Emmitt's Treasure: Judgement of the Six Companion Series, book 2 by Melissa Haag

or worry had me responding with a grin and a wink.  Then, Michelle surprised me further by nodding.
    My pulse leapt again as I stepped into the apartment and made my way to the kitchen.  Her humor faded, and she watched me warily.  I pretended not to notice and didn’t let it destroy the moment.  She’d let me in, and I was coming to realize it was two steps forward and one step back with her.  She was prickly like that.  It just meant any progress with her would be slow.
    Finding the biggest glass in the cupboard, I set it on the counter and filled it to the top with wine.  It would give Michelle the chance to drink as much as she wanted without me disobeying Winifred.
    When I glanced at Michelle, I saw her worried look.  Did she think I was trying to get her drunk?
    “You don’t have to drink any,” I said.
    She responded by picking up the glass and taking a large swallow before removing the meat she’d put in the microwave.  I stood back and just watched her for a moment, basking in her company and her scent.  I especially liked the way she moved.  Slow and sure.  My gaze fell to her long legs—I needed to thank Winifred for the cutoff shorts.  Realizing the direction of my appreciative gaze and thoughts, I cringed.  If I wasn’t careful, I’d be riding Michelle’s knee again.
    When she tossed an onion my way, my gaze was properly on her face once more.  We worked side by side to make the meatloaf for dinner.  The smell of the food wasn’t enough to cover her emotions, which seemed to shift with each sip of wine.  She had something on her mind, and I kept quiet, hoping she’d realize she could talk to me.  About anything.
    But when she did speak, I wasn’t ready for what she said.
    “He locked them in their room when he got tired of them.”
    We both froze.  I could smell her surprise as I struggled with my anger.  I wanted to know who locked them in their rooms, but knew now wasn’t the time to push for more information.
    I quickly washed the food from my hands then turned her to face me.  Her cheeks were flushed; from the wine or what she said, I couldn’t be certain.
    I remained quiet, waiting for her to look up.  When she did, she kept talking, a small sign of trust.
    “My mom died just after Aden was born.  My stepfather, their dad, died two days before I saw you at that diner.  I’m all my brothers have.  I won’t let them be locked in a room again.”
    “David will never get the chance,” I promised.  If I ever saw him again, he was a dead man.
    Something flitted across her features.  I lightly breathed in and tasted her confusion as she studied me with a slight frown.
    “I’m not afraid of David,” she said before she turned away and poured the rest of the glass of wine into the sink.  The move signaled the topic was now closed, and I wished she wouldn’t have shut me out.
    She put the meatloaf in the oven then brought out a bag of potatoes.  When she handed me a few, I washed them for her.  Although I knew she was done talking, I still had so many questions.  If it wasn’t David she feared, then who?  Who locked her brothers in a room?  Who was after my Mate?  Who were Blake and Richard?
    Not ready for another unmanning, I kept my mouth shut.  So did she.  And she remained quiet all through dinner.  As soon as we all finished eating, she asked to clean up alone.  I hated leaving her—it felt like losing ground—but did as she asked.
    Downstairs, Aden and Jim challenged Liam and me to races.  Wolf style, but no fur.  Winifred scolded his wording but didn’t say a thing when he got down on all fours and started racing around the porch.
    When I gave her a questioning look, she shrugged.
    “Little bits of information at a time can sometimes help ease a transition.”
    I wondered if she knew Jim had said something very similar to me.  Most likely not.  She didn’t like when Jim sounded like an Elder, or was right.
    I looked down at Liam, whose gaze