Page 16 of The Alpha's Mystery

But then, I got a nagging feeling in my gut and poured over their organisation yet again.

That’s when it struck me. It’s all way too perfect.

Not one late tax return. No missed payments, no debt at all, in fact. All of their employees are squeaky clean, too. No HR complaints or lawsuits of any kind. It’s like the Brady Bunch, but instead of six kids living under the Jones’ roof, they have about forty. The only businesses run like this are those that are desperately trying to stay under the radar.

The longer I watch, stewing while I nurse a beer, the more certain I am that there is more than meets the eyes to the Joneses. Every person in the bar glances at the brothers when they pass by, dipping their heads in respect, or stopping to say hello. They’re like local celebrities.

Or mafiosos.

Except, from what I can tell, they’ve never ventured far from Grey Ridge for any length of time. I don’t think it’s possible to become an organised crime boss without ever leaving your hometown for more than a few hours. The only person to leave was Rex, but a year spent travelling is hardly a crime.

I pull out my phone and scan the accident report from the crash where Hayley met Cooper. She saved his life, and when he came to thank her when he got out of the hospital, sparks flew.

Or that’s the version Hayley told me.

I scan the documents, looking up every now and again at the man himself. On the surface, it all makes sense. He was badly hurt, but was discharged earlier than would be expected, released into the care of his sister the doctor. I can appreciate wanting to recuperate at home, but it seems remarkable they let him out so soon.

Remarkable, but not shocking.

I can’t put my finger on what it is that’s bothering me about this.

Pulling up my texts, I scan those I received from Hayley at that time. She mentions work being done on her new house. She laughs off the newspaper articles calling her a hero. Scrolling down, I sigh, until I hit upon one that leaps off the screen at me.

Hayley: Cooper thinks he can get it finished in two weeks. Eek, so exciting

I grunt when I compare the dates. Three weeks apart. How was this guy fixing her house just three weeks after the accident in which he almost died? Looking at the injuries documented on his chart, he should still have been in a cast and laid up at home.

Drumming my fingers on the table, I stare at Cooper and Rex even harder. It doesn’t add up.

Or maybe it does, but I’m not willing to go there just yet.

He might be able to pretend he was merely project managing the site, but it’s not too long after that message that he was able to race through the forest, over uneven terrain, and rescue her from a crazed gunman. That’s not normal.

Cooper and Rex lift their gaze to mine and gesture to the stool between them. When I stand, I see a mixture of relief and dread cross their features. They want to smooth things over for the sake of my sisters, but they don’t relish the idea of my company. Well, the feeling’s mutual. I’m mulling over how to approach this, crossing the crowded bar and ignoring the curious stares I’m getting from the Grey Ridge locals, when the door opens.

A low wolf whistle, not aimed at me, catches my attention a millisecond before her scent reaches me. Natalie. Gritting my teeth, I refuse to look in her direction, but every one of my senses is focused on where she is.

“Gentlemen.” Stopping in front of them, I tilt my head to the side and observe them, not hiding the fact that I’m studying them closely.

“Chase.” Cooper smiles tightly. “How are you liking Grey Ridge?”

My thoughts drift to Natalie, thinking it has its charms, but I keep my expression neutral. “Grey Ridge has a lot of appeal. It’s a shame I won’t be sticking around too long.”

“You’re going home?” Cooper looks surprised and cautiously optimistic. It’s almost comical that he thinks I’ll give up so easily. He looks so grateful I nearly feel bad about bursting his bubble. Rex says nothing, just stares at me while taking a long, slow drink from his bottle.

“Soon, but not without my sisters.” Rex’s knuckles turn white as he grips the brown bottle, a deep threatening rumble sounds deep within his chest. Knocking back the rest of his drink to avoid saying something he shouldn’t, he glares at me and slams the empty bottle down on the bar. Cooper is far more level-headed, even though his displeasure is sharp in the air. Two men sitting on stools next to us stand and move further away.

“Hayley’s happy here, with me. Aside from the fact that I won’t allow you to mess with my family, she doesn’t want to leave.”

She’s told me the same thing, repeatedly. She’s not staying because of the baby, or because she’s under any kind of duress. My sister loves him and loves this town.

“That may be,” I admit, “but if whatever secrets you’re keeping mean that you can’t keep her safe, maybe she doesn’t know what’s best for her. Love can make you blind.”

Cooper winces, and I’m glad to see the thought of bringing danger to his wife doesn’t sit well. Rex, on the other hand, looks like he wants to punch me. I kind of hope he does.

“That goes for you, too. If you think I’m falling for Leah’s swimming accident fairytale, you’re dumber than you look. Her hands were tied, her wrists rubbed raw from trying to get free. If you didn’t do it, then someone who really fucking hates you did. Which, in my book, means it’s still your fault.”

His chest is heaving, his eyes dark. A wise man would back down, but I want to push him a little more and see just how volatile he is.

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