With Caution

because Dirk was already doing that. Jake stood and went to his mate, wanting to ease his worries even though he knew there was little he could do. Remi was right. Dirk had to be keeping tabs on Remi somehow, which was exactly why, from now on, Jake was staying with him at all times.
    So far, he’d kept his cool and tried to calm Remi that way. Earlier, Remi had done the same to him. It wasn’t easy though, he couldn’t remember ever hating another person as badly as he did Lassiter. His resolve to keep from killing Dirk was slipping a bit more each second. “Remi, he’s already forbidden you to see Sterling. There isn’t anything you can do about it. What will alienating our friends, your pack, do?”
    “He did what?” Dago asked, outrage clear in his voice.
    “He doesn’t want me hanging out with all of you.” Holding up his hands, Remi turned back to Jake. “I tried it your way.” Shaking his head, he took a seat on the arm of the couch, next to Zack. “I can’t not be around Sterling, Jake. With me out of the picture, www.samhainpublishing.com 185
    J.L. Langley
    Sterling will end up hurt. You can keep investigating, but until you get something on Dirk…” He stood and his eyes were misty. “I can’t.” He gazed back at the guys. “I’m sorry. All of you have to go.”
    Feeling his mate’s fear and sorrow so keenly, Jake had to blink back tears. How could he get Remi to understand? How could he assure Remi they’d get something on Dirk? Maybe he should just go kill the bastard.
    Zack came forward and began kneading Remi’s shoulders.
    Shrugging him off, Remi stepped away.
    Looking like a kicked dog, Zack went and sat beside Dago on the couch.
    Jake studied them with their heads hanging and had no clue what to say. Jesus, this was not only destroying Remi, it was tearing their pack apart.
    There was a knock at the door.
    Growling, Remi grumbled, “Who now?”
    Nick and Tank. Jake could smell them. He opened the door, allowing them in before shutting it.
    “Goddamnit.” Remi threw his hands up again and groaned. “Gee, let’s put a sign on the door to make sure everyone knows who all’s here.”
    Nick’s eyes widened. “Is he okay?”
    “Yeah, he’s fine.” Stepping aside, Jake extended an arm toward the couch.
    “No, he’s not.” Remi flopped down on the carpet.
    Something scratched the door.
    Jake frowned.
    “And that would be Rhys, Keaton and Chay.” Covering his face with his hands, Remi groaned.
    All the men looked at Remi, then one another.
    “Who is that?” Tank asked.
    It smelled like… Matt? Opening the door, Jake spotted a black wolf. He stepped out of the way, letting the wolf in, and closed the door.
    Sighing, Remi sat up.
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    With Caution
    The wolf began to shift. Muscles shrank and bones popped as tanned skin took the place of black fur. In a matter of seconds, Matt picked himself up off of all fours and stood, naked, in the living room. Shaking his head, he stretched his arms. His lithe body flexed. He turned, looking at Jake. “Rhys sent me to tell you that Sterling is fine.”
    Remi jumped to his feet and rushed forward, nearly tripping over the coffee table.
    “What? How does he know? Where is Sterling? What—?”
    Jake wrapped his arms around Remi’s waist. “Shh. Let him talk, pup.”
    Matt smiled at Jake and addressed Remi. “After Jake left, Rhys shifted and headed out. I, ah—” Matt blushed and darted a glance around the room. “I decided to follow. So, after I let Rhys out the front, I locked up, stripped and went out the back.” His gaze met Jake’s. “I locked the back door first and hid the key before I shifted. Then I followed Rhys’ scent. When I got there, Rhys told me to come let you know.”
    Remi actually relaxed a little, his shoulders lost some of their tension and he leaned against Jake. “Tell me about Sterling?”
    “He’s at the house with your mother. We caught glimpses of them through the windows. Your father came home, got changed into his uniform and then left again. Rhys is going to stay until he comes back, to make sure everything is okay.”
    “Thank you.” Remi stepped away from Jake. “I’m going to have to ask you all to leave now.”
    Ignoring the gang’s reaction, Jake reached for Remi and turned him back around.
    This news should have made him feel better. It sure as hell had made Jake’s anxiety lessen. “What gives? Rhys is watching after him.”
    “It doesn’t