The Beast in Him
Page 98

Of course, that didnt mean the woman wouldnt say something scary.
What about Uncle Eggie? Smitty asked his sister while debating whether to gag Phil since he wouldnt shut the hell up.
You know he dont do shit until he checks in with Daddy. And then Daddy dont make a move until he checks in with Momma. Who checked in with Miss Tala Leethats Ronnies momma, she quickly explained to Dez before turning back to him, who grudgingly checked in with Annie Jo.
And a dosie-do, Mitch muttered.
Sissy reached for another bread basket, but Dez snatched it up first. Would you stop throwing food at him. Im eating this stuff, ya know.
Does this mean I dont get to kill the balding wolf? Sabina pouted. I was so planning to kill him.
Its okay, baby, Phil soothed. Im sure someone will piss you off enough one day to garner a reason for you to pull out your knives.
You always promise and then they sit around... unused.
Smitty leaned forward and said to his sister, I never thought Id say this to you, but if anything happens to me and Jessie, you get the kids.
They were going at it on the floor like animals.
Jess kept her head down and her hand over her mouth trying to stifle her hysterical laughter as waiters passed around dessert and everyone got up to mingle. Of course, hard to hide the laughter when Sabina wouldnt stop telling this story.
There was growling and snarling and barking.
May pointed her mousse-covered spoon at Sabina. How long were you watching them exactly?
Long enough to know that old wolves still fuck.
Stop it. Please. Jess couldnt even eat she was laughing so hard.
Im just trying to warn you. What they say about Smith wolf males is true. They fuck well into old age. You have quite the years of horniness ahead of you, my friend.
Jess sank lower in her seat, but she made the mistake of looking up at Danny and Philthen they all lost it.
Think Jessie knows?
Sissy whispered back, Knows what?
That every one of us is insane.
Oh, darlin, yeah... she knows.
They looked down the table and watched Jessie and her wild-dog friends.
What do you think theyre laughing at? Mitch asked.
Something tells me I dont wanna know. Smitty picked up his fork and dug into his piece of cherry pie. And Im okay with that.
Smitty had a bite of pie in his mouth when a slap to the back almost had him choking to death.
His sister slapped his back attempting todislodge whatever got caught. Spit it, she ordered. Spit it!
He finally did, cherries flying onto his plate, and glared up at his father. Must you do that?
Aint my fault you got a weak back.
Smittys grip tightened around his fork, but Sissys hand on his arm kept him from using the damn thing to take out his daddys eye.
Bubba looked down at Mitch. Cat in my chair.
Mitch chuckled, then realized Bubba was serious. Oh. He moved over a seat.
Sitting down, Bubba said, Im taking the men out for a drink tonight. Youll come.
I dont think so, Daddy.
Dont be weak, boy. Youll come. One drink wont kill ya. You can even bring your cat friends if you want. If youll feel safer, he taunted.
Smitty took the kind of deep breath he took only around his daddy. Fine.
Youll regret it, Sissy sang under her breath.
One drink, Sissy. Thats all Im having.
She heard her full name yelled at the same time that big hand cracked right across her ass, snapping her out of a sound sleep.
What? Whats wrong? Jess sat up straight and saw Smitty standing at the end of the bed, sort of swaying. Smitty? Christ, what time is it?
It doesnt matter.
Its three in the morning? Why are you waking me up at three in the morning?
He muttered something that sounded like The hypocrisy. But Jess chose to ignore it.
Bobby Ray Smith... are you drunk?
Maybe.
Maybe? Maybe youre drunk?
Dont try and distract me, woman.
What happened to Im only having one drink. Ill be back in an hour? Isnt that what you said to me five hours ago?
Im drunk because my daddy is still in town. We started off in Uncle Barts room. Went to Mommas. And then we left the building. At some point, I believe we left Daddy passed out somewhere in Battery Parkbut Im not really sure.
Isnt your mom going to take care of him?
Her exact words were Leave his big drunk ass right there.
Oh. Her head cocked to the side as she stared at him. Did you know someone scrawled Omega on your forehead?
He growled. Damn, Mace. He rubbed at his forehead, which only managed to smear but not wipe away the wolf-offending words.
Did I get it?
Sure, she lied.