Melinda’s Wolves(60)

Keegan looked toward Melinda. “How did you know about that?”

“Braden told me.”

“Who’s Braden?” Trace asked.

“The foreman.”

“Right.”

“I wish you two would see me as a grownup. All this coddling isn’t winning anyone any points.”

Trace winced. “Baby, that’s not our intention.”

“Really? What is your intention?”

“Protection?” He widened his eyes. “Believe me, we know good and well you’re a grown woman. That’s perfectly clear. But where your safety is concerned—”

Melinda interrupted. “We aren’t really talking about my safety here. Yours is in question. Not mine.” She sent Keegan a glare. “I didn’t trip over anything imaginary or almost get killed from a falling two-by-four.” She pursed her lips.

Keegan twisted around to face Melinda. “Hon, please don’t take our protective stance with you as something meant to stifle. Our only intention is seeing to your safety.”

“I’m not a child. You don’t need to withhold information. In fact, it would help if you kept me informed. I’ll have a better sense of things at that site. Seems like you both have a tendency to exert your alpha-male, he-man sides any chance you get.”

Trace couldn’t resist commenting on that. “Seems like you enjoy it fine when you’re naked in the bedroom.”

The flush that crept up her face was priceless.

Keegan spoke before she had a chance to respond. “We love that, by the way.”

“Listen, you two, while it may be true you both make me melt when your hands are on me, you have to find a way to keep your alpha wolfies under check. We’ll be at each other’s throats if you baby me. Don’t keep secrets from me. Don’t order me around in public. And for God’s sake, please don’t tease me into sexual submission someplace where you can’t or won’t follow through.” Her voice rose at that last request, and then she shot a pointed glare toward Keegan.

Trace stood, shoving his chair backward so hard it almost fell over.

Keegan did the same.

Melinda stepped back. “Oh Lord.” She rolled her eyes. “The Alphas have come out to play.” She bumped into the wall in the hallway behind her. “Can you at least agree to my terms?”

Trace looked at Keegan. “You?”

“Not a chance.” Keegan slowly stalked her direction. “We’ll never allow you to do anything that might endanger you in any way. Not negotiable. We’ll think about the secret part, but anything we don’t say is purely done with the intention of not upsetting you or protecting you. And as for touching your sweet body? Well, I can’t keep my hands off you, so that isn’t likely to happen either.

“I love that look on your face when you need to come. The way your mouth falls open, your cheeks flame, your legs clench, and your nipples bead. Much like right now.” Keegan took the last few strides toward her, plastering her to the wall.

Trace angled in next to Keegan, inhaling deeply of the arousal his mate was putting off. He let his eyes flutter closed as he enjoyed the moment.

Time to stop talking.

•●•

Wayne jerked from a deep sleep at the sound of his cell phone.

“Fuck,” he muttered under his breath as he reached for the phone on his bedside table.

Penelope rolled over next to him, but remained asleep.

Wayne looked at the caller ID and quickly answered the call while slipping out of bed. He made his way out of the room and shut the door behind him before he spoke. “Do you have any idea what time it is?”

“We have a problem,” Roy stated, ignoring his partner’s ridiculous rhetorical question.

“What now?” Wayne leaned against the wall and crossed his legs. He needed another complication like a hole in his head.

“I just got finished going through several hours of video from the construction office. Phillips is getting too close for comfort. He’s been investigating Friedmont’s allegations.”

Wayne groaned. “Fuck.”

“You’ve got that right.”

“How many people know?”

“No idea, the inspector and his boss were the only ones in the room. I listened to their conversation about Friedmont’s email.”

“Shit. I had hoped they had so many warning and threatening emails, this one was just a drop in the bucket with the others.”

“Me too.”

“I’ll get someone to handle it.” Wayne ended the call before Roy could say another word. He wiped a hand down his face and stared into the dark.

Dammit. He needed the extension of this mess to shrink, not grow larger. He scrolled down his contacts and made another call.