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Authors: Shelly Laurenston

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“Gelding.”

Sissy wrapped her arms around her brother and hugged him tight. “You have a happy life, Bobby Ray.”

“Yeah. I’m fixin’ to.”

And Sissy laughed.

Mitch threw his arm around his older half-sister’s shoulders and smiled when she went tense and her hands clenched into fists.

Marissa Shaw was Brendon’s twin and Mitch’s older half-sister. Thankfully, she was not his
only
sister. There was still Gwenie. Five years younger, sweet, innocent Gwen would never be so mean to Mitch. She worshipped him!

Rissa, however, seemed convinced that Mitch was nothing more than a scumbag who wanted to steal their vast fortune from them. And he was so nice to her, too ...

“Those shoes were an interesting choice. Were they out of the official clown shoes, and you had to go with the cheap imitations?”

Marissa scowled at him. “Aren’t you needed somewhere? I’m sure Sissy wouldn’t mind you staring at her big ass some more.”

“Don’t be jealous, sweetie. I’m sure someone wouldn’t mind staring at your big ass.”

She abruptly pulled away from him. “Feel free to stay away from me today.”

“I try and stay away from you every day.”

“You don’t try hard enough.”

Mitch watched her walk away. “Love you, Rissa.”

“Shut up.”

Laughing, Mitch pulled his vibrating phone out of his pocket. But the laughter died when he recognized the number.

Sissy saw her mother going up on her tiptoes, looking over the crowd for something. Probably her. Panicking, Sissy took several steps back, but those damn shoes went out from under her. Who the hell paid seven hundred and fifty dollars for shoes anyway? In what world was that okay? Give her a pair of boots and a leather jacket, and Sissy was a happy gal for a lot less money.

Figuring she’d hit the floor, Sissy shut her eyes and gritted her teeth. And although she hit something hard, it wasn’t the floor.

Slowly, she opened her eyes and bit back her smile. “Oh. Hello, Brendon.”

“Uh ... hi.” He looked so fabulously horrified sitting in that chair with his mate’s best friend on his lap that Sissy couldn’t stop herself. All the rules drummed into her by Bobby Ray over the last few weeks disappeared as she stared at Mitch’s big brother.

“I guess this is a bit awkward, huh?”

“Well ...”

“But I couldn’t hide it anymore.” She put her arms around his neck, and his whole body tightened as his eyes looked around the room, practically begging someone to rescue him. “You and me ... perfect together, Brendon.”

“What?” His gold eyes grew wide. “Uh ... Sissy ... wait a second—”

“Seriously. I’ve seen your kids. We’d have beautiful babies.”

“What’s going on?”

Poor Brendon. He didn’t know whether to be relieved or scared to death when Ronnie Lee walked up to them.

“I finally told Bren that he was mine and we would be together forever.”

Ronnie’s eyes turned toward the ceiling, and she brushed her hair away from her face. “I thought we were going to discuss this first.”

Sissy felt Bren’s big lion body jerk, and she had to fight hard not to laugh.

“I’m Alpha Female, darlin’. I don’t have to discuss a damn thing with you or anyone.”

Ronnie nodded and cleared her throat. “She’s right. I’m sorry, Bren.” She sniffed back a nonexistent tear—Ronnie never could fake actual ones. “I hope you’ll remember me fondly.” Then she ran off into the crowd.

Now Sissy frowned. How had Ronnie learned to run in those damn shoes?

“Ronnie, wait!” Brendon stood and practically tossed Sissy off his lap. “I’m sorry but ... forget it.” He ran after Ronnie, and Sissy started to laugh until she caught her mother’s scent.

She spun and ran out a set of big glass doors leading to the gardens. She debated not stopping, just running all the way back to the city, but Mitch’s scent caught her attention. She followed it and found him by one of the marble benches they had all over the property. Like most of the males in the wedding party, he’d lost the jacket, removed his tie, and undone the collar of his shirt. Mitch had also rolled up his sleeves to his elbows, and Sissy could see the tattoo on his forearm. He was on the phone and pacing back and forth.

He looked ... tense. And she didn’t know why. She should find out.

“Are you sure?”

“Of course I’m sure,” Jen Chow snapped. “Do you think I’d call you about this if I weren’t sure?”

“I don’t know why
you’re
getting so tense. It’s me with the bounty on my head.”

“I really wish you’d take this seriously, Detective.”

“I take everything seriously.” Especially what life he had. “But trust me. No one’s getting into this wedding who shouldn’t be here. I’m probably safer here than anywhere.”

“Yes. You’re probably right. I want you back here by Monday, though. I’ll send—”

“I’ll get there.”

“Detective—”

“I said I’ll get there.”

“Fine,” she snapped again. ADA Chow had the shortest fuse on record. And after working together for so long, it amazed him that she still called him Detective.

“Talk to you later, Jen.”

“Monday, Detective. I’ll speak to you on Monday.”

“Yep.” Mitch disconnected his phone and stretched his neck. It was a full moon out tonight, illuminating everything around him. Of course, he didn’t need any of that to see. Not with his eyesight.

Now he knew what those lions in Africa felt like when they were being tracked down by great white hunters.

Two million dollars would bring out the top-drawer hitters. Would he even last another week? Around his own kind, he felt safe, but once he went into the system, he had serious doubts. But hanging around wasn’t an option either. He wouldn’t be responsible for getting one of his family or friends hurt or killed. Everyone meant too much to him.

Nope. He’d leave tomorrow. But tonight ...

Mitch slipped his cell phone back into his pants pocket and turned around, ready to head back to the party. What he didn’t expect was to find Sissy Mae Smith stretched out on the marble bench watching him. Christ, she looked good with her legs crossed at the ankles and her body propped up by her arms, the palms flat against the bench.

The dress she wore was made of the softest, lightest material Mitch had ever seen. The color a dark brown that contrasted brilliantly with her light brown eyes. He could say he’d never seen her look sexier, but that would be a lie. He’d seen this woman in shorts—absolutely
nothing
was sexier than that.

“Hey.”

Sissy gave him that little knowing smile. “Hey.”

Mitch waited for her to ask him what was going on, but she didn’t.

“I’ve been bad, Mitch,” she said instead.

“Oh?” Mitch crouched beside her, his elbows resting on his knees. “Do tell.”

“I was torturing Brendon again.”

“Isn’t that a little too easy, sweet cheeks?”

She smiled, blinking in surprise. “I hate that nickname.”

“I know. And yet, somehow I don’t care.”

“Keep it up, and it’s my windmill arms and legs of fury with wild hitting and kicking.”

“An effective fighting skill.”

“I think so.”

“And you torturing my brother ...”

“I know. Too easy. And he falls for it every time. I need something else to fulfill my needs.”

“A greater challenge?”

“Exactly.”

He stood and held his hand out for her to take. She did, her fingers warm against his, and he tugged her to her feet. “Let’s go.”

“Where?”

“We’ve got a castle filled with shifters, alcohol, and a barely contained predatory instinct.”

“We promised Bobby Ray.”

Leaning down, he rested his forehead against hers. “Come Monday, feel free to blame it all on me.”

A small frown creased her brow, and she petted his cheek with her right hand. “Don’t think I won’t.”

“But tonight, we’re gonna have a great time. Aren’t we, Sissy?”

Both hands cupped his cheeks, and Sissy pulled back a bit, staring into his eyes. For the most amazing split second ever, he thought she was going to kiss him. It would have been perfect, too. In the beautiful garden, under the moonlight, just the two of them ...

“
Sissy. Mae. Smith!”

They both jerked, and Sissy quickly stepped back, but she didn’t have anywhere to go except back on the bench. She sat down hard. But it couldn’t match the hardness in her eyes when she stared up at Mitch.

“Yes?”

Miss Janie stepped closer. “They’re giving toasts. Aren’t you supposed to be giving one?”

“Yep.” Sissy stood and brushed off the back of her dress.

“Think you can manage keeping it clean and respectful?”

He didn’t know what Sissy was about to say, but Mitch had a feeling that silence at this moment was her best friend. Determined to keep the bloodshed nonexistent, he grabbed Sissy’s hand and yanked her back toward the ballroom. Her mother watched them go, and when Mitch looked at her over his shoulder, the smile she wore reminded him of Sissy.

Although telling Sissy that would only get his skin torn off. And he’d really like to avoid that for as long as possible.

Besides, kissing Sissy now or hell, doing
anything
with Sissy now was a mistake for both of them. And they both knew it.

Chapter 2

R
onnie patted Sissy on the back. “Great toast.”

“Thanks.”

“Only one barely veiled insult toward Jessie Ann. I think she was impressed.”

Sissy winced. “I actually wasn’t trying to insult her. Figured I should keep this one clean for Bobby Ray since it’s his wedding and all.”

“You did the best you could manage.”

“Gee. Thanks.”

Ronnie put her arm around Sissy’s shoulders and pulled her friend in close. “What’s this I hear about you and Mitch out in the garden?”

Sissy rubbed her forehead. “You’re telling me my own mother is spreading rumors about me?”

“No. I heard it from Mitch. He said y’all got busted by her.”

Sissy gave up.
That idiot
. “Nothing happened.”

“Because y’all got busted. He thinks you’re in love with him. Want his babies ... and life insurance.”

“It’s like he
wants
me to slap him around.”

The friends were silent for a moment and then said together, “Although he might.”

Sissy grabbed a glass of champagne off a passing tray, and that’s when she saw him staring at her. He was really cute, although a little short for her. Asian, dapper as hell ... and really cute. Had she mentioned that already?

“I know you two,” he said. She could tell English wasn’t his first language, but his accent was flawless, and she detected a bit of British there. He snapped his fingers. “You took my Lotus!”

Sissy choked on her champagne, and Ronnie started looking for the exits or law enforcement with arrest warrants.

Lord, what is the statute of limitations again?

Giving her a teasing smile, he said, “Some would say you won it fair and square, but I still doubt it.”

Realizing she wasn’t being accused of thievery—that was a load off—she took a closer look at the man in front of her. He was Asian wild dog and really cute. Wait. She’d already thought that. “Now I remember. In the Philippines. Right?”

“Right. Did you enjoy my car?”

“Oh ... sure.” Until they’d sold it. That little baby financed their next six months in Asia.

“I’m Kenshin Inu, in case you don’t remember.”

“Sissy Mae Smith. Ronnie Lee Reed.”

“You’re related to Smitty, yes?”

“Yep.”

“Interesting. You know I’m working with him and Mace to start a Japanese division of their business.”

“You are?” Bobby Ray hadn’t told her, probably because he knew she’d beg him to let her go to Japan for the initial setup.

They were so discussing this when he got back from his honeymoon. The thought of getting back on the road again made her almost giddy. It wasn’t like before. She didn’t need to escape for years, only to be forced back for holidays and guilt visits to Tennessee. Now living in the city she adored and as Alpha Female of the New York Smiths she had a reason to come back, but she’d always need to travel and Bobby Ray had to know that. Besides, Ronnie Lee could handle the She-wolves when Sissy wasn’t there.

Already her mind was turning with the possibilities of this.

“I see the bride signaling for me. If you ladies will excuse me.” He smiled and walked off.

“You gonna wait until after the honeymoon or before to torture Bobby Ray about this?”

“After, of course! But Mace will hear from me on Monday.”

Ronnie laughed, shook her head. Sissy didn’t know what she’d do without her regular traveling partner. Together, she and Ronnie had done some major damage around the world and weren’t allowed in quite a few countries because of it.

Wait, is Tokyo still on the list?

But Ronnie was with Brendon Shaw now and madly in love. Although she loved to travel, she didn’t have the same drive that Sissy did to keep it up.

“Oh.” Ronnie motioned over a pretty, slim woman in a sexy as hell dress. “I don’t think you guys have met yet. Gwen O’Neill, this is Sissy Mae Smith. Sissy, this is Mitch’s baby sister, Gwen.”

Lord in heaven!
This
was Mitch’s baby sister? His “innocent” baby sister? His “sweet, adorable” baby sister? Maybe it was Sissy’s imagination, but the woman was too hot in her sleeveless black dress with the low-cut front and even lower-cut back, five-inch heels, and a short mass of black, curly hair that teasingly swept across bright gold, almond-shaped eyes to be anyone’s innocent anything.

According to Mitch, she was only half lion. Her father was a South China tiger, which made her one of the rare Tigons. And she’d picked up the best of both her parents. Beautiful, classy, and—

“I’d give my left tit to get laid sometime this weekend, but I don’t think that’s gonna happen.”

Now it was Ronnie’s turn to choke up the champagne she’d only just sipped, and Sissy stared at Mitch’s “innocent” baby sister, fascinated.

“I thought I’d find somebody here, but”—hands on hips, she looked around—“nothing is real promising.” The voice was low, husky. Over the phone, she could easily be mistaken for a man.

“Ya know,” she went on, “Mitch talks about you all the time.” She eyed Sissy before turning back to scan the crowd. “And I’m always like, ‘Dude, if you like her so much, fuckin’ marry her.’ And he’s all like, ‘Shut up.’”

Sissy didn’t dare look at Ronnie. Nope. If she looked at her, forget it.

“This is a nice wedding, though, huh? Although we weren’t invited. But Ma made up her mind. She was coming, and I figured I better go to keep her out of trouble, ya know? A couple of margaritas in my mom, and all hell breaks loose. But Brendon got us in with no problem, and everybody has been pretty friendly. Except that bitch.” She snorted and glared across the bar to Brendon Shaw’s twin sister. “Marissa ‘I’m God’s gift to the universe’ Shaw. She’s this close”—Gwen held up her thumb and forefinger a small bit apart—“to getting acid tossed in her face. I don’t think she realizes no one talks shit about my brother. I don’t give a fuck who you are. Or in her case, who you
think
you are.”

Sissy physically turned away so she was in no danger of even
glimpsing
Ronnie’s face or body language. She wouldn’t be able to take it.

“What I love is she acts like her shit don’t stink. Like I don’t know who she is and where she came from. But I know ’cause I came from the same place she came from. You know what I’m sayin’?”

Waiting a moment, Sissy realized that yes, Gwen did want an answer.

“Absolutely.”

“I know a lot of these bitches, they forget the men once they’re old enough to go out on their own. But not me and not my Ma. This is Mitch I’m talking about. No one fucks with him.” Again, those dark gold eyes sized Sissy up. “You know, you’re cuter than I thought you’d be. I’m surprised he hasn’t fucked you yet. But he says you guys are friends, although why anyone would have a male as a
friend
is completely beyond me. But maybe it’s a wolf thing, huh? ’Cause other than for fuckin’ or tunin’ up my car, I don’t see their purpose. But hey, that’s me.”

Mitch walked up to them and handed his sister a glass of champagne. “Everything going okay over here?” And he gave Sissy a warning glance to not mess with his sister.

Not that he had anything to worry about. Personally, Sissy would like to avoid having acid thrown in her face. She was wacky that way.

“Everything is fine,” Gwen assured him. “Stop worrying about me.” She slipped her arm around Mitch’s waist and rested her head against his chest. Considering her stock, Sissy thought Gwen would be considerably bigger. At least taller. But she wasn’t even five-nine. Most Smiths would consider her “tiny.” No wonder she wore those shoes, although how she managed to walk in them, Sissy didn’t know.

“I’m your big brother. I’ll always worry about you.” Suddenly, Mitch’s gaze locked on something at the bar, and he snarled.

“What?”

“He’s checking you out.”

Gwen rolled her eyes, and Sissy didn’t even bother looking to see who he was talking about.

“I’ll handle him.” Mitch pulled away from his sister and walked to the bar.

“Well,” Ronnie, who loved to state the obvious, sighed out, “now you know why you won’t be gettin’ laid this weekend.”

Mitch walked back to his sister, feeling pretty cocky about scaring off that puma.

“Are you done?”

“Yup. Just protecting my little sis.”

“Gee. Thanks.”

Mitch glanced around. “Where did Sissy go?”

“All she said was, ‘Momma’s at six o’clock.’ Then she and Ronnie took off running. It was ... interesting.”

“You and Ma get along. You don’t know how people who don’t get along with their mothers suffer.”

“I like Ma. And she’s worried about you.”

“Nice how you slipped that in.”

“Just warning you she’s going to be bugging you tonight.”

A waiter arrived with two bottles of Guinness.

“You saint,” Mitch sighed happily, grabbing his bottle. After a healthy drink, he said to his sister, “You know what’s funny about you and Ma being here?”

“What?”

“Neither of you were actually invited.”

Gwen rolled her shoulders. “You know Ma. Not a chance in hell she was going to miss out on seeing her only son in a tux. Besides, this is considered the party of the century. She wasn’t about to miss it.”

“Yeah, but you had a table and everything.”

“Brendon took care of that for us.” Gwen grinned. “He always said if we need anything to go ahead and call him, so Ma did.”

“He meant that. You ever need anything, go to Bren. He’ll always watch out for you guys.”

“Uh ... okay.”

“Why are you staring at me?”

“You look tired. And thin. Too thin.”

“I’m fine. Just a lot going on.”

“Any of that going on with Sissy?”

“You’re gonna start this now?”

“I hadn’t met her before. Now that I have ... not sure what you’re waiting for. She’s hot. And sturdy. Uncle Joey always says O’Neill males need sturdy women.”

“You start quoting Uncle Joey, I’m walking away.”

“I just don’t know what the problem is.”

“There is no problem. And I’d like to keep it that way.”

“Fine, ya big pussy.”

“You have to know that’s
not
an insult to me, right?”

Sissy tapped her foot and watched her friend. “Dez, you have to make a choice here.”

Dez was probably the only full-human Sissy could say in all honesty that she trusted. A tough cop, an amazing mother, and a great friend, Dez was not to be trifled with. She was a deadly predator like the rest of them. When she’d asked Sissy to be her son’s godmother, she’d specifically stated, “ ’Cause I know you’ll kill anybody who tries to hurt him.” Truer words had never been spoken, but the fact that Dez realized it and acted accordingly was what set her apart from her weaker full-human counterparts.

But when it came to chocolate, Dez could be as big a pain in the ass as Jessie Ann.

“I can’t. You do understand that, right?” She started at one end of the U-shaped table. “Here we have the candy. Chocolate with nuts. With caramel. With fruits.”

“Dez—”

“Then we have the fresh fruit and the dark chocolate waterfall. Of course it’s all dark chocolate. At least seventy-two percent cacoa. There’s chocolate fondue and twelve—yes, twelve—different kinds of chocolate cakes. Then there are the brownies and pies—”

“Desiree!” Sissy cleared her throat. “Just. Pick. Something.”

Covering her mouth with her hands, Dez’s eyes went from one end of the table to the other. “I ... I can’t! I’m in chocolate overload!”

Good Lord.

“Darlin’, you know I love you, but there is a table of unsuspecting males playing Texas Hold ’Em, and it’s calling my name.”

“You can’t,” Dez said offhandly, reaching for a plate. “Maybe I’ll take a little of everything ... except the fruit. I can do without the fruit. Why screw up chocolate with fruit?”

“Why can’t I?”

“Last time I was in there, so was your mother.”

“That woman is
everywhere
.”

“Should I mention she was in the Karaoke Room belting out—”

“
No!
”

“All right then.”

Dez walked over, her plate piled with bits of this and that from the available chocolate selections.

“Desiree.”

“What? I wanted to be covered.”

“Your thing for chocolate is unhealthy.”