When He Was Bad
Page 33

Irene shut her eyes against the image but said, Ill think about it.
Thats all Im asking. He placed his napkin on the table. Now if youll excuse me, Ill be back in a minute. Then he was up and gone. She really hoped he would come back, because she had only five dollars in her pocket. Not enough to cover the bill. Of course, she could accost the agent outside. It wouldnt be the first time shed used the fact that shed spotted them to her advantage. She didnt necessarily think it was the right thing to do, but it was fun.
The food had arrived by the time Holtz slid back in the booth, and Irene had successfully wrangled her emotions so that she once again had herself in complete control.
Holtz took the ketchup from her and poured an obscene amount on his burger and over his fries.
Everything okay? she asked, picking up a fry and forcing herself to eat.
It is now. He put the ketchup back in the middle of the table and picked up his burger. But, Irene, from now on you have to tell me this stuff. When her eyes narrowed, he shook his head. No. Not about that. I mean about when youve got people following you.
Why?
His mouth full of burger, he mumbled, How else can I ensure your safety if I dont know whats going on?
Ensure my safety? Why would you need to ensure my safety?
Dont piss me off, Irene. Im already irritated because you didnt tell me about this before. Protection is not something the Van Holtzes play around with. He took another enormous bite and she realized hed most likely devour that humongous burger in the next sixty seconds. But youre covered. Starting Monday. Until then youre with me anyway.
Irene didnt like the sound of that. Starting Monday what?
Youll have protection.
Protection? I dont want protection.
But youre getting it.
But
Theres no arguing this, doc. If the government feels its necessary to have you watched, then you need protection and Ill make sure you have it.
Irene dug her hands into her hair and stared at the Formica table. I dont understand.
Whats there to understand?
Everything. I mean, why are you doing this? What do you care if I have protection or not?
Dont you know?
Do I look like I know?
He grinned. Nah. Ya look kind of pissed. Youre cute when you get like that.
Thank you, she said flatly. So explain to me why you feel the need to protect me?
His sigh was long and exasperated. Because as my lifelong mate and eventual wife, I need to make sure youre protected.
Your . . . your wife?
Of course. The Van Holtz wolves marry, baby. Unlike the Magnus and Smith wolves, my children will not be bastards.
Children?
Yup. Remember? Two minimum. Although Im leaning toward three or four total. But we can figure that out later.
Irene stared at Van Holtz with her mouth open and her mind suddenly, blissfully blank. Years later shed call it that brief catatonic thing I had in the eighties.
Holtz grinned at her, ketchup in the corner of his mouth, and glanced down at her food. Hey, you gonna eat those fries, baby?
Nine
Explain to me how you get yourself into these situations.
Dont start. Irene stopped in front of her office door, pulling her keys out and maneuvering her backpack so it didnt suddenly swing down and hit her in the faceas it had done many times before.
Shed finally finished her classes and, to quote one student, Yay! Shes released us from our bondage of despair! Damn smartass physicists. Shed been worse than usual, she knew. But she blamed one man for her recent less-than-pleasant attitude.
I just dont understand, Irene. Paul and I take off for three days to Mexico and we come back to you engaged.
I am not engaged, she snarled. The man is delusional.
Irene stormed into her office, Jackie right behind her. She dropped her backpack on the floor before moving over to her desk.
I swear the man is on me like an isotope. I literally cannot remove him.
I warned you about wolves. Jackie threw herself into the chair across from Irenes desk, planting her feet on the worn wood. Theyre certifiable.
Irene practically fell into her desk chair. Hes driving me insane, Jackie. I mean . . . really. He suddenly decided that Im . . . what are you staring at?
Whats that behind your head? On your cork board?
She didnt even have to turn around to look. Instead Irene simply sighed. Thats a picture of him, isnt it?
Paul and I were wondering why we found them all over the house.
How does he keep getting into the house? And my office?
Theres no self-respecting wolf who cant pick a lock.
Irene put her head on her desk. I dont understand, Jackie. This wasnt supposed to happen. We were never . . . he and I . . . he cant seriously think we