The Mane Event
Page 83

For what? Sissy asked, and she looked like she really didnt want to know.
Love? Gemma, Sissys distant Smith cousin, asked with a sad amount of hope on her pretty face.
Ronnie and Sissy snorted. Love? Ronnie couldnt keep the disbelief out of her voice. That word more foreign to her than Sanskrit. No. Id rather have rabies than be in love.
Why?
Because at least you can get over rabies with some shots.
Marty laughed and shook her head. She seemed to be the only one who didnt appear remotely drunk and shed polished off an entire bottle of vodka by herself. Trust me, pups, one day youll find that male who makes you love him, care for him, and want to stab him in the face all at the same time. And your lives will never be the same.
Ronnie and Sissy both shuddered in horror.
Were so drunk, Gemma observed for no apparent reason.
Were not drunk, Sissy corrected. Were blasted off our asses.
Taking her shot of tequila in one gulp before slamming the glass on the table, Ronnie offered, I dont want my life to pass me by.
Filling Ronnies glass again, Sissy promised, It wont.
Its already started. Its whizzing by like a freight train.
So? Weve had some great times, darlin, Sissy reminded her.
We have. But Im sorry if I dont still wanna be running wild with you when Im fifty. Life cannot be a series of great fucks followed by barroom brawls.
Gemma scratched her head. And why is that?
When you get past your twenty-fifth birthday, Perky Tits, you can ask me that again.
Looking down at her chest, Gemma grinned. Well Ill bethey are perky!
Sissy grabbed Ronnies arm before she could launch herself at the adorable little She-wolf.
Okay. Sissy kept a good grip on Ronnie while slamming back another shot of tequila. Perhaps we should think about heading back to the hotel.
Why? Gemma whined.
In answer, Daria, Ronnies second cousin twice removed, opened her mouth to say something, and then her head slammed right into the table when she passed out.
Yup, Marty agreed. Time to go.
They got two cabs back to the hotel and either underpaid the drivers by ten dollars or overpaid them by a thousand. Unfortunately, they werent really sure which, but the cabbies seemed happy and Marty kept snickering.
Arms around each other, they stumbled back into the Kingston Arms. A fancy, shifter-owned-and-operated establishment. Unlike some resort towns their kind owned,here the Pack couldnt exactly go running around in their animal form since full-humans stayed at the hotel, too. They had no way to keep them out. But shifters received the best of everything at a very low rate.
Oooh. Bar. Sissy Mae stumbled into the fancy hotel bar, but Ronnie and Marty caught up to her.
Oh no you dont. Upstairs with you, Marty chastised. She is so going to regret this when she wakes up tomorrow.
Im relatively certain we all will. Together they stumbled to the elevators, and as they waited, Ronnie glanced back and realized Marty studied a large glass case by one of the bars. Ronnie had barely noticed it the many times shed passed by it. It looked like a typical trophy case with important hotel awards or whatever. Whatcha lookin at?
Im reading this article on the owners of this hotel.
Fascinating. Ronnie looked at Sissy and they both rolled their eyes.
Oh it is, Marty enthused. Here. Let me read you a bit
Please dont, Sissy muttered in Ronnies ear.
Clearing her throat, Marty began reading, The Kingston Hotel in downtown New York was only a few days from the wrecking ball when entrepreneurs Alden, Brendon, and Marissa Shaw purchased the old hotel and turned it around. Since then the still family-owned Kingston Arms Hotels have become exclusive havens for the very wealthy, with establishments located around the world. The elder Shaw makes his home at all of the locations from time to time. Taking a deep breath and not even bothering to hide her smile or laughter, Marty finished with, Only son Brendon still lives in Kingston Arms New York.
Ronnie stared at the older woman. No. Way.
Sorry, darlin. Looks like youll be seeing him again whether you want to or not.
You know, you could enjoy this a little less.
I could. Marty stepped into the elevator, holding the door open for the rest of the She-wolves. But I plan to enjoy this to the full extent of my capabilities.
I hate you, Ronnie mumbled as she shoved her cousin inside.
Oh, I know youd like to, darlin. I know youd like to.
Brendon glared down at the top of his sisters head. Are you crying?
No, she muttered while discreetly trying to wipe her eyes.
You are, he accused, pushing her off his arm where shed been resting. Youre crying at Born Free!
Well, its just so sad.
You cry at a movie but not about your brother?