Page 14

That clearly didn’t pan out, but shit happens.

I needed to give the cabin Luka and I inherited when our family pack moved to Texas a final once-over before winter hits hard. It’s up deep in the mountains, and I won’t make that trip again until closer to March or April. I was on the way out when I saw the neighbors struggling with their water pump.

It delayed my departure, but up there, you help your neighbors. Not many companies and services are available that far out, so you do what you have to do to help each other out.

The snow is coming down so heavily by the time I make it into town that I have no choice but to ride out the bad weather at the apartment above the bar.

Even driving the extra fifteen minutes to our house would be irresponsible. Considering that’s how long it takes when it’s not dumping down snow, it would probably take double that with how slow I’ve been going. Having the opportunity to keep an eye on both businesses isn’t a bad thing, anyway.

My phone has been dead since I left the cabin, but once I get inside, I’ll charge it and let the guys know what’s up.

I make the turn into the parking lot and frown as I spot the light streaming around the blinds.

Huh.

It looks like one of them got stuck in town or made the call to stay at the apartment. There’s only one bed, which is going to make it a pain in the ass, but I’ll sleep on the floor in the office if it comes down to it.

* * *

Warmth smacks me in the face as I push open the door, working on getting my key out of the lock. It’s dark in the living room, meaning it must have been the light in the bedroom or office that I saw when driving up.

Huh.

Maybe they just forgot to shut off the lights.

I kick the door closed, flip both locks, and work on getting myself out of my layers as I stomp the snow off my boots. This place is so small there’s no mudroom.

I’m starving.

There’s not going to be anything except canned soups and nonperishables in the pantry. I hid a twelve-pack of beer in one of the cabinets last time I was here, but I might just run downstairs to grab a cold one.

The restaurant has burgers, chicken fingers, and fries. It’s not exactly professional to go rooting around in the fridges, but desperate times and all that.

The low growling that comes from behind me makes me smile.

Shadow was pissed when he realized I wasn’t going to take him with me up to the cabin. He’s mouthy under normal circumstances. When he’s moody, it’s a whole different ball game.

I chuckle, dropping my coat on the hook by the door before bending down to unlace my boots. “Yeah, yeah, keep talking shit, you spoiled pain in the ass.”

The growling gets louder, and my head tilts.

He must be holding a grudge.

I’ll make it up to him with a burger.

“What did you do to get yourself dropped off here?” I ask, pulling off my boots.

Wait…

My phone is dead.

Neither Bryant nor Luka knows I was coming here rather than home.

That must mean one of them is here.

The growling gets louder, and the little asshole nips at my ass. That wasn’t a full-blown bite, and he’d better be thankful that my jeans protected me from the worst of it.

“You little shit. I’ve had about enough of your attitude,” I growl back. “I was only gone for one single night.”