Kurt’s gaze wandered over Mia in a way that truly would get his entrails wrapped around his throat. “It appears the hotel in town is going out of business. I saw a sign in the front window. I don’t suppose you have a spare room?”
Not in a million fucking years. Seth smiled. “I own the hotel. We’ll make sure it’s open for your stay.” He didn’t want these folks staying in town at all, but at least he could keep an eye on them if they were headquartered at the hotel. Something told him that nothing would dissuade Kurt Colbey from either case. It would cause Seth problems if he killed the guy, but he’d do what he had to do.
“That’s very kind of you, Seth,” Kurt drawled, his gaze still not leaving Mia. “How about you and I go talk about the case and get caught up?”
“No, thanks,” Mia answered. “It’s been a long day, and we were out in the cold for quite a while. I need to go home and check on my mom and aunt anyway.”
Kurt straightened. “How are Gena and Dotty?”
“They’re great,” Mia said. “Seriously, Mom’s doing a lot better out here. And Aunt Dotty seems to have found a good place for herself.”
“Did she find a church?” Kurt asked with way too much familiarity.
Mia nodded. “Thankfully, yes. She’s also in a quilting group, and they’ve both taken up mah-jongg. It’s a good thing we’re here.”
Kurt’s focus cut up to Seth and then roamed back down to Mia’s upturned face. “Maybe tomorrow then.”
“Maybe.” Mia smiled.
Nope. Not going to happen. Seth hadn’t realized he had a possessive bone in his body. Apparently, he just hadn’t met the right woman. This one was his, and being around the FBI would be dangerous for her. It was time for him to put a couple of his men in uniform as deputies. Maybe Erik wouldn’t mind if it meant watching Mia’s back. “I’ll call the hotel for you.”
Kurt watched him, his gaze dark. “Thanks. We’ll just get settled in here and then head to the hotel.”
“You do that,” Seth muttered, his arm still around Mia as he turned her toward the door. Her shoulders were trembling, and irritation clocked through him. As the new Alpha, it was his job to take care of any threats. Unfortunately, losing an FBI agent in this town would only bring more scrutiny down upon them. He really might have to learn this whole diplomacy thing that Mia was always talking about.
Damn it.
Chapter5
The deadly rain had finally lessened, and the wind had lightened to a fluffy puff through dead leaves as Mia walked inside her cabin with Seth on her heels. Catching sight of something bright pink outside, she hustled through the darkened interior and out to the back deck. Her mother sat beneath the eaves, facing the still and quiet lake, with a massive brown wolf on her feet. At least the rain had stopped.
Mia glared at Erik. What the heck was he doing in wolf form on her deck again? Hadn’t he moved on to another pack?
Gena looked up and smiled. “Mia. Oh, hello, Seth.” She straightened and ruffled her short, blond hair. “Can I get you something to drink?”
“No. Thank you, Gena,” Seth said, cutting a harsh look at the wolf. “You seem to have a big rug on your feet there.”
The wolf’s eyes opened, and one ear twitched. Erik’s familiar blue eyes stared at them both, and it looked like he was laughing at them.
Gena chuckled. “Yes. Well, he came to visit. We’ve been friends for a while now, you know.”
Yeah, Mia knew. What Gena didn’t know was that Erik was a full-grown wolf shifter and Seth’s brother. “Yes,” she murmured. “I thought he had moved on for the winter.”
Gena frowned. “Do wolves do that? I didn’t know. I thought only bears hibernated.”
“Some wolves who outstay their welcome end up getting shot,” Seth said grimly.
The wolf snorted and then shut his eyes again.
“I think he’s a sweetie.” Gena leaned down and ruffled her hands through the thick fur at the back of his neck. Erik chuffed and leaned into her touch.
“Oh, for crap’s sake,” Seth muttered.
Mia cleared her throat before Seth could toss his brother off the deck. “Where’s Aunt Dotty?”
“She went to bed early,” Gena said. “Said she had a headache. I think she’s catching that cold going around. The one you caught?”
At the mention of her cold, Seth straightened behind her. He really was quite irritated by that, wasn’t he?
