Big Bad Beast
Page 24
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Lets go. Cella yanked the full-human off the property and to the car. Smith was already inside with the engine revving. Cella and MacDermot scrambled inside, but before they got their seatbelts on, Smith hit the gas.
As they headed back to the City, Cella asked herself again, How did I get here?
CHAPTER 7
Tell me you didnt take him back, Lock said while they sat on the bench, waiting for the second string to get through the next few seconds of the game.
I had to. Hes my cousin.
Hes your thieving cousin with a gambling problem. And have you forgotten your fathers edict?
Hardly.
Lock blew out a breath. Hes going to blow an artery.
Are you two focusing on the game? Novikov demanded.
The pair gazed at the hybrid for a moment until Ric turned back to Lock and said, You didnt see him, though, Lock. Theyd already beaten the hell out of him. He hasnt been eating. I couldnt just leave him like that.
But hes out of the Pack, Ric, which means hes out of the restaurant.
I can hire who I like, and someone has to wash those dishes.
What did Adelle say?
We havent discussed it yet, but Im sure she wont be pleased.
Dont you have enough problems with your old man, now youre going to piss off Adelle too?
Stein needs help.
Why? Who does he owe money to this time?
Ric grimaced; hed hoped Lock wouldnt ask that question. Polars. Dave Smolinski and his brothers out of Atlantic City.
Jesus Christ, Ric.
I know. I know.
Do you think you two girls could table this discussion until after our game? Novikov snarled.
Maybe when you have a sleepover and youre braiding each others hair. Ric stared at his least favorite human being and replied, I think youd look pretty with ponytails.
A single ponytail, Lock insisted. With front bangs.
Awwww. Now that would be lovely.
Novikov stood. I hate both of you.
They followed him out onto the ice, Ric taking his position in front of the goal. Cella skated behind the net and around it, passing Ric with a smile.
Everything go okay today? he asked.
When she only laughed, he didnt know how to take it.
Dee was sitting in the stands, watching the game. She didnt want to, but she was too tired to get up and leave.
Dee-Ann?
She sighed, recognizing the wolfdogs voice and praying the woman wouldnt hug her. She couldnt fight her off at the moment.Yeah?
Blayne leaned in closer. Hon, youre leaking.
Pardon?
Teacup pointed at Dees arm. Youre leaking.
Shit. Shed thought shed stopped the bleeding.
Come on.
Blayne grabbed her arm and helped her out of her seat.
Youll miss the game, Dee told her.
These days I live hockey. I can miss a game or two. Unable to fight, Dee let the wolfdog lead her to the hockey teams locker room and into the medical unit that was always on standby during their games.
Blayne! the four technicians and three sports doctors called out.
Hi, guys. You dont mind if we use your facilities for a bit, do you?
Be our guest.
Blayne helped Dee up onto one of the tables and went off to get supplies. She returned a few minutes later and helped Dee take her jacket off. She pulled off the towels Dee had wrapped around her wounded arm and, after some tsking, went about cleaning off all the blood.
How did this happen?
Hyena cut me.
Oh, Dee . . . Blayne said sadly. You didnt kill him, did you? She almost smiled. Not this time.
Good. All this killing cant be healthy for you.
Blayne leaned in and studied the wound. This is going to need stitches. Dee pointed at one of the doctors. He can do it.
Youre not on the team. He wont touch you.
Fine. Ill go to the hospital then.
I can do it. Blayne reached for a small plastic package.
You must be joking.
Nope. But you have nothing to worry about. Ive been sewing up ONeills since I was fourteen.
You know, when they couldnt go to the hospital because it would have to be reported to the cops or something.
Watch me not even respond to that, but my answer is still no.
Dee-Ann, Im trying to be nice here. But youre testing my patience.
Sorry if I dont trust you to start sticking needles into me considering our past.
Are you still harping on that? Blayne demanded. So I broke your nose and shot you that day in Ursus County . . . I cant believe youre still holding that against me.
I know. So irrational. Especially when Dee had to let her hair grow out just to cover the damage to her dang ear from that gunshot.
It is. Especially when Im trying so hard to be nice. The least you can do is appreciate the gesture for what it is and let me stick this curved needle into your flesh over and over again.
As they headed back to the City, Cella asked herself again, How did I get here?
CHAPTER 7
Tell me you didnt take him back, Lock said while they sat on the bench, waiting for the second string to get through the next few seconds of the game.
I had to. Hes my cousin.
Hes your thieving cousin with a gambling problem. And have you forgotten your fathers edict?
Hardly.
Lock blew out a breath. Hes going to blow an artery.
Are you two focusing on the game? Novikov demanded.
The pair gazed at the hybrid for a moment until Ric turned back to Lock and said, You didnt see him, though, Lock. Theyd already beaten the hell out of him. He hasnt been eating. I couldnt just leave him like that.
But hes out of the Pack, Ric, which means hes out of the restaurant.
I can hire who I like, and someone has to wash those dishes.
What did Adelle say?
We havent discussed it yet, but Im sure she wont be pleased.
Dont you have enough problems with your old man, now youre going to piss off Adelle too?
Stein needs help.
Why? Who does he owe money to this time?
Ric grimaced; hed hoped Lock wouldnt ask that question. Polars. Dave Smolinski and his brothers out of Atlantic City.
Jesus Christ, Ric.
I know. I know.
Do you think you two girls could table this discussion until after our game? Novikov snarled.
Maybe when you have a sleepover and youre braiding each others hair. Ric stared at his least favorite human being and replied, I think youd look pretty with ponytails.
A single ponytail, Lock insisted. With front bangs.
Awwww. Now that would be lovely.
Novikov stood. I hate both of you.
They followed him out onto the ice, Ric taking his position in front of the goal. Cella skated behind the net and around it, passing Ric with a smile.
Everything go okay today? he asked.
When she only laughed, he didnt know how to take it.
Dee was sitting in the stands, watching the game. She didnt want to, but she was too tired to get up and leave.
Dee-Ann?
She sighed, recognizing the wolfdogs voice and praying the woman wouldnt hug her. She couldnt fight her off at the moment.Yeah?
Blayne leaned in closer. Hon, youre leaking.
Pardon?
Teacup pointed at Dees arm. Youre leaking.
Shit. Shed thought shed stopped the bleeding.
Come on.
Blayne grabbed her arm and helped her out of her seat.
Youll miss the game, Dee told her.
These days I live hockey. I can miss a game or two. Unable to fight, Dee let the wolfdog lead her to the hockey teams locker room and into the medical unit that was always on standby during their games.
Blayne! the four technicians and three sports doctors called out.
Hi, guys. You dont mind if we use your facilities for a bit, do you?
Be our guest.
Blayne helped Dee up onto one of the tables and went off to get supplies. She returned a few minutes later and helped Dee take her jacket off. She pulled off the towels Dee had wrapped around her wounded arm and, after some tsking, went about cleaning off all the blood.
How did this happen?
Hyena cut me.
Oh, Dee . . . Blayne said sadly. You didnt kill him, did you? She almost smiled. Not this time.
Good. All this killing cant be healthy for you.
Blayne leaned in and studied the wound. This is going to need stitches. Dee pointed at one of the doctors. He can do it.
Youre not on the team. He wont touch you.
Fine. Ill go to the hospital then.
I can do it. Blayne reached for a small plastic package.
You must be joking.
Nope. But you have nothing to worry about. Ive been sewing up ONeills since I was fourteen.
You know, when they couldnt go to the hospital because it would have to be reported to the cops or something.
Watch me not even respond to that, but my answer is still no.
Dee-Ann, Im trying to be nice here. But youre testing my patience.
Sorry if I dont trust you to start sticking needles into me considering our past.
Are you still harping on that? Blayne demanded. So I broke your nose and shot you that day in Ursus County . . . I cant believe youre still holding that against me.
I know. So irrational. Especially when Dee had to let her hair grow out just to cover the damage to her dang ear from that gunshot.
It is. Especially when Im trying so hard to be nice. The least you can do is appreciate the gesture for what it is and let me stick this curved needle into your flesh over and over again.
