Denver started to raise his hand.

I shook my head. “Sometimes when the scammers find out they’re dealing with a pack or older immortals, they try to milk them for all they can.”

“Well, that’s settled. You’re staying here.” She nudged Austin’s arm.

“That’s fine,” Austin agreed.

I had to admit, it sounded like the best plan. “Before settling in, I need to dash home and pack up a few things. I also want to search for Misha. My poor baby slipped out, and she’s probably hiding in the bushes. A can of tuna should do the trick, and I promise I’ll keep her in my room. She won’t be a bother.”

“I’ll take her,” Reno quickly said. Then I remembered our scheduled trip to see Skye’s cousin. “I’ve got an errand to run, so I’ll keep an eye on her. I don’t think Wheeler’s in any shape to drive her around.”

“What’s that supposed to mean?” Wheeler bit out.

Reno tapped his cheekbone. “Did you see the dark circles under your eyes? Get some sleep. I’ll take over from here.”

No one questioned Reno, and why would they? He was the second-in-command.

Within minutes, the conversation had changed to spring flowers and repairing transmissions. I adored how quickly they settled matters and how no one had stormed out. They ate together as a family and resolved their problems without holding grudges.

Wheeler looked beat. Not just tired, but something else was going on. I wanted to ask him where he’d really gone off to at the club—why he had left me dancing alone. By the look on his face, it wasn’t the men’s room.

***

The Weston pack was a busy household, and since everyone had made plans that morning, the only available cars were Wheeler’s Camaro and Reno’s bike. No one was allowed to drive Austin’s Challenger, even if it wasn’t in use. April and Lexi were headed to work, and a group had gone to the movies with the kids. When we left, Wheeler and Austin were in the back office. I wondered if Wheeler would take a stand, but I didn’t know his rank in the pack. I couldn’t help but notice his defeatist attitude in the kitchen that morning. He was definitely an outcast, but it seemed unfair to single out the black sheep. Then again, I didn’t know his past with his brothers and what other things he’d done to deserve that reputation.

“Something going on with you and my baby brother?” Reno asked.

An errant breeze from the open car window ruffled my hair, and I smiled at a group of skinny bicyclists in colorful outfits as they zoomed by.

“He’s just doing what Austin hired him to do.”

“Hmm.”

“Aren’t you a little warm?” I pinched his long sleeve and pulled until it snapped back.

“It’s breathable fabric.”

“It’s eighty-seven degrees, and you’re dressed for an expedition to the South Pole.”

“I like covering up in public,” he murmured, adjusting a pair of mirrored shades on the bridge of his nose. “Didn’t there used to be a clock there?” he asked, pointing to the spot on Wheeler’s dash where only a few sticky pieces of adhesive glue remained.