One of Dax’s dark eyebrows rose. Shoulder to shoulder with his brother, he stood to at least six-foot-seven. “Where did you hear that?”
“She talks to Grams,” Jasper said. “They’re all in it together, I’m telling you.”
Dax poked at a bruise on his chin. “Whatever. Anyway, it’s nice to meet you in person, finally.” He winked. “It’ll be good to have another sister on the ranch.” With that, he loped down the hallway, kicking toys out of his way until he disappeared into what appeared to be a kitchen.
“He seems nice,” Leah drawled.
“Just so you know, I’m first in the door when it comes to you,” Jasper said dryly.
Perhaps Dax could be her ally. “It was nice of your brother to come as backup.”
“He’s actually on another mission,” Jasper admitted.
“Good.” She brightened. “This might work out after all. Why don’t you guys go do your mission? I’ll take care of a couple of matters, and then, tell you what, we’ll meet up for dinner sometime.”
Jasper chuckled, and the sound was anything but amused. “My mission is you.”
“Oh.” She bit her lip and, for two seconds, considered asking for his help. “I really am in the middle of something here.”
Truth be told, it had been a lot of fun evading him all these years. She’d known from his grandma, Nia, that he had been busy on missions with the family. The Maxwells were an odd lot in that they were probably the best werewolf hunters on theplanet. Werewolves were like shifters but without brains. They were animalistic and only aimed to kill. They craved blood.
“You’re finished hunting werewolves?” she asked.
He nodded. “For the time being, even though we haven’t hunted down the Kurjan scientist who created the newest virus to turn shifters into werewolves. His time will come. We have another focus right now.”
How unfortunate, and what terrible timing. “Lovely. Is that why you chased me down?”
“I’ve known where you were plenty of times, but I have to admit, you’ve become pretty good at evading me.”
She’d felt him drawing near and hadn’t wanted to lose her freedom. Plus, she had several jobs she’d needed to complete, and her damn heart to protect. “Why now?”
“The war ended between the Kurjans and the Realm,” he said simply. “They’re allies now, which means our treaty with the Kurjans is over.”
“What treaty?”
He studied her face as if looking for a falsehood. “My grandmother never said anything to you about that? I know you talk.”
Leah shook her head. “No, Nia hasn’t said a word.”
“I’ll explain when we get to Montana.”
She set her stance. “I’m not going to Montana.”
“I don’t believe I asked,” he said calmly.
Heat filled her head, and her ears started to burn. Her temper was rare but glorious when it arrived. “I am sorry about that.” She pulled a weapon from the back of her jeans.
“Nice gun,” he murmured. “Much better than the one you had in 1944.”
“Yeah, this one shoots green lasers and takes down immortals—temporarily, anyway.”
He appeared way too unconcerned about the weapon pointed at him. “Put the gun away, Leah. I’m only giving you one warning.”
Oh, that was it.
Just then, the outside door opened, and the youngest Maxwell brother walked in. Klyde had black hair and coppery brown eyes that were usually mellow. He was as tall and broad as his brother, and amusement tugged at his lips. “Hey, Leah, how’s it going?”
She winced, but his smile calmed her a bit. The last time she’d escaped the Maxwell brothers, Ivy had shot him. It had been a good move to help Leah. “You’re not still pissed about being shot, are you?”
