Page 45 of Matched into the Mob

“To a human it might be,” I added.

“So you’re talking about killing someone?” Matt had his face in his hands. These disclosures might end any chance of us being together, but I wasn’t going to lie.

“Not that. At least not the way you mean.”

“What other way is there? Murder is murder.”

“In wolf form. We only eliminate people who take something that doesn’t belong to them or who threaten our pack and our family. Bad people. Family is everything.”

“Family.” The corner of Matt’s mouth turned up. “In a weird way, I sorta understand that part. My brother always has my back, and I’d defend him with my dying breath.” He exhaled. “But yeah, Dane’s account, photos, videos, and email threads I copied will give you everything you need.”

I already had enough to bring Dane down, but with Matt’s in-depth info, we could make sure Dane never did business again. Or anything else, including breathing.

“I knew I liked you.” Uncle Arnie grinned.

Matt fiddled with his napkin. “Don’t speak too soon. There’s a lot you don’t know about me.” Matt scrunched up his face.

“What?” my family repeated, and they leaned forward.

“Ummm, yeah… ahhh… mmmm… right… I sometimes wear my socks twice because I can’t be assed to do laundry.”

There was silence around the table until Dad spoke. “Sorry. That’s the tipping point of whether we allow you to be part of the Durand family.” He folded his arms, and his serious expression would have worried me if I’d been Matt.

“And the verdict?” my mate asked.

“It’s gross.” Dad crinkled his nose.

“Excuse me.” Matt leaned back in the chair. “You were just discussing your pooping schedule.”

“True.” Dad rubbed his chin. “Okay. You can join the family.”

Flint’s mouth twitched, and he slapped his hand on the table. His belly laugh echoed around the huge room, and we joined in.

“That’s kind of you, but can I take a raincheck on joining the family?” Matt hugged himself. “I need to think about it. Sorry.”

“Of course,” I assured him.

Matt flashed me a glance, and I placed my hand on the table, palm up, and waited. He studied it and put his marked palm on top. His mating hand.

“But there’s the additional issue of my damaged table.” Dad rubbed his fingers over the splintered wood.

“He started it.” Matt jerked his head at Flint, and we all laughed.

My mate intertwined his fingers in mine. “One more thing. I really want Dane arrested, not killed. He deserves to rot in a small cell.”

There was another silence until Flint pushed his chair back. “Ranger, it would be best if we all agreed on how to deal with Dane.” That was code for Matt to understand we had our own rules.

He grabbed his dishes and strode into the kitchen. Uncle Arnie and Dad did the same, with my dad insisting he and my brother clean up as Uncle did the cooking.

“Come into the den, Matt.” I extended my hand. He took it, and as we strolled toward the room, the lights flickered.

“Hope the power’s not going off again,” Dad yelled.

“It’s still on. I’ll make more coffee.” From the corner of my eye, I noted Uncle pouring water into the coffee machine.

“I’m so confused, Ranger.” Matt flopped onto the couch and curled into a ball, his hands between his legs as he shivered and his teeth chattered.

It was a big mistake coming in here because it was so cold. It was taking a while for the room to warm up after the power outage. I raced into the storeroom and got a portable heater and more bedding while also bringing in my phone to charge.

---