Wolf with Benefits
Page 27

Toni tapped her fingers against Novikovs arm. You better go. Novikov responded by viciously growling. Dont worry, Toni replied, as if she understood his nonsensical noises. Ill talk to them. Novikov bared a fang and Tonis smile grew. I promise. Now go. You dont want to miss your flight. And have fun tonight. Relax. You deserve it.
Novikov finally nodded and carefully placed her on the ground. Then he glowered at Ric and Cella and roared. Loudly. Thankfully, because their offices were underground, there were no windows to break. Novikov started to turn away, stopped long enough to look at Cella and say, Tell Crush Ill call him tomorrow at seven p.m.
Will do.
Ric still didnt know how the incredibly cool and good-natured Lou Crush Crushek and Novikov had become friends. Because Ric really liked Crushek. And he hated Novikov. So it all seemed so wrong.
The hybrid patted Toni on the shoulder and walked out. She followed him into the hallway. Make sure you have your ID, she called after him. Youll need it to get on your flight. And I already told your driver not to bother you with too much chatter, but even if he does speak to you when you dont want him to, tip him anyway.
With her eyes still staring down the hallway, but keeping her voice low, she said to the rest of them, He wont tip him, but I already did just in case. Im thinking Bo considers hello and do you need anything, sir? to be too much talking.
She was exactly right about that.
I also couldnt get him a regular flight to Chicago at the time he needed, so I booked him a private one. She lowered her voice even more. I had to charge it to the team because I didnt have his card and the companys card was in the bobcats deskwhich you may want to move. It seems kind of dangerous to have that there if there are any foxes working in your office. Now I figured charging Bo Novikovs personal flight to the team would piss you off, Ricand she was right!so I contacted the Sports Center in Chicago and let the stadium manager know that Bo was going to be in town to see his girlfriends derby game or bout or whatever they call it. We discussed it, and hes going to set up a promo thing for hockey fans. I warned him, though, that Bo wouldnt like that, but apparently the hockey fans like the abuse, so the manager still thinks its a good idea. This way you and the team will get some good PR. Plus, his being at that derby thing will bring attention to his girlfriends team, which if I remember correctly, you also own. She shrugged. So I figured it all kind of balanced out in the end. And this makes it a tax write-off. She continued to focus down the hallway for a fewmore seconds before she let out a sigh and walked into the office. She smiled at them.
Anyway
Wait, Ric cut in. Before you go on . . . whys your arm in a sling?
I have one word for you, Ulrich, Toni stated flatly. Mom.
Oh. Ric nodded. I see. So Novikov didnt
No, no. Not at all. I was just trying to help.
Ricky Lee Reed suddenly ambled up behind Toni. Reed, like Dee-Ann, ambled rather than walked and seemed to take life as it came. Unlike his brothers, who had a little more drive. Yet Ric always felt the middle Reed brother treated Dee-Ann more as a big sister than as someone he hadnt yet nailed, which made Ricky Lee more likable to Ric than the other Reed brothers.
What are you doing here? Dee-Ann asked the big Southern wolf.
Keeping an eye on Miss Antonella here.
Good job when that Novikov is carrying her around like a load of Mommas laundry.
I asked if she needed me to get involved and she said no. You and Ronnie Lee always go on and on about letting females make their own decision
Shut up, Dee drawled. Before I find another use for Big Betty.
Wait. Toni looked back and forth between Dee and Ricky. How do you two know each other?
Dee-Ann has always loved me from afar but she knew she could never have me.
Betty, Dee threatened.
Were Packmates, Ricky clarified.
Huh, Toni said. Youre the first member of the Smith Pack Ive met since Dee-Ann mated with Ric.
Shes ashamed of her poor wolf kin, so she hides us from all those rich Van Holtz friends of hers. Were not invited to Washington for all those fancy dinners and get-togethers they have. Not even her own cousins, Bobby Ray and Sissy Mae, are invited. Off our little Dee-Ann goes, just leavin the rest of us behind . . . sad and alone. Aint that right, Dee-Ann?
Whats sad is that my momma stopped me from burying you in our backyard like I tried to when I was ten. Had a hole dug for you and everything.
Lord, you are so your fathers child.
And nothing makes me prouder. Aint my fault your daddys scared of him.
My daddy aint scared of nothin. Especially Eggie Ray Smith.
Anyway, Ric cut in to the sibling-like bickering, you were saying Toni? About Novikov?
Actually, this is kind of interesting. Whos Eggie?
Antonella.