Hunting Human by Amanda E. Alvarez Page A

better care of yourself.”
    No reaction. No indication his brother was even listening. Chase just turned his face to the window and stared listlessly out the glass.
    Fine.
    “I don’t want to have to go home someday and tell Lucy you aren’t coming back.”
    Chase didn’t turn to face him but Braden saw him squeeze his eyes shut in the reflection on the window, and then jerk his head once.
    Good enough.
    Impatient honking behind him snapped Braden back into traffic in time to pull through what was left of a yellow light and straight into another rain-filled pothole.
    “You’re aiming for them, aren’t you?” Chase asked through clenched teeth.
    “You bleeding on my leather?”
    Chase leaned back into the seat and closed his eyes. “Nope.”
    “Then I’m not aiming for the potholes.”
    A smiled ghosted across Chase’s face.
    “You said Jason’s tailing Markko?” Braden asked, redirecting the conversation.
    “Yeah.”
    “Okay, then. Jason can handle that for now. We’ll get a couple of others to come and help out if we need to. You can take a few days to rest.”
    “It’s not that bad. The gash tore when I shifted. I’ll be fine in the morning.”
    “A few days rest at my place won’t hurt you.”
    But they might kill me.

Chapter Seven
    Beth sprayed down the counter and began wiping in quick strokes. Anything to keep her occupied. Every time she had a spare moment a tempest of nerves snared her, dragging her under thoughts that swam in whirling circles.
    “Nervous about tonight?” Angie asked, as she walked out of the kitchen.
    “What?” Oh God, is it that obvious ?
    “Well, you’re either nervous or trying to wipe all the varnish off my bar. That’s the third time in the last hour you’ve sprayed it down.”
    Crap. Beth stored the cleaning supplies back under the sink. “Maybe a little, it’s been a while since I’ve dated anyone.”
    Angie turned toward her and raised one perfectly penciled eyebrow. “Is that what you’re doing?”
    Heat infused Beth’s cheeks. “Well, I guess. I mean, we’re going to dinner.” A slick wave of dread coursed through her. “Is that a problem?”
    “If it is?” Angie kept her tone casual, but the hand she planted on her hip hinted at a challenge.
    “I…” Unsure how to respond, Beth snapped her mouth shut. She liked Angie, considered her both a friend and a good boss, but she didn’t like the direction of this conversation. She liked being pushed around even less.
    Beth squared her shoulders, met Angie’s gaze and prayed she wasn’t about to get fired. “I’m sorry, Angie, but it really isn’t any of your business.”
    “Good.”
    Torn between relief and indignation, Beth forced her jaw into forming words. “What?”
    “Well, I didn’t want to have to fire you for being a pushover.” Angie’s eyes sparkled with amusement. “I’m sorry.” Angie reached over and gave her limp hand a quick squeeze. “Braden’s like family. He grew up with my boys. I guess I just wanted to gauge your interest.”
    Beth let the breath she was holding whoosh out of her. “Well, you could have just asked! Do you scare all his dates half to death?”
    Angie smiled. “You’re the first.”
    “What makes me special?”
    “Because when Braden looks at you, he sees something special. If I saw him look that way at another woman, I’d have something to say to her, too.”
    “Oh.” Flattery and a fresh bout of nerves battled within her.
    “You know,” Angie said, her voice edging toward serious, “Braden tends to be tenacious when he’s serious about something.”
    “It’s just dinner.”
    “If you say so.” Angie smiled, contradicting her without words. “Now get going.”
    “But I’ve got another hour left on my shift.”
    “We’re slow. Go home. Get ready for your date.”
    “Thanks.” Beth said, already taking her apron off and moving toward the back. A little spare time would be nice. She could redo her hair at least twice.
    “If