Beast Behaving Badly
Page 117

Is Blayne going to do this a lot? he asked, unable to take his eyes off the baby in his arms.
She doesnt stay in one place too long, but she doesnt usually go far, either. He hated to admit it, but he could kind of see why Dee Smith had microchipped Blayne. He still knew it was wrongbut he understood why. Youre good with kids.
I am? Maybe they were only saying that because he hadnt accidentally crushed the baby in his big paws.
Yeah. You are. Which is good because Blaynes got breeder written all over her. While Gwen and Lock will probably stop at two, a certain amount of years apart, the whole event perfectly and logically planned and executedBlayne will just be dropping kids around your house.
Bo shuddered, even while he laughed. Dont say that.
Dont worry. Blaynes officially part of the Kuznetsov Pack now. Youll always have babysitters available.
Thanks.
Grudgingly, but feeling like he should before he became too attached, Bo handed the newborn back to her mother. Do you have a name for her yet?
Nope. Were still working on that. Personally, I like Galadriel.
Bo asked, From Lord of the Rings?
The wild dogs brown eyes lit up. You know Lord of the Rings?
Doesnt everybody?
Book or movie?
Well, I loved the movies, but the books were my favorites in grade
The wild dog gasped, her hand briefly covering her mouth. Shes chosen so well!
Sorry?
No. Nothing. Im just proud of my Blayne. She snapped her fingers. I forgot. When Blayne left, she left with Dee-Ann. Smittys cousin.
Bo tried hard not to panic. Why did she leave with her? he asked, keeping his voice low and even. But Jess immediately seemed to understand his concern.
With her baby tucked into one arm, she placed her free hand over his and said, Oh, dont worry, sweetie. I dont think Dee was planning to, you know, kill her or anything. Jess gazed off. I dont think.
Dee watched Blayne behind one-way mirror glass. Sorry, she said to the bear next to her. About everything.
Thanks, Lock said. He adjusted his stance, his arms folded over his chest. Its not me you really need to apologize to, though, is it?
Heifer broke my nose and nearly got me killed by a crazed sow. I think me and Blayne are beyond apologies, dont you?
Youve got a point. He motioned toward the room. Is she going to help you?
No. Shesgoing to help them. Got a whole speech about it, too. Dee had asked Blayne to help with the hybrids because although they took the Groups free food and clean beds, most of them werent much for doing anything else. But instead of giving up on them, Dee forced herself to remember that these pups, kits, and cubs hadnt had an easy time of it. Chances were strong Dee was their last chance. Theyd either end up dead, in prison, or on the wrong end of a pit fight. So Dee adjusted her perspective, something she was learning to do more and more these days. And that meant asking for some help when she could, even if she was asking for help from Blayne Thorpe.
Besides, Dee had always prided herself on being able to overlook someone being an annoying little twit for the fact that they had a genuine skill or two that Dee could use.
And, after less than an hour, Blayne had the troublemaking, always looking for a scam to perpetrate hybrids sitting on the floor, in a circle, and staring at her like she was a goddess.
Yeah. The girl had a way. Shed won over bears, antisocial hybrid teens, and even the most hated male in shifter sports. Dee had no idea how Blayne did it but she knew true skills when she saw them.
So you going to pay her for this gig or just use her humanity against her?
Dee snorted. She sure does have yall fooled.
What does that mean?
She told me she wasnt doin shit without pay. Apparently good quality hair productshoney-infused was the term she useddont come cheap.
Lock laughed and Dee felt better hearing it. She normally didnt give a shit when people hated her. But Lock MacRyrie wasnt just anybody, was he? Good friends you could trust, not easy to come by.
Were not going to have this issue again, are we, Dee? Lock finally asked her, and Dee knew that question had been coming.
Nah.
Good. You dont want me cranky.
There was truth to that.
So what are you planning to do with these kids anyway? Start your own little hybrid army? he joked. But when Dee only stared at him, Lock shook his head. Forget I asked. Just . . . forget.
Will do, hoss.
Locks phone chimed and he pulled it out of his pocket. He glanced at the screen, smirked. Novikov is still looking for Blayne. He shut his phone off and put it back in his pocket.
You gonna do the man like that?
He folded his arms over his chest again. Damn right I am. Bet it wouldnt take much to convince Blayne to spend the night at our apartment, either. You know, so the girls can rebond.
And everybody says Im a bitch.