Big Bad Beast
Page 51
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well, stomach since she didnt reach his chest.
Jesus Christ, Dee-Ann! What did you do to her now? the polar demanded.
Well, I started off by minding my own business. You should try it. The grizzly sow pushed her shoulder. Why are you so mean to her? she wanted to know.
Cause it makes me smile. And if you touch me again, Ill destroy every nerve that allows you to walk upright.
Touch you again? You mean like this?
The sow reached for her but a hand caught hold of the sows wrist and bent it back.
Now, now. No need for everyone to get testy.
Malone released the sow and stepped next to Dee, Desiree on the other side of her. It had been a long time since Dee had felt she had some backup during these day-to-day office dramas. It was nice.
Problem, Dee? Desiree asked, folding her arms across her chest so her light jacket opened up enough that everyone could see the .45 she had holstered on her hip.
No, no, Blayne said quickly, suddenly able to get control of her torrent of tears. Its no problem. Everything is fine.
You sure, Blayne? the polar asked.
Positive. Thanks, guys.
With a little jaw popping in warning, the bears walked off and Blayne faced Dee again. This is so not over. I will bend you to my will.
Sometimes I look at you, Dee stated flatly, and I just want to pull your little head off and play basketball with it.
You are so mean, Teacup snapped, storming off before Dee could bother not arguing with her.
You are kind of mean, Smith, Malone told Dee.
Theres no kind of about it. I just am.
Desiree grinned. And yet you sound so proud.
Girls gotta know her strengths. Dee cracked her neck. Whats on the schedule? Although the previous evenings raid had gone well and theyd dug up a little more info from the ones theyd gone to see right after, they still had a ways to go until they tracked down the money and the ones truly responsible.
Were on hold for a few hours.
Malone looked around the training room. Since we are, you up for a little training session, canine?
What kind of train
Dees words were cut off by Malones fist slamming into her face.
Desiree stepped back. On that note, I think Im going to go take a nap in the sleep room you guys have. You two have fun. Let me know when its time to go. Dee touched her nose. You never know how to act, do ya, Malone? The She-tiger shrugged. It depends on who you talk to.
Doyou really think your father would steal from his Pack to open his own restaurant?
I think hed steal from a sleeping baby to open his own restaurant.
Why?
He wants to prove hes better than Uncle Van, which is stupid. Because no one is better than Uncle Van.
You still have that six-year-olds love of him, dont you?
He taught me how to butcher my first gazelle, how to pick up chicks that are way dumb compared to Aunt Irene, and how to not get beaten by the French chef youre working for. These are things that I can never forget.
You going to tell him?
I can do that. Adelle thinks I should do that. Or I can just give my father the money so he wont need the Packs money, or I can replace the money he stole.
Because you suddenly owe your father any of that?
Maybe Im a son desperate for his fathers love.
You dont even like your father.
Ric grimaced. I know. I really dont. I really dont like him at all. That makes me a bad person, doesnt it?
No. It means youve got good wolf instincts. And to be really honest with you, Ric, no one likes your dad. I dont think your dad likes your dad.
Leaning back in his chair, Ric admitted, I have to tell Uncle Van, dont I?
Let me ask you this . . . do you feel you have to tell Van because youre afraid of what will happen to you if you dont? Or do you have to tell him because you love and respect the man and your Pack?
Ive never been afraid of Uncle Van. But, when he was younger and weaker, he had been afraid of his father. And as much as he wanted to love him, he didnt.
Then you know what you have to do. And youll be doing it because its the right thing. No matter what your father will accuse you ofyoull be doing whats right. Feeling a weight lift, Ric said, Thanks, man. That really helps.
Im a bear, tiny wolf man. Were all about the wisdom.
Really? Then tell me how to make Dee-Ann Smith mine forever.
Dude, Lock laughed, thats never going to happen.
Thank you, wise bear.
The grizzly shrugged. Just trying to help.
CHAPTER 18
R ic walked into the Group office. He felt better after getting Locks perspective and now he needed to get some office work done before he made that call, using the three-hour time difference between New York and the West Coast as an excuse to delay the inevitable.
Jesus Christ, Dee-Ann! What did you do to her now? the polar demanded.
Well, I started off by minding my own business. You should try it. The grizzly sow pushed her shoulder. Why are you so mean to her? she wanted to know.
Cause it makes me smile. And if you touch me again, Ill destroy every nerve that allows you to walk upright.
Touch you again? You mean like this?
The sow reached for her but a hand caught hold of the sows wrist and bent it back.
Now, now. No need for everyone to get testy.
Malone released the sow and stepped next to Dee, Desiree on the other side of her. It had been a long time since Dee had felt she had some backup during these day-to-day office dramas. It was nice.
Problem, Dee? Desiree asked, folding her arms across her chest so her light jacket opened up enough that everyone could see the .45 she had holstered on her hip.
No, no, Blayne said quickly, suddenly able to get control of her torrent of tears. Its no problem. Everything is fine.
You sure, Blayne? the polar asked.
Positive. Thanks, guys.
With a little jaw popping in warning, the bears walked off and Blayne faced Dee again. This is so not over. I will bend you to my will.
Sometimes I look at you, Dee stated flatly, and I just want to pull your little head off and play basketball with it.
You are so mean, Teacup snapped, storming off before Dee could bother not arguing with her.
You are kind of mean, Smith, Malone told Dee.
Theres no kind of about it. I just am.
Desiree grinned. And yet you sound so proud.
Girls gotta know her strengths. Dee cracked her neck. Whats on the schedule? Although the previous evenings raid had gone well and theyd dug up a little more info from the ones theyd gone to see right after, they still had a ways to go until they tracked down the money and the ones truly responsible.
Were on hold for a few hours.
Malone looked around the training room. Since we are, you up for a little training session, canine?
What kind of train
Dees words were cut off by Malones fist slamming into her face.
Desiree stepped back. On that note, I think Im going to go take a nap in the sleep room you guys have. You two have fun. Let me know when its time to go. Dee touched her nose. You never know how to act, do ya, Malone? The She-tiger shrugged. It depends on who you talk to.
Doyou really think your father would steal from his Pack to open his own restaurant?
I think hed steal from a sleeping baby to open his own restaurant.
Why?
He wants to prove hes better than Uncle Van, which is stupid. Because no one is better than Uncle Van.
You still have that six-year-olds love of him, dont you?
He taught me how to butcher my first gazelle, how to pick up chicks that are way dumb compared to Aunt Irene, and how to not get beaten by the French chef youre working for. These are things that I can never forget.
You going to tell him?
I can do that. Adelle thinks I should do that. Or I can just give my father the money so he wont need the Packs money, or I can replace the money he stole.
Because you suddenly owe your father any of that?
Maybe Im a son desperate for his fathers love.
You dont even like your father.
Ric grimaced. I know. I really dont. I really dont like him at all. That makes me a bad person, doesnt it?
No. It means youve got good wolf instincts. And to be really honest with you, Ric, no one likes your dad. I dont think your dad likes your dad.
Leaning back in his chair, Ric admitted, I have to tell Uncle Van, dont I?
Let me ask you this . . . do you feel you have to tell Van because youre afraid of what will happen to you if you dont? Or do you have to tell him because you love and respect the man and your Pack?
Ive never been afraid of Uncle Van. But, when he was younger and weaker, he had been afraid of his father. And as much as he wanted to love him, he didnt.
Then you know what you have to do. And youll be doing it because its the right thing. No matter what your father will accuse you ofyoull be doing whats right. Feeling a weight lift, Ric said, Thanks, man. That really helps.
Im a bear, tiny wolf man. Were all about the wisdom.
Really? Then tell me how to make Dee-Ann Smith mine forever.
Dude, Lock laughed, thats never going to happen.
Thank you, wise bear.
The grizzly shrugged. Just trying to help.
CHAPTER 18
R ic walked into the Group office. He felt better after getting Locks perspective and now he needed to get some office work done before he made that call, using the three-hour time difference between New York and the West Coast as an excuse to delay the inevitable.
