LITMIR.BIZ

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their ranks that way.

      “Others married members or were inducted because of determinable loyalty to the Co-op and our mission.”

      Things were looking up again. “And your mission is?”

      “To safeguard and provide for our families and community, and to protect our way of life.”

      “An admirable mission close to my heart.”

      “Then perhaps you are a kindred spirit.” Gavin smiled. “I hear your family came with you to Maico.”

      A reactionary sliver of alarm pulsed beneath Bodie’s skin. He didn’t detect any hint of malice or threat coming from Gavin but Bodie was overly cautious where his family was concerned. “Yes, my daughter and my mother.”

      “Your wife?”

      “She died following childbirth.”

      “Now I understand why you paled when Tristan mentioned Nel’s pregnancy.” Something in Gavin’s demeanor softened. “My condolences.”

      “It’s been almost sixteen years, but thank you.” Bodie hadn’t realized he’d reacted at all. He needed to school his expressions more carefully. “I would do anything to protect my daughter and I’m sure you would do the same for your family.” Or pack.

      Gavin nodded. “I’ll speak with Tristan about coordinating efforts regarding last night’s poaching incident.”

      “So there was an incident. I was informed the shots were an innocent kids’ game.” Not that Bodie had believed it.

      “Cooter told me what he said to you. He doesn’t like outsiders nosing into Co-op business.” Gavin gave a look that silenced Bodie’s interjection. “However, I believe it can be mutually beneficial if we work together to curtail this threat.”

      “I appreciate your cooperation.” A weight didn’t necessarily lift from Bodie’s shoulders but he did feel a small sense of relief. “Were any of your wolves harmed?”

      “Thankfully, no. But the hunters did kill a young deer inside the sanctuary,” Gavin said.

      A chill passed through Bodie; he knew the Co-op’s sentinels wouldn’t stop until the perpetrators were found and he hoped to avoid another situation that might be blamed on the nonexistent wild boar.

      “Reed Sumner, one of our security officers, said three men escaped through a cut portion of the sanctuary’s fencing. The breech is being repaired and we’ve doubled our patrols.”

      “Did Sumner get a good look at the men? Or their vehicle?”

      Gavin shook his head slowly and Bodie got the feeling that if the men’s identities had been known, they would not be having this conversation. “We do suspect that the vehicle was a truck, based on the tire tracks.”

      “At least I know to look for a trio in a truck.” Bodie stood. “Thank you for your time.”

      “Tristan has your number?”

      “Yes, sir.”

      “Excellent.” Gavin stood. “I’ll walk you out.”

      “Just out of curiosity,” Bodie began as they headed down the corridor.

      Gavin chuckled. “I thought you might have a question or two.”

      “How did the select few you mentioned earn membership in the Co-op?”

      “Quite frankly, they put themselves in jeopardy to defend and protect one of our own.”

      “So basically, they honored your mission by nearly dying for it.”

      “Exactly.” Gavin patted Bodie’s shoulder.

      “Thanks for the tip.” But it was one too risky to consider. If Bodie decided to pursue membership in the Co-op, a safer and more pleasant way would be to court Ronni and take her as his mate.

      He’d married out of duty before and would do so again if necessary. Maybe this time, it would be different. Bodie already knew he was sexually attracted to Ronni. The warmth of her kind touch still lingered in his mind. Too easily, he could recall every luscious curve and line of her naked human form. Fully dressed in jeans and a flowy blouse, she was still beautiful.

      For a moment at the diner, when she had leaned close to him, he’d had to force his gaze away from her before he reached to touch the reddish-blonde tendrils that had worked loose from her relaxed braid. And those cobalt blue eyes... He’d seen more than a flicker of interest in their depths.

      Even if they didn’t fall in love, she could be a good match. And as long as his family was safe, having Ronni warm his bed wouldn’t be too much of an inconvenience. He almost smiled.

       Chapter 4

      “It’s past quittin’ time.” Ronni tried to turn her grin into a frown as Rafe and Alex ducked their heads from beneath the car hood and stared wide-eyed at her with identical “oops” expressions.

      “Rafe was showing me the guts of Brice’s Maserati.” Excitement flushed Alex’s handsome face. Every day, he looked more and more like his father.

      Except his eyes. Those cobalt blues were a gift from Ronni’s maternal line. A gift that Rafe had also inherited.

      Over the last year, Rafe had become like a brother to Ronni. And, at the very least, a favorite uncle to Alex. Rafe’s quiet strength and patience had helped steer Alex through the maelstrom of emotion the last year and a half had wrought. Alex was in a good place now.

      So was she, until this morning.

      When coming to Walker’s Run, they had nothing to lose and everything to gain. After receiving today’s letter from the Woelfesenat, the exact opposite was true.

      “I meant to call,” Rafe said, cleaning his hands with the shop towel he drew from the back pocket of his gray coveralls. “I’m dropping off Brice’s car and I told Alex he could come along, if it’s okay with you.”

      Blood pressure inching up, Ronni eyed the expensive sports car. “By come along, you mean as a passenger, right? Not the driver?”

      “Mom!” Alex’s brow scrunched in tandem with a ferocious frown. “I do know how to drive.”

      “My four cylinder.” Ronni swallowed the screech in her voice. The upcoming drama with Jeb paled in comparison to the thought of her son speeding along a narrow, crooked road, missing a sharp curve and sailing off the side of the mountain. “Not something with a rocket engine.”

      “It doesn’t have quite that much horsepower.” Rafe snorted. “And I’m not crazy. I didn’t agree to let him drive.”

      “Brice said I could and he’s the Alpha-in-waiting.”

      “Brice isn’t your mother. I am.” She raised one eyebrow, her signal to Alex that the discussion was over.

      Alex humphed resoundingly, indicating his compliance under protest.

      “I’ll see you after school tomorrow,” Alex said to Rafe, then glanced longingly at the flashy car.

      “We’re not leaving yet. It’s time for a family meeting with Rafe.”

      “Let’s go inside.” Rafe punched the buttons on the wall. Motor humming, the bay doors descended slowly to close up the service area. He held open the interior door leading into the empty customer service lounge. Ronni and Alex followed him through the short hallway to the employee break room.

      The layout of Wyatt’s Automotive Service was similar to Rafe’s first repair shop, which had burnt down in an industrial fire caused by the same deranged wolfan who had torched the home Rafe had given Ronni and Alex upon their arrival in Walker’s Run. Only Rafe’s new building didn’t have an

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