The Mane Squeeze
Page 24

Okay, so he was back. No reason to panic because he was back. And he looked good. Better than he had the morning hed gotten shot after Jess Wards wedding. Gwen still woke up in a cold sweat from time to time, the image of her brother lying on the floor of his hotel room in a lake of his own blood. She closed her eyes, not wanting to think about that. She didnt want to think how close shed been to losing the big idiot. Yeah, he was a pain in the ass. And yeah, he didnt know when to cut it outno matter what it may be. And yeah, he could sometimes be the most overbearing, overprotective, and overly delusional big brother on the planet.
But he was her big brother, and Gwen loved the asshole even when he didnt deserve it, so all that mattered to her was that Mitch was safe and very alive.
Stillit wasnt Christmas yet!
After name-dropping Brendon, Mitch ordered several platters of waffles, French toast, and bacon, along with a vat of orange juice.
When he hung up, Gwen asked point-blank, Why are you back so soon?
We didnt get thrown out.
Gwen glanced around the room, searching for who might have asked the question that led to that answer.
Huh?
Sorry. Im practicing for when we see Smitty and Mace. Mitchs bosses since he was no longer with Philly P.D. Although Gwen couldnt imagine how annoying it must be to work for a slow-talking wolf and an even more superior-acting lion than Mitch and Bren put together.
So you were thrown out? Gwen asked.
Not exactly.
She felt that distinct throbbing in her temple that she always got whenever she had to deal with Mitch or their mother. Mitchell.
There might have been a slight racing incident, but we wont mention that. Kenshin, Smittys partner in Japan, is taking care of it anyway, so it doesnt matter. Kenshin loves Sissy. She can do no wrong. Besides, we were coming back for the holidays anyway; we simply came back a few weeks earlier to avoid a possible arrest.
Is that what you two were arguing about?
Nah. She was complaining, yet again, how I make her carry more stuff, which led to a fight at the airport that attracted the cops. But I got us out of itbarely. But as I told her, I make her carry more stuff because she has all that upper body She-wolf strength and I have to make sure I dont hurt myself before football season starts.
Gwens stomach grumbled, but she ignored it. Ma said you were playing with those hillbillies, but I thought she was kidding.
Those hillbillies are family now.
Thats enough, Gwen said, appalled her brother would even say that sentence out loud, and stood. Ive gottago.
Her brother caught her arm as she tried to pass him. He eyed her closely, taking in her too-long flannel pants that couldnt quite cover her bare feet and her Uncle Callys old Eagles football jersey that reached to her knees while the sleeves covered her hands.
Why are you here? he finally asked.
Should she lie to him?
Christ, why bother? It would only put off the inevitable, which would make it much worse in the long run.
Best to face up to this now and get it over with. A philosophy shed never employed with her family until very recently. I moved here. About four weeks ago.
Moved here? Ma didnt tell me you were moving here.
Of course Ma didnt. She wanted to make sure Mitch didnt have time to think about any of this rationally, time to get over his concerns and worries. Nope. Ma wanted this meeting as raw and uncomfortable as possible. Easy enough, since Gwen didnt have the guts to call him herself and tell him.
Yeah, well. Im here now. She tried to pull away, but Mitch tugged her back.
So youre just going to live off Brendon?
Live off Gwen slammed her mouth shut. Dont let him goad you. Dont let him goad you. Calmer, she replied, Im not living off anybody. Ive never lived off anybody. Brendon was nice enough to let me stay here for the time being, but now that youre back I can go stay with Blayne.
Blaynies here, too?
She couldnt help but roll her eyes at the annoying nickname Mitch gave Blayne from the first day hed met her. Yes. Blaynie is here, too.
So I guess this was one of her dumb ideas. You two move here andwhat? Be fashion designers?
Supermodelsalthough with your thighs Gwens eyes locked on her brothers throat and thoughts of tearing it out with her teeth ran through her head. Or are you just going to be party people who hang out with the stars?
No. Calm, Gwen. Calm. You can do this. Shewehave taken over her dads business and moved it from Queens to Manhattan.
Mitch stared at her for a long time until he snorted, and then his snort turned into a full-blown laugh, with his head thrown back and everything.
Youyou and Blayne took over Petty Officer Thorpes business? The man with Navy commendations up his ass gave his business over to you two? He still held her with one hand while he repeatedly slammed the table with the other. Thats fabulous! he crowed. She was surprised he wasnt rolling all over the floor as well.
You done?