Page 66 of Big Bad Wolf

“You’re going to have to tell her eventually.”

Ruby stood up abruptly, her chair scraping loudly along the floor. “Let me handle my sister the way I want to.”

Rafe held up his hands in surrender. “Okay, okay, but I’ll call my brother.”

“For what?”

Rafe’s fingers drummed on the tabletop. “I don’t think it’s a good idea to leave her here alone.” He stopped drumming and pulled his phone from his pocket. “Theo can come stay with her.”

“He’ll do that?”

Rafe shrugged. “He owes me.” He prowled from the room to make his phone call. All Ruby could make out were some gruff sounds, an occasional growl, and few “fuck yous” before Rafe came back and told her Theo would be there within the hour. Nothing about his grim face said he was looking forward to the visit.

Ruby had just finished getting dressed when there was a knock on the front door. She hurried quietly down the hall past Lena’s bedroom. The fact that Lena had been too tired to protest the fact that “Rafe’s brother’s in town and will be hanging out at the house for a few hours” only made Ruby’s anxiety grow.

“I’m not a goddamn babysitter.” The voice that spoke was smooth like honey even though the words were sharp. “You saved my life once; you don’t get to call in unlimited favors.”

Ruby found Rafe face-to-face with a beautiful stranger in her living room. They both looked up when she hit the last step.

The man’s full lips slipped into a slow smile. His skin had a golden tan, and his eyes were like tropical waters. A shock of dark curls covered the top of his head and, despite the harsh line of a scar down the side of his face, he was very pretty. Ruby couldn’t help the matching smile that crossed her own lips.

“Oh, I see now,” the man crooned.

“Don’t say another fucking word,” Rafe warned, a low growl in his throat.

“I’m Ruby.” She held out a hand, and the man took it in his.

“Theo,” he purred.

“Oh, for fuck’s sake,” Rafe grumbled. “Ruby, this is my asshole brother. He’ll hang out here for the afternoon.”

“Thank you so much,” she said and realized he was still holding her hand. She tugged it away and he smiled wider. “My sister is upstairs resting, but she knows you’re here.”

Theo nodded. “At your service, Ruby.”

She could feel the anger rolling off Rafe like it was a physical entity in the room. That whole “if looks could kill” saying had never made more sense to her.

“Now it’s ‘at your service’? A minute ago, you weren’t a babysitter.”

Theo shrugged, drawing attention to his toned shoulders and chest. He wasn’t as tall as Rafe or as wide, but he was covered in long, lean muscle. Werewolf genes were no joke.

“Ruby convinced me.” His grin was downright wicked now, and Ruby felt the heat rush to her face. Rafe vibrated next to her.

“Cut it out, Theo. You’re going to make his head explode.”

Ruby blinked. A small, redheaded woman emerged from her kitchen clutching Ruby’s favorite mug.

“You brought Phoebe?” Rafe asked, anger still creasing his face.

Theo shrugged again. “She wanted to see Lena.”

“Nice to see you too, Rafe.” Phoebe practically floated into the room and landed beside Rafe. Her head only reached his shoulder, but she stood on her toes to place a peck on his cheek. Rafe continued to glower, but Ruby noticed the softening in his stance.

“Hey, Fee. It’s nice to see you away from your grove.”

The woman smiled up at him. “I am allowed to leave it every now and then.” Her hair was short and coppery, her skin a creamy peach. A swarm of freckles covered her face and shoulders and ran down her arms. She was thoroughly speckled.

“Wait, I know you, don’t I?” Ruby asked, trying to place the woman.