The Beast in Him
Page 6

Im fine. Great, actually.
Im so glad to hear that. I just saw your sister at a charity ball a few weeks ago, but she didnt mention you were home. Actually, she didnt mention you at all.
Maces answer was to laugh.
Laughing herself, Jess shook her head. Ahh. I see little has changed there. She glanced at Smitty and began to walk away. Then she stopped and looked back, her eyes growing wide.
Oh, my... Bobby Ray?
Jessie Ann.
Wow. Look at you. She stepped in front of him and gave him a quick, rather unsatisfying hug. I cant believe it. You look great.
You too.
I see your body finally grew into that head.
At least May had the decency to try to stifle her laugh. Unlike Mace, who let it ring out over the room. Treacherous bastard cat.
Yup, I sure did.
You went into the... She snapped her fingers trying to remember. Marines? Right?
Mace laughed harder.
Navy.
Thats right. Sorry. Its been a lot of years.
I see that.
So why are you here exactly?
Smitty gritted his teeth but answered politely, Im partners with Mace. We own the security company handling your party.
Thats nice. But she didnt seem to mean it or care. Her eyes had already started scanning the room.
The male wild dog from the stage placed a glass of champagne in her hand.
Was I right about the shoes? he asked with a big smile.
Let it go about the shoes.
Think you can dance in them?
Of course. Why?
I wanna swing you over to Don Lester. The billionaire? See if we can tag team him.
Why? Were having dinner with him next week.
Yes, but I want to do this now.
Why dont you do this yourself?
One, Id look stupid dancing alone. Two, he likes you.
If you hadnt insulted his wife... she muttered before swigging back half a glass of champagne.
That was an accident. I wish youd all let it go.
Jess handed her glass to May, who promptly finished it. It seemed the dogs werent squeamish about sharing.
Mace, Ill talk to you later. Theres some work I think I can get you guys.
Sounds great.
Brown eyes focused on him and Jessie again leaned in and gave Smitty a small hug. It was great seeing you again, Bobby Ray. We should keep in touch.
But before he could evendebate whether it was worth getting her number, she was off dancing with some wild dog to tag team a billionaire.
May gave them both a brief smile before moving off toward the rest of her Pack.
Mace nodded his head. Oh, yeah, man. She is so into you.
He glared at his friend, feeling uncharacteristically angry, and snarled, I knew that time you were laid up in the hospital after that firefight I should have put that pillow right over your head.
The rest of the evening was uneventful and went slowly. Painfully slow. All Smitty wanted to do was go home and sulk in peace and quiet. Instead, he found himself watching Jessie Ann work a room rather than doing his job. Thankfully his staff did theirs and they had no problems. As a business, the night was a screaming success. Smitty, however, couldnt seem to enjoy it. He even blew off the hot little jackals blatant proposition. A proposition he normally would have been all over.
The last of the vans headed off back to the companys office parking lot, leaving him and Mace.
What are you grinning at? Smitty asked while leaning against his car.
Im grinning because Im happy. Tonight went perfect. I have some leads on other jobs, lucrative jobs, and my wife is going back to her job come Monday. I didnt think that would make me happy, but it does.
Smitty shook his head and smiled. Is she still out in Northport?
Oh, hell no. Shes back at our Brooklyn place. Which is where Im headed. I didnt want her out on the Island any longer. I fear for her safety. As it is, Im sure the town burned our house down by now. To ensure we would never return.
Before the two friends could part company, the side door opened and the wild-dog Pack walked out. As late as it was, they still seemed to be filled with tons of energy. They discussed going to an all-night diner for a late dinnerearly breakfast. Jessie Ann led the way, wrapped in a fur coat, strutting toward the corner. One of the males caught up to her and put his arm around her shoulders, whispering something in her ear. She laughed and pushed him away.
They walked to a big, black Hummer and pulled the doors open, piling in. Jess opened the front passenger side door but stopped and looked around, her eyes finally finding him and Mace. She smiled and waved.
Thank you, guys! It went great.
Youre welcome, Mace answered for them. All Smitty could manage was a wave. Then the Pack closed the doors and the Hummer drove off.
You all right, Smitty?
Yeah, Im fine. Just thinking about how much little Jessie Ann has changed.
People change. It happens.
Yeah, youre right.