The Mane Event
Page 105

Brendon couldnt believe the next words about to come out of his mouth, but he discovered he couldnt help it. Ever seen that polar bear since?
She looked surprised at the question. Are you kidding? That was a long time ago. Im not even sure Id remember his face or hed remember mine. Besides, he was only visiting Switzerland; he was originally from Norway. And, last I heard, me and Sissy are still banned from there.
Jealousy over some big, dumb bear flew out the window as he stared at Ronnie. Youyou were banned from Norway? The country?
Yeah. Talk about an uptight people. Apparently they have no sense of humor.
Brendon stared at his filled spoon for several seconds. Umare there any other countries youre not allowed in?
Whole countries? She shrugged. Well, theres Korea.
North or South?
Both.
Brendon put his spoon down. Both?
Yeah. And then we were banned from Japan, but they lifted that. Peru and Morocco also temporary. Now Belgium did say never to return, but that still doesnt seem fair. For once it was not our fault. And Germanywell, lets just say that whole thing about the Autobahn having no speed limitnot entirely accurate.
The recommended speed on portions of the Autobahn was eighty miles an hour. Other than that, most of it was pretty freewheeling. Brendon and his sister, after making several million, had vacationed over there, rented Ferraris, and hit the Autobahn. They raced each other for hours, but locals still passed them.
And those cops are mean, she added.
You got pulled over on the Autobahn?
Ronnie shrugged again. Eventually. When they caught us.
Brendon leaned back in his chair, his arms crossed in front of him. Youre never driving my car.
Confused, Ronnie asked, Why not? Then her eyes brightened. What kinda car ya got?
It doesnt matter. Youre not driving it. Ever.
Brendon had more than one car. His Mercedes got him around the city. But he had a sweet Jag he would never put into the hands of this female. She could take care of his kids but never his car.
She pouted for about two seconds, then she looked panicked and tried to duck down.
What? Christ, he hoped it wasnt some ex-boyfriend. Something told him hed be meeting a few of those over time. They probably had some Ronnie Anonymous association to help them get over the addictive nature of this woman.
Well hey, yall.
Brendon looked up into the face of a She-wolf. She looked familiar. He probably saw her with the Smith Pack.
You dont mind if we join you?
Ronnie sat up straight. As a matter of fact
Too late. Shed pulled out a chair and plunked herself down at their table. Another female stepped up. A human. A human Brendon recognized.
He smiled. Detective MacDermot.
Shaw. She glanced at Ronnie and shrugged. I tried to make her keep going, but she insisted.
Now, now. Ronnie loves me. The She-wolf motioned to a chair. Sit, Dez. Sit. She placed her elbows on the table, interlaced her fingers, and rested her chin on top of her hands. Big, innocent, brown eyes turned to him, and she smiled. Now tell us, Brendon Shaw. Are you having a good time with my friend here?
If Brendon were a lesser man, he would have run for his life.
Ronnie sighed and looked at Dez.
Sorry, Dez muttered. I really did try and stop her.
Im having a great time, Shaw answered, a warm smile on his face. The best time Ive had in a long while.
Sissy sat up straight and grinned at Ronnie. Good. Very good.
Shaw pointed at Sissys face. What happened to your eye?
Ronnie scratched her nose to stop the smile. Yeah. Tell him how you got that black eye, Sissy.
Glaring, Walked into a door.
Ronnie glanced over at Dez only to find her staring at what was left of their dessert.
Want some?
It looks really decadent.
Cause it is, darlin. Here. Ronnie reached over to an empty table beside them and grabbed a spoon. She handed it to Dez and pushed the enormous bowl toward her.
Dez, with an unholy gleam in her eye only other chocolate lovers could truly understand, dug her spoon into the dessert. Halfway to her mouth, she stopped when she realized Shaw stared at her.
What?
Dez wasnt exactly a subtle gal, but that could explain why they all liked her so much. Before they met her, they figured shed be more like a cat with Mace being a lion and all. But she was way more doglike.
I wanted to thank you.
Her eyes narrowed. For?
Shaw gave a small frown. For saving my life.
Oh. That. Yeah. Youre welcome. She motioned to the bowl in front of her. Think I can eat now without you staring at me?
Yup. Subtle.
Yall should come out with us tonight, Sissy offered, ignoring Ronnies pointed glare. Were meeting the Pack and Mace at a club on the East Side.
Forget it, Ronnie snarled before Shaw could say a word.