But she wouldn’t because a good pack member didn’t sleep with the enemy. A beta didn’t get too close to a guy who could be a danger to her pack. Her family.
Stefan appeared determined to ignore the fact they’d do anything to keep their secrets. Killing? Happened more often than people knew. Nimway was the one who coordinated the mishaps.
Death was a part of life. Cold, yet necessary. The things she did to protect her family couldn’t have emotion attached to them. Which was why she couldn’t afford to like Stefan. He might have to die.
His whole family might.
Already she was calculating the ways she could act. Imagining ice flowing in her veins. Or so she told herself as she gravitated toward Stefan the moment he arrived at her brother’s house. Her home, too, since the tragedy that befell her brother. Gwayne had not yet recovered from losing his wife and child in one swoop. Despite his choosing to sleep in the cold, dark room in the basement, she heard him yelling when the nightmares hit.
Would Stefan wake in a cold sweat if he lost someone in his family? For some reason the thought of upsetting him bothered. Maybe there was a better solution?
Speaking of whom, he glared at her. He didn’t like the fact she knew something he didn’t.
“What do you mean someone is digging into my family’s business?”
“Do you have a problem understanding words?” she mocked. “Someone has taken an interest in the Hubbards. And by the way, your farm is being watched.”
His mouth worked, and before he could reply, his brother stepped in. “How would you know if anyone was watching us? Or looking into us for that matter?”
Gwayne snorted. “Are you that oblivious? The moment we heard the report of a big cat attacking someone in the city, we went looking and found you easily. The victim’s ex-wife is dating your brother, Dominick.”
“How far have you dug into our family?” Stefan asked.
“Not far enough yet. And more worrisome, none of you noticed.” Gwayne was the one to rumble in rebuke. “Haven’t you instituted any kind of protection for your family?”
Raymond was the one to shift and grimace. “Until recently, I had no idea we had anything to hide.”
“Jeezus.” She raked fingers through her hair. “I can’t believe you haven’t noticed the drive-bys in front of your place, not to mention the people we’ve had stationed watching.”
“What are you talking about?” Raymond frowned. “I have a camera at the entrance to the driveway. I never saw anything.”
His indignation made her laugh. “Oh sweetie, they are not amateurs. They’ll have used disruptors. Watch the video feed again and you’ll notice a stutter in the footage.”
“I saw it and assumed it was a malfunction. I had a new camera ordered, but it’s taking a few days to arrive.” Raymond’s chin hung even lower.
“Wouldn’t make a difference.”
“Fuck me.” Stefan tugged his beard.
She wanted to tug his beard. She stuck to the problem at hand. “You’re under surveillance, and not just by us. We’ve had our people keeping an eye on your family. Your online records have been accessed within the last forty-eight hours. You might want to watch for drones and don’t let anyone inside in case they’re trying to plant bugs.”
Stefan’s entire family gaped at her, including the old lady. It baffled her that the pack had had only just now stumbled across them. They were completely clueless about protecting themselves. A different person might have felt sympathy; however, she wasn’t in a position where she could afford to be soft.
“Your property is large, and that massive open space around the house is most likely making it harder for them to sneak a peek without you noticing. But you’ll need to add some precautions to curtail any incursions. We have a plan for the watchers to draw their attention elsewhere, but your family needs to do something about your online presence. Your brother Tyson is especially fond of videos.”
“I’ve scrubbed the worst ones the moment they’re flagged,” Raymond mumbled.
“But not before they were seen in some cases,” Nimway pointed out.
“Sloppy,” Gwayne growled. “The number one rule is don’t draw attention. It endangers us all.”
Stefan smirked. “All the more reason for each of us to go our separate ways.”
“Don’t be so hasty.” Her brother smiled, a predator about to pounce its prey.
Only Stefan wasn’t a coward. He stood tall in front of Gwayne.
Which was when the little old lady finally shoved her way between them. “Shut down the testosterone, boys. There are ladies present.”
Nimway glanced around. Since when?
Stefan laughed. “You’ve obviously not met Nimway.”
For some reason his supposed insult brought a smile. “I’m flattered to know you’ve been thinking about me since we met, baby.” Nimway winked.
Rather than flare his anger, he flirted back. “I’ve been waiting for his moment, darling.” Crooned soft and sexy. It brought heat to her cheeks, especially since her brother eyed her with curiosity.
“Well, hello there, Nimway. I’m Nannette Hubbard. These nitwits’ mom.” The eldest Hubbard held out her hand. Her grip proved firm and strong.
Nimway cocked her head. “Nimway Pendraggun. Pack beta.”
“Second in command?” Elder Hubbard’s expression brightened.
“Nepotism is alive and well,” Stefan drawled, eying Gwayne.
“Actually,” Nimway snapped, “positions in the pack are decided by competence and not what dangles between the legs.”
“Is that what you tell yourself to feel better?”
He deserved the slug to his gut that folded him over. And she was gratified that his mother grabbed him by the ear and hissed, “That was unacceptable. Apologize this instant.”
Her brother leaned close and whispered, “I like the old lady.”
So did she. Maybe she could find a way to spare her life.
Stefan obviously loved his mom, too, because, sullen faced, he mumbled, “Sorry. That was a shitty thing to say.”
His mother jabbed him. “Now say it like you mean it.”
His lips twisted. and his tone was wry. “It was an asshole thing to say, but at the same time, I’d do it again. Because you’re annoying.”
“It’s called assertive. You should try coming out of your cave and seeing the modern world sometime,” she sassed.
“Don’t knock my warm and cozy cave until you try it.” A purred suggestion, probably meant to throw her off balance.
As if she were an amateur. “I’ll bring the champagne.”
“Um, guys, Mom is right there,” Raymond whispered loudly.
“Let the children flirt.”
Elder Hubbard smiled, the pleased grin of a matchmaker. Nimway had seen it before.
So had Stefan, apparently. “We aren’t flirting.”
“Never.” Nimway would keep her distance.
A shout drew their attention. “Fucker, I saw you touch her ass.”
“I was aiming for yours,” taunted the replying person.
Crash.
Gwayne frowned. “I better go crack some heads together. Nim, take care of our guests.”