partner. He was her mentor, and I do things a little differently so itâs taken some getting used to. I just thought it would be a nice thing to do.â
âIf you say so.â
âSheâs human. I have no intention of being anything more than her dive partner on the job.â And why was he explaining himself to his sister?
âYou havenât dated any of the single wolves in our pack.â Rose had brought that fact up more times than he cared to think about. Some of it was because the women thought that if they talked to his sister, she could convince him to start dating one of them.
He hadnât wanted to. The truth of the matter was that he really liked Debbie, even though he knew nothing could come of it. She and he loved to dive, for one thing. And with the criminal investigations and rescue missions, they both were really into their jobs. As for any of the new she-wolves in the pack, he had no real connection with any of them, except that they were lupus garous like him. There had to be more to a relationship that would last a lifetime if they mated.
âGot to go, Sis.â
âAll right. But remember⦠If this maniac comes after us, and he sees her with you too much, he might also go after her.â
âWe work together. Sheâs a police diver. And weâre fairly new partners. So if he knows about the family, thatâs one thing. If heâs watching us, I donât want her around the rest of the family.â
âI know. Iâm just saying this business with you taking her out for pizzaâ¦â
He let out his breath, annoyed with this discussion, but then remembered what a shock she and Lori had had earlier today. âAre you really all right?â
âYeah, Everettâs here. Momâs here too. Weâre fine. Justâ¦be careful with her.â
Like Rose had been careful with Everett? Even though Everett was a wolf, sheâd gotten into a mess with him all on her own, so Allan really didnât think she should be offering him advice on relationships. âTalk to you later.â
When he arrived at the pizzeria, the parking lot was packed. He spied Debbieâs blue Ford Escort parked out front. Allan also recognized Rowdyâs bright red sedan parked nearby. Frowning, but not wanting to make anything of Rowdyâs presenceâit was a Friday and the pizza place was really popular with localsâAllan headed inside the busy restaurant.
The jukebox was playing golden oldies and the lights were dimmed. Three cooks stood at butcher-block tables behind glass windows, tossing pizzas in the air as they put on a show while making them.
Allan loved the atmosphere in the place. Long, dark wooden tables and benches filled the center of the restaurant. A mix of booths, some small for more intimate parties and others larger for family and friend gatherings, were situated along three of the walls. A long bar accommodated a dozen patrons as they sat on red vinyl seats, drinking and conversing. The place was a mix of old world, mountain view, and rustic. The ceiling fans, green crystal lanterns, and drink glasses lining the dark, smoky mirror all added to the ambience.
He glanced around the room to see if he could locate Debbie and spotted her talking to Rowdy, who was standing next to the jukebox and making a selection. Allan shouldnât have cared, but he didnât like that Rowdy was talking to Debbie, smiling and laughing along with her as if they were on a date.
âOnly Youâ by the Platters began to play.
Why should it matter that the two of them were enjoying each otherâs company? They all worked for law enforcement in some capacity. Allan couldnât get involved with Debbie. Yet he felt all growly in that instant, wanting to show his alpha posturing and let Rowdy know to back off. What would Debbie think of that? And Rowdy? Heâd probably get a kick out of it.
But the warier side of his nature kicked
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