“You had your cell out.”

  Uh, yeah, recording the actions of the biker gangs. Hanna frowned. Despite still wanting to use the video recording in her interview, she supposed she should hand it over to the police so they got the culprits who actually started the fight.

  “I was checking messages. Something that many of us do when we’re waiting on someone to show up.” She hoped he wouldn’t realize she was lying. “This is my floor.”

  He grabbed her arm, and her first instinct was to turn into her wolf and tear into him. Of course there wasn’t any way she could do that without stripping and shifting. And there wasn’t any way she wanted to bite him and turn him.

  “Let me go.”

  “You’d better not be lying. My friends and I will be watching you, and if we learn you’ve lied, you’ll wish you hadn’t.” He released her, and she left the elevator, furious with the biker. He’d bruised her arm, not to mention threatened her! The elevator door shut, and she glanced back to see if the hallway was clear. Thankfully, it was. She’d been afraid he might follow her to her room. Wanting to make sure he didn’t change his mind and come after her, Hanna raced down the hall, turned the corner, and ran to her room.

  She used her key card to enter her room and then called the police.

  “Hello, about the incident at the pub tonight? I have a video of some of what happened in the beginning, before my friend pulled me out of the place and he and I were falsely arrested.”

  “And you didn’t tell us before now because?”

  “I’m a reporter and I was going to use it for a story, but if it can help you get the right guys, I want to do my part.”

  “A reporter? That’s a first.”

  Yeah. She sighed. So far, things weren’t going well for her. And she wasn’t sure Carla, the waitress, would call the pack leader to ask him if he could put in a good word for her at the newspaper office.

  The investigative officer told her where to send the video. Hanna held her finger over the send button, sighed again, then pushed it. There went her story.

  * * *

  Phoenix should have known that as soon as he arrived at his sister’s home in Silver Town, he’d find her waiting up for him, curious about who had delayed him.

  “We thought you might have stayed overnight in Green Valley.” Carmela gave him a warm embrace, her green eyes smiling. “What kept you so long?”

  He was glad to see her, but sometimes having more privacy was welcome when it came to his love life. Phoenix hugged his sister back. He heard the shower going and figured Michael was getting ready for bed.

  “She’s a wolf.” A wolf who was hiding something. He was wary of her, maybe because of the issues he’d had with reporters before—shoving mics in his face, wanting to know how his team members had died on a mission, how he felt about being the only one who had survived the missile attack.

  “And?”

  “I’m not staying with her because we’re not courting.” He explained to his sister how he had met her.

  “Ohmigod, we heard all about that on the news. Of course, we thought of you since you were in Green Valley, but we had no idea you would have been in the midst of all the trouble. Why didn’t you tell us you had been there? Forget it. I know why. You’re special forces and you don’t need anyone’s help.”

  “Not that time anyway.”

  “We’ll have to have her over to the house for lunch or dinner. What’s her name?”

  “Hanna Bridgeman, and no to having her to the house for lunch or dinner.”

  His sister’s jaw dropped. “Okay, so things didn’t work out. I’m sorry. Do you want to talk about it?”

  “No.”

  Thankfully, Carmela changed the subject. “Well, I’m so glad you retired from the army and are here for good.”

  “Thanks. I’m glad I’m out of the rat race and can settle down.”

  “Right. Well, it’s late and we were headed to bed when I heard your car pull up. We’ll see you in the morning.”

  “Thanks, Sis.” He hugged her again, and she walked to the master bedroom while he carried his bags to the guest room on the other side of the house.

  He couldn’t believe disliking a movie had rubbed Hanna the wrong way. Was there a deeper reason? Ever since he first saw her, he had been attracted to her, to her feistiness and yet vulnerability. Despite giving him grief, she had seemed relieved he’d wanted to take in the movie with her. She was a mystery, and he was intrigued with her. She was new to the area, no attachments, it appeared, and he was new to the area and wasn’t seeing anyone. And they were both red wolves. It certainly wouldn’t hurt to get to know her better.

  He thought again about the reporter in the movie who had been fired from her job. Phoenix frowned. Had Hanna been fired from her job—and it was personal? He pulled out his laptop and looked her up at the newspaper office in Loveland.

  He wondered about the guys she’d dated before and why that had caused her to swear off military men.

  He found the web page for her newspaper in Loveland, but she wasn’t listed. He frowned. But when he searched for stories with her byline, he discovered she’d written tons of newspaper articles. None of them were investigative in nature. He found an article about her asking the police chief some pointed questions concerning spending department funds for his own home improvements.

  Hell, she probably had been fired!

  He smiled. She was a bit of a rogue. Like he was. He could imagine himself doing the same thing.

  * * *

  After giving the police her video, Hanna paced across the hotel room floor, unable to stop worrying that maybe one of the motorcyclists had followed Phoenix to his sister’s house. Maybe he would be okay because he was retired military, but she needed to at least give him a heads-up. She tried calling his cell number, but it went to voicemail. Afraid he might be in trouble, she found the Green Valley pack leader’s phone number, since he was the mayor. She didn’t know the names of the pack leaders in Silver Town who would know Phoenix’s sister.

  “Hi, I know it’s late and I’m not a member of your pack, but this is Hanna Bridgeman.”

  “You’re calling about the job at the paper?” Ryan asked. “Carla left a message for me about you.”

  “Uh, no. Do you know Phoenix Wildhaven? He and I were at the pub tonight that was in the news—the one with the biker gangs causing a shoot-out. One of the gang members approached me at my hotel. He wanted to know if I had called the police, and when I said no, he asked if Phoenix had. I’m worried about another gang member who headed in the same direction as Phoenix on the road to Silver Town. I thought the man might follow Phoenix all the way to his sister’s place. I wanted to warn Phoenix, but I haven’t been able to reach him. I hoped you would have his sister’s number.”

  “If one of those bikers knows where you’re staying, he could be back. I’m sending someone over to pick you up right now. You’ll stay with Carol, my mate, and me just to make sure you’re safe. I sent word earlier to the newspaper that I was recommending you for the job they have posted. I’ll get in touch with Carmela, and she can tell her brother about your concern.”

  “Thank you.”

  “Max Browning, one of the private investigators who works for me, will pick you up. He’s a retired Navy SEAL so he can offer you good protection.”

  “Okay, thank you, Ryan. I’m in Room 411.”

  “I’ll let him know. And I’m forwarding you his picture so you will know who he is.”

  She couldn’t believe this was all happening, though she was glad that Ryan had a guy with some muscle picking her up and that the pack leader would make sure Phoenix knew the trouble he could be in. She packed her bags and hoped she wouldn’t have any further trouble tonight.

  * * *

  Phoenix heard his sister’s footfalls as she hurried toward the guest room, and he got out of bed to see what the matter was.

  “Ryan McKinley called. He said Hanna, the woman you were with at the pub, was threatened by a biker gang member at her hotel.”

  Phoenix was already yanking on his jeans, ready to go into rescue mode and bring her there.

  “Ryan said he’s sending Max Browning, one of his PIs and a Navy SEAL, to pick her up, and he’s taking her to Ryan and Carol’s house. She’ll be safe there. But Hanna worried that someone from the gang would follow you here. She said something about the gang member thinking you or she had called the police on them. Ryan said she couldn’t get ahold of you.” Carmela raised a brow.

  “I was in the shower. A Navy SEAL is watching out for her? Hell.”

  Carmela frowned at him. “Are you sure there’s not something more going on between the two of you?”

  “No, and just so you know, she doesn’t date military men.”

  Carmela smiled. “You never let that stop you before.”

  Phoenix ran his hands over his hair. “She’s a reporter. Well, she was a reporter. She was fired from her job for questioning the police chief about some illegal money transactions.”

  Carmela frowned.

  “Fired,” he repeated, in case she hadn’t heard that part.

  “Not that you never questioned your former commander when you felt the situation was necessary.”

  “Not in front of the press.”

  Carmela raised a brow.

  “Okay, so once.”

  She folded her arms and cocked her head, indicating she was waiting for him to fess up.

  “Well, twice.”

  “And those are the two times you told me about. No doubt there were others. And your commander didn’t fire you because you’re good at your job, but someone else? Probably would have been court-martialed. Anyway, Ryan McKinley has it covered. And he said he told her he contacted the newspaper about the job she’s interviewing for tomorrow. She—and he—just wanted to give you a heads-up if any gang members showed—”

  They heard a couple of engines rumbling as two motorcycles drove into Carmela’s driveway and parked.

  “Speak of the devil. I’ll wake Michael and call the sheriff. Don’t answer the door until the cavalry arrives.” Carmela hurried off down the hall to her bedroom.

  Phoenix finished getting dressed. Hell, he never thought a gang member would go after Hanna at the hotel. He should have walked her to her room at the very least.

  Michael was soon heading into the living room, shirt and shoes and a couple of Glocks in hand. He set the guns on the back of the couch and pulled on his T-shirt. “Hey, Phoenix, good to see you. This reminds me of some of our earlier days.” When Carmela rejoined them, Michael kissed her and said, “Go back to our bedroom, honey. We’ll take care of this.”

  “Don’t the two of you dare do anything. Wait for the sheriff and his men to arrive!” Then Carmela headed back to the room.

  Phoenix watched her and realized his sister had gained a bit of weight since the last time he had visited with them, six months ago. “Is she—?”

  “Yeah, she is. Babies are due next year.” Michael pulled on his boots.

  “She never said anything to me about it.”

  “She miscarried after three months the first time, so she didn’t want to say anything this time until she was more sure they’d be okay. She’s five months along now.”

  Phoenix slapped Michael on the shoulder. “Congratulations, man. How many?”

  “Twins. We’re thrilled.”

  Someone banged on the door, as if telling the occupants they’d better open up or their callers would huff and puff and blow the house down. The problem was that the wolves were on the inside, and more of the pack would be arriving shortly.

  Michael handed Phoenix one of the Glocks. “Let’s do this.”

  Just as Michael was about to pull open the door and jump aside so Phoenix could confront them, the sheriff and a couple of deputies were running their sirens and headed straight for the house.

  The next thing they knew, the motorcycles had taken off and were racing out of Silver Town.

  “Well, now you see firsthand what a great pack this is,” Michael said, and then he and Phoenix went out to meet the sheriff and deputies.

  “Good to see you have finally come to stay,” said Peter Jorgenson, Silver Town’s sheriff, shaking Phoenix’s hand.

  “Yeah, I’m glad to be here.” But all Phoenix could think about was the she-wolf in Green Valley who’d had to face a gang member all on her own when he should have protected her.

  Chapter 4

  At the McKinleys’ home, Hanna had just showered and thrown on a long, purple T-shirt featuring a black cat sitting in a pumpkin. She was climbing into bed when she got a call. She grabbed her phone from the bedside table and saw the call was from Phoenix. Worried about him, she said, “Hello, are you okay?”

  “Hell, I was worried about you.”

  She smiled. “I’m fine. I’m staying with the Green Valley pack leaders while I am here to do the interview. Did you have any trouble with the bikers?”

  “They were just here. Good thing you called us about them. The gang must have had someone follow me to my sister’s house in Silver Town, then wait until another biker joined him to provide more muscle. They both drove up into the driveway. But our sheriff’s department was here in no time to back us up.”

  “Oh good. I tried calling you.”

  “I was in the shower. I got your message after the fact. I’m sorry. I should have walked you up to your hotel room.”

  “It wasn’t necessary. At least I didn’t think it would—” Suddenly, the door to her bedroom opened. Hanna eyed it warily, then saw Carol’s tabby, Puss, saunter into the room and jump onto the bed. She laughed and started petting the cat.

  “Is everything all right?”

  “Yeah, Carol’s cat, Puss, decided to come join me in bed.”

  He chuckled. “Well, I’ll let you go then. Tell me how the job interview goes.”

  “I will. Thanks.”

  They ended the call. A few minutes later, he called her back, surprising her. “Do you want to have breakfast with me before you have your interview?”

  She closed her gaping mouth. She figured she would be having breakfast with Carol and Ryan in the morning. So why did she tell Phoenix sure?

  “Okay, I’ll meet you at the Waffle Makers on First Street. My treat. They have all kinds of different food if you don’t like waffles—omelets, sausages, hash browns. All kinds of breakfast foods.”

  “My interview is at ten. So at nine?” She was stroking Puss, who was happily purring, her little motor rumbling under her supersoft fur.

  “Yeah. I’ll meet you there then.”

  “Night.”

  They ended the call and she set her phone on the bedside table, smiled, and closed her eyes. Maybe she could give another military man a chance.

  * * *

  Phoenix rested his head on his hands on his pillow as he thought about dating—really dating—the she-wolf. Hell, Hanna was a reporter! And reckless! But damn if she didn’t fascinate him on several different levels. What if the Navy SEAL Ryan had sent to pick her up at the hotel and take her to the pack leaders’ home had already caught her attention?

  He closed his eyes, determined not to borrow trouble. Before long, it was time to get up and tell his sister and brother-in-law he was having breakfast with the woman he told his sister he wasn’t interested in getting to know. He knew she had figured differently. Carmela always seemed to know him better than he knew himself.

  “Hey,” he said to his sister as he walked into the kitchen and gave her a hug. “Congratulations on the twins.”

  “Thanks! We’re excited.”

  “I’m going to get breakfast in Green Valley.”

  Carmela laughed. “But you’re sure you don’t want to invite Hanna home for lunch or dinner?”

  “Lunch is okay. Let me ask her. We’re having breakfast together, and then she’s having her interview. After that, I’ll bring her home for lunch if she would like it. She may need to return to Loveland to take care of business.”

  “Does she have family?”

  He tilted his chin down and looked at his sister with exasperation. He had no idea. He and Hanna hadn’t spent time with each other as if they were really getting to know each other. But now he did want to know about her.

  “Oh, right, you aren’t dating her.”

  Michael came in to get some coffee. “Give him a break, Carmela.”

  Phoenix chuckled. He was going to like having his brother-in-law in his corner.

  “Remember who you’re sleeping with,” Carmela said, giving Michael a kiss and then starting to scramble some eggs.

  “Okay, I’m off. I’ll check in with you later, one way or another,” Phoenix said.

  Carmela seasoned the eggs with lemon and pepper spices. “Ask her what she likes or doesn’t like to eat.”

  “Right. See you both later.” Phoenix drove off to Green Valley, hoping Hanna got the job there. Though if she ended up in Silver Town, that would be good too.

  What he hadn’t expected was to see Max Browning with Hanna at the Waffle Makers restaurant, and he realized his mistake. Phoenix should have told her he was picking her up at the pack leaders’ house and brought her to the restaurant. Though he had assumed she would drive herself. He was ready to go tell the retired Navy SEAL to take a hike.

  Phoenix went inside, and Max smiled at him as he approached the table. “I’m here, per Ryan’s orders, to watch out for Hanna, but if you’re going to be with her until she has her interview—”

  “I am. You can leave. Thanks for watching out for her.” Phoenix was more abrupt than he had meant to be.