Wolf with Benefits
Page 63
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Sure.
Great. Cella walked into the office and tossed what appeared to be an itinerary on Tonis desk. This really helps. Thanks.
Wait. Toni looked down at the paperwork, then at Cella Malone. You want me to go to . . . to . . . ?
Yeah.
Why am I going to Russia?
I cant go. I have to take care of something here. And you said youd help.
I thought Id help with non-coaching-related stuff. Or, I dont know . . . organize your files or something.
This isnt necessarily a coach thing. Besides, its about Novikov. You like Novikov.
Exasperated, What does that have to do with anything?
Actually, this is team travel-related, which is your job.
Yes, but
So go over to Russia and get them to let the team in with Novikov but not in a cage. But remember, no Novikov, no game, and then we never get a chance at the title of best in the world.
Ricky smirked. Did you just make that title up, Cella Malone?
Shut up, Reed.
Desperate, Toni asked, But is it really that important that he goes?
He has to go, Ricky piped up. The team cant win against the Russian teams without Novikov. There are mostly bears on the Russian teams.
I dont care. Toni stopped, took a breath. I just dont think its a good idea for me, a jackal, to go to a bear-populated area to argue for the rights of Bo Novikov.
Its better you do it than me.
How is it better, Cella? Youre the team coach and youre a Siberian tiger . . . so arent the Russians your people?
Not really. Siberian tigers in Russia are not fans of the Malones.
Is anyone fans of the Malones? Dee-Ann asked.
Shut up, hick.
But, Toni pushed ahead, still desperate, what am I supposed to do with Russian bears?
Do what you do.
What does that even mean?
Look, kid, Cella said, sounding annoyingly exasperated, you managed to control and calm down Bo The Marauder Novikov without use of a stun gun or a tranquilizer dart. So if you can manage him . . . I think you can manage a couple of frickin bears.
Yes, but
Just do it. God! Take some initiative. Woman up!
I just dont think Ill feel . . . safe. You know? Unsafe work situation or whatever.
She has a point, Dee-Ann drawled. Get her mauled by some damn Russian bears, Malone, and Ric will have your ass.She is considered family by the Van Holtzes.
You and I have other things to handle, Smith.
First off, dont snarl at me, hell cat. And second, just get her some dang security.
I would send Bert . . . but he hates flying and hes still in Alaska.
Lord, woman, dont send a player with her, Dee-Ann snapped. Get someone actually trained in security. And thats when she pointed at Ricky. Hell do it.
The wolf, whod been staring off during most of this conversation, suddenly looked alert. What?
Like youve got anything better to do.
Thats not the point, Dee-Ann. Im just one wolfand these are bears. Russian bears. Smith Pack and Russian bears do not mix, or do you not remember Pack lore?
That was like a hundred years ago. Im sure theyre over what happened by now.
Toni put her elbows on her desk and dropped her face into her hands. This is going to be a nightmare.
Oh, buck up, kid, Cella told her, reaching across the desk and patting Toni on the shoulder. Itll be fine. Just dont get any of them angry or let the polars sniff you or allow yourself to be left alone with any of the Kamchatka bears who havent eaten.
Slowly, Toni lifted her head and looked at the head coach of the New York Carnivores. Really? Thats the best you can do?
Pretty much. Good luck! Cella walked out the door. Come on, Smith. Lets move.
Dee-Ann looked between Toni and Ricky. After a moment, she said, Take good care of her, Ricky Lee. Make your momma proud.
She left and Ricky jumped up. Ill be right back, he said before he quickly walked out of the room.
Less than a minute later, he was back, dropping into the chair hed just vacated.
That was fast, Toni said.
Yeah.
What did Dee say?
Before I could say a word, she said I could go with you and deal with bears or stay here and have long, meaningful talks with the females of my Pack about Laura Jane. He smirked. Guess which one I chose?
Ricky?
Yeah?
She leaned forward a bit and whispered, I dont want to go to Russia.
Come on, darlin, it wont be that bad. And unlike my younger sibling, I do know how to handle bears. Besides, with all the places youve traveled, you cant tell me youve never been to Russia before.
Sure I have. But Ive been to Russia Russia. You know, Moscow, Saint Petersburg, Omsk.
Great. Cella walked into the office and tossed what appeared to be an itinerary on Tonis desk. This really helps. Thanks.
Wait. Toni looked down at the paperwork, then at Cella Malone. You want me to go to . . . to . . . ?
Yeah.
Why am I going to Russia?
I cant go. I have to take care of something here. And you said youd help.
I thought Id help with non-coaching-related stuff. Or, I dont know . . . organize your files or something.
This isnt necessarily a coach thing. Besides, its about Novikov. You like Novikov.
Exasperated, What does that have to do with anything?
Actually, this is team travel-related, which is your job.
Yes, but
So go over to Russia and get them to let the team in with Novikov but not in a cage. But remember, no Novikov, no game, and then we never get a chance at the title of best in the world.
Ricky smirked. Did you just make that title up, Cella Malone?
Shut up, Reed.
Desperate, Toni asked, But is it really that important that he goes?
He has to go, Ricky piped up. The team cant win against the Russian teams without Novikov. There are mostly bears on the Russian teams.
I dont care. Toni stopped, took a breath. I just dont think its a good idea for me, a jackal, to go to a bear-populated area to argue for the rights of Bo Novikov.
Its better you do it than me.
How is it better, Cella? Youre the team coach and youre a Siberian tiger . . . so arent the Russians your people?
Not really. Siberian tigers in Russia are not fans of the Malones.
Is anyone fans of the Malones? Dee-Ann asked.
Shut up, hick.
But, Toni pushed ahead, still desperate, what am I supposed to do with Russian bears?
Do what you do.
What does that even mean?
Look, kid, Cella said, sounding annoyingly exasperated, you managed to control and calm down Bo The Marauder Novikov without use of a stun gun or a tranquilizer dart. So if you can manage him . . . I think you can manage a couple of frickin bears.
Yes, but
Just do it. God! Take some initiative. Woman up!
I just dont think Ill feel . . . safe. You know? Unsafe work situation or whatever.
She has a point, Dee-Ann drawled. Get her mauled by some damn Russian bears, Malone, and Ric will have your ass.She is considered family by the Van Holtzes.
You and I have other things to handle, Smith.
First off, dont snarl at me, hell cat. And second, just get her some dang security.
I would send Bert . . . but he hates flying and hes still in Alaska.
Lord, woman, dont send a player with her, Dee-Ann snapped. Get someone actually trained in security. And thats when she pointed at Ricky. Hell do it.
The wolf, whod been staring off during most of this conversation, suddenly looked alert. What?
Like youve got anything better to do.
Thats not the point, Dee-Ann. Im just one wolfand these are bears. Russian bears. Smith Pack and Russian bears do not mix, or do you not remember Pack lore?
That was like a hundred years ago. Im sure theyre over what happened by now.
Toni put her elbows on her desk and dropped her face into her hands. This is going to be a nightmare.
Oh, buck up, kid, Cella told her, reaching across the desk and patting Toni on the shoulder. Itll be fine. Just dont get any of them angry or let the polars sniff you or allow yourself to be left alone with any of the Kamchatka bears who havent eaten.
Slowly, Toni lifted her head and looked at the head coach of the New York Carnivores. Really? Thats the best you can do?
Pretty much. Good luck! Cella walked out the door. Come on, Smith. Lets move.
Dee-Ann looked between Toni and Ricky. After a moment, she said, Take good care of her, Ricky Lee. Make your momma proud.
She left and Ricky jumped up. Ill be right back, he said before he quickly walked out of the room.
Less than a minute later, he was back, dropping into the chair hed just vacated.
That was fast, Toni said.
Yeah.
What did Dee say?
Before I could say a word, she said I could go with you and deal with bears or stay here and have long, meaningful talks with the females of my Pack about Laura Jane. He smirked. Guess which one I chose?
Ricky?
Yeah?
She leaned forward a bit and whispered, I dont want to go to Russia.
Come on, darlin, it wont be that bad. And unlike my younger sibling, I do know how to handle bears. Besides, with all the places youve traveled, you cant tell me youve never been to Russia before.
Sure I have. But Ive been to Russia Russia. You know, Moscow, Saint Petersburg, Omsk.
