Bite Me
Page 15

Ronnie Lee, seeing her brothers, stood with her son in her arms. Take Reggie, I need to go to the bathroom.
At their sisters request, Ricky Lee immediately changed direction and walked over to Livy by the sink, Reece dropped to one knee so he could tie a boot that didnt need it, which left poor Rory unprepared. His sister shoved the baby in Rorys arms and the stoic wolf suddenly appeared terrified. If the females of the Pack noticed, none of them said anything. Instead, they kept chatting among themselves.
Livy asked her cousin, So whats up?
Well, Im going to be in Manhattan in the next couple of days for a job. Thought youd like to sign on.
Livy frowned at the statement. Huh?
Your mother called me . . . said you needed work.
Rubbing her forehead, Livy asked, She said what?
Uh . . . oh.
While her cousin was stammering on the other end, Livy watched Rory Lee carry his nephew through the open door and into the dining room. He began pacing back and forth, gently patting the childs back.
Shit, her cousin muttered. I knew I should have talked to Jake first. But your mother sounded so
Casual? Livy asked.
Yeah. Exactly. So I guess shes still not a big supporter of your photography career, huh?
Apparently not.
Rory suddenly stumbled past the open doorway, Ronnie Lees baby now attached to his uncles throat by his little baby teeth, his little baby claws dug into his uncles shoulders.
Hey, Jocelyn asked, are you okay?
Yeah. Im fine, Livy lied, watching in concern as poor Rory stumbled back the other way, desperately trying to pry his nephew off his neck.
Maybe we could meet when I get into the city.
Sure.
Okay. Ill talk to you later.
Yeah. Thanks, Joce. Livy disconnected the call and glanced over at Ricky. Are you going to help him?
I find its better not to get involved.
Ronnie walked back into the kitchen just as her baby was finally yanked off Rorys neck and sent flying right into her arms. She easily caught her child and then all the She-wolves turned on Rory, gawking at the poor wolf in horror.
Good Lord, Rory Lee! Ronnie snarled. You dont throw babies! Especially mine!
Look what he did to me! Rory pointed at his unmarred neck.
What am I looking at? Sissy Mae asked. Cause I dont see nothin.
Just wait until the little bastard grows into his fangs, Rory promised. Then youll see!
I dont know whatsbeen wrong with you lately, Ronnie said, sitting back at the kitchen table. Its like youve lost your dang mind!
Wheres Toni? Ricky asked Livy.
Taking a call from the Russian team.
Ricky sighed. Im sensing another trip to Siberia coming up.
Now? Livy snorted a little. Its freezing over there.
Its a winter nightmare, but they do take good care of us when we come over. He moved a little closer. Just so you know, Ricky said low, motioning to his Packmates, theyre probably going to crash here for the night.
All night?
Yeah. Theres a game on. Well watch it on our big flat screen, which we all love, and then, before you know it, theyre asleep on our living room floor. Toni doesnt mind, but you
Yeah. Tell Toni Ill check in with her later.
Chuckling, Ricky nodded. Will do. Have a good night.
Livy made it out of the apartment and down to the street before Reece caught up with her.
Hey, he said, catching her arm. Youre not staying?
Cant. Your friends get on my nerves.
Reece laughed. Youre not a subtle gal, are ya, Livy?
Nope. Heading down the street, she waved back at him.
Once she hit the corner, Livy stood there for a second, wondering where shed go now. Without her raising her hand, a taxi stopped in front of her. Livy opened the door and got in.
Where to? the cabbie asked.
Livy thought a moment, then smirked. Westchester.
Vic watched over Shens shoulder as the panda did what he did best and hacked into the delivery companys computer system. Theyd found a security guard willing to let them in, but they didnt have a lot of time.
It didnt take long to figure out that this company was, truly, a delivery business. They delivered cars and other heavy items for their rich clients to and from foreign countries. But they also moved illegal products like elephant tusks and stolen paintings and protected-animal meat and furs. Also for their rich clients.
But that still didnt explain the circuitous route the package from Russia took to get to Miami. Once Shen was into the system, he discovered that the package had gone from Russia through Japan down to Australia to South Africa into Argentina up through Peru through Columbia and into Cuba before hitting Miami.
The question that Vic needed answered, though, was where had it gone from there.
It was a pickup, Shen finally said. Someone came and picked up the box and took it. No name provided, though.