to a party.”
“Honey, you’re going to a party,” Zeke corrected, his tone almost gentle. “We promised Trent to keep an eye on you, which was easy since we worked his ranch today, but now we’re having a party and you’re going with us. Plus, it’ll take your mind off Trent.”
She sighed. It wasn’t as if she was doing anything else, and now she could put the sheets on his bed at the club. “Fine.” Stretching her back, she stood. “Have you noticed that you all are too bossy? Way too bossy?”
“Zeke is bossy,” Zachary said, smiling. “I use charm.”
She rolled her eyes and looked down at her jeans and cream-colored sweater. Her hair was up and her makeup done, just in case Trent returned, so she was ready to go. “All right, but I’m not staying out all night. And if things get too wild, I’m bringing a book to read in Trent’s room.”
“You party animal,” Zeke teased.
She grinned and then followed them outside into a light rain. At least the weather was giving them somewhat of a break. “When does it stop raining around here, anyway?”
Zachary snorted. “Right when we don’t want it to stop raining.”
Figured. The drive to the clubhouse was quick, and it looked like the party was in full swing when they arrived. She sighed and jumped from the truck, preceding the twins inside. They flanked her so easily it seemed natural, and she noted nobody could get to her without going through one of them.
The sense of safety warmed her.
Then she walked inside, and a blast of heat smashed her. Music beat from the speakers, couples danced on a makeshift floor by the sofa, and the beer was already flowing freely. She recognized a couple of the women from the other party, and she nodded and then smiled at some of the brothers.
Zeke herded her to the bar. “You thirsty?”
“Not yet.” She patted Harley’s head to calm him. While he seemed to want to stay close to her, he was still a somewhat wild animal and surely couldn’t deal with the noise or the strangers. She had to help him. “I’m going to go finish Trent’s sheets, and then I’ll be back.” The music was already giving her a headache.
Zachary was putting his arm around a full-bodied blonde who was falling out of her shirt. “All right, but check in every once in a while. You’re safe in the clubhouse.”
Men were morons sometimes. She shook her head and strode through the party and down the hallway, not surprised when the wolf followed her. He didn’t seem to like the music any more than she did. “You’re a good boy,” she murmured, patting his head and letting him into Trent’s room before continuing down to the laundry room to fetch the clean sheets.
She buried her nose in them, almost sorry they smelled like a fresh breeze instead of Trent. Laughing at herself, she entered the room and quickly made the bed. Within seconds, Harley jumped on top and settled himself at the foot of the bed.
“Harley,” she objected without any heat.
He snuggled down, and it looked as if he smiled. Crazy animal. Trent had been wrong to say that Harley was wild and rarely came close to any of them. The wolf wouldn’t leave her alone.
Maybe she should cuddle with him and just relax. She looked around the room; it was still clean and dusted. Then she lay on the bed, closing her eyes. Within minutes, with the wolf guarding her, she was asleep.
Something awoke her hours later, and she sat up groggily, looking for the clock. It was well after midnight, and the music was still pounding in the other room. For goodness’ sake. She yawned and then stretched. The wall across from the bed caught her eye. What in the world? Part of the paneling looked askew. It appeared misaligned with the panel next to it.
Curiosity caught her, and she moved forward, settling her fingers against the uneven edge. Then she pulled. A door opened to reveal a narrow closet. She gasped. Guns of all kinds were mounted on the wall along with knives of every size. More weapons than she could count. A shelf to the left held all sorts of bullets and more knives. She gulped. It was a munitions cornucopia. Why did Trent have so many weapons?
Feeling guilty, she glanced over her shoulder, but only the wolf watched her.
She looked back at the closet, her gaze catching on a silver box