Page 17 of Maddox: Wild Alaska (Hawke’s Ridge #1)

After showering, I put on dark gray slacks and a white button-down shirt and quickly glance at myself in the mirror.

I don't usually pay much attention to how I look, but it's nice to clean up and dress nicely occasionally. Am I going through too much trouble for dessert, though? I splash on cologne and realize I’m not doing this for dessert. I’m doing it for Sofie.

I want her to know she’s worth the effort.

My phone starts ringing and vibrating on the dressing table.

I wince when I see Branson's name on the screen.

I hesitate for a moment, debating whether to answer.

In the end, I answer because I saw Hunter head into his cabin not too long ago, which means Branson must be out there with minimal backup. "Everything okay?"

He sighs. "No, it isn't. Can you come?"

I close my eyes and silently curse. "Where?"

"My office. A couple of feds are here." He hangs up, and I stare at my phone.

"Fucking hell!" I shove my feet into boots instead of shoes and head into the living room. I quickly send Garrett a message, asking him to meet Sofie and Judean, and then I head out via the main lodge. I need to see Sofie.

I spot the group of women sitting around a large, circular table. The other group of tourists who checked in earlier are spread throughout the room. Yet, my eyes land on Sofie, but they quickly flicker to the guy sitting with her.

Sofie notices me and quickly rushes over before I can step toward her. She takes my arm and leads me out of the room. "He showed up. I can't get rid of him."

"Your fiancé?" I frown.

"My former fiancé. I gave him his ring back, but he insists that I only have cold feet. I don't. I've told him this. He was in my cabin when you walked me back. He won't leave. There are no rooms.”

"Wait, he's staying with you?" My mouth tightens as I take a step away from Sofie. I don't want the woman I'm falling for to sleep with someone else, even if he is—or rather, was—her fiancé.

Sofie steps with me and grabs my face. "I'm not in the mood to be misunderstood, so I'll spell it out for you. I'm not engaged anymore. Richard thinks we are. But he has the ring. I won't wear it ever again. I don't want him in my room, but he won't leave.”

"You can stay with me."

"What?"

I shrug. "I want you with me, so it makes sense that you stay with me. I sure don't want you anywhere near another man."

Her lips twitch. "Are you jealous, Maddox Hawke?"

"Damn straight I am." I grab her hips and pull her up against me.

My mouth crashes against hers, hard and needy.

My tongue joins in, and the moment she sucks hard, my cock tries to punch out of my pants.

Breathing heavily, I gently push her away.

"I want you to move into my cabin, okay?

I'll ask Garrett to stop by your cabin and help you gather your things before taking you out for dessert.

" Pause. "I should be back soon, but I'm not sure.

Branson has a situation down at the station.

I need to go back him up." I pause when it hits me. “Wait, dessert is going to be delayed. Possibly a raincheck. I’ll let you know.”

“Forget about dessert. You won’t be in danger, will you?"

“The feds are in town,” I whisper, kissing the tip of her nose. "Keep that to yourself.”

"I will. Be careful."

I pull her close and wrap my arms around her, breathing in the citrus scent of her hair. "I have you to come home to."

"Mmm."

I hate leaving her right now, but I have no choice. "I need to go. Will you be, okay?” I nod toward the dining room.

“I’ll be fine.”

I kiss her forehead and rush out the front door, shooting another message to Garrett.

As I pull up outside the sheriff's station, I notice the large black SUV parked next to the equally large sheriff's utility vehicle.

They got here quickly. I step inside the station and move toward Branson's office.

His eyes widen when he notices me. Considering what I'm wearing, I'm not surprised.

He grimaces as I step into his office. "Sorry, I interrupted your evening.

" He waves a hand toward the two Feds. A woman and a man.

"Agents Sheridan and Kalluk. This is my brother, Maddox. "

I nod, slightly confused as to why I'm here. I have no law enforcement experience, and I only help Branson out occasionally. "How are you here in town?" I finally ask, breaking the silence, because my brother looks ready to explode.

The woman turns to me and holds out her hand.

"Agent Adele Sheridan." I shake her hand, and she continues.

"We've been tracking a predator. When the sheriff started a search with certain parameters, an alert was sent to my phone. Our brief research mentions that one of your brothers, Gabriel Hawke, was the last person to see the victim, Angela Stevens.” She pauses.

"Gabriel Hawke was also in Montana when three women were killed. The crime scenes were identical as the one you just discovered.”

My blood runs cold at what the agent is suggesting. I realize this is why I'm here when I meet Branson's furious yet tired gaze. "You're wasting time going after Gabe. He wouldn't harm a fly,” I defend.

"Then how do you explain his whereabouts? He has been at each location."

I frown at the young agent and wonder why the older one is letting her take the lead. I give her my attention and ask, "If you think our brother is the killer, why are you telling us?"

"Because," Kalluk states, "Agent Sheridan doesn't believe your brother is the killer.” He sighs. “I’ve learned to trust her instincts.”

I shoot my gaze her way and notice a blush coating her cheekbones.

"Please explain?"

"I have a very good built-in psychopath antenna. He doesn't register at all. I honestly believe he's a genuinely nice guy."

"You've met him?"

She winces. "I sat next to him at a bar in Anchorage." She shrugs. "What I do believe is that the killer might be following your brother. I think he's someone Gabriel Hawke knows, or at least someone he's met in passing."

“You’re talking about a stalker, right?” Branson asks, rubbing the stubble on his chin as he sits sprawled out in his chair. I don't miss the quick look Sheridan gives him before getting back to business. I hide my amusement because now isn’t the time.

"A stalker, maybe. We don't know anything else."

“In fact, we don't have evidence to prove your brother isn't the killer, just like we can't prove he is," Kalluk adds. “All we have so far are his whereabouts over the past six months."

"Fuck," I curse. "You need to speak to Gabe in the morning. Not here, but at the lodge." I keep my gaze on Branson.

He nods. "Meet me at the front of the lodge at 7:30, and I'll walk you to his cabin. He'll answer your questions. He didn't do this.”

“Afterwards, I want to see where the bodies were found,” says Sheridan.

"That can be arranged. I have a new assistant starting tomorrow, so I must get her settled first thing, but I can show you around after that.”

"That suits." Kalluk stands and offers me his hand. We shake hands, and before releasing me, he says, "My nephew speaks highly of you, Maddox Hawke. I hope we find your brother innocent." Releasing my hand, he turns to Branson. "Sheriff.”

Nephew. I rack my brain for a name, but none comes to mind. "How do I know your nephew?"

"You rescued him from a burning car when he was trapped inside."

My eyes widen in surprise. "Jonny Nanuq," I say quietly.

He nods. "He values your friendship."

"I value his too. He's a good man." I smile, preferring to remember when I met him in Anchorage last month for a beer, rather than the night we first met.

The agents leave, and Branson exhales heavily and curses. "Thanks for coming down."

"I didn't do much."

"Yeah, you did." He stands up. "Did I interrupt a date?" He glances at my clothes.

I shake my head and chuckle. "No, you didn't. I wanted to impress Sofie when I picked her up for dessert at your place."

"Oh, shit! I forgot."

"Don't worry about it. You have a lot on your plate right now." I pause and raise my eyebrows as we head out of the station. "So, what do you think of Adele?"

I receive a scowl in response to my question. "She's a fed."

I roll my eyes and drape an arm over his shoulders as we step outside. "She was checking you out."

"I don't need to know that." He shoves me away. "Give Sofie and Judean my apologies for tonight."

"I will, but they'll understand." I turn to Branson as I get in my truck. “Hey, I don’t mind you calling me.” I hold his gaze until he nods in acknowledgment. Then, I drive away, wondering why I always feel like I must remind him that I’m okay with being there for him.