The Beast in Him
Page 71

Kind of got this down to a science, Smitty noted as he clung to the coffee mug like his life depended on it.
So many kids, Jess said, we have no choice.
Jess poured herself a mug of coffee, and as she placed the pot back in the machine, she said, Im going upstairs to pack. When I come down, youll be gone. She patted his cheek. See ya.
One stubby Russian finger poked him in the head. How did you screw up? Are you slow?
Dont poke my head.
Dont pick on him. May topped off his coffee. Im sure its just a misunderstanding.
No, Jess is quite sure he is fool. And I think I agree with her.
Why are yall picking on me?
Because, Phil snapped, if you screw this up, were stuck with Sherman Landry or an equivalent. Phil glared at him. That is unacceptable to me.
Sorry Im screwing up your life.
Just get it right. Danny let out a deep breath. Youve got one more shot here. Were going to our Long Island house.
And?
Marissa Shaws property butts ours. Do the math, hillbilly, Phil snarled between clenched teeth.
Thatll work, May said with that constant cheerfulness. It was annoying. You can accidentally meet up with us at some point. She winked at him.
Ill see what I can do.
You better, Phil bit out. Because if I have to deal with Landry on a regular basis, there will be hell to pay.
Mornin, sunshine.
Brendon, dressed in only a towel and fresh from his shower, slowly turned away from his kitchen sink and faced the man who had quickly become the bane of his existence. His sister had been right, it seemed. She said you take on one Packmate, you take on them all. Now, nearly every day, he found some wolf wandering around his home, eating his food, watching his TVand he wouldnt even discuss the bathtub incident.
Why are you here?
Smitty held up a bowl of plain yogurt. I was hungry.
This is a hotel. You can get room service. In another room. Even better, another hotelin another state.
True enough. True enough. But I do have a question for you.
Brendon took a deep, cleansing breath. Okay.
Your sister has property near the Kuznetsov Packs, right?
The one out on Long Island?
Yeah.
Yeah. So?
Any plans for this weekend?
Brendon folded his arms in front of his chest, his patience sprinting out of the room.Spit it out, canine.
Thought we could bring the Pack there, maybe Mace and Dez, since we have this long weekend coming up. Make it a family thing.
And you want to take them to the property that just happens to butt up against your girlfriends Packs?
Shes not my girlfriend.
Yet.
Brendon had been there. He knew the possessive look in the mans eye. Poor idiot. He had no idea. None. But Smitty had given Brendons boneheaded brother a job that kept him in New York and out of trouble. More important, Smitty had brought him Ronnie Lee. For that alone he owed the man, although under torture hed never admit that out loud. All right, little puppy, we can go. Besides, itll be fun watching her ignore you.
Thats real kind of you, hoss.
Well, ya know... Brendon grinned. I do try.
Chapter 23
Jess loved this. Loved coming to this place. To this sanctuary. To relax and be at peace.
So you gonna marry this guy?
Jess sighed loud and long. Of course, when you brought the pups along, one risked the whole sanctuary thing.
Why, Jess asked while sitting on the front porch of the Long Island Pack house staring out at the woods dusted in snow, must you ruin my weekend with your incessant questions?
I asked one. Johnny sat down in a chair next to her, a cup of hot chocolate in his hands. After what Kristan told me and now seeing him in your apartment, I was just wondering
Kristan was supposed to keep her mouth shut.
Yeah, good luck with that.
And you didnt see anything. Jess took Johnnys hot chocolate and sipped it. So what are you wondering anyway?
If you marry this guy
Im not going to marry him.
will that change the whole adoption thing?
Jess turned in her chair and stared at Johnny. And she kept staring until the boy twisted uncomfortably in his chair. What?
See this? Jess pointed at her face. This is my unhappy expression.
Johnnys lips turned up a bit at the corners. Your unhappy expression?
Yes, this is the expression I get when Im unhappy.
Oh. And youre unhappy because...
Because you actually think that some man, any man, could make me change any of my decisions. I didnt know you saw me as such a wuss.
I dont. Its just... Johnny shrugged. My mom changed her whole life over a guy, and she was one of the toughest women I knew.