Free Adele, Claire - Guardian of His Love [Wolves of West Texas 3] (Siren Publishing Ménage and More) by Claire Adele Page B

involving her.” Derek stared at the two people in Darlene’s front yard. “Hell and damnation,” he swore under his breath. “Looks like she’s busy planting with her gardener.” A wide-brimmed hat covered her short, dark hair.
    “Hope she doesn’t recognize us,” Juan said.
    “Maybe she won’t. Don’t look her way.” Derek looked up the street toward the mansion, and Juan did the same.
    They were almost past her house.            
    “Derek Wolfson. Hello,” she said.
    “Oh well,” Derek murmured. “Darlene. How are you doing?”
    “Great! How nice to see you. How are you and Kelly getting along?”
    “Fine,” he said. “She’s doing real good.”
    Darlene looked at Juan. “Aren’t you Cynthia’s good friend, Juan Enriquez?”
    “Yes, ma’am.”
    “She thinks the world of you,” Darlene said.
    “She’s a very special lady,” Juan replied.
    “Won’t you come inside for some refreshments? It’s warm today,” she said.
    Derek glanced at Juan and said, “We’re actually in the neighborhood looking for more members of the gang that lived in the mansion up the street.”
    “Oh. Those horrible people,” she said.
    “Have you noticed any activity around there lately?” Derek asked.
    “Yes, as a matter of fact. I’ve noticed a black sedan with dark, tinted windows pull into the driveway of that house on occasion.”
    “Would you recognize the men in the car if you saw them again?” Juan asked.
    “No.” She shook her head. “The car windows are tinted real dark, and they drove to the side of the house. I couldn’t see whether they got out or not.”
    The rumble of a big vehicle drew their attention to the gate. An oversize black pickup stopped near the Civic.
    “I think we’ve seen that truck before,” Derek said, disgusted.
    “That’s all we need,” Juan said.
    Six men wearing blue jeans and dark knit shirts exited the truck and vaulted the fence.
    Darlene put one fisted hand at her waist and shook the index finger of her other hand at the group of guys. “Those are the men who came to my door recently asking for a girl named Kelly Wolford.”
    “They’re Kelly’s three brothers and their three friends,” Derek said.
    Darlene took a cell phone from her slacks’ pocket. “I’m calling the police.” She started punching keys on her cell.
    “What the hell?” Derek swore as one of the guys started running toward them. Derek hoped they wouldn’t have to fight Kelly’s brothers in Darlene’s front yard.
    As the guy who focused on Darlene stopped in front of her and grabbed her hand which held her cell, Derek and Juan grabbed hold of him.
    “Let go,” she bit out, her eyes full of fury as she held onto her cell.
    The angry guy released his hold. “You know where Kelly is.”
    “I told you I’d call the police if you came back.” From the sound of her voice, she was furious.
    Kelly’s brother, Beau, moved close to Derek’s side. “I want to talk to you.”
    Shit . No way could Derek avoid this confrontation any longer. “I’ll talk to you alone over there in private, or some other time.” He indicated the far side of the yard. “What’ll it be?”
    “Now,” Beau said.
    Derek headed for the far side of the front yard.
    “You want me?” Juan asked.
    “No. Stay with Darlene,” Derek said. When he reached a distance he thought would be private enough, he turned and faced Beau so that Beau had his back to the group around Darlene and Juan. No one would hear Beau but Derek, and they couldn’t read Beau’s lips.
    “What do you want to talk to me about?”
    “My sister Kelly.”
    “What about her?”
    His anger gave Beau’s face a cold look. “We know she’s mated with someone. I think she mated with you since she’s staying with you. If you’re the one she’s mated with, you’ll have to prove it if you value your honor.”
    “And just exactly what will prove that to you and your brothers?” Derek was losing patience with Beau and his