Jaxson (River Pack Wolves 1)(24)

The man accompanying Terra had been hanging back, but now he edged forward and laid a gentle hand on Terra’s shoulder. He arched an eyebrow at Olivia. “Sounds like Riverwise has made a recent and very smart hiring move.”

He lifted his hand from Terra’s shoulder and extended it to Olivia. “My name’s Trent Wilding. I’m the crazy girl’s younger brother.” His hand was warm, and his smile kind.

“Olivia Lilyfield.” He didn’t seem bothered by the red stains across his chest, but she had to ask anyway… “Are you all right? I mean, I’ve heard shifters heal fast, but I could get the first-aid kit, if you would like.”

Trent broke out into a wide grin. “You are new, aren’t you?”

Olivia blushed and ducked her head, feeling like a fool.

“It would be nice if everyone was as considerate as Ms. Lilyfield here,” Trent said. Those words were directed at Terra, but they made Olivia feel better enough to peek up at him. He smiled with enough flirtation to make her blush again.

“Can I get you two something to drink?” Olivia asked, trying to move on. “I can fire up the coffee pot. You’re welcome to stay as long as you’d like. I mean, until we hear news.”

Terra didn’t answer, just drifted over to one of the couches in the center of the room. Trent watched her go with a pinched look. As Terra perched on the edge of the couch, tears slid down her cheeks, flowing freely one after another. She was staring into space and twisting her hands.

Trent’s warm hand landed on Olivia’s shoulder and interrupted her staring. “How about I help you with that coffee?” His long-lashed, black eyes were sparkling, but he didn’t seem in tears over his younger sister the way Terra was.

Olivia nodded and ushered him back to the lunch room. It was small—even the whole pack couldn’t fit in there at once—and it was just a converted office, but it had a coffee maker on the counter by the sink. Olivia filled the pot with water. The gushing sound of the tap muted any conversation for a moment, but Olivia was painfully aware of how Trent was checking her out. Not like he thought she was hot—more like she was a zoo specimen that fascinated him.

Once she poured the water into the coffeemaker, the silence became more obvious. “Is your sister going to be all right? Terra, I mean.” She only flicked a look at Trent, who was leaned against the counter, watching her measure out coffee.

“Terra is overly dramatic in the calmest of situations.” He sighed. “But she’s very close to Cassie. Our mother died when Cassie was still a baby, so she’s really more a daughter than a sister. Although Terra’s really no one’s idea of a mother.” There was a teasing laugh in his voice, but also an incredible amount of love for both his sisters. Olivia could hear it.

She finished setting up the pot and flipped the switch to run. “I know how hard it is to lose a parent when you’re young.” She pursed her lips and peered at Trent.

He was still studying her, but a frown had gathered on his forehead. “Do you? I’m sorry.”

She shook her head. “It was a long time ago.”

His face opened in curiosity. “But you still carry the scars.”

That made her heart stutter. Was it that obvious? “I just…” But there was no way she could explain that she didn’t just lose them, like you lose your keys. And they weren’t stolen from her, the way Cassie had been taken. She was responsible for their deaths. And that was a wound that would never heal. Shouldn’t heal. “I’m just saying, I’m glad you and your sisters had each other. And I’m sure Jaxson will bring Cassie back to you. He’s a good man.”

Trent shifted a little closer, still eyeing her curiously. “Yet he’s not a man. He’s a wolf. A wolf who’s hired a human as a secretary.”

Her back stiffened. “I don’t need to be a wolf to run the accounting.”

A small smile crept out on his face. “I didn’t mean any offense. He obviously trusts you. And I can see why.”

Olivia frowned. “What do you mean?”

Trent gestured back to the open door, beyond which they could hear Terra’s soft sobs. “I’ve seen grown alpha male wolves quiver under one of Terra’s freak out assaults. This one tonight was epic, and you completely kept your cool. And you’re human.” He paused to give her a heart-stopping smile. “If Riverwise ever decides to let you go, please let me know. I could use someone who’s got a good head about her on my staff.”

She was back to blushing again, not least because Trent seemed to mean every word. And he had no reason to flatter her, none that she could see, anyway. “Staff? What kind of work do you do?”