Page 15 of Maddox: Wild Alaska
I snicker. “You’re the only man I know who wouldn’t like being ambushed by a group of women.”
“One of them reached for my crotch, so I grabbed her wrist and told her I’d arrest her for molesting a cop.” He grins. "She went bright red and fled back to the bar. The older womanapologized and asked if I were a real cop." He narrows his eyes. "They thought I was a stripper!" he mumbles.
I can't help myself and burst out laughing. Okay, maybe I howl with laughter. My brother gives me such a dark glare that I force myself to stop, which isn't easy. Still snickering, I ask, "What did you do?"
"I shot them all a glare, pushed my way through them, and escaped to the kitchen." He shudders. "The older one trailed behind me, wanting to know if I could find her daughter-in-law, who has disappeared. It took me a minute to realize she referred to Sofie.”
Heaving a heavy sigh, I glance back toward where Sofie should be tucked in bed, but I force myself to stay with my brother. I face him. "What's happening with the case?"
He searches my gaze for a moment before answering, "The team arrived and called it a night, which is why I made it here." He runs a hand through his dark hair. "The blood found is the same type as the victim's. We need a DNA analysis to confirm the match, though. The time of death is impossible to determine because she's been frozen. Nothing else was found in the searched area. The only thing I can do tomorrow is go back and question everyone who knew her."
"Have you spoken to Gabe?" I ask.
“He feels guilty for not trying harder to find her.”
"I know. It sounds like he was glad she left. He used to meet up with her and her friends, so he should be able to give you names."
“He's writing down everything he remembers about her. About her family and friends. I'm meeting him for breakfast."
"Good. Let me know how he's doing.”
"Sure," he sighs. "I'm going to get some sleep." He trudges off toward his cabin while I make my way to mine.
I’m aboutto head out to look for breakfast when I hear Catherine and Samantha directly outside. I plaster myself against the front door of my cabin.
A loud knock makes me jump, but I don't move. My heart pounds heavily in my chest and blood rushes through my ears. I can't hear them, but I sense they haven’t left. I kept the curtains closed and, luckily, but the lights were off. Two more rapid knocks make me flinch.
"Mom, she's in there!" An angry Samantha says.
"You don't know that. There are no lights on."
"How would we know that? They’re blackout curtains," Samantha huffs.
She's right, too. I can't see daylight with the curtains drawn, so they can't tell if a light is on.
"Let's go have breakfast. Sofie will be there, and we can ask her which room she's staying in," Catherine says.
I lose track of their conversation as they move away. At least, I hope they're moving away because I'm hungry and don't want to hide in my room all morning.
A few minutes later, I decide to make a move. Before I get the door open, someone else knocks on it. I stop in my tracks. The knocking continues. "Sofie, it's Judean. The coast is clear. Please let me in."
My breath catches as I quickly let her inside. She grabs the door from me and quickly closes it. "I'm sorry, but I'm hiding."
"Why?" I look her over. “Did you sleep elsewhere last night?” I grin, but it turns into a frown when I remember that Colton, the youngest Hawke brother, had led her away.
Judean's cheeks turn bright red, and I smirk as she closes her eyes and sighs. "I slept in his bed, but nothing happened. I woke up like this!" she hisses, holding her arms out to the side showing me the hockey jersey she wears. "How did I get into these clothes?"
"Well, did you ask Colton?" I sit in the chair at the dressing table, amused by my new friend's predicament.
"No, I didn't ask him! He was snoring when I snuck out." Perching on the edge of the bed, she continues, "The blanket was pulled really low on his body. Like, below his firm butt. He's gorgeous and toned. I was so tempted to peek further, but I resisted."
"You slept next to a hot, naked guy and didn't peek?" I snort.
"Well, really? Look at me, then look at him." She slaps her thighs.
My brows pinch together. "I don't understand. You're both single and consenting adults, right? I mean, I think you are."
"I'm fat, so I'm single."
