She dropped the sheet and stood. “No. What’s going on?” Her dress was in the other room. Looking around, she grabbed his T-shirt to yank over her head, the soft material falling to her knees.
Seth whirled on her so quickly she stepped back. He lowered his head. “Do as you’re told. Stay the fuck here.” Giving her a hard look, he left.
The expletive threw her, as he no doubt meant it to. She faltered in place and waited until the front door opened and closed. Temper spiraled through her nerves as she returned to reality. The man had no right to treat her like a helpless civilian—or some homemaker from the fifties. Wooden floorboards chilled her bare feet as she padded through the hallway to the empty living room.
Caution kicked in right as she reached the door. She was a deputy right now, and Seth had been a murder suspect until recently. While he’d been cleared, it probably still wouldn’t do to start town gossip. So she slid a plaid curtain to the side and peered outside.
Seth stood on the covered front porch while visitors stood in the rain. Two men holding shotguns flanked an unarmed man who instantly drew her attention. The guy was movie-star handsome with black eyes and sandy-blond hair, and the irritation covering his face only enhanced his good looks.
Seth tucked his thumbs into his jeans pockets. “What the hell do you want, TJ?”
One of the other men stepped forward. “That’s Brother Jeremiah to you, asshole.”
Jeremiah smiled and waved the guy back. “That’s all right, Brother Miles. We know not everyone believes as we do, and that’s okay.” He angled his head to study Seth. “Though I have to say, Mr. Volk isn’t usually so surly. Is there a problem I can help you with, Seth?”
Seth chuckled, the sound much more pissed than humorous. “Sure. Go pray for me. But do so off my property. Get lost.”
“Odd. Your manners are usually much better than this.” Jeremiah glanced at the window and back. “Your trucks have been going up and down our mountain all morning, and it has to stop.”
The hard lines of Seth’s back somehow straightened. “As far as I know, you don’t own any mountains around here. However, I will check it out since you say they’re my trucks.”
“You know every move your people make. Something is happening tonight.” Jeremiah’s face settled into puzzled lines. “Though why you all head up to Howler’s Ridge so often is beyond me. The fact that you have three locked gates on the road makes us nervous, Seth. Those trucks have no right passing through our protected wilderness to get to your locked gates.”
What gates? Mia’s breath heated. She pulled the curtain farther to the side for a better view.
Seth stiffened but didn’t turn around. “Actually, we have a road easement through your land to get to ours, and you know it. The gates exist on land owned by the Volk Mining Company, so they’re none of your business. As is anything we might be doing on that land.”
Jeremiah’s eyes sparked. “The land must be protected by all of us. We’re stewards, not owners.”
“Then go be a steward. I’m done with this conversation.” Seth turned to go.
Miles cocked his gun and pointed the barrel at Seth.
Mia reacted instantly. Grabbing the shotgun by the doorframe, she shoved the door open. “Put the weapon down.”
Three sets of surprised eyes focused on her, followed by one very pissed set. Seth looked bored, but his eyes told another story. A slow shiver wandered down Mia’s spine.
Jeremiah covered the shotgun barrel and pushed down. “We don’t point weapons at women.” He scrutinized her bare feet and the much-too-large shirt. “I do apologize for interrupting your morning, Seth. Now I understand your change in welcoming attitude.”
Miles sneered. “So Volk got himself a whore. About time.”
Jeremiah reacted instantly and shot an elbow into the guy’s face. Miles hit the wet leaves with a dull thud. Rage shot red into Jeremiah’s cheeks. “Apologize to the lady. Now.”
Miles wiped pine needles off as he stood, his face pale, his gaze remaining down. “I’m sorry.”
Jeremiah exhaled and kept his focus on Mia. “We all get lost, Brother Miles. What happens when we get lost?”
“The brotherhood finds us,” Miles whispered.
Seth shifted to partially block Mia. “Get the brotherhood the fuck off my property before I rip all three of you apart.”
“Of course.” Jeremiah reached down and retrieved the fallen shotgun. “Ms. Stone. I heard you were in town. It’s very nice to make your acquaintance, and I truly apologize for the inconvenience.” He shifted his focus to Seth. “Please take care of the trucks and Howler’s Ridge.” Jerking his head, he motioned for his cohorts to leave.
Seth seemed to vibrate in place. Mia’s breath quickened.
Jeremiah had taken several steps before turning back around. “Ms. Stone, if you’d ever like to talk, I’m at your disposal.” His lips turned down in apology as he gestured toward Seth. “This isn’t a good path for a decent woman, especially a female warrior such as yourself.”
Seth stepped forward, menace in every line of his body.
