The Mane Squeeze
Page 22
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Im not his little sister. Im not related to him. We have no blood ties. And I think its time he learned that. In fact, I think its time I explained it to himdirectly.
Now, darlin, Im gonna ask you not to do that. Dont think for a second I dont understand what youve been going through. I have three big brothers of my own. And Lord knows some days I just wanna kill em while they sleep. But its about family, and family is all that matters. Youve got a man here who will protect you and care for you like he does his own twin. Like he does Mitch. So Im gonna ask you, real nice, to take his offer for, lets say, a month. Youll get free room service, anything you could ever need with one phone call to that concierge guy, and free room and board in a suite that important and very wealthy dignitaries pay thousands and thousands of dollars for each night they stay. Now how that be?
Gwen remained silent a moment, let out a breath, and almost giddily replied, No. She didnt say the word often unless medical personnel were involved, but holy shit was it liberating! Could she tattoo it on her forehead? Could she legally change her name to No ONeill? This was great! This was wonderful!
The She-wolf blinked. No?
Yeah. No. N. O. That spells no, in case you werent clear. And you wanna know why? Cause Im tired of this. Im tired of you. Im tired of your hillbilly, down-home bullshit. Im tired of your Brendon trying to be like Mitch. Im tired of Mitch. Im tired of my mother, her sisters, my uncles, the cousins. Im tired of all of it.
And thats why this shit ends here. And you know what the first step in my new lifes gonna be? Its gonna be me going inside and telling your Brendon to shove that hotel up his fuckin ass. Because I dont need him or his rich-boy hotel or his country-ass girlfriend who doesnt seem to know the meaning of the word shoes. So how that be, Deputy Dawg?
It happened fast. That linebacker-sized human body slamming into Gwens, the weight and force of it pinning her to the stair railing. Then Ronnie forced her left forearm against Gwens neck and slapped her left hand over Gwens mouth at the same time, stifling Gwens screams as Ronnies right hand reached down and gripped the back of Gwens wounded and still-healing leg.
Gwen struggled to fight her off, but the She-wolf had pinned her in such a way she couldnt move her arms and she had no leverage.
Stop squirming, Ronnie Lee warned, or Ill the hand tightened on her calf again and Gwen screamed behind the hand covering her mouth. She also stopped moving.
Much better, Ronnie said, cheery as ever.Darlin, I know from personal experience that changing your life is never easy. Especially when your family cares so much it smothers you. Trust me, I understand. But you need to understand that I want to keep Brendon Shaw happy. Because when hes happy, Im happy. And
her smile never wavered, never lessened if you think for a New York second that Im going to let some little half-breed, gutter cat get between me and my happiness, you are sadly mistaken. So when my Brendon comes back out here and offers you the room, youre gonna take it. Youre gonna take it, youre gonna say thank youlike a ladyand youre gonna be damn happy about it. And if you dontI will sneak in to your room, hack your leg off in the middle of the night, and use it as a putter for when I go drunk-golfing with Sissy.
Now do we understand each other?
Gwens answer was to scream again because the hillbilly bitch tightened her grip on Gwens leg.
I didnt hear you, darlin. What was that?
Ronnie squeezed again, but this time Gwen screamed out Yes!
Good. Ronnie released her and stood, quickly and easily moving out of the way as Bren came back outside.
Theyre unbelievable, he grumbled, trotting back down the stairs. What fire? he says. I dont know what youre talking about, she says. Canines. He blinked when he saw Gwen bent over at the waist, holding her leg and crying.
Gwenie? Sweetie? Whats the matter?
Her leg flared up, Ronnie offered, sounding all sorts of concerned. But the doctor warned that would happen throughout the day. Didnt she, Gwenie?
Gwen nodded, gritting her teeth against the brutal pain.
Ill get the pain pills.
Ill get em, Ronnie offered before Brendon could step away. You two talk. She winked at Gwen and sauntered back into the house.
Brendon crouched in front of Gwen, his big hand reaching up and gently brushing the tears from her face.
You poor thing. Maybe I should take you back to the medical center?
Christ! That was almost worse than the hillbilly! Almost. Gwen shook her head.
All right, all right. Dont panic. Well get you your pills and let you rest on the couch. Youll even have control of the TV remote. He winked. And then well talk about you staying at the hotel when you move to New York. I promise itll be temporary but I know Ill feel better if
Ill take it, Gwen said quickly, too quickly.
You will?
Now, darlin, Im gonna ask you not to do that. Dont think for a second I dont understand what youve been going through. I have three big brothers of my own. And Lord knows some days I just wanna kill em while they sleep. But its about family, and family is all that matters. Youve got a man here who will protect you and care for you like he does his own twin. Like he does Mitch. So Im gonna ask you, real nice, to take his offer for, lets say, a month. Youll get free room service, anything you could ever need with one phone call to that concierge guy, and free room and board in a suite that important and very wealthy dignitaries pay thousands and thousands of dollars for each night they stay. Now how that be?
Gwen remained silent a moment, let out a breath, and almost giddily replied, No. She didnt say the word often unless medical personnel were involved, but holy shit was it liberating! Could she tattoo it on her forehead? Could she legally change her name to No ONeill? This was great! This was wonderful!
The She-wolf blinked. No?
Yeah. No. N. O. That spells no, in case you werent clear. And you wanna know why? Cause Im tired of this. Im tired of you. Im tired of your hillbilly, down-home bullshit. Im tired of your Brendon trying to be like Mitch. Im tired of Mitch. Im tired of my mother, her sisters, my uncles, the cousins. Im tired of all of it.
And thats why this shit ends here. And you know what the first step in my new lifes gonna be? Its gonna be me going inside and telling your Brendon to shove that hotel up his fuckin ass. Because I dont need him or his rich-boy hotel or his country-ass girlfriend who doesnt seem to know the meaning of the word shoes. So how that be, Deputy Dawg?
It happened fast. That linebacker-sized human body slamming into Gwens, the weight and force of it pinning her to the stair railing. Then Ronnie forced her left forearm against Gwens neck and slapped her left hand over Gwens mouth at the same time, stifling Gwens screams as Ronnies right hand reached down and gripped the back of Gwens wounded and still-healing leg.
Gwen struggled to fight her off, but the She-wolf had pinned her in such a way she couldnt move her arms and she had no leverage.
Stop squirming, Ronnie Lee warned, or Ill the hand tightened on her calf again and Gwen screamed behind the hand covering her mouth. She also stopped moving.
Much better, Ronnie said, cheery as ever.Darlin, I know from personal experience that changing your life is never easy. Especially when your family cares so much it smothers you. Trust me, I understand. But you need to understand that I want to keep Brendon Shaw happy. Because when hes happy, Im happy. And
her smile never wavered, never lessened if you think for a New York second that Im going to let some little half-breed, gutter cat get between me and my happiness, you are sadly mistaken. So when my Brendon comes back out here and offers you the room, youre gonna take it. Youre gonna take it, youre gonna say thank youlike a ladyand youre gonna be damn happy about it. And if you dontI will sneak in to your room, hack your leg off in the middle of the night, and use it as a putter for when I go drunk-golfing with Sissy.
Now do we understand each other?
Gwens answer was to scream again because the hillbilly bitch tightened her grip on Gwens leg.
I didnt hear you, darlin. What was that?
Ronnie squeezed again, but this time Gwen screamed out Yes!
Good. Ronnie released her and stood, quickly and easily moving out of the way as Bren came back outside.
Theyre unbelievable, he grumbled, trotting back down the stairs. What fire? he says. I dont know what youre talking about, she says. Canines. He blinked when he saw Gwen bent over at the waist, holding her leg and crying.
Gwenie? Sweetie? Whats the matter?
Her leg flared up, Ronnie offered, sounding all sorts of concerned. But the doctor warned that would happen throughout the day. Didnt she, Gwenie?
Gwen nodded, gritting her teeth against the brutal pain.
Ill get the pain pills.
Ill get em, Ronnie offered before Brendon could step away. You two talk. She winked at Gwen and sauntered back into the house.
Brendon crouched in front of Gwen, his big hand reaching up and gently brushing the tears from her face.
You poor thing. Maybe I should take you back to the medical center?
Christ! That was almost worse than the hillbilly! Almost. Gwen shook her head.
All right, all right. Dont panic. Well get you your pills and let you rest on the couch. Youll even have control of the TV remote. He winked. And then well talk about you staying at the hotel when you move to New York. I promise itll be temporary but I know Ill feel better if
Ill take it, Gwen said quickly, too quickly.
You will?
