When He Was Bad
Page 11

He went to the industrial-size refrigerator and began pulling out eggs and flour for the batter. I mean, if Im not going to fuck her, why have her in my house?
Carrie sighed. Thats lovely, little brother. You make us all so proud.
Well, ya know . . . Van grinned. I try.
Three
Irene looked up from the book in her lap and out the open giant glass doors leading to the big lawn on the Van Holtz estate. For nearly seven days shed enjoyed the luxury of the wealthy. And, to be quite honest, she could see herself easily getting used to it. Although no one was exactly friendlybesides Van Holtz himselfthey were polite.
For the first time Irene could actually remember, she felt relaxed. She couldnt really afford to go on vacations, so usually if she traveled, she often had work to do once she arrived at her destination. But due to her injuries, Irene didnt do much of anything. And, to be honest, Van Holtz wouldnt let her. When he found her on the phone with her teaching assistant during her second day at the house, she thought his head might explode. Is this you resting? hed demanded while pulling the phone from her hand. Theyd even had a minor scuffle over it, but when he started to pull up the T-shirt she wore, she released the phone. Then hed had the nerve to look triumphant as he hung up the receiver.
She would have been extremely angry if she didnt find the man so humorous.
Irene watched a squirrel creep down from one of the big trees littering Van Holtzs property. Shed always found squirrels quite fascinating. The way they moved always kept her quite entertained. This one picked up something from the ground and quickly moved back to his tree. But, unfortunately, he simply wasnt quick enough.
Irene grimaced when the first wolf pounced, tossing the squirrel in the air. Another wolf leaped over the firsts head, snatching the squirrel from midair, and took off running, the other wolf right on its heels.
Hey, doc. Van Holtz squeezed in next to her on the oversized chair. The man simply had no concept of personal space. What are you doing?
Oh, merely sitting around being horrified.
Horrified? Why?
The two wolves came back into view, now playing tug with what was left of the squirrel.
Van Holtz laughed until she stared at him and then he choked it back. Sorry. He leaned forward. Hey, guys. The two wolves stopped and stared. Go play somewhere else.
They trotted off and Van Holtz leaned back, comfortably resting against her. Since he always did this to her unwounded side, Irene didnt bother arguing. She knew hed only ignore her.
Sorry about that. Those two just hit puberty and figured out how to shift.
Isee.
Grabbing the book out of her hands, he glanced at the cover. So Im off to meet with Lwe and Dupris. I cant believe they made me wait this long for this meeting, but Ill argue that point once Im assured of your safety. Im thinking youll be heading home today.
Thats fine. She took back the book, relatively confident he couldnt read ancient Arabic. The doctor should be here soon to take out the stitches. And Jack will pick me up to take me home.
I can have our driver take you home.
No, thank you.
Fine, he teased, be difficult.
I will.
Van pushed himself out of the chair and scratched Irenes head affectionately. Talk to you later, doc.
Good luck, she said while opening her book. Youll most likely need it.
Van had the front door open when his fathers voice stopped him and his sister.
Where are you going?
Van motioned his sister out and turned to face his father. Meeting with the Lwes and Duprises.
Over the full-human?
Yes.
His father stepped toward him, staring him straight in the eye. Do you think thats a wise thing to do, son?
Its the only thing to do.
Are you attached to her?
No. Im not. Van grinned. Shes a friend.
His father raised one eyebrow. A friend? Since when are women, not blood relations, your friends?
Since her.
Well, hurry up. When you get back we need to meet about the business.
Ive actually got to
Was there anything I said that actually led you to believe that was an option?
Van gritted his teeth, the hackles on the back of his neck rising. Lately he couldnt shake the feeling his father was goading him, but he couldnt figure out why. No, sir.
Then Ill see you when you get back.
Nodding, Van took a step out onto the porch.
And dont do anything stupid.
Van made a fist but decided to keep walking before he did something hed regret for the rest of his life.
Irene felt those eyes on her long before she lifted her head. When she did, she briefly wondered if all Van Holtz males had that smirk. Did the women, too?
Dr. Conridge.
Tamping down her sudden nervousness at having the head of the Van Holtz family and the Packs Alpha Male speaking directly to her, she answered, Mr. Van Holtz.