“And how many times have I had to bail your ass out to get you that money? Your contribution to the pack has been at my personal expense. All my savings, Ben.”

Ben snorted. “Yeah, well, spare me the guilt trip. Aren’t we a team? You help me and I help the family. What the hell is wrong with that? You need to get that chip off your shoulder. What’s past is past.”

That last sentiment rang in Wheeler’s ears as he sat at the kitchen table, listening to the house creak and shift like older homes often do. He poked at the miniature mountain of salt and wondered how the pack would view his situation if they knew about it. Both brothers thought they were in the right, but there could only be one, which meant the other was wrong. Wheeler had always felt he was the one doing the right thing, but what if he wasn’t? What if Austin decided Wheeler was the one who had to go? This was the only place Wheeler wanted to be, and his loyalty for the pack ran deep.

Lexi strolled in wearing Austin’s flannel bathrobe.

“How come your hair isn’t wet?” Wheeler asked, not used to seeing her walking around in a robe.

She pulled a bottle of water from the fridge and took a long gulp. “I had a splinter. Long story, and you really don’t want to know. So tell me, what’s going on between you and my friend?”

Wheeler felt a flutter in his stomach and he sat up, his shoulders stiffening. “Nothing’s going on. Why?”

She put the bottle back in the fridge and shivered. “Well, you two have been at each other’s throats for years, and it just seems odd she’s asking for you all of a sudden.”

Wheeler looked at her, nonplussed, waiting for the punch line that never came.

Lexi leaned against the cabinet and watched him, expecting an answer.

“What?” Wheeler asked. “Austin hired me to watch her, and that’s what I did. Nothing’s changed. Your friend’s still a diva.”

“Hmm. Well, that diva wanted you to swing by her room before bedtime. I don’t think that’s a good idea. I think it’s better if everyone goes to sleep and we all talk in the morning. So don’t go in there; you’ll just upset her and she might try to run out of here. If I wake up in the morning and she’s gone, I might reconsider going to bat for you. Just so you know, I agree with Austin that what you did was dangerous and stupid, but Naya’s also my friend, and I’d rather she be here than anywhere else. Austin puts his foot down when he needs to, but he also listens to what I have to say. An influential woman is not someone easily ignored,” she said with a smirk. “Get some rest. It’s been a long night.”

When Lexi left the room, Wheeler stood up. As if led by an invisible string, he walked down the hall and took a left.