Wolf with Benefits
Page 24

In the face of that roar, the bobcat backed up against the wall behind him, his messenger bag held against his chest. I just got your schedule confused with Markowitzs. It was an accident.
Wait a minute . . . youre telling me that Markowitz is in Chicago? With my fiance?
I doubt hes with Blayne.
Does Blayne know you got the schedules mixed up?
Well, she called
Which means, the hybrid growled, she probably felt bad for Markowitz and now shes making sure hes doing okay. You know how she doesnt like anyone to be sad. And we all know how Markowitz is a scumbag leopard wholl take advantage of any do-gooder idiot that comes along. Especially when they have legs as long as my Blaynes! The player stalked over to the bobcats desk and slammed really big hands onto it, making the thing nearly buckle. But you know whats the worst part of this? What really sets my teeth on edge and makes me want to just twist your head around until it pops off your body? The worst part is that because of you I havent had my workout today. I havent had my swim. I havent had my practice. Because of you Ive missed almost an entire day of my schedule.
The bobcat blinked. Thats really more important than your girlfriend?
Utilizing years of unplanned training, Toni dropped her book, charged across the room, and cut in front of the bobcat, her one free arm stretched out in front of her. She knew her skinny jackal arm and battered shoulder would never stop the player from getting those big hands on the idiot cat, but she felt the need to at least try because she, above everyone else, understood what was going on here.
Because Toni understood drive. The drive that one had to have in order to be the best.
So while the bobcat didnt get Novikovs schedule issues, Toni did. She also knew that she didnt want to spend the rest of the day in a police precinct giving a statement on a tragic shifter-on-shifter murder case.
Whens your fiances thing tonight? she asked loudly in an attempt to get Novikovs attention and keep him on the other side of that very flimsy-looking desk. Eight? Nine?
Novikov yanked his hand back and, since it had been dangerously close to her face, she appreciated that he had enough self-control to do that.
Eight thirty Chicago time, he snarled, blue eyes still locked on the bobcat behind her.
Great. I know a carrier that I use for my family all the time. Therere eleven of us not counting my parents, and regular planes and full-human run airports are not always the friends of jackals with pups. So I can easily get you on a direct flight to Chicago, have a car meet you at the airport to take you right to wherever shes playing hergame tonight.
Its called a bout.
Bout? Was she a boxer?
Okay. Her bout. I can get you to her bout.
You can do that? he asked, looking a bit calmer.
Just need a phone and a computer.
The player pointed at the bobcat. You. Out.
This is my desk.
Toni rammed her free hand against Novikovs shoulder before he could finish climbing over the bobcats desk and strangling the feline to death. She had no illusions that she was somehow physically holding him back. Instead she was trusting in his desire not to hurt the one person who might be able to help him.
Go take a break, she ordered the bobcat. I wont be long.
Whatever.
The bobcat sounded tough, but he still slinked around them and then darted out of the room before the player could get his hands on him.
Sit, Toni firmly ordered, using the same tone she often used with Kyle.
Id be making everyones life easier if I just took that cats neck and
Sit. Now. Over there by the wolf.
Novikov walked over to Ricky and glared down at him. Toni thought shed have to jump between those two when the wolf only stared back. That same placid look on his face. But Novikov, instead of fighting yet another person, just grabbed the chair Toni had originally been sitting in and pulled it close to the desk.
Toni decided to ignore the fact that the chair had been bolted to the floor. Nope. It was better not to think about that little feat of strength at all.
Sitting down behind the bobcats computer, Toni willed herself not to comment on the background picture he had on his monitor of some hot car model. So typical.
Your full name? she asked.
Bo Novikov.
Right. She gave him a small smile. I appreciated how you handled my brother yesterday, Mr. Novikov.
Call me Bo, he ordered. And does he ask everyone if he can sketch them naked?
She gave a small chuckle while typing into the Web browser. No. Only worthy specimens.
What happened to your arm?
Got hit by a truck saving a dog.
A dog dog or . . . family?
Toni rolled her eyes. A dog dog.
You risked your life to save a dog?
I already had this conversation with my parentsIm not having it again! she snapped.
Okay, okay. No need to get snippy.
You havent seen me snippy, she muttered as she forced herself to ignore the pain in her wounded shoulder so she could use both hands to type.