Read Online Pack Security (Were Chronicles) by Crissy Smith - Free Book Online Page A

was so damn attractive with his black hair and tanned, muscular body. She could still feel his hands on her from earlier in the kitchen and felt arousal shoot through her.
    Max lifted his head and looked over at her. Upon catching her staring at him, he winked. “Later,” he murmured quietly.
    She ducked her chin, raising her gaze to Alex and flushed when she realized her brother had been watching her while her attention had been on Max. Alex was grinning at her, but luckily footsteps sounded and she turned her head to see Alpha Shawn and Chase arriving.
    Max pushed the laptop away and stood. He greeted his brother with a quick hug then he shook hands with their Alpha. She liked the way his hazel eyes brightened around the other men. He stood next to Chase and Cassie could easily see how close the two brothers were.
    That was important to her. It had just been her and her siblings for so long. Both Alex and Jacob made it a point to take care of her while she did her best to take care of them. She didn’t like to leave the ranch, so they did her shopping and visited her a lot. While there was no getting out of gallery shows, one of them stayed with her the entire time.
    Alex had even been the one who had hired James for her. He’d wanted the young artist to get more attention and had asked Cassie to help him. Since her and James had hit it off right away, she was happy to assist in his training.
    James didn’t have a lot of money, so the income that came from protecting Cassie provided him with some cash, while at the same time, the experience of working with another artist had really brought James’ art to the front.
    There would be half a dozen of James’s work in the next showing which was one reason why she didn’t want it to the postponed. This was really James’ true first shot.
    Since he was human, he wouldn’t be at the barbeque, but she had spoken to him earlier about what was happening. She had assured James that the show would still proceed as planned. His art would be seen.
    James had been relieved. Since he didn’t know about the shifter aspect of the break-in, he had been more upset that someone was trying to hurt the gallery.
    She wished she could be honest with him. Since her Pack wasn’t in the open, she had to continue to be careful.
    “What are you thinking about so hard?” Max asked as he slid to her side.
    “The show. I told James it would still go on. It’s his first art exhibition and I want to make sure that he has enough support.”
    “How long has he worked for you?”
    “Almost a year now. He applied for the job over the Internet and moved up here. He doesn’t have any family so he sort of became part of ours. Plus he’s a big help. I don’t have to worry about ordering supplies or anything else other than painting.”
    “He seems kind of young.”
    “Yeah, but he is talented. A few more years and he’ll probably have a show of his own.” She nudged his hip. “You’re looking into him?”
    “I am,” Max admitted. “He has access to the ranch and knows all of you.”
    “There is no way he’s involved.”
    “Then he has nothing to worry about. Let me do my job, Cassie. He won’t even know I’m looking if he doesn’t have anything to do with this.”
    She had to trust Max. If they were going to be able to explore the attraction between the two of them, she’d have to take Max at his word. “Just be careful. He’s been through a lot.”
    “I will.” He squeezed her shoulder before moving over to the grill.
    “So I take it everything is working out between you and Max?” Alpha Shawn asked as he took Max’s place at her side.
    She grinned over at him. “Did you have any doubt?”
    Shawn chuckled. “Nope.” He swung his arm over her shoulder and led her away from the others. “I knew Max would be a big help here. And I was sure that you would be a good influence on him also.”
    Cassie checked over her shoulder to make sure no one else was within hearing range.