Wheeler snapped to attention, his eyes burning with ferocity. “Say again?”
“The only way a man feels safe around a panther is when he’s carrying a weapon and willing to use it.”
Austin rapped his knuckles on the table, looking between us.
I didn’t see admission in Wheeler’s eyes, only resentment, but he kept silent.
After another moment, the Packmaster scratched his jaw and sat back. “I didn’t give that consideration,” he said. “Wheeler, I know you would have protected your pack by any means necessary, so we’re going to put this issue to rest. But this doesn’t clear your record. If you screw up again, then I’ll have no choice but to put you out for good. I can’t afford to have a weak link in the chain. I need men who will put this pack above everything, whose motives I don’t have to sit here and question. You get off this once, but don’t do it again.” He shook his head, ready to end the conversation.
“I’ll just need a ride home,” I said.
“No, I’d like you to stay here,” Lexi quickly said, her eyes flicking toward Austin. It didn’t look like the offer took him by surprise.
I shook my head. “I don’t think that’s such a good idea.”
“It’s a great idea,” she countered. “You need a place to stay until this thing blows over, and I need someone to help me organize. They’re delivering my menus, and I also talked to your friend about the website. He tossed some ideas at me, but I wanted your input on the layout. You seem to know everyone, Naya. I’ve never met anyone with so many connections. We also have the costume party coming up, and the guy we were dealing with tripled the prices on our outfits. Can you believe it? He wants to charge two per person.”
“Two hundred?”
“Two thousand,” Austin said in an irritated voice.
“Oh, chickypoo. That’s too much! He’s taking advantage of you. I know someone who helps some of the girls with their outfits, and we usually end up buying them. He has a warehouse, and you can pick out what you want online and he’ll deliver them. He also sells props if you need anything for the house. I can get you a quote this afternoon.”
She breathed a sigh of relief. “Thank God. I was starting to panic. Some of the packs must have hit the human shops because they’re all sold out unless someone here wants to be a Mutant Ninja Turtle.”
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.