Big Bad Beast
Page 50

Shut up. He pulled the covers back and glared at his childhood friend. Youre getting so weird these days.
You have no idea.
And something in Rics voice had Lock dragging his exhausted ass out of bed and into the shower.
By the time he walked out of his bedroom in a pair of jeans, the table was set and Ric was putting out his plate of food. The mans timing had always been impeccable.
Sitting down at the table, Lock reached for a slice of bacon. So whats up? And this better not be more crazy shit about Dee-Ann.
No. Its not about Dee-Ann.
Good.
Were sleeping together, but thats not why Im here.
Lock threw the half-eaten strip of bacon onto his plate. Youre sleeping with her?
Figuratively and literally. But thats not why Im here.
I dont care thats not why youre here. You cant sleep with Dee.
Too late.
And when shes done, youll let her go or are you going to do that annoying wolf thing you guys do? Where you keep trying to get them to be yours with flowers, chocolates, deer carcasses, and all that goddamn howling outside their window? Kind of like stalking but less threatening because youre only partially human. Because I know for a fact that Dee hates when guys of any breed or species does stuff like that and she doesnt respond to it well.
Ill worry about that when we stop sleeping together.
Youre an idiot, Lock snarled, picking up another piece of bacon.
So you enjoy telling me when it comes to Dee-Ann. Now can I get on with it?
What could be worse than you stupidly sleeping with Dee-Ann Smith?
My father stealing money from the Pack?
Lock raised his gaze to his friends, the pair staring at each other. Finally, Lock admitted, Yep . . .
that wins.
Morning, Dee!
Dee stopped mid pull-up, gritting her teeth.
Arent you going to say hi back?
Dee let out a breath and lowered her legs, releasing her grip on the pull-up bar and dropping to the ground. She came to the Groups in-house gym so she could work out in peace. So she could get in tune with her body while letting her mind work other issues out in the quiet and sanctity of the one place everyone knew shed kill them as soon as look at them if they got on her dang nervesa fail-safe she simply didnt have at the bigger but busier gym at the sports center.
Unfortunately, there was one part-time employee of the Group who didnt seem to understand the word boundaries.
With a sigh, shefaced the wolfdog. Morning, Teacup.
A few months back theyd given Blayne a part-time job at the Group. She had two roles: help the young hybrids that Dee had picked up off the streets to acclimate to life in a normal society, and teach them how to fight with knives. Because as much as the wolfdog irritated her last nerve, Dee had to admit the truththe girl had some skills. Plus, she talked the language of the hybrid, which could be frighteningly off-kilter. Just like Blayne.
Teacup held out a sheaf of papers. Evaluations.
Dee took the files and quickly flipped through them. Well?
What weve both been saying. Most are doing well, but a few . . .
Hannah?
Teacup grimaced. Okay. Shes a little resistant to . . . everyone. Im working with her, though, she added quickly.
I know, Blayne. Dee always used the womans real name when they discussed business. It was proper. But she makes the higher-ups nervous.
Why? Because shes broody and stares and snarls and snaps when anyone gets too close? Her nose crinkled a little. Now that I think about it . . . that might make me nervous, too. She shook her head and stood tall. Nope. Not ready to give up on her yet. Hannahs young. Lots of potential. And, oh, my God, shes so smart!
She can also rip a mans heart out of his chest with her bare hands.
Well, who cant do that?
Dee shoved the papers back at Blayne. You want her to stay, you deal with her.
I was thinking, though . . . it might be good if you stepped in as her mentor.
Why?
She blinked. What do you mean why?
I mean why.
Shouldnt you just feel, like, honored that Im asking you?
No.
Asking you to take her under your wing and
No.
But
I let her live. That means my good-deed job is done.
Please, Dee-Ann.
Forget it.
The wolfdogs bottom lip began to tremble, her eyes welling with tears, but those tears seemed to be a siren song for bears because as soon as Teacup turned them on, every bear from miles around came to her aid. This time it was a grizzly, polar, and a sloth. And they were all glaring at Dee. She hadnt even lunged at Blayne yet.
Yet.
Problem, Blayne? the polar asked, brown eyes glaring at Dee from under one giant white uni-brow.
Bursting into hysterical sobs, Blayne turned and buried her face in the seven-nine polars . . .