjoyed the spotlight and had girls whipped into a frenzy, tossing underwear and God only knew what else up on the stage.
But deep down, I had no idea what really made him tick. He was loyal to the Pack—that was all that mattered. The two brothers stood tall with their arms crossed, their ice-blue eyes focused on Adam’s face.
Jason lingered toward the back of the group, listening. I could almost see him taking mental notes of the facts. Nothing slipped past the detail-oriented doctor in him. His twin brother Jared was nearby, too. He shared the same light-brown hair and hazel eyes but was more rugged looking, with perpetual dirt on his clearly calloused hands. Jared could make masterpieces out of wood. He was an amazing carpenter, and whenever things got tense, he always had your back. I grew up with Jared and Jason. They’d follow through, whatever Adam decided.
Then my gaze locked on Gareth. His jet-black hair was tied back, and his dark brown, nearly black eyes were unreadable. Even when Gabe was still alive, Gareth hadn’t been one to smile much. Born a few minutes before his twin, he carried the weight of being the “older” brother on his shoulders like a yolk on an ox.
When Gabe had been murdered, Gareth hadn’t shown any emotion. Many of us in the Pack tried to talk to him, but what could we say? The brothers had lost their parents when they were fifteen, and now his twin was dead too. He was alone in the world. And in spite of everyone’s efforts to include him, Gareth retreated from us.
He crossed his arms over his chest and nodded toward Lana. “Are they coming for her again?” He distanced himself from the others, glaring at Adam. “How long are we going to keep protecting jaguars? Until we’re all dead?”
Adam’s brow furrowed and I watched Lana reach out to hold his hand. Gareth was obviously baiting him. Don’t take it, bro. Rise above it.
“I’m not asking you to protect any jaguars, Gareth.” Adam managed to keep emotion from his voice. He spoke with authority. “I’m telling you we have to be on alert for this werewolf. I already told you he took shots at Aren and me. He’s a danger to all of us.” Adam made eye contact with each Pack member. “This isn’t open for debate.”
Many heads started to nod, but Gareth didn’t move. I ground my teeth. I wasn’t sure we could trust him with an attitude like that. I’d never doubted any member of my Pack before. We were family. But now I had to wonder if we lost both brothers when we lost Gabe.
“Excuse me, Lana?” In the middle of the barn aisle a woman stood with a baby slung on each hip. She had black hair, and her eyes were the same rich green as the pine trees that grew all over Adam’s property. I recognized her smile in an instant. This had to be Sasha’s sister.
Lana rushed over and relieved her of Madeleine. “Is everything all right?”
Nadya nodded and handed her an envelope. “A courier just dropped this off for you.”
Lana gnawed at her lower lip as she took it and glanced over at Adam. “I wasn’t expecting anything.”
He shook his head and grabbed the mail from her. “I’ll open it.”
Adam pulled the tab across the back and slid a single piece of paper out. Frowning, he handed it to Lana. She opened it so they could both read it. Concern lined her brow as she gave the paper back to my brother. He quickly folded it and tucked it in his pocket.
Madeleine got a kiss on her pudgy cheek from her dad as he glanced at Lana. “Can you take Nadya and the babies back up to the house? I’ll be right behind you.”
Lana hustled Sasha’s sister and the diapered twins out of the barn. When they were out of earshot, Adam addressed the Pack again. “Stick together and watch each other’s backs. I’ll let you know when we hear anything more about this guy.”
Adam tipped his head toward the house, signaling me to follow. Even in human form, werewolves have amazing hearing, so instead of telling me what the letter said, Adam handed it to me as we walked up from the barn.
Dearest Lana –
Beware the Jabberwock.
Green Beret. Goes by Darrien Fonthill.
S
I crumbled the paper. “‘Beware the Jabberwock’ sounds like some kind of Sebastian code, but I’m guessing Darrien Fonthill is the name of our guy. He told Sasha he’d try to figure out who his dad hired.”
“His dad?” Adam stopped in his tracks.
I nodded. “Yep. Sebastian is heir to the Nero monster.”
“Great.” Adam crossed his arms staring up at the house. “He’s probably setting us up. Dammit, this keeps getting better and better.”
I stepped up beside my brother. “I don’t know what game Sebastian is playing, but he’s been helping Sasha from the inside for a few months. Nero would’ve had her by now if he’d spilled.”
Adam started for the house, keeping his voice down. “Are you telling me you think we can trust that back-stabbing asshole?”
“No.” I frowned, stopping just outside the house. “But he’s aware I’m helping Sasha. His lines were compromised, so he wasn’t going to communicate by email or phone. Since we left Los Angeles, he must’ve figured the best way to get the information to Sasha was through Lana. She’d get the message to me.”
“I don’t like this. The Pack isn’t sold either.” He paused and glanced back over his shoulder toward the barn. “Especially Gareth.”
“Yeah, I noticed that too. But he’ll do what he has to.” I said the words but wasn’t sure I believed them.
Adam shook his head and reached for the door. “Not this time. He’s ready to leave.”
I frowned. “How do you know that?”
Adam didn’t answer.
Chapter Twenty
Sasha
Downtown Reno was jumping, my senses tingling, on edge. I hadn’t been there since… I didn’t want to think about it. Cruising through a green light outside Harrah’s Casino, I wished I had my BMW, but Aren’s silver Infiniti was growing on me. It wasn’t the Lotus by a long shot, but it had some power under the hood. Besides, beggars couldn’t be choosers.
I pulled into the Harrah’s parking garage and tucked the car away. I’d be going on foot from here. My heightened senses were better used outside anyway. If the guy hunting me was around, I didn’t want him surprising me.
The sidewalks crawled with tourists, gamblers, and the occasional con artist. Loud music blared at me in bursts as people came and went through the automatic glass doors. I caught the scents of booze, sweat, and cigarettes, but no sign of the wolf who had pilfered my backpack in Hollywood.
I wouldn’t be so anxious if I’d had a physical description. At this point, I’d have to catch his scent before I’d recognize him, and with the cacophony of cigarette smoke, cologne, and alcohol assaulting my senses it’d be tough.
I stayed alert, kept my head up, and watched my back as best I could. The man hunting me was still a mystery, and he’d be looking for me. Using myself as bait wasn’t always wise, but it was usually effective. That was how I caught Lana at that rest stop.
I shook it off. No time to think about that.
Crossing the street, I slipped my hand inside my coat and brushed my fingertips against the Glock in my shoulder holster. The Ruger was still attached to my calf. It reminded me with every stride. Now I just needed the bastard to show me his face.