“Ha!” She tightened her arms around him. “Now you admit I’m the boss because I’m older.”
“By one minute,” he said. “I’ll talk to Mama and Papa, and we can figure something out. It’s ridiculous that we can’t even be in the same room together.”
“I know.” Reluctantly, she let go of him. “Have a safe drive back. And call me if you need to talk. About anything.”
He shoved his hands into his pockets. “I will.”
She watched him leave, then waited a few minutes before leaving herself. As she expected, Darius magically appeared by her side. “Did you have a good dinner?”
“The food was tolerable, but the company was stellar.” She breathed a sigh. Even her wolf was content for now.
“Someone is following your brother.”
“What?” The look on his face was dead serious. “Who?”
“I’m not sure. But,” his eyebrows knitted together, “it was your standard unmarked dark sedan. Like what undercover police use in stakeouts.”
“And how would you know how police—” He gave her a pointed look. “Right.” Knowing The Family’s reputation, he’d probably been on the receiving end of police surveillance many times before.
“Should we follow them? If they are headed back to Manhattan, we can catch them.”
Hmm. She was mighty curious what this mystery woman looked like, but she and her brother had a silent truce for now that they wouldn’t get into each other’s business. Still, she should make sure Lucas knew he was being followed. “I’ll send him a message to make sure he knows.” She got her phone out of her purse and typed off a message, telling him about his tail and asked if they needed help. A reply came quickly saying he was taking care of it and that she didn’t have anything to worry about. Her instinct—or maybe it was that twin bond they shared—
told her he was in no immediate danger. “Let’s go home.”
“Of course.”
“And Darius?” He tilted his head. “Thank you. For suggesting this.”
“You’re very welcome.”
He led her to the car, his hand on her lower back. The touch sent a warmth through her—non-sexual but so intimate. He was just so kind and considerate today, and if it wasn’t for him, she wouldn’t have seen Lucas.
She was having dangerous thoughts, one that could have deeper consequences if she wasn’t careful. As he drove them out of the parking lot, she sneaked a glance at him. His handsome face was drawn into its usual serious expression. She couldn’t help but drop her gaze down to his lips—those lips that had kissed her so thoroughly last night and made her knees all wobbly. Lucas was right about treading carefully around Darius. He was right, of course. Things could get seriously complicated. But, right now, she didn’t really care.
Chapter Twelve
Darius didn’t know what this feeling inside him was. It felt warm and tranquil. His wolf too, wasn’t fighting him for once. It lay inside him, curled up and contented.
He glanced over at Adrianna for what seemed like the hundredth time since they started the drive back. Her face was serene, and once in a while, he could see the slight tug at the corner of her lips, as if she was remembering a private joke in her head. He would do anything to see her like this all the time. There wasn’t even any of the contentious energy or nervous tension between them.
Had he known this peace wouldn’t last longer than the ride home, he would have savored it.
“Hmm, I thought the recruits would have all gone home by now,” Adrianna remarked. “Julianna said she wasn’t going to make anyone stay later than five.”
“What do you mean?” When he pulled into the driveway, he saw a black van parked in front of the porch. His wolf suddenly jolted into a defensive stance.
He swerved the car and pressed the remote to open the garage door before parking inside.
“Darius? What’s wrong?”
This was not good. “Stay here,” he said. “At least until I come back for you.”
“What? No way!” She unbuckled her seat belt. “Whose car is that? Why are you reacting this way?”
“It’s …” How could he explain it to her? “I’m not sure, but we may be in danger.”
“Danger? But Julianna’s in there! You can’t just expect me to stay in the car and sit on my hands.”
“Fine, you can come, but stay behind me and I’ll go inside first.” He had known telling her to stay behind was useless, but he had to try.
From the garage he led her through the backyard, intending to enter through the rear door that led to the kitchen. Everything seemed normal—the lights were on inside the kitchen and he could hear two people talking inside, as well as the clinking of cups and silverware. They crept up the porch steps, and he reached for the doorknob, slowly turning it.
“What are you doing creeping around out there?” Julianna called brashly. “And where the heck have you guys been?”
“Julianna? Are you okay?” Adrianna had rushed inside, evading his grasp when he tried to pull her back. “Are you hurt and—oh! Who’s this?”
“I told you to stay behind,” he bit out.
“Hello, Darius.”
When he saw the vehicle in the driveway, he knew something was wrong. It was one of the black, nondescript delivery vans they used for a variety of purposes, and not just for transporting goods.
It was obvious Anatoli had sent someone over and he had run various scenarios in his head about how things could possibly go wrong. But now, seeing who was in the kitchen, he knew it was probably much worse.
“Mila,” he said. “What are you doing here?”
The woman was sitting across from Julianna, drinking tea like she was the Queen of England, a devious smile on her face. “Whatever do you mean?”
“You know each other?” Julianna asked.
“She is part of The Family.”
Adrianna’s gaze narrowed at the other female. “You are?”
“We don’t carry membership cards or anything,” she shrugged. “And I do live in this territory.”
“Then you greet your Alpha with the
