Freakn' Shifters Bundle (3-in-1) (52 page)

“What’s got you looking like a cheap penny whore in need of some quick cash?” he retorted, pointing to her skin tight, strapless ruby red top, and micro mini.

She snapped her gum and grinned. “Like it? The big man down at the precinct has me working the downtown strip. We’ve got a john who’s been preying on the women coming out of the clubs. I volunteered myself as bait.”

“You’ll use any excuse to wear your everyday out clothes instead of a uniform.” Chris shook his head.

“Can you blame me? Those damned things are uncomfortable. Not to mention they make my ass look fat.”

“Maybe if you stayed away from the obligatory doughnuts…” He expected the punch to his arm.

“Jerk. Just for that, I’m going to give you some parking tickets.”

Chris grinned at her threat, knowing she wouldn’t – he hoped. “What are you doing here? Doesn’t your mom usually make you eat at your grandma’s?” he asked, an eye on Jill, who under the firm hand of his mother, met his family, whether she wanted to or not. Her husband – his usual pissy expression in place – followed along behind.

“Grandma’s on a cruise so ma’s gone to Florida early this year because she’s planning to make it to Christmas dinner for once.”

“I thought she hated celebrating Christmas.” Chris returned his focus to his cousin, his attention diverted for a moment at the news. Keeping his aunt Carolyn away from family functions was something everyone strived for. A wonderful woman, most of the time, when she got around his mother, who happened to be her older sister, sparks flew, and sometimes hair. Sibling rivalry at its most violent. They almost made him and his brothers look tame.

“Oh, she still hates Christmas. Says she can’t stand all the fakeness of the holidays. But your brother Stu, who I swear I’m going to shave bald one day, said what a shame she couldn’t come since your mom makes the best cranberry sauce ever.”

“Uh-oh.” How like Stu to throw a gauntlet at their aunt for his entertainment. Awesome. He’d have to make sure to get some popcorn for the main event. Oh, and save the sugar pie from the battle. His second favorite dessert, after pumpkin pie.

“Yeah, uh-oh. So now my mother is determined to stay and prove she makes the best cranberry sauce in the family.”

A snort escaped Chris. “So in other words, I shouldn’t buy my mother anything fragile or likely to stain this Christmas. Gift card it is.”

“I heard that,” his mother hollered.

“Love you, ma,” he yelled back. Not that anyone really noticed with the usual family gathering cacophony going on. Correction. Two people did. One, with a lilt to her lips met his gaze and inclined her head in greeting. The other, peered from his mother to Chris, then tightened his lips as understanding dawned. It seemed his mother hadn’t quite explained exactly whose house Jack was coming to.
Sucker!

God love his mother. Chris knew he could count on her to help him win his mate. Now, how to get Jill alone? In other words, away from the old ball and chain.

“You’ve got smoke coming out of your ears,” Gina retorted.

“Do not.”

“You’re right you don’t, but your face is all squinched up like you’re thinking too hard, which in turn means you’re up to no good. I want in. Spill.”

“Can you keep a secret?”

Gina smirked and flicked the room and its occupants a glance.

He frowned. Duh. If he spoke, even in a hushed whisper, everyone here would hear what he had to say, including a husband he preferred to remain oblivious. Inclining his head, he indicated she should follow him. Slinking out of the crowded house – a skill wolves excelled at, along with howling at the moon and chasing pesky squirrels – they headed out to the backyard, Gina’s curiosity evident. Chris didn’t speak, though, until they’d entered the woods and he was sure they were alone. Even then, he kept his voice low.

“Promise you won’t say a word.”

“Seriously? What are we in, like grade school? Afraid our moms are going to catch us?” Gina rolled her eyes.

“It’s not my mom I’m worried about. Swear or I won’t tell you.”

“Loser.” Disparaging insult or not, she spit in her hand and held it out.

Chris made a moue of distaste. “Gross.”

“What? You didn’t have a problem with it when we were kids.”

“Yeah, back then I also wore the same underwear for three days. A simple ‘I promise’ would suffice.”

“Oh fine then. I, Gina, hottest wolf around and best cousin ever, promise not to tell a freakn’ soul about the secret you’re about to impart.”

“Or else you have to dress like a Mormon for a month.”

“That’s just cruel!” she exclaimed.

“Then don’t break the vow.”

“I swear, but this better be good, or I will lock you in a cell with a hairy, horny inmate,” she growled.

Slightly disturbing as promises went, but satisfied his cousin would keep her lips sealed, he leaned in and said in a low tone. “I’m pretty sure I’ve met my mate.”

Eyes wide, Gina gaped at him. “No freakn’ way. You’re screwing with me.”

“Nope. God’s honest truth.”

“Holy cow. And here I thought Stu was going to go down next.”

“Why my brother? He’s a pig.”

She grinned. “Exactly. I’m looking forward to seeing him fall and turn into a respectable family man so I can make fun of him.”

A snicker turned into a laugh. “You and me both.”

“So, who is the lucky, or should I say, cursed girl?”

“Are you implying I won’t make good mate material?” he huffed, only slightly offended. Gina, after all, was privy to some of his antics when it came to girls. Heck, she’d played the part of jealous girlfriend more than once when he needed to rid himself of a cling-on.

“Well, you do have a nice set of teeth and hair. No signs of balding. Yet.”

“Ha. You are so funny short stuff. Still shopping in the little girls section at Wal-Mart?”

“Do you still watch cartoons in the morning while eating Fruit Loops?”

“It’s Captain Crunch now, and Sportsnet, thank you very much.”

“Oh, yeah, that will just totally make your potential mate fall over herself to snag you.”

“I’m really starting to dislike you,” he grumbled as Gina pointed out some of his habits.

“Poor Chris. Are we feeling unloved? I’m sure she’ll look past your less than endearing qualities. At least you have a decent job, which I guess counts for something.”

“Gee. Thanks for the vote of confidence.”

“Anytime. But seriously, Captain Crunch aside, who’s the lady? Do I know her?”

“Did you see that Asian girl inside?”

“Yeah. She’s the one hanging with the hot dude who looks like he’s getting his testicles squeezed in a vise, right?”

A chuckle escaped him. “That’s the one. Well, I’m pretty sure she’s meant to be mine, problem is, she’s kind of married to the dude.”

“She’s married?” Gina cackled. “Ha. Ha. Ha. And to think you made fun of Mitchell because he had to share his woman with another man.”

A scowl creased Chris’s countenance. “Who says I’m sharing? I said they were married, it doesn’t mean they’re truly mated. Or that I plan to share her.”

“So what are you going to do? Kidnap her and run away? Kill the guy?”

“I would, but ma won’t let me.” At her shocked look, he snickered. “Just kidding. I don’t suppose you could arrest him and throw his ass in jail? Maybe forget he’s there for a while?”

“If I could, I would have done that with my cheating ex. I had to settle for having him rectally searched when the boys downtown pulled him in for a drug charge.”

Chris winced. “Ouch. That’s cold. And I don’t think I could ask you to do that, even to win my mate.”

“So what is your plan then?”

“I thought it might be a good idea to get to know Jill first, have her fall for me and decide on her own to divorce the guy. But, I’m having a bit of a problem with that plan because her husband is always around.”

“Gee, could it have to do with the fact they’re married?” Sarcasm thick, Gina rolled her eyes for added emphasis.

Annoyed at the reminder, and Gina’s evident lack of sympathy, he scowled. “You know what. Forget we talked.”

“What do you mean forget? This is way too juicy, Christopher Phineas. I want to know what you intend to do next.”

“Well I had planned on getting her alone to get to know her.” And kiss. “But I’m not sure how.”

“You need a diversion.” Nodding sagely, Gina adjusted her boobs in her top, plumping them up until they threatened so spill out. “Got it, partner. Good thing I’m already dressed for the part.”

Unease gripped him at the anticipation on her face. “What are you planning to do?”

“Oh please. I have yet to meet a man who can resist these babies when I’ve got them in their face.”

“You’re going to seduce him?”

“Hey, this is a family function. Give me a little credit. I’m just going to reroute the blood in dude’s brain for a little bit while you slip away with his wife and smear her with your version of charm.”

A grimace twisted his lips. “You make it sound so tawdry.”

“Isn’t it?”

Hmmm. She did have a point. “You don’t mind?”

“Mind? I deal with dirty John’s all day long. Trying to seduce a husband sounds like fun.”

“You don’t have to go that far.”

Blinking her eyes, Gina smiled slowly, a smile that would send most normal men running for cover. Jack didn’t stand a chance. “Oh, but I do. Because then you’ll owe me a favor.”

“G-i-n-a.” Chris stretched out her name.

Her smile widened. “Nothing too awful, just a custom organizer in my closet.”

“How big is it?”

“Put it this way, my three bedroom condo is going down to two.”

Chris groaned.

“Do we have a deal? I distract the hubby, you give me shelf and hanger heaven.”

“What if I need you for more than one time?”

“How long we talking about?”

“Maybe a couple of weekends as my assistant at their house?”

“You making my new closet with real wood?”

Sigh. “Yes.”

“Deal, partner.” And yes, she did spit in her palm again and made him shake it. Nasty wench. God he loved her like another sister though. Even better, he now had backup in his quest to win his mate. Hopefully it wouldn’t backfire.

*

Jiao couldn’t help but note the cute female leaving the room with Chris – her cat didn’t like it at all. It was her worst fear come true. Chris had a girlfriend, or someone he liked enough to bring to a family function.
So much for thinking he felt the same connection
, she thought somewhat morosely. She hoped none of her dejection showed but had to wonder when Meredith said, “Oh dear, you’ve just missed Chris and his cousin, Gina.”

“Cousin?” Well that eased her mind, but did the woman sense her interest in Chris? God, she hoped not. What would she think of Jiao, who was supposedly married, chasing after her son?

“Yes. They’re the same age and have been best friends since they were in diapers. I’ll introduce her to you later if you’d like.”

“Okay.” What else could Jiao say? She’d already met a ton of family members and people. She doubted she’d remember even a quarter of their names by morning.

“Oh dear. If you’ll excuse me for a moment, I hear the door again.” Off Meredith went leaving Jiao with an uncomfortable appearing Sheng.

“Why didn’t you mention she was the handyman’s mother?” her brother hissed in her ear.

She shrugged in reply lest their conversation become common knowledge. Already she wondered if her decision to come was a bad one given the attention they kept drawing. It seemed Sheng’s paranoia was contagious. “I’m thirsty. Let’s go find a drink.”

Not waiting to see if her brother followed, Jiao weaved her way through the crowd, most of the bodies towering over her more petite frame. They sure bred them big around here, and clumsy. A man stumbled into her, and she might have fallen if a pair of strong hands – replete with a tingle – hadn’t caught her. She didn’t need to look up to know Chris held her.

“Thanks,” she muttered, trying to pull free before Sheng saw.

However, Chris didn’t immediately let go, leaving one hand on her waist and guiding her through the crowd, his large body clearing the way.

“Where are we going?” she asked, peering anxiously over her shoulder, expecting to see a glowering Sheng at their heels. To her surprise, her brother, usually glued to her side, was nowhere in sight.

“You looked kind of overwhelmed, so I thought I’d take us somewhere a little quieter.”

“But what about Sh—Jack?”

“He’s busy right now with my cousin Gina.”

Turning her head again, Jiao scanned the crowd until she spotted her brother’s stiff back. Then she bit her lip, just imagining his consternation when the voluptuous Gina draped an arm around him and whispered something in his ear. Coincidence or planned?
Did Chris just use his cousin as a distraction so he could spirit me elsewhere?