The Mane Event
Page 62

I think youre killing her, Mace.
Good. He pulled her closer to him and buried his face in her hair.
Dez waved desperately at Smitty. Unlike his now-human-again sister, Smitty was still naked. Help me, she barely managed.
Well, darlin, what did you expect? You had us worried sick.
Thats not helping, she squeaked.
The door slammed shut and Dez finally felt safe.
Sissy Mae shook her head as she quickly handed her brothers clothes to him. I think they got some other lions. I heard it. Once dressed, Smitty gave Sissy a big, brotherly bear hug.
Thats not our problem. And good job, little sister.
The girl glowed with pride at her brothers words. Or it just looked like she glowed because Dez couldnt fucking breathe!
Still dying!
Mace finally released her, and she took in big gulps of air. He swung her around to face him. Thats it! No more helping strange children you dont know.
Dez pulled away from him, her breath coming in ragged gasps, the adrenaline finally leaving her body. Are you insane? Im a cop. If a kid comes to me, Im gonna help em. So get that fuckin thought outta ya head.
Mace took a deep breath as his gold eyes drilled holes into her. After a moment, Fine. But next time make sure they dont have fangs.
Dez grinned. That I can do.
Chapter Twelve
D ez opened her eyes. Then closed them again. Never again would she drink anything referred to as Uncle Willys shine. Her head throbbed. She had no idea where she wasor whose arms were currently wrapped around her.
The body behind her snuggled closer and purred. In that instant, her head cleared and she knew Mace held her. She smiled. What a night. In all her years as a Marine and a cop, she never went through anything like that before. And the fact that she survivedwell, she felt pretty impressed with herself. But the night didnt end there.
Once away from the club, they took Shaw to a Midtown hospital. Apparently owned and operated by shifters, it was the only place that could truly care for the badly wounded manorwhatever. The Pack and Mace were all ready to drop Shaw off at the emergency room and be done with him, but Dez couldnt do that, and for some unknown reason Sissy wouldnt allow it.
We just cant leave him, Dez had argued. Not after his little heroic turn in the bowels of the Chapel. Of course, her sudden sentiment garnered an annoyed sniff from Mace and blank stares from the Pack. But eventually they saw her side of things. So they sat around the waiting room, chatting, eating, andwellwaiting. She even got her wrist x-rayed and bandaged. Only a sprain. No major damage.
Dez found herselfliking Smitty and Sissy Maes Pack more and more as she got to know them. They were sweet and charming as only Southerners knew how. And they seemed to tolerate Mace well enough. Even after he roared at Smitty when he found Dez scratching his happy spot.
Eventually Maces cousin, Elise, blew into the waiting room. It turned out she would be the only Llewellyn Pride female there that cold, rainy night. Sissy Mae and Smitty seemed dumbfounded by the lack of caring from the other females, but Mace wasnt surprised at all. Eventually the doctor told them that Shaw would survive. Elise disappeared after that, and the rest of them headed back to the Packs uptown hotel.
Thats about the time the drinking started. She really shouldnt drink. Dez knew better. Hence the Marine tattoo on her ass she had removed a few years back. Of course, now that area had a big ol lion bite in it.
At least this time around, Mace made sure she didnt do anything too painfully stupid. He simply didnt let anyone near her.
Now it was the morning after. She still had on her bustier. Her body still ached from the beating it took the night before. Her wrist freakin screamed cut me off at her. But she had Mace. She really couldnt ask for a better Christmas present than that. Hell, who could?
She sighed and snuggled closer to him. One of his hands gently caressed her stomach over the leather top while he snored. As she thought how sweet it was that he touched her even in his sleep, his hand slowly moved lower. Dez raised an eyebrow. Tricky cat.
She grabbed his hand with both of hers to stop its lowering course. Thats when his other hand began moving. She grabbed both his hands in hers, but he kept going lower while she kept pulling him back up. Thats when the uncontrollable giggling started. Christ, she was too old for giggling.
They tried to be quiet since they were on the floor with Smittys Pack in his main suitewith that kind of drinking, one rarely made it back to her own bed. Then Mace pushed her onto her back, him on top. He pinned her arms over her head and leaned into her.
Dont you dare, Mace Llewellyn, she whispered fiercely.
Dont dare what, baby?
Get off me, Mace.
No way. Gotcha where I want you.
Ill scream.
Theyll just think youre having a good time.
Dez growled. Ill scream walk.
Thats when they knew the wolves were wide-awake. They all burst out laughing.
Jesus Christ, Mace. Would you let the girl go?
Sissy Mae pulled open the hotel curtains. Afternoon light flooded the room, and everyone groaned except Mace. He still focused on Dez, his eyes narrowed. Shed got him and they both knew it.