Brendon dropped his elbows on the desk and buried his face in his hands.

“Now, now, darlin’. No use crying. We’ll find her eventually.”

“I’m not crying. I’m trying to stop myself from ripping out your vocal cords.”

Surprisingly, she laughed. “My Lord, Brendon Shaw. You are just the cutest little thing when you’re upset.”

When she pinched his cheek, all he could do was laugh.

Sissy Mae glanced over his shoulder. “And look. There she is.”

Brendon turned around. The relief hit him first, quickly followed by blinding jealousy when he saw his brother walking with her. She even had on the treacherous bastard’s leather jacket. Mitch had never let anyone else ever wear that jacket—until now.

“Hhhmm,” Sissy Mae mused. “I wonder where those two have been together for such a long time.”

A small, rational part of him knew Sissy was merely fucking with his head; based on stories from Ronnie, he knew that’s what she did for amusement, like some people knit or play video games. That didn’t stop the jealousy from coming up and choking him.

Brendon stalked over to the pair, ignoring the smile Ronnie Lee gave him that quickly turned into a dark frown.

“What the hell is going on?” He didn’t even look at Ronnie, he only focused on Mitch.

“Nothing, big bruh. Just…ya know…” Mitch placed his hands on Ronnie’s shoulders and smoothed them down her arms. “Trying to make Ronnie feel better.”

In that instant, everything melted into this one moment. The attack, the truth about Mitch, Ronnie running out on him—all of it slammed right into Brendon at that moment, leaving him filled with a rage he hadn’t experienced since his wild days running the South Philly streets with his twin.

Carefully, Brendon lifted Ronnie up and out of the way, not even hearing her warning growls or the words she said to calm him down. Then he slammed his hands into Mitch’s chest, sending the little shit back five feet.

“Maybe you’re an idiot,” Brendon snarled. “Maybe slightly brain damaged.” He shoved his brother again. “Whatever the fuck is going on with you, you need to remember she’s mine.”

Mitch lowered his head and glowered at Brendon, lips pulling back over bright, white fangs. “Then, maybe, big bruh, you should learn how to keep your female without needing me to do it for you.”

Brendon’s rage centered and narrowed to a fine, honed point and, like the lion he was, he went for his brother’s throat, not really caring about all the snarling and growling in the middle of his five-star hotel.

“What did you say to him?”

Sissy gave her that innocent look. “Me? I didn’t say anything, darlin’.”

“You’re lying to me,Sissy Mae.”

“Lying is such a strong word.”

The scent hit her first and Ronnie spun around, coming nose to chest with Rory Lee Reed.

“Baby sister,” her brother’s deep voice greeted her. “Typical. We just get into town and we find you and Sissy Mae dead center of a shit storm.”

“What’s going on anyway?” Ricky Lee Reed asked, curious as always.

“Nothin’,” Ronnie choked out, grabbing hold of Rory’s arm and trying to drag him away, hoping Ricky Lee and Reece would automatically follow like they always did. But apparently Sissy Mae had other ideas.

“Those two lions are fightin’ over Ronnie Lee.”

Slowly her brother looked at Sissy Mae. “Excuse me?” Rory asked.

“See the bigger one?” She helpfully pointed out Shaw. “That’s Brendon Shaw. He marked your sister tonight. If you take a good sniff you can catch his scent all over her. And the slightly smaller one…that’s his baby brother, Mitch.” She grinned. “I think he’s mighty cute. Now see, Brendon is all jealous because he saw Ronnie Lee and Mitch walking together. Poor baby, I don’t think he’s used to being possessive over a female.”

Ronnie Lee turned on her friend. “Have you lost your goddamn mind?”

Rory nudged his sister. “Watch your mouth, Ronnie Lee.”

“How long has this been going on?” Ricky asked, his big hands shoved into the front pockets of his jeans.

“Just a few days. But your sister moves fast as y’all know.”

She’d kill her. She’d absolutely kill her best friend.

Reece glanced around at the growing number of observers. “Think we better deal with this. Can’t let some cats embarrass the Reed name.”

“Wait.” Ronnie jumped in front of her three brothers before they could move. “Don’t hurt him.”

“At the very least don’t hurt his face,” Sissy piped in helpfully, but she slapped her hand over her mouth when Ronnie gave her a withering glare.

“Why shouldn’t we?” Rory demanded in that calm, low voice of his. “That bastard’s been messing with our baby sister to hear Sissy Mae tell it.” Rory’s hazel eyes stared down into hers. “You gonna give me a reason why I shouldn’t tear him apart, Rhonda Lee?”

Ronnie cleared her throat and looked around. A few of the Pack males had wandered over, always lured by the sound of a good fight. Now they stood behind her brothers, staring at her and waiting. Unfortunately, Smitty was out with Mace. The one rational wolf among a bunch of junkyard dogs. Dammit!

“Answer me, Rhonda Lee,” Rory pushed. “Answer me or move out of my way.”