Total pages in book: 48
Estimated words: 45326 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 227(@200wpm)___ 181(@250wpm)___ 151(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 45326 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 227(@200wpm)___ 181(@250wpm)___ 151(@300wpm)
He stared down at her, frustrated because he knew she was right.
She removed her hand before holding it up in a stop motion. “I know that you haven’t had two seconds to rub together since the mating happened. I’m not faulting you for how things currently stand. And I’m not suggesting you rush into a mating…dinner or whatever it is. Instead, you should think about how Janes do things, and maybe incorporate some of that into your plan going forward.”
“Like marriage,” he said.
She toggled her hand. “Maybe not marriage per se, but a proposal would certainly go a long way. A really nice one in a special place with a ring and a photo opp. I’m not gonna give you details. I hear you’re romantic, so you can think of something.” She made a fist. “Give my girl bragging rights so she has some ammo when she talks to that idiot ex of hers. I bet he’s the type to lord things over people. We need something robust to knock him off his pedestal.”
He shook his head, mystified. “You’ve known about all of this for…an hour? Two? You sound like you already have a plan for putting her on top of a social situation completely peripheral to all the other stuff we have going on.”
“An hour was plenty of time to sort this out, are you kidding? I could do this in my sleep. My girl is annoyed. She basically wants peace and joy for everyone, so this guy must be a next-level asshole for her to feel anything less for him. She needs people on her side, and I’m going to be the arsenal he never saw coming.”
She lifted her fist into the air.
“I’ll do those things,” he finally said, “but not to rub it in her ex’s face. I’ll do them because I love her and want her to be happy.”
“Yeah, yeah. Sure, sure. Just do them sometime this century, maybe. That’s all that I’m saying. And wear a nice outfit and take a picture or two.” She gave him a one-shoulder shrug. “No biggie. Say, where’s that hot gorilla you usually have hanging around? Why didn’t he come to this here shindig?”
“You have a masterful way of dancing around potentially explosive topics.”
“I do, don’t I? I’ve had a lot of practice. Now, about that gorilla…?”
He huffed out a laugh, shaking his head and starting toward what must be the exhibit. She passed him, not something he’d let just anyone do, and walked a little in front.
“I’m not sure. I don’t check in when he’s off duty. Maybe you should?”
She smiled over her shoulder at him. “Are you playing matchmaker, alpha?”
He didn’t respond, only willing to get involved so far. Brochan was a troubled man. He needed more people around him. More friends. More fun. The problem was, he wouldn’t allow himself any fun. He needed someone to draw him out, but as the alpha, Austin wasn’t in a position to do that. Brochan needed a friend on his level or outside of the pack. Hopefully Nessa or even Tristan would rise to the occasion.
She laughed at his silence, easing the mood.
Tristan’s presence lurked just in front of her, his gargoyle magic helping him blend into the wall of the pavilion. She slammed into him, her expression turning surprised and her hands reaching up to stave off the unexpected roadblock. He became visible immediately, turning to find her flailing within his wings.
“You need to move, daddy,” she said, and it was clear she was trying to taunt him in some way.
“I don’t take orders from you, little monster. But keep stroking those wings, and I will certainly move.” His tone dripped with innuendo and Austin stepped to the side to pass them.
“I’m not interested in that sort of movement,” she said, pushing against his arm to move him herself. Given their difference in size and muscle mass, Austin wasn’t sure why she’d bothered.
“Are you sure?” he said softly, and Austin noticed the goosebumps spreading across Nessa’s exposed skin. It was clear that she might not want to be affected by him, but that didn’t stop it from happening.
Tangled webs. He didn’t envy them that dance. He was happy to be on the other side of it.
It took him a few moments to reach the others, and then no time at all to stop dead and wrestle with the impulse to let his mouth completely drop open.
What in the holy hell?
FIVE
Jessie
I hadn’t stopped staring since I’d first set eyes on it.
There were no words.
None.
Well…except for batshit crazy. Those were a couple of words that might work for Edgar and this situation.
“What in the beejeebus?” Jasper asked, sounding like he was out of breath. “What. In. The. Holy. Beejeebus?”
“The horrible old woman is responsible for this, I know full well,” Mr. Tom said indignantly. “No way would Edgar have created this…this…”