“The rifle’s just in case I need protection for me and my sister.”
“Charlie, why can’t we call Shannon and ask her to sit down and discuss this with you? With us, if that would make you feel more comfortable.”
“I told you. Either she’s one of them now or she’s been brainwashed. I can’t take the chance. She’s been compromised.”
“Who do you think you are, babe? G.I. Joe?”
“Funny, Reese.” He was right. She’d learned to shoot, but she didn’t have the skills necessary to take down two, maybe even three, werewolves.
“Then what’s next? Are you planning on jacking your sister right out of her own yard?”
Blane had a point. She hadn’t thought that far ahead yet. She’d focused on getting Blane and Reese to see that she was right. After that, if she had any sway over them, she could get them to help save her sister.
“Today’s all about proving to you two that I’m not nuts. I know what I saw that day in the vampire’s home.”
“What? You’re going to sit here all day?”
Reese had that expression on his face. The one that said he thought she was full of it. “If I have to.”
“Have you seen anyone inside?” Blane craned his neck to peek over the top of the barrel.
“Yeah. They walked by the window a little earlier. I haven’t seen Shannon, though.” She took a quick glimpse and saw one of the men pass in front of the window again. “There’s one of them now.”
“This is stupid.”
Charlie’s jaw dropped as Reese stood up, walked over to the gate, and jumped over it in one smooth move. “Reese! Damn it. Get back here.”
He turned back and shook his head. “Nope. I’m going to get this over with.”
She clutched Blane’s shirt. “What’s he going to do? Get him back now.”
Blane peeled her fingers off his shirt. “Have you met my brother? No one tells him what to do.”
She gripped the rifle and leaned around the barrel. Reese strode up the steps to the front door and knocked on it. Ducking, she held her breath and listened as hard as she could, but she couldn’t make out what Reese was saying to whoever had opened the door.
Blane kept low while sneaking a look every once in a while. He tilted his head as though hearing them. “Take it easy, Charlie. Reese usually knows what he’s doing.”
“Usually?” She slumped against the barrel. “Do you see Shannon?”
“No. But both Anderson and Daniel are talking to Reese.” He held up a finger. “Reese is telling them that you’re in town and that you want to meet with Shannon. But you’re too afraid of what you think they are and what you think they may have done to Shannon.”
“Oh, shit. Is he telling them that I know they’re werewolves?”
“Yep. So now that they know, how about meeting them face to face?”
She was about to refuse when an idea hit her. “Okay. Yeah.”
“Really?”
She pushed to her feet, the rifle in her hand. “Like Reese said, let’s get this over with.”
* * * *
Blane jumped up and hurried after Charlie as she strode toward the three men. Seeing her coming their way, the men came off the porch and started walking toward them. Reese, however, lurched ahead of the Holms men, putting his body in between them.
“What’re you doing, Charlie?” Reese gave Blane a hard look then centered his scowl on Charlie.
“I’m doing what Blane suggested I do. I’m meeting my sister’s lovers.”
“I also suggested not meeting them with a rifle in your hands.” Blane tried to take her arm, but she yanked it away. Alarm sizzled into him as his inner wolf paced, wanting to break free and take over the hostile situation. But now was no time to bring out his inner beast.
“Relax, guys. It’s fine.” Charlie stopped and brought everyone else to a standstill.
As far as Blane was concerned, they were all too close for comfort. Reese stood between them but off to one side. He could sense his brother’s wolf scratching to come out. Giving his brother a warning glance to keep the beast at bay, he shifted his attention to Anderson.
“Anderson, how’s it going?”
Anderson studied Blane, no doubt picking up on his anxiety. “I’m good.”
Daniel, the more outgoing of the two men, put on a smile and extended his hand to Charlie. “I’m Daniel Holms. And you’re Shannon’s sister.”
“Yes. I am. Where is she?”
Daniel dropped the hand he’d offered when Charlie ignored it. “She’s inside. Would you like me to call her?”