Wolf with Benefits
Page 101
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We cant do that. Then everyone will know what weve been up to.
Thats a good point, but you know what I mean.
I do, but
But . . . when we get back youll need to spend time with your family, making sure theyre all taken care of and that Kyle hasnt finally gone to prison.
That is a worry of mine.
I know. So of course youll go see your family when you get back. Just like Ill have to check in with my idiot brothers.
Make sure Reece isnt getting more artery surgery?
Youd be amazed how many of those surgeries the boy has had.
Ive met Reece . . . not that amazed.
So do we agree?
What are we agreeing to?
When we get back, we keep things going. At least until we figure out if whatever this is . . . is actually what we want.
It wont be easy. Were both pretty busy.
Im as busy as I wanna be. And I like your kin. Dont mind being around them.
She rolled her eyes at that. Sure you do.
They bring the entertainment to me. And we both know thats all I ever ask.
I really cant argue that point with you, can I?
Not really.
Ricky reached over and pulled Toni sideways onto his lap. He stroked her back and kissed her shoulder.
You think were really going to head back home tomorrow? she asked softly.
Ricky glanced at his watch. More like today . . . and yes, I do. He pulled Toni closer, his arms around her, her chin resting against his collarbone. I think when were done . . . those bears wont know what the holy hell hit em.
CHAPTER TWENTY-THREE
With Freddy attached to her like a backpack and Cherise and Blayne by her side, Livy headed back to the rental house. It had been a long night but a good one. Shed had fun.
Of course, the entire derby team hated her, but whatever. She had her family and friends and that was all that mattered to Livy. She didnt need more friends. A small group of loyal friends was more important to her than a bunch of drinking buddies. So not going out with the team after the tryouts had been no big deal for her. Instead shed been Responsible Olivia as Coop liked to call her when she said she needed to get Freddy home.
Cherise had gratefully tagged along and Blayne pretended that she wasnt happy about it, but even Livy knew she just wanted to get home to that walking landmass she called a fianc.
Standing on a city street, Livy waited for the light to change. As she did, she glanced around, taking in her location, surveying any nearby threats. Itwas a skill taught to her by her parents before she could feed herself.
And it was while she was looking around that she saw her. Across the street, coming out of some church.
Hey. Cherise. She nudged her best friends sister. Do you see what I see? There wasnt much in this universe that stunned Livy, but seeing Delilah Jean-Louis Parker coming out of a goddamn church was definitely one of them.
Holy crap! Cherise burst out. Is she robbing churches now?
Even my mother wouldnt sink that low.
Except that Delilah was talking to people from the church. Talking and hugging.
Livy shuddered at the thought of hugging Delilah.
Blayne stepped up beside Livy. Thats not a church. Well . . . actually, it depends on what you think about religion and what you consider a religion and what you consider a
Blayne, Livy cut in. Get to your point before I start hurting you.
Its a cult. They took over the church a year or so back, but the people in the neighborhood have been trying to shut them down. Something about young people joining the church and then disappearing to some farm upstate.
Livy sighed. Lovely.
Deciding shed talk to Toni about it when she got back and was settled from her trip, Livy hiked Freddy up on her hip and continued on to the rental house.
When they arrived, Livy trotted up the stairs, Freddy giggling as he bounced around on her back. She reached the door and pulled out her key, unlocking it. But as soon as she stepped in, she froze in the doorway. She lifted her head, sniffed the air. By the time Cherise reached her, Livy was shoving Freddy into her arms.
Take him across the street. Blayne, go with them.
Cherise moved without question, just as shed been taught. But Blayne . . .
Are you
Protect Freddy.
That seemed to work and Blayne followed behind Cherise.
Livy silently stepped deeper into the house, sniffing the air, listening for any sounds. Glancing back and seeing that the others were now safely on the other side of the street as the wild dogs front door opened and they were welcomed in, Livy unleashed her long, steel-hard claws. She scented humans. Full-humans in her familys home. At least her unofficially adopted family and if somethinganythinghappened to them while Toni was away because Livy didnt protect them, shed never forgive herself.
She locked on the strongest remaining scent and headed up the stairs. She could smell that the full-humans had been in each of the bedrooms although everything appeared untouched. Honestly, if she wasnt a shifter, shed never have known anyone had been here.
Thats a good point, but you know what I mean.
I do, but
But . . . when we get back youll need to spend time with your family, making sure theyre all taken care of and that Kyle hasnt finally gone to prison.
That is a worry of mine.
I know. So of course youll go see your family when you get back. Just like Ill have to check in with my idiot brothers.
Make sure Reece isnt getting more artery surgery?
Youd be amazed how many of those surgeries the boy has had.
Ive met Reece . . . not that amazed.
So do we agree?
What are we agreeing to?
When we get back, we keep things going. At least until we figure out if whatever this is . . . is actually what we want.
It wont be easy. Were both pretty busy.
Im as busy as I wanna be. And I like your kin. Dont mind being around them.
She rolled her eyes at that. Sure you do.
They bring the entertainment to me. And we both know thats all I ever ask.
I really cant argue that point with you, can I?
Not really.
Ricky reached over and pulled Toni sideways onto his lap. He stroked her back and kissed her shoulder.
You think were really going to head back home tomorrow? she asked softly.
Ricky glanced at his watch. More like today . . . and yes, I do. He pulled Toni closer, his arms around her, her chin resting against his collarbone. I think when were done . . . those bears wont know what the holy hell hit em.
CHAPTER TWENTY-THREE
With Freddy attached to her like a backpack and Cherise and Blayne by her side, Livy headed back to the rental house. It had been a long night but a good one. Shed had fun.
Of course, the entire derby team hated her, but whatever. She had her family and friends and that was all that mattered to Livy. She didnt need more friends. A small group of loyal friends was more important to her than a bunch of drinking buddies. So not going out with the team after the tryouts had been no big deal for her. Instead shed been Responsible Olivia as Coop liked to call her when she said she needed to get Freddy home.
Cherise had gratefully tagged along and Blayne pretended that she wasnt happy about it, but even Livy knew she just wanted to get home to that walking landmass she called a fianc.
Standing on a city street, Livy waited for the light to change. As she did, she glanced around, taking in her location, surveying any nearby threats. Itwas a skill taught to her by her parents before she could feed herself.
And it was while she was looking around that she saw her. Across the street, coming out of some church.
Hey. Cherise. She nudged her best friends sister. Do you see what I see? There wasnt much in this universe that stunned Livy, but seeing Delilah Jean-Louis Parker coming out of a goddamn church was definitely one of them.
Holy crap! Cherise burst out. Is she robbing churches now?
Even my mother wouldnt sink that low.
Except that Delilah was talking to people from the church. Talking and hugging.
Livy shuddered at the thought of hugging Delilah.
Blayne stepped up beside Livy. Thats not a church. Well . . . actually, it depends on what you think about religion and what you consider a religion and what you consider a
Blayne, Livy cut in. Get to your point before I start hurting you.
Its a cult. They took over the church a year or so back, but the people in the neighborhood have been trying to shut them down. Something about young people joining the church and then disappearing to some farm upstate.
Livy sighed. Lovely.
Deciding shed talk to Toni about it when she got back and was settled from her trip, Livy hiked Freddy up on her hip and continued on to the rental house.
When they arrived, Livy trotted up the stairs, Freddy giggling as he bounced around on her back. She reached the door and pulled out her key, unlocking it. But as soon as she stepped in, she froze in the doorway. She lifted her head, sniffed the air. By the time Cherise reached her, Livy was shoving Freddy into her arms.
Take him across the street. Blayne, go with them.
Cherise moved without question, just as shed been taught. But Blayne . . .
Are you
Protect Freddy.
That seemed to work and Blayne followed behind Cherise.
Livy silently stepped deeper into the house, sniffing the air, listening for any sounds. Glancing back and seeing that the others were now safely on the other side of the street as the wild dogs front door opened and they were welcomed in, Livy unleashed her long, steel-hard claws. She scented humans. Full-humans in her familys home. At least her unofficially adopted family and if somethinganythinghappened to them while Toni was away because Livy didnt protect them, shed never forgive herself.
She locked on the strongest remaining scent and headed up the stairs. She could smell that the full-humans had been in each of the bedrooms although everything appeared untouched. Honestly, if she wasnt a shifter, shed never have known anyone had been here.
