Page 45 of Logan’s Acadian Wolves

“Yep, right there on the counter.” Dimitri pointed to a holster and gun.

“Okay, thanks. Here she comes,” Logan warned, hearing Wynter walking toward the kitchen. “Hey, sweetheart. D brought dinner.”

Logan offered her the tray and hoped plying her with food would soften her for what he was about to suggest next.

Wynter joined them, took a sandwich off the plate and bit into it. “Oh. My. God. This is awesome. I could so live down here. Between the beignets and everything else I might weigh five thousand pounds, but who cares?” She laughed.

After a few minutes had passed, Logan stood, took his plate to the sink and then picked up the bag sitting on the counter.

“I’ve got something for you,” he told her. He pulled the Lady Smith out of the holster and checked the safety.

“What the…?” she gaped.

“It’s a gun, Wyn.”

“Yes, I can see that,” she stammered. “But do you really think this is necessary?”

“Yeah, I do. I’m not taking any chances. When we go in, you’re staying locked in the car with Jake. But just in case…always need a plan B,” he replied, continuing to check to make sure everything that he’d requested was there. Logan took the magazine out of the gun, checked it and set it down.

The reality of what they were about to do made Wynter stop and take a breath. Even though she had to do it, it would be difficult to go back to the same place where she’d been held captive. No longer having an appetite, she wiped her mouth with a napkin and pushed the plate aside.

“Come over here,” Logan told her. Wynter got up from the table and stood next to him, watching him work.

“Here you go…just lift your arms,” Logan instructed, slipping her arms through the black leather shoulder holster. He adjusted the straps so it fit properly. “There you go. Have you ever used a gun?”

“Well, yes, but…” She straightened her back and moved her arms, trying to get used to the feel of it on her body.

“When was the last time you went shooting?” He looked her over, waiting on her response.

“Well, it’s not like I’m a sharpshooter, but Jax insisted that I have one. You know, late night in the city and all that good stuff. Honestly though, I don’t carry it with me most days.”

“When was the last time you used it?”

“I don’t know.” She rubbed her hand over her forehead, trying to think. Geez, had it been that long? “Maybe a year ago?”

“Better than nothing. Take it out and let me see you load it.”

She did as he asked, and then promptly put the gun back into its sheath.

“That’s a girl. Now, let’s review what we’ve got, okay? Silver bullets. Eight in a clip. There’s loaded magazines ready to go both here and here.” He pointed to the ammunition pouches attached to her holster.

She nodded, but her expression didn’t match her assent. Her brow knotted in worry.

“You’re going to be safe, Wyn. If something happens, do whatever Jake tells you, okay? Also, there are stakes in the car. Lots of them. Take one with you when you get the go ahead to come into the lab. Just in case.”

“Got it,” she said with determination. Grabbing a bottle of water, she unscrewed the top and took a long drink, wishing it was whiskey. When she looked up, two large men walked into the kitchen.

“Jake, Zeke, meet Wynter. She’s my…uh,” he fumbled for the word. Mate. No, not the time. “Girlfriend.”

Logan glanced over to catch her reaction. Her face flamed, and she failed to hide the smile evident in her eyes. Yep, girlfriend worked just fine.

“Nice to meet you, Wynter. I’m Jake,” said the taller man. His blond hair was tightly cropped. He confidently strode around the table and joined them. If she hadn’t known any better, she would have thought law enforcement. Maybe military?

The other wolf, standing at the door with his arms crossed, merely gave her a nod. His cool demeanor bristled Wynter. She wondered what his issue was, that he couldn’t even offer up a simple ‘hello’, and determined that maybe her presence wasn’t welcome. Wynter made eye contact with him and set her bottle on the counter.

“Don’t worry ’bout Zeke over there, cher. He’s just the muscle. Lucky for you, you’ve got the brains lookin’ out for you tonight.” Jake told her with a smile.

“When will we know if it’s safe to go into the lab?” Wynter asked Logan.