The Beast in Him
Page 12

Wow. Alpha of a dog Pack, Sissy sneered. Wonder what ya gotta do to get that job?
Be the best ass sniffer?
Dez shook her head. You two are mean.
What can I say? She brings out the worst in us.
Actually, Ronnie reminded Sissy, everybody brings out the worst in us.
Good point.
Smitty sighed, a little sad. Yall dont think she left because of me, do you?
Hed asked it honestly, knowing how hed protected her and all. But the hysterical laughter he got back did nothing but insult him.
Theres nothing to tell. I saw Bobby Ray for like five minutes.
She lies, Sabina accused. But we will break her.
They pushed Jess into a chair and Sabina snapped her fingers. They placed it in her hand and she held it in front of Jesss face.
Jess snorted. You really dont think thatll work on
Dark, dark chocolate, Sabina told her softly. Walnuts. Fresh from the oven.
Sabina held Jesss favorite brownies under her nose. Theyd been baked, along with cookies, for an early afternoon trip to the zoo.
She reached for the pan, but Sabina yanked it back. Oh no. Not unless you tell us everything about your five-minute meeting with the wolf.
Fine, Jess agreed, her mouth watering. But I get the whole pan.
If you think your hips can handle that, my friend.
When are you going to pick up the final check? Smitty asked Mace.
Mace, finally sated, leaned back in his chair and put his arm behind his wifes chair, stroking her shoulder. Forget it.
Ill come with you.
For-get-it. Im there to do business. Not have you sniffing around her like a dog in heat.
The cub in his arms, Butthead, aka Marcus Patrick Llewellyn, smiled up at him and reached for his finger. You could actually feel small claws right underneath his skin. Yet, they wouldnt make a real appearance until Marcus hit puberty. Still, you didnt need to see those claws to recognize the animal within. He may have his mothers graygreen eyes, but this wonderful little boyand Smittys godsonstill had the cold, hard expression of a predator. Just like his daddy.
Smitty smiled at Dez. How are you holding up, darlin? I know its not easy raising one of us.
Good. The cheetah nanny helps, though. But the first time he snarled, I had a bit of a panic attack.
She screamed and threw him at me.
Dez scowled at Mace. I did not throw my son at you. I just handed him over and walked quickly from the room so Icould scream into a pillow in our bedroom.
I found her under the bed with the dogs.
I was getting their toys, you big-haired bastard. She looked back at Smitty. Its just taking some getting used to. The snarling, the hissing, the purring. Then I have to deal with it from the baby... .
Ha, ha, Mace stated dryly.
When do you go back to work? Smitty asked because he loved seeing the way Maces entire body tensed with panic.
She gave a deep sigh. Tomorrow. They asked me back early. Said they were desperate. I thought about telling them no, but Mace said I shouldnt risk my job. She rubbed her husbands thigh and gave him that sincere, loving look that always made Mace want to run for his life. Youre so wonderful about all this, honey.
Uh... yeah. Thanks.
Mace turned toward Shaw and asked him about the hotel, and Smitty watched Dez, Ronnie Lee, and Sissy Mae all exchange suspiciously smug glances.
Hey, Smitty said, did you three planow!
The entire room looked at him and he gritted his teeth against the sudden and brutal pain in his foot where Dez had stomped on him under the table.
Whats the matter with you? Mace demanded, almost sounding like he really cared.
Smitty shook his head while Dez gently brushed his hair out of his eyes. I think the poor baby got a leg cramp, huh?
He nodded this time, unable to speak as she ground her heel into the upper part of his foot.
You dont hunt enough, Mace accused, already turning back to Shaw. That would work those cramps out, ya know.
Dez kissed his cheek and hissed in his ear, You say a wordthey wont find your body for months.
Wolves were a smart breed and always knew when a predator meaner than them was near.
Still holding the baby, who seemed quite happy with the vicious side of his momma, Smitty promised, Not a word.
Jess dropped onto the couch beside the sixteen-year-old boy reading a book and trying to pretend she wasnt sitting next to him.
She opened her laptop and booted it up. You werent up to zoo time today? she asked him.
Jonathan DeSerio, Johnny, shook his head, his eyes focused on the book in front of him. Until his head suddenly snapped up and he hurriedly said, Unless you want me to go. I can next time.
For three years after his mother died, child services bounced Johnny between foster homes. For reasons no one but other shifters understood, the full-human families the city stuck him with simply didnt like having him around. They found him odd. And with reason. He wasnt really human, not completely.