She cleared her throat, her gun on Benjamin, her gaze on Erik. “This is the last, and I meanthe last, time you use my family to threaten me. If any of you comes near my family again, I’ll take you out…with…silver…bullets.”
Erik lifted one eyebrow. “I was protecting Gena, not threatening her.”
Mia gave a short nod. “Keep it that way.”
His eyes twinkled. “She’s my friend. I always protect my friends, and I have every intention of continuing to do so.” He shoved his hands into his jeans pockets. “Plus, now we’re family.” His chuckle rode the breeze. “Also, I believe you’d better tell your mate about the threat to you from the man in DC.”
“Shut up.” Benjamin exhaled slowly. “Does your woman understand our laws?”
“Yes,” Seth said.
His woman? Laws? What laws? Mia cut a hard look at Seth but remaining quiet seemed wise. Taking on so many men would be a considerable risk, and she couldn’t put Gena and Dotty in such danger.
Benjamin eyed Mia, his jaw firming. “She is human. You can reverse this.”
Mia jolted. “You can?”
“No,” Seth said. “There’s no reversal. Period.” His jaw might as well have been made from stone.
Instinctively, she looked at Erik. He seemed to be the one most willing to actually discuss the situation.
He shuffled his feet. “Sometimes, it takes a few good bites to fully convert a human to a wolf mate. I figure it’s just because of the different genetics. Each time can be…difficult.”
“I’m sure we got it in one,” Seth drawled. He hooked his thumbs in his worn jean pockets. “I’m getting bored. Either attack or get the fuck off this property.”
Benjamin reared back. “We’ll discuss this and the burning of your cabin once we’re back at the ranch. Be at the homestead in fifteen minutes.” He pivoted toward the road.
One of the men grabbed his arm. “Wait a minute. We can’t just let her live.”
Faster than sound, Ben whirled around and grabbed the guy around the neck, slamming him to the ground. The sound of his head bouncing off the deck ricocheted through the morning as the wood splintered. “Question me again, and you die.” His lips twisted in a snarl.
Mia tightened her hold on her weapon. Adrenaline flooded through her, making her lightheaded. That was new. Why was she dizzy?
The downed man gasped and then nodded. When Ben released him, he shoved to his feet, blood pouring from his temple. Without another sound, Benjamin took his leave, followed by the other men.
Except Erik.
He slowly crept toward Mia. Genuine amusement lit his eyes, though a wild glint glowed deep within that she hadn’t noticed before. He smiled, suddenly appearing much younger. “Welcome to the family. I always wanted a sister.”
Seth sighed.
Erik lost all levity as he looked at his brother. “I’ll help you protect her. On my honor.” Then he grinned again. “A human FBI agent sister. I never would’ve dreamed this one up. And, Seth, she’s probably in danger from a human in DC, just FYI.” His laughter trailed on the wind as he turned and jogged into the forest.
Mia lowered her weapon. “If I find out Barnby or anyone else who burned your cabin is dead, I’m going to arrest your father for murder.”
Seth shrugged, turning to face her. No expression hinted at whatever was going on in his head. “What danger was my brother talking about?”
“The partner of the guy I shot,” she said. “There’s been another killing in Kentucky, and that’s all I know. One thing at a time, Seth. I will arrest all of you if necessary.”
“I’m fairly certain you’d need some sort of proof to arrest somebody, Deputy Stone.”
Now didn’t seem to be the time to inform him she had every intention of arresting Barnby the second she finished checking on her mother. Hearing the man yell out to Seth before the flames had engulfed the cabin gave her excellent probable cause to bring him in. She took a deep breath. “What laws does your father want me to understand?”
“Just one. Don’t tell anybody about us.”
Yeah, like anybody would believe her anyway. “Not a problem.”
Seth shuffled his feet, tracing a finger down her face. “Are you all right?”
