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conversation. Mind if I join in?” Dean approached stealthily, his coat more cinnamon than his brothers’, who could have been twins in their beast form. His yellow eyes gleamed with humor. “So, Burke, you use that condom yet?”
    Grady chuffed with mirth when Burke growled at his youngest brother.
    “Not you, too. Look, Charlotte’s niece is at the house with Gerald, and I need to get back before I’m missed. Grady, take care of the security around here. I take it you two still haven’t found the totem?”
    Dean twitched his ears in irritation. “Except for the wolves you two just chased off, there’s been nothing here since…Charlotte.” They all fell silent. “But the niece is finally here, hmm? What’s she like?”
    “She’s a tough one, but I’m handling her.”
    “Sure you are.” Grady’s eyes gleamed with amusement.
    “Oh ho. So that’s the way of it. Was she any good?” Dean wanted to know.
    Burke growled a warning before pouncing. He needed to get back to Rachel, but he’d about had it with his brothers’ insinuations and teasing. Time to remind them who was in charge.
    Several minutes later, he released a cursing Dean and left an amused Grady to prowl the grounds. Loping back to his clothes, he hurriedly donned them and returned to the house just as Gerald and Rachel exited.
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    “Ah, Burke. There you are. We were just about to come find you.”
    Ignoring the censure in Gerald’s tone, Burke nodded at Rachel. “You okay?”
    Her eyes were red-rimmed and her cheeks pale. She nodded, however, and met his gaze. “It’s hard, but I’m managing. My aunt was a neat freak. So moving in should be a snap.”
    Burke shot a surprised glance at Gerald, who shrugged behind Rachel. “You’re staying?”
    Her lips thinned. “Yes. Is that going to be a problem?”
    Thoughts about the totem slipped his mind as he realized Rachel staying gave him an opportunity to revisit their association from earlier this morning. He couldn’t help grinning as he stared at her from head to toe. “No problem at all. I’d be more than happy to help you settle in, Rachel.”
    She blinked at his husky voice and took a step back in confusion. Good, he’d thrown her. Now how to lure her close again. He not only wanted to touch and taste every inch of her, but he wanted her away from this house for her own protection. And then there was that little matter of the totem’s whereabouts.
    Rachel coughed into her hand, breaking the sudden silence. “I, ah, I think we need to continue, Gerald. You said you’d let us know how my aunt divided the property?”
    Gerald nodded at Rachel and proceeded to explain Charlotte’s wishes.
    Rachel gawked at Gerald, and Burke could only stare, not sure what to say. On the one hand, Charlotte’s decision made it easier for him to search for the totem. And on the other… He glanced at Rachel.
    “You’re telling me Charlotte didn’t divide the property or set up any boundaries at all.” He waited for Gerald’s affirmation before continuing. “So basically, my brothers and I co-own the land with Rachel, but she retains sole ownership of the actual house?”
    “Ah, not exactly.”
    “Explain it then.” Burke didn’t like surprises, and Gerald’s ambiguity was pissing him off big time.
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    “Charlotte didn’t leave the land to all the Chastells. Just to you, Burke, and to Rachel.” Gerald dug into his briefcase and withdrew an official envelope. “This is for you, from Charlotte. And this one…” he paused to dig out another one, “…this one’s for you, Rachel. It’s supposed to explain everything. You are each to open the letters and hand them back to me when you’re done.” He produced a lighter. “Sorry, but she wanted me to burn the letters once you finished. Nothing says you can’t share the information you read with each other, however. I didn’t understand her wishes either, but per Charlotte, no one else reads your messages but you. And if you fail to