Ground Floor: Toys and Games by Jorja Lovett Page A

avoid.
    “What brings you here, Rory?”
    “I saw the bike outside and I know the house has laid empty since your father died.” He shrugged his broad shoulders.
    The fact that he gave a shit irked Caleb all the more. “Pity the neighborhood watch wasn’t more vigilant before now.”
    Rory peered behind him to survey the debris. “You know how remote these hills are. If I’d known…”
    “What business is it of yours anyway?” Caleb’s last nerve snapped at having Golden Boy witness the pitiful legacy left to him by his father. He wouldn’t be surprised if the whole thing turned out to be a set-up by the old bastard in a last stab at humiliating him. After running away from the abusive home at the age of sixteen, the discovery of the inheritance had been bittersweet. Now, it was just plain bitter.
    “I’m a police officer.” Rory’s words were spoken with pride but also a hint of irritation. A burglary on his doorstep probably didn’t sit well with PC Perfect.
    “So you’re the law round these here parts?” It figured. “I’m sure you’re a real credit to the police service of Northern Ireland.” Caleb didn’t bother to hide the sarcasm in his exaggerated drawl. He and authority did not make for good bedfellows.
    Rory’s eyes narrowed, his wolf shining through for a brief moment. “I’m also the alpha now.”
    Another non-surprise, but at least Rory deserved the respect shown to the pack leader, unlike Caleb’s father.
    He opened his arms wide in an act of submission. “Hey, I’ve got no problem with that. I’m not about to challenge you. As soon as I get this place on the market, I’m outta here. Though I guess it’s gonna take longer than I thought now.”
    And cost him every penny he had to put it right.
    “I can ask around, see if anyone saw who did this and dust for prints.” Rory remained professional but Caleb knew it was a waste of time.
    “Forget it. They’ve had months to fence whatever they took and there have been more people through here than the Europa bus station. I’ll get it put to rights as soon as I can and move on.”
    Rory nodded, the plan obviously to his liking as well.
    “Rory, I’m freezing sitting out in that car. Can we go yet?” A female voice breached the male stronghold, followed by a familiar face. Only hours earlier he’d chased her stunning white wolf form through the nearby woods. Her face paled as she recognized him and Caleb’s inner wolf howled in appreciation at being reunited with its mate.
    His human couldn’t complain either. Slim, slight and blonde, she was every man’s fantasy. Although he preferred her naked instead of the jeans and jumper cover-all she wore now.
    “Caleb, you remember my sister Mia?”
    Holy shit! He’d just fucked Rory Blake’s little sister six ways to Sunday!
    “Yes, I think I recognize her.” He swept his eyes over her body, remembering how responsive she had been to his touch.
    “Caleb?” Large blue eyes blinked at him in fear. As if he would rat her out to her brother and run the risk of having his balls handed to him on a plate for his trouble.
    “I told you to wait in the car.” Rory let his cool demeanor slide to scold his baby sister but Caleb was too caught up in this latest revelation to crow over it.
    “Maybe I’m sick of being told what to do.” Mia pursed her pretty pink lips, reminding him of the pigtailed nuisance that used to follow him around like a shadow when they were kids. He never did understand her fascination with him, figuring that the pampered princess got her kicks watching a guy fail at life on a daily basis. Well, now she’d had her bit of rough and he’d gotten to enjoy the sweet revenge of watching embarrassment stain her cheeks.
    Rory glanced at both of them in turn and scowled. “It’s late. I have to get Mia home. I’ll round up some help tomorrow but in the meantime you can stay at mine.”
    “No!” Caleb and Mia chorused together.
    “Thanks, but I don’t think