Mr. Red Riding Hoode: Poconos Pack, Book 2 Read Online Free Page B

didn’t even question it. “Ready for the meeting tonight?”
    She shuddered. “I wish Rick would listen to Belle and start having some of the Pack meetings indoors. Think about it. We could have snacks!”
    Steve, confused as hell, tried to keep from being seen. What were they talking about? Pack meetings? Outdoors?
    Something strange was going on around here.
    Ted chuckled. “Can you imagine the looks on the guests’ faces when the fur began to fly?” He shook his head. “Nah. I’m pretty sure Rick’s going to keep those sort of meetings outdoors where they belong.”
    Fur beginning to fly? Had he stumbled into a nudist colony? Maybe they were like the Polar Bear Club and liked being outside freezing their nuts off. He’d seen a few people wearing fur-lined jackets. Maybe they were members.
    At least they wouldn’t be diving into a frozen pond or something. He was pretty sure Ben, at least, would object to that. Ben had always been sensible.
    Graciela made the cutest face, like a kid who’d been told she had to eat her broccoli before she got the candy bar. “Pooh. Oh well. It was a…” She frowned, glancing around them and sniffing. Steve ducked back into the hallway, hoping he hadn’t been caught eavesdropping like a naughty little boy.
    “Chela?”
    He glanced back around the corner, unable to help himself. The expression on her face was one of warning. What were they really talking about? It was as if she wanted Ted to shut up, but all they’d been talking about was business, right? “I have to get the paperwork to Dave.” The forced cheer told him he’d been busted, but for some reason she wasn’t giving him away.
    “Are you all right?” Ted’s tone was more suspicious than concerned. Damn.
    Steve made his way back to where the corridor met their little corner of the lobby, determined to bull his way through this if it killed him. He strode right over to the two and picked up Graciela’s hand. “Good morning, Graciela.”
    The flush on her cheeks was almost worth the embarrassment of being caught.
    Almost.
    “Who are you?”
    The overprotective inflection in Ted’s voice didn’t sit well with Steve. Neither did the glare the other man was throwing his way. Steve would give him some slack, if only because he was trying to protect Graciela. Steve would examine why he was reacting this way later, when he was less embarrassed over eavesdropping like a sixth grader. “Steven Hoode. And you are?”
    The man’s brows rose, his gaze darting to Graciela, who nodded firmly. “Ah.” The man took a step back, the tension in his shoulders easing. “Teodoro Pedroza. I work with Ben.” There was something, a menacing flicker that disappeared almost before Steve really acknowledged it was there, in the other man’s gaze. “Welcome to the Poconos, Mr. Hoode.”
    “Ted.”
    The warning in Graciela’s voice was clear, the command unmistakable. She took a step forward, placing herself solidly by Steve’s side. She was ordering her friend to back off in no uncertain terms.
    To his credit, the man did so, but not before shooting Steve a look that told him clear as day that Graciela was loved and protected. The look he turned on Graciela only hammered the point home. It was full of brotherly affection that had Steve reassessing the relationship between the two. “See you tonight, Chela?”
    “Tonight, Ted.”
    Ted sauntered off, Steve watching him to see if he’d come back. Steve didn’t want the other man hovering when he asked Graciela on a date.
    Steve maneuvered Graciela more firmly into the corner. “I gather dinner isn’t an option then?”
    Those huge brown eyes blinked up at him in surprise. They were framed by the thickest black lashes he’d ever seen. “You want to have dinner with me?”
    Dinner with her, and then her for dessert. “Yes.”
    She bit her lip, her cheeks flushing delightfully. “I’m sorry.”
    “Don’t you want to eat with me? I’m crushed.” He gave her his