A breeze filtered through her hair.
She stiffened, turning toward the open sliding glass door.
Pushing the teacup onto the counter, she grabbed her gun from her waistband. Her heartbeat echoed in her ears. With stealth, she maneuvered around the counter and stepped lightly toward the exit.
Her socks caught on the wooden deck as she slipped outside—and stopped cold.
Gena sat in a wicker chair, a massive wolf at her feet.
Oh, God. Mia steadied her aim with the gun. “Mom, hang tight. Don’t move,” she whispered.
Gena started. “Mia Eloise Stone, you put that gun away right now.” Fire flashed in Gena’s eyes.
The wolf lifted one eyelid to reveal a shockingly blue eyeball. With a snort, he went back to sleep.
Mia stumbled. “That’s a wolf.”
“I know. He’s my friend.” Gena leaned down to scratch the beast between the ears. The wolf rumbled in contentment.
“You’re outside.” Mia shifted her gaze to her mother.
“Sure.” Gena shrugged, her gaze on the stunning wolf. “I can’t hide forever.”
Okay. Life was throwing Mia curveballs, and her bat had a hole in it. “I need a drink.”
Gena snorted. “I’ve found that alcohol doesn’t help in the long run…but it’s still worth a try. Get me one, too.”
“You can’t have one on your medication,” Mia said.
“Oh, yeah, I forgot. Hmmm. Well, when I'm finally off the brain drugs, then I’m drinking again.” Gena closed her eyes while stroking the thick pelt. “You need to know, I will be off the drugs soon. I’m better, Mia.”
Mia had heard those words before. “That’s great, Mom. Though I have to ask, what’s up with the deadly beast at your feet?”
“We met the other day, and he needed a companion.”
Most likely, Gena needed a companion. “Are you sure he’s safe?”
Gena sighed. “Of course, he isn’t safe. Nobody and nothing issafe, Mia. You have to know that.”
Unfortunately, she did. “Okay.”
“How was the ball?” her mom asked.
“It was work.” At Gena’s disappointed frown, Mia sighed. “Though I did dance with probably the sexiest man I’ve ever met. For two songs.”
Gena’s face lit up. “Will you see him again?”
“Absolutely.” Hopefully, not in a situation where she had to arrest him. “We, uh, found another victim in the woods tonight. Please be careful and don’t head out on your own.”
“I won’t.”
The mere thought of her mother being well enough to leave the house and investigate their new surroundings simultaneously filled Mia with relief and dread.
Creepy and somehow nearly human, the wolf flipped open his eyelids to watch her—to study her. Curiosity seemed to illuminate the blue from within.
Mia took a step closer, and the wolf bared his teeth.
She faltered.
