Dane and Riley tucked me in with ice packs, extra pillows, a blanket, and my painkillers. The other stuff didn't matter as much as the painkillers. I wanted them for their narcotic value alone. When they finished tucking me in, they exchanged glances, a look passing between them. I expected hugs and kisses before they left, but didn't get them. Instead, the men lifted either side of the blanket and slid in next me. I'd like to think that something called out to each of us, but I didn't believe that for a second. Those snots took pity on me and knew how much I wanted the company. Nonetheless, I was glad they stayed. Even Riley. Two torrid bodies pressed into mine, giving me the pack brotherhood my aching heart desired. Who knew when I'd get my other brother and sisterhood back? At the rate this was going, it could be a long time.

I couldn't recall when we fell asleep, but I remembered Fisk coming into the room at some point. My eyes and ears opened long enough to hear him say something about heading back to Dane's for a real bed and to check on Decker. Knowing Dane, he probably threw him in the 8x8 cell buried in the ground of his old, abandoned barn. I slipped into unconsciousness prior to getting any more information.

When I woke up a second time, Dane had spooned behind me and Riley's body curved into my front. One of them should have fallen off the bed by now, but they hadn't. Then again, the painkillers kept me so doped that I wouldn't have noticed if a hurricane had ripped up the trailer.

Cold air left the hairs on my upper arm tingling. Feeling around blindly in front of me for more blanket, I found cold sheets. One eye peeked open. Dane had disappeared. Damn. That meant that the feverish body spooning mine belonged to Riley. Had Dane been there to keep him in line, I wouldn't have worried as much. Without him, Riley reminded me of a child taking advantage during a parent's absence.

Careful not to disturb him, I lifted his sluggish arm from around my waist. He shifted, pulling me tighter and moaning in his sleep. I froze. Holding my breath, I lifted his arm higher and moved out of his reach. His hand retracted. Great. Here goes the sarcasm. Grinding my elbows into the mattress, I sat up.

Riley grinned before putting in a morning stretch and yawn. He would start in any minute, cracking sexist remarks or trying to take advantage of the situation. To my shock, he folded his thick arms behind his head and stared. If his grin had gotten any wider, it would have leaked off the side of his face and onto the pillow.

"I see why Dane likes you better,” he commented. “You sure make a prettier bunkmate."

Right on cue. I rolled my eyes. “You're a jackass, you know that?"

"Hey, at least you don't have to worry about Dane keeping you under lock and key like your hubby. Maybe you should dump your man and take up with Dane. You two would make an awesome mated pair."

I yanked the pillow off the bed and smacked it across his face. How could he think something like that? Dane was ... He was more like a...

"You asshole,” I yelled. “I love my husband. Matt and I aren't going anywhere as long as there's something to salvage in our marriage."

His grin never faltered. “Then why haven't you told him about us? In all the years you've been our bounty-hunting sniper, you never mentioned a word to him."

"How do you know?"

"Because Matt seems like the type who would've broken down our door a long time ago looking for heads to roll if he'd known where you were."

I shook my head and sat up. “Unlike your black book of lovers, my husband gives a damn about where I go and who I'm with. The last thing he's going to want is me risking my life to go after some damn rogue. And for what? Pocket change?"

"It's more than just pocket change."

"Whatever. The point is we've ignored some of the biggest Pack Bylaws. How long do you think it'll take before someone else finds out that we deal on the black market? Not to mention the humans that work with us. If we ever go down, the last thing I want to do is take Matt with us."

His head slowly nodded as though some realization had come to mind. “You're still trying to keep Matt and Dane separated. Let me know how that works out, seeing as they're both so damn overprotective of you that they're bound to have it out once and for all."

"I don't know why I talk to you,” I murmured. Even if he had a point, I didn't want to hear it. Especially from him.

"Because you know I'm right.” He paused, eyes fixated on the ceiling. “Otherwise, you would have punched me in the stomach by now. So get used to it, babe, you've got two daddies and a husband. Be thankful your biological daddy isn't here, too."

Sighing, I threw my legs over the side of the mattress. “I'm leaving."

Riley rolled backwards off the edge and landed on his feet. He came around, offering me his hand so that I could stand. I had to take a second look at him. He wouldn't pull a fast one or anything, but he pissed me off so much that I wanted to push him aside. Too bad my aching foot needed the leverage. Leaning on him, I hobbled out of the room, heading towards the kitchen, where Graham danced through breakfast.

"Nice to see you two,” he said, blocking the stove with his back to us.

Uncle Graham brought over a stack of pancakes as Riley helped me sit. As fate would have it, he took the seat next to mine. I guess there being only four chairs limited where he could park his behind.

Before the pancake plate could touch the table, Riley stabbed his fork through the top two-thirds, about to drag them onto his plate. I jabbed my fork into Riley's stack and knocked several off the end. The greedy jerk needed someone to remind him of his manners. A hand to the back of his head would help, but I wasn't in the mood to provoke him.

"I'll tell you one thing,” Riley said, popping the cap up on the syrup bottle. “I'll be glad when this is over. At least Dane will finally get a good night's sleep."

"Since when has he been lacking?” I asked.

Squirting a lake of syrup off to the side, he sputtered a laugh. “Don't tell me you haven't noticed. Heck, Angel, he won't rest until you're happy. You should know that by now."

Riley left the breakfast counter and strolled towards the coffee maker. He poured two cups of coffee and sat one in front of my quiet, smiling uncle and kept the other for himself. I forgot Graham was sitting there, listening in on our discussion. Riley and I—sort of—had had part of this conversation before, unbeknownst to him. Judging by his grin, Uncle probably thought a good reinforcement never hurt anyone.

"Can we leave Dane's happiness out of this? I'm not his daughter, you know."

"No, you aren't,” Graham said. “But you're as close as he'll ever have to one. After Dane became a werewolf, he severed ties to his family. Remember?"

The knob rattled on the front door. Riley waved us still as he went to open the door. Dane strolled inside, carrying several shopping bags in one hand, crutches under one arm, a cardboard box under the other ... and huge grin tugging his too-tanned face. Well someone's been busy.

"I brought a few things from my private stash that'll help,” he said. He handed the grocery bags and the crutches to Riley. “Put that stuff in the kitchen. I also picked up a few extra things from the store, seeing as you two won't be going anywhere for a while. There's more out in the car."

Riley bumped me on the arm as he walked by. “Told you so."

"Told you what?” Dane asked, hand smoothing through his black hair.

"Never mind,” I said.

"I only asked for a quart of milk,” Uncle said, eyeing the plastic bags. “He brought back a whole gallon. I guess I'm not the only one who remembers how much you like milk."

"I said never mind!"

When breakfast ended, the guys volunteered to clean up while Graham helped me to the couch. Dane raised the roof when he saw me hobbling along on my injured ankle. It would heal in half the time it would take for a human; didn't that nut realize that? Already some of the swelling had gone down, and my body didn't hurt anymore. Nonetheless, Dane wouldn't have it. He swept me off my feet and carried me to the couch anyway. Instead of going back to his dishes, he double-checked the brace that held my ankle together.

This constant needling had to stop.

I hated all the attention and wished he had showered more of it on my uncle when he was sick. Graham said everyone tried, but he threw them out of the trailer. Like uncle like niece, I guess. As I required some down time, Graham didn't mind their company because it meant he could sit back and laugh at the three of us. Dane and Riley fussed over me like two old women. Grinning, Graham relaxed in his recliner with a pipe snug between his lips, enjoying the show.

The phone rang ... and none of us moved to get it. We knew the rules. Graham screened all his calls in case someone was trying to sell him on ultra condoms or violin lessons.

The machine beeped and silenced our tirade.

"Graham, it's Matt.” My eyes bulged and heart sank at the sound of his voice. “I'm looking for Lex. We had a fight, and, well ... If you hear from her, please have her call me.” His voice trailed off. “I miss her."

The machine clicked off.

The urge to launch myself across the room, pick up the phone, and call him back overwhelmed me. Too bad our last conversation hung at the back of my brain, keeping me in place. If Matt called, then he had called Genevieve or someone in my family and gotten the number. Even worse, he would come looking for me here sooner or later. I hoped for the latter part because I wasn't in any mood to go on the lam again.