The Mane Attraction
Page 17

Roxy stood, tugging her dress back into place. All those voluptuous curves, the woman knew how to work a wardrobe. Come on, baby-girl. Lets get you a real drink. I know I could use one.
I better not. Ive already had twoor three.
Whats one more? Dont worry. She grinned, and Sissy would swear she saw fangs peeking out of her gums. Ill watch out for ya.
Mitch was being thoroughly entertained by Ronnie Reeds uncles and brothers getting sauced on the homemade shine theyd brought from Tennessee when he saw Dez MacDermot strut out of the ballroom. He liked Dez. She was a good cop. Little crazy, but you had to be to do the job.
All right, gentlemen. Lets go.
Go where? Rory Reed, Ronnies oldest brother, asked way too loudly. Wolvesthey simply could not hold their liquor.
Out front. The bride and groom are leaving, and theres a whole tossing of flowers and garters thing thats involved. So lets go.
The flowers are fake, Mitch reminded her.
Youre gonna start with me now, cat? Cause Im tired and cranky, and the chocolate is wearing off.
I see why Mace loves you.
Yeah, yeah, yeah. Fuck youse, too.
Mitch and the Reed boys laughed as they followed Dez back into the castle. You really could take the girl out of the Bronx but not necessarily the Bronx out of the girl. Dez proved that.
As they headed toward the front and the throng of people blocking the entrance, Dez motioned to Mitch. Could you take care of Sissy before her mother sees her?
Where is she?
Over at the back bar. That didnt worry him. It was her next sentence that caused the intense panic. With your mother.
Mitch stopped cold and grabbed Dezs arm. If he didnt know better, hed swear she was moments from going for the piece she had hidden on her somewhere.
Say again?
Sissys with your mom. Roxy, right?
What shes doing with her? Mitch knew he sounded desperate, but didnt Dez see the recipe for disaster this was?
Drinking, last Iwhere are you going?
Mitch ran, cutting past people and trying to pretend nothing was wrong. Especially when he saw Miss Janie. Her eyes narrowed, and her gaze immediately scanned the crowd, looking for Sissy no doubt. Moving past Ronnie, Mitch tugged her hair and motioned to Sissys mother. It took her a second, but then she was up and moving, stepping in front of the woman before she could go looking for her daughter.
As Dez had said, Mitch found Sissy and his mother in the back bar.
When she saw him, Roxy stood and smiled.Theres my baby-boy!
What did you do to her? he demanded.
Sissys head rested on the bar, her body moments from sliding off the stool.
Just getting to know baby-girl here. Roxy grabbed his arm. I like her, Mitchell. Shes smart and funny and sturdy. You know what your Uncle Joey says.
No! Were not discussing Uncle Joey now.
Mitch grabbed Sissys shoulders and pulled her back. Sissy? Can you hear me?
Her eyes opened. Mitchy! she crowed, and he covered her mouth with his hand.
I dont know why youre upset. His mother shrugged. If you cant handle her, Im sure her mother will take her.
Dont even think it.
Fine. Roxy shrugged. Hey, at the very least, Ive loosened her up for ya.
Ma!
Roxy held her hands up. Just kidding. Gawd! Where did your sense of humor go?
That wasnt funny.
They both heard it at the same time. Ronnies voice over the well-wishers din outside.
Im sure shes in the bathroom, Miss Janie. Really!
Why the hell are you yelling, Ronnie Lee Reed?
Move, baby-boy. Roxy motioned him away, and Mitch immediately picked Sissy up and placed her over his shoulder. He could only hope she didnt start throwing up.
And dont take her to her room at the hotel. Thats the first place her mother will look.
Mitch nodded and slipped out through a back doorbarely missing Miss Janie as she stomped in.
I know shes been in here, Ronnie Lee Reed. I can smell herand the tequila!
Mitch moved fast, cutting through the castle and out the back. He had to get Sissys drunk ass back to the hotel. Of course what hed do with her after that, he had no idea. Especially when she suddenly blurted out, You have the best ass, Mitchell Shaw!
Christ, it was going to be a long night.
Chapter 3
Sissy Mae turned over and buried her head back in the pillows, trying her best to block out the sunlight. Since shed never been a morning person, Sissy always kept the blinds in her room at the Kingston Arms Hotel closed. Why she didnt do that last night, she had no idea.
Well, it didnt matter. She was too exhausted to care at this point. Exhausted and in pain. Her throat was sore and raw, and her head throbbed. It felt like her brain was rattling around inside her skull.
It had to have been that last sip of tequila. The one where she clearly remembered saying to herself, Well, I shouldnt waste it.