The Mane Attraction
Page 10

You did the best you could manage.
Gee. Thanks.
Ronnie put her arm around Sissys shoulder and pulled her friend in close. Whats this I hear about you and Mitch out in the garden?
Sissy rubbed her forehead. Youre telling me my own mother is spreading rumors about me?
No. I heard it from Mitch. He said yall got busted by her.
Sissy gave up. That idiot. Nothing happened.
Because yall got busted. He thinks youre in love with him. Want his babiesand life insurance.
Its like he wants me to slap him around.
The friends were silent for a moment and then said together, Although he might.
Sissy grabbed a glass of champagne off a passing tray, and thats when she saw him staring at her. He was really cute, although a little short for her. Asian, dapper as helland really cute. Had she mentioned that already?
I know you two, he said. She could tell English wasnt his first language, but his accent was flawless, and she detected a bit of British there. He snapped his fingers. You took my Lotus!
Sissy choked on her champagne, and Ronnie started looking for the exits or law enforcement with arrest warrants.
Lord, what is the statute of limitations again?
Giving her a teasing smile, he said, Some would say you won it fair and square, but I still doubt it.
Realizing she wasnt being accused of thieverythat was a load offshe took a closer look at the man in front of her. He was Asian wild dog and really cute. Wait. Shed already thought that. Now I remember. In the Philippines. Right?
Right. Did you enjoy my car?
Ohsure. Until theyd sold it. That little baby financed their next six months in Asia.
Im Kenshin Inu, in case you dont remember.
Sissy Mae Smith. Ronnie Lee Reed.
Youre related to Smitty, yes?
Yep.
Interesting. You know Im working with him and Mace to start a Japanese division of their business.
You are? Bobby Ray hadnt told her, probably because he knew shed beg him to let her go to Japan for the initial setup.
They were so discussing this when he got back from his honeymoon. The thought of getting back on the road again made her almost giddy. It wasnt like before. She didnt need to escape for years, only to be forced back for holidays and guilt visits to Tennessee. Now living in the city she adored and as Alpha Female of the New York Smiths she had a reason to come back, but shed always need to travel and Bobby Ray had to know that. Besides, Ronnie Lee could handle the She-wolves when Sissy wasnt there.
Already her mind was turning with the possibilities of this.
I see the bride signaling for me. If you ladies will excuse me. He smiled and walked off.
You gonnawait until after the honeymoon or before to torture Bobby Ray about this?
After, of course! But Mace will hear from me on Monday.
Ronnie laughed, shook her head. Sissy didnt know what shed do without her regular traveling partner. Together, she and Ronnie had done some major damage around the world and werent allowed in quite a few countries because of it.
Wait, is Tokyo still on the list?
But Ronnie was with Brendon Shaw now and madly in love. Although she loved to travel, she didnt have the same drive that Sissy did to keep it up.
Oh. Ronnie motioned over a pretty, slim woman in a sexy as hell dress. I dont think you guys have met yet. Gwen ONeill, this is Sissy Mae Smith. Sissy, this is Mitchs baby sister, Gwen.
Lord in heaven! This was Mitchs baby sister? His innocent baby sister? His sweet, adorable baby sister? Maybe it was Sissys imagination, but the woman was too hot in her sleeveless black dress with the low-cut front and even lower-cut back, five-inch heels, and a short mass of black, curly hair that teasingly swept across bright gold, almond-shaped eyes to be anyones innocent anything.
According to Mitch, she was only half lion. Her father was a South China tiger, which made her one of the rare Tigons. And shed picked up the best of both her parents. Beautiful, classy, and
Id give my left tit to get laid sometime this weekend, but I dont think thats gonna happen.
Now it was Ronnies turn to choke up the champagne shed only just sipped, and Sissy stared at Mitchs innocent baby sister, fascinated.
I thought Id find somebody here, buthands on hips, she looked aroundnothing is real promising. The voice was low, husky. Over the phone, she could easily be mistaken for a man.
Ya know, she went on, Mitch talks about you all the time. She eyed Sissy before turning back to scan the crowd. And Im always like, Dude, if you like her so much, fuckin marry her. And hes all like, Shut up.
Sissy didnt dare look at Ronnie. Nope. If she looked at her, forget it.
This is a nice wedding, though, huh? Although we werent invited. But Ma made up her mind. She was coming, and I figured I better go to keep her out of trouble, ya know? A couple of margaritas in my mom, and all hell breaks loose. But Brendon got us in with no problem, and everybody has been pretty friendly. Except that bitch. She snorted and glared across the bar to Brendon Shaws twin sister. Marissa Im Gods gift to the universe Shaw. Shes this closeGwen held up her thumb and forefinger a small bit apartto getting acid tossed in her face. I dont think she realizes no one talks shit about my brother. I dont give a fuck who you are. Or in her case, who you think you are.