Bite Me
Page 56

And so was nearly everyone else.
The only ones who hadnt made the trip so far were the family cubs and a parent to watch out for them, as well as older family members who were too tired or sick to travel. Except great aunt Li-Li, of course. She may be old, but not too old to find out what was going on with her family. Livy also guessed those currently in prison wouldnt be showing, nor would the ones who were currently on the run from law enforcement so they wouldnt go to prison.
Yet even without all those Kowalskis, the living room of her friends rental house was packed with Livys family, all waiting to hear what she had to say.
It was a strange moment for Livy. When shed sent out the vague text to the Kowalskis ordering them to New York, shed expected only a few to show up. But within twenty-four hours . . . here they all were. For her.
You all right? Jake asked her.
Yeah.
He leaned in and whispered, I see Auntie Joan and the Sisters Grimm with her. She does not look happy. Oooh. And your great-aunt Li-Li with her big, disturbing throat scar that freaks me out. I keep expecting it to start talking to me.
Stop.
Good luck with that, cuz. Unless, of course, you will need me to protect you from them with my overt manliness?
Livy snorted and playfully pushed her cousins head away.
You should see your place now, Livy, Jocelyn told her, offering a bite of the Danish shed picked up from the spread that Kyle had put out. Yes, Kyle. It seemed that like most torturers, Kyle was also a wonderful host.
Livy waved the pastry away. Did Melly come with you?
Yeah. Shes out in the back, though. On the phone.
On the phone with who? When Jocelyn raised an eyebrow, Livy sighed. Tell me shes not on the phone with anyone who has a restraining order on her.
Does her ex-boyfriend have a restraining order on her?
Several.
Oh. Then I cant tell you that.
Livy, unwilling to deal with more than one tragedy at a time, focused instead on Kyle. He was talking to her mother, and based on the expression on Joans face, he was trying to convince her to pose for him. With as little clothing as possible.
Coop? she said, and pointed.
Cooper, busy catching up with Jake, followed where Livy was pointing. His eyes crossed and he promised, Ill handle it.
Thanks.
Coop walked over to Kyle and grabbed his brother by the scruff of his T-shirt, dragging him out of the room.
Dont give me an answer yet! Kyle begged Joan. Think on it! Your beauty must be captured for all time!
Jocelyn laughed. I lovethat kid.
You would.
Olivia, her uncle Otto called out. One of those hockey players you take pictures of is here to see you.
Livy looked over at the living room archway to see Vic and Shen standing there with large duffel bags and computer cases. Shed guess there was more equipment out in Vics SUV.
I am not, Vic growled at Otto, a hockey player.
American football then? Otto asked.
Uncle Otto, Livy cut in before Vic could start roaring, these are my friends Vic and Shen. Theyre going to be helping me.
Helping you with what, Olivia? her uncle Balt asked. You have us here. Now tell us what you need.
Livy looked at Vic and he motioned to the stairs with a nod of his head. He and Shen headed upstairs to get situated while Livy faced her family.
She walked to the front of the room and looked over all their faces. Livy had silently rehearsed how she planned to discuss this. Starting off by thanking those whod made the trip before carefully explaining everything shed learned since shed discovered her fathers body.
Yet after all that rehearsing what came out was, My fathers dead.
The honey badgers stared at her for several long seconds until Jake gently said, We know, hon. We were at his funeral.
Livy shook her head. No. That wasnt him in the casket. My mother put some other guy in there. Right, Ma?
All heads turned toward Livys mother, and Joan threw up her hands. Cant even trust my own daughter to keep her mouth shut!
You whore! Aunt Teddy accused, one finger pointing at Joan. What did you do to my dear brother?
I didnt do anything to him. I didnt kill him. I was just sure he was dead.
But you couldnt get his insurance without the body. So who did you kill? One of the many lovers you cheated on my dear brother with? You disgust me, Teddy sneered.
I dont care.
Stop it, Livy calmly cut in, not in the mood to fight or watch others fight. This isnt about my mother. This isnt about insurance. This is about who killed my father.
I loved my brother, Balt said, his eyes sad, but he probably died in some bar. Or over woman.
No, Livy said. My father was hunted down. For entertainment. For sport.
The room became silent as her family tried to understand what she was telling them.
How do you know this, little Olivia? Balt asked. How do you know this is true?