Wolf with Benefits
Page 122

He took her hand, held it tight. Then therell be hell to pay.
CHAPTER THIRTY
By the time they reached the house, Dee-Ann was sitting on the stone banister, her long legs stretched out in front of her. To someone passing by, Toni would guess she looked innocuous enough in her ancient jeans, worn Led Zeppelin T-shirt, and black baseball cap with absolutely no logo on it.
But Toni knew better. She knew that Dee-Ann simply sitting and waiting was one of the most dangerous things in the world.
With Freddy in her arms, Toni walked up the stairs. She stopped by Dee-Ann, and the She-wolf tugged on Freddys T-shirt. Hey, little man.
Hi, Dee-Ann.
Heard you were brave today.
Brave?
Yeah. Dee leaned in and whispered, And Ricky Lee Reed dont say that about just anybody, ya know? So you must have been amazing.
A little embarrassed and overwhelmed, Freddy smiled and buried his head against Tonis neck.
Go on and take him inside, Dee-Ann coaxed. Me and the boys will be right in.
Toni nodded and continued on up the stairs. As she reached the top step, the front door opened and her mother stood there. Shed been crying, but she was trying to hide it. She opened her arms and Toni handed Freddy off. Jackie held on to her son with one arm and reached for Toni with the other, hugging her daughter tight.
Its going to be okay, Mom, she assured her. Its going to be okay.
The front door closed and Dee focused on Ricky Lee.
Youve got blood on ya.
He looked down. Oh. Yeah.
Any cleanup necessary?
They took him away. He was alive last I saw him but doubt itll last unless they get him to a hospital. Something tells me they wont.
Why would they want the boy? she asked.
I dont know. I thought for sure it was Irene they wanted.
Use him for leverage?
Maybe.
But that dont sound right, does it?
No. The kid is brilliant on his own, Dee. We picked him up from a university class. Hes seven. When we were driving back, he said the teacher hated him because he corrected his equations or somethin.
Dee looked around Ricky and nodded her head at the big buck standing behind him. Barinov.
Dee-Ann.
You got any thoughts? The feline-bear shrugged, which meant he did. She hated when he was evasive. She didnt like chatty men, but she wasnt much for shy ones, either. And that was his problem, though he hid it well. Say it now before my patience wanes.
If they just wantedto take the kid, Vic finally said, why didnt they just take him from the beginning? Why bother breaking into the house first? He folded his arms over his chest. I dont think its the kid they really want.
Dee thought on that a brief moment, then slipped off the banister.
Where are you going? Ricky asked.
To find out what they could possibly want.
Jackie waited until Toni had sent Freddy upstairs to get his homework done before she talked to the rest of the kids. She knew that what she was about to tell them would not make them happy, but that was too bad.
She walked into the living room. They were all waiting for her except the twins and Dennis. Those three were still at the age where theyd go anywhere they were told. But the rest of this group . . .
There was, of course, one missing. Delilah. But she was rarely home these days. Shed turned eighteen and realized her parents had no legal way to get her to come home, so she didnt bother. Then again, Jackie didnt worry about her daughter like she did the others. She simply didnt have to.
Whats going on, Mom? Oriana demanded. She had several pairs of toe shoes spread out in front of her, sewing on the ribbons that wrapped around her ankles. Youre crying. Aunt Irene is trying to get in touch with Uncle Van. And there seems to be a growth of hillbilly wolves in our house.
Hey, Toni warned, standing next to Jackie. Be nice.
What? Youre dating a hillbilly, so now we all have to tolerate them?
Yes, Toni shot back at her sister. You do!
Both of you stop it. Taking in a breath, Jackie announced, Were returning to Washington. Tonight.
Troy turned to Kyle. Now what did you do?
Shut up.
Kyle didnt do anything, Jackie cut in before there could be an argument. This is about Freddy.
Oriana sighed. Oh, God. What did he burn down now? Or steal, Troy tossed in.
He didnt do any of that. My God, what is wrong with you people?
Kyle snorted. Perhaps one should look to the upbringing of troubled children.
Youre not troubled, Kyle. Youre troubling.
Stop it, Toni ordered. All of you. For once, this isnt all about you. Its about family.
How is Freddy burning someones house down our problem?
He didnt burn anything down! Jackie roared.
Thankfully, Toni just came out with it. Someone tried to kidnap Freddy today.