“I know you didn’t. But damn it, you’re in danger down there and there will be an accounting. And I don’t feel guilty about watching your back, I’m your best friend and big sister and that’s what we do. In any case, Nick is all clear. He’s a very nice prospect, Trace. He pays his bills on time and has a very nice nest egg. Way to go.”

Tracy lost the edge of her anger and rolled her eyes.

“But I can’t say the same of Ben and Sarah. Or rather, I can now, but about eighteen months ago things got very tight. They have a nice living. She brings in nearly two hundred grand a year and he pulls in about the same from the Pack. But there’d be times when there was nothing in the account and they were overdrawn. She took out large cash advances on their credit cards until she maxed them out. Then everything was fine for a few months and she’d pay back the credit cards and the accounts and then it would happen again. Only, Pack money began to ebb and flow on her schedule.” Nina handed the papers to Nick, who stared at them, shocked.

“And then, about six months after that, huge amounts of money started moving through the Pack accounts. And then payments made to three different companies. Always the same three companies. In really large amounts. I haven’t been able to find out much about these companies, though. One is a place that makes plastic. Can’t imagine why the Pack would have paid nearly half a million dollars to a company that makes plastic in the last nine months. Can you?”

“I don’t know what the hell any of this is.” Nick stared at the paperwork in front of him. “I’ve never heard of any of these companies. They aren’t Pack businesses.”

“Well, and I don’t mean to brag, but I’m pretty slick at finding things out and I hit a major brick wall here on these outfits. They look like fronts and well, naturally my mind jumps to who we all know who runs front businesses.”

“You are so bent,” Lex murmured, a gleam in his eyes as he spoke to his wife.

“Easy there, Scooby. Let me finish here.”

Gabe laughed as Lex snorted before kissing her neck and leaning back to listen.

“Are you saying my Pack is doing business with the mafia?” The anguish in Nick’s voice was clear.

“I’m sorry, Nick. Even more specific, I’m saying your brother and his mate appear to be laundering money through the Pack’s accounts for the mafia.”

“How can you know? You’re a gardener!” Nick stood up and began to pace. Lex growled but Nina patted his thigh.

“I am now, yeah. But let’s just say I have a colorful past and leave it at that. Enough color to know what this is.” Nina looked to Gabe. “Not enough to prove it in a court of law, of course. But common sense can tell you something that you need to back up with months of investigation.”

“This can’t be happening. Things were so simple a week ago.” Nick sat back down.

“It’s got to be connected. Pellini is working to expand his power. Damn it! It’s hard being away right now. The other wolves in the inner circle are very concerned and I’ve gotten calls from some of the other Packs I mentioned, they’ve seen an increase in the presence in certain problems associated with the Pellinis. Just like this one. I need to get back out there and continue to monitor this.”

Tracy closed her eyes as guilt speared through her. He was there because of her. If it weren’t for her, he’d be back in Boston taking care of business. Nick was going through this because of her presence in his life. She fought back tears of frustration, not wanting to lose it in front of her family.

“Excuse me a moment.” Gabe turned to her and took her chin in his hand. “What is it?” His voice was gentle in contrast to his normal voice of address, which was more formal and cool.

Tracy blushed red. “Nothing. God! Don’t let me interrupt you.” The last thing she wanted was to be a bigger distraction than she was already.

“Don’t lie to me. I can feel that you’re upset.” His eyes bored straight into hers.

“I can feel it, too. Come on, baby, tell us,” Nick tried to coax her gently.

“She feels guilty!” Nina said it like any idiot could have figured it out.

“Why on earth would she feel guilty?” Gabe turned back to look at Nina.

“Hello? I’m sitting right here and I’ve just said I didn’t want to interrupt you. Get on with it, we have a lot of stuff to cover.”

“Don’t get pissy with me, Tracy. I’m not going to say another word until you tell me what the hell is wrong.” Gabe loomed over her.

Tracy raised an eyebrow and crossed her arms over her chest. “Pissy? Let’s talk about this later.In private.”

“What? No. There’s obviously something wrong! Talk to me, damn it. Talk to us , we’re your mates.”

“Oh for cripes’ sake!” Cade exploded. “Even I can see it and according to Nina I’m a blind jerk. You said that your being here was a problem. You’re here because of her. Nick’s Pack’s business is being uncovered in light of the whole shitstorm from the Pack house the other night. Ergo, she feels like she’s responsible in that totally insane way that women have about shit like this.”

Gabe got up and dragged Tracy out of the room. “We’ll be back in a few minutes,” he called over his shoulder. Nick followed.

Milton yawned and padded over to Nina, who leaned back against the couch, absently scratching behind his ears and feeling mildly sorry for Gabe and Nick.