The Suck Stops Here

by Kristen Painter

  Even dormant from the cold, the landscaping was impressively manicured. Sculpted evergreen topiaries and well-groomed hedges decorated the sprawling property.

  “I told you they were well-off,” Christina said.

  Saying they were well-off seemed like calling the Pope slightly Catholic. Or Christina a little pregnant. The Millers were very wealthy people.

  Frank parked under the porte cochere, then jumped out to open their door.

  As they got out, the door to the house opened as well.

  Jeanne Miller stood there in the golden glow of her home’s interior lighting, smiling at them. She wore a navy plaid dress with crisp white cuffs and collar, gold jewelry, and navy heels with gold buckles at the toe. “I’m so glad you all could come.”

  Delicious aromas wafted out behind her. Meaty aromas. Not exactly barbecue either. There was the slightest hint of something else, something just this side of wet dog, but the breeze took it away before she could analyze it further.

  Donna’s stomach growled, a reminder that she hadn’t eaten anything since the nachos, the candy, and the glass of blood. Okay, nothing substantial. “I’m glad you invited us. We wouldn’t have missed it.”

  Jeanne extended her hand, causing a beautiful diamond bracelet to slide down her wrist. “I’m Jeanne. You must be Christina’s mother, Belladonna.”

  Donna shook the woman’s hand, then held out the bottle of wine she’d brought. “I am. This is for you. Call me Donna, please. It’s nice to meet you, Jeanne.”

  “Thank you for the wine. That was so thoughtful of you.”

  Donna nodded, thanking her stars that Charlie was the best admin ever and had thought to bring the wine. “You’re welcome. This is my sister and Christina’s aunt, Camille D’Angelo.”

  Cammie shook Jeanne’s hand as well. “Cammie is fine. Nice to meet you too.”

  “Welcome to our home.” Then Jeanne held out her arms. “And there’s our mama-to-be.” She gave Christina a warm hug, which prickled Donna, even though it shouldn’t have. Jeanne beamed at them, her arm still around Christina, and gestured toward the house with the hand holding the wine. “Please come in and meet my husband and my son.”

  As Jeanne and Christina started in, Donna followed with Cammie right behind her.

  They walked into a grand foyer with a sweeping staircase and marble floor, and in the center, a table held an enormous bouquet of fresh flowers. On the far wall was a family portrait. The four Millers plus two Labrador retrievers, one black, one yellow.

  That explained the faint hint of dog she’d detected earlier. She nodded at it. “Handsome animals.”

  Jeanne seemed pleased by that. “Thank you so much. You don’t have to worry about them, though. They’re shut up in the bedroom for now. They can be a little overexuberant with guests.”

  Donna nodded. “Then that was kind of you.”

  A young woman in a maid’s uniform appeared to take their coats. Donna hung on to her purse.

  “Thank you, Denise.” Jeanne smiled at the young woman.

  With the coats taken care of, Jeanne continued the little tour. As they walked, it came as no surprise that the entire house was beautiful. It was magazine-worthy, honestly, but still looked like a home, with a lot of family photos and personal touches.

  All of that made Donna feel less than, and she hated that feeling. That was her own issue to deal with, though. It wasn’t Jeanne’s fault that this family had never suffered under the dictatorship of a controlling, mob-owned man.

  Donna shoved the feeling aside and reminded herself that she’d been the best mother possible to her kids, all things considered. But she could already see why Christina liked these people so much.

  Jeanne led them into the family room, where Mayor Tom awaited. He was sitting in a leather recliner, reading a newspaper. It was so homey, it almost seemed set up. He folded the paper and stood immediately. “Hi there.”

  “Hello,” Donna said.

  More handshaking ensued, as well as introductions. Then Tom moved to the bar and offered them all a drink. “What can I get for you ladies?”

  Before anyone could answer, Jeanne spoke. “Honey, where’s Noah? He should be here to greet our guests.”

  “Right here, Mom.”

  Donna turned to see the boy who’d gotten her daughter pregnant. Christina was already at his side. He was handsome, broad-shouldered, and ruddy-cheeked, like he’d just run a few miles. He exuded charm and health, and it was no wonder Christina had succumbed to his wiles.

  Donna made herself smile. They really were lovely people. And the bitterness she was feeling was hers to deal with. This young man was the father of her first grandchild. She needed to have a good relationship with him.

  With all of them.

  “Noah,” Christina said. “This is my mom, Belladonna Barrone.”

  Noah stuck his hand out. “Nice to meet you, ma’am. Wow, you look more like Christina’s sister than her mother.”

  Donna couldn’t help but smile broader. “That’s very kind of you. It’s good to finally meet you.” She glanced at her daughter. “Although it could have happened sooner.”

  Noah nodded. “I agree with you, Mrs. Barrone.”

  She liked the boy already.

  Jeanne clapped her hands. “Well, what about those drinks? Tom’s a fabulous mixologist, aren’t you, honey?”

  He smiled. “I do my best. Your usual cosmopolitan?”

  “Yes, please,” Jeanne said.

  “I’d love a glass of wine,” Donna said. She’d prefer a whole bottle. But that would be impolite. And make her look bad. It was just that a glass wasn’t going to do anything to take the edge off her mood. Really, though. These people weren’t that bad. They weren’t bad at all. Just not anything she was used to.

  Cammie seemed glued to Donna’s side. “Yes, a glass of wine would be nice, thank you.”

  “White or red?” Tom asked.

  “Red,” Donna answered. “Thanks.”

  “Same for me,” Cammie said.

  Maybe Cammie would let Donna have hers too.

  While Tom uncorked a bottle, Noah seemed to only have eyes for Christina. They hadn’t seen each other in a little bit, so that was understandable. Jeanne rejoined Donna and Cammie, engaging them in small talk. “How was your trip out? Christina told us you were coming by RV. What a fun way to travel.”

  Donna nodded. “I’d never done it before, but it was fine. We left last night, so to be honest, we did a lot of sleeping.”

  “I can imagine.” Jeanne’s nostrils flared oddly for a second, but it happened so fast Donna wasn’t sure she’d even seen it. “Did you get out at all today? You must have wanted to stretch your legs after all that time in the RV.”

  “Yes,” Donna said. “We all sat around the fire at the campground and relaxed. It was pretty nice with the heat of the fire.”

  “Oh, how lovely.” But Jeanne’s eyes held all kinds of questions.

  Donna could imagine the woman wanted to ask myriad things.

  Tom arrived with two glasses of red wine. Donna took a sip immediately. It was good wine, but she hadn’t expected anything else.

  He handed Cammie a glass, then went to get the cosmopolitan he’d made for Jeanne.

  “What is it that you do?” Jeanne asked.

  Donna knew what she was supposed to say, the whole story about writing the book about her life as a mob wife. But those words seemed stuck on her tongue. She wished Pierce were here to intervene.

  “She’s writing a book,” Christina blurted.

  That did the trick to loosen Donna’s vocal cords, but she still didn’t like lying. Wasn’t like she could tell them the truth, however. “That’s right. I’m writing my memoir. As I’m sure you already know, my soon-to-be ex-husband was heavily involved in criminal activity and is currently in jail awaiting trial. I’m not at liberty to say more. Not just because of the court case, but because my publisher doesn’t want anything coming out before the book is releas
ed.”

  “Oh, I completely understand. Of course. How exciting for you, though.” Jeanne blinked suddenly. “I mean about the book. Not the other business. I can’t imagine what you’ve been through.” She looked at Christina. “All of you.”

  Tom joined them, a highball glass of amber liquid in his hand. Scotch, maybe? There were too many other strong scents of food and…dog, maybe, for Donna to figure it out. He lifted his glass to her. “You must be a very strong woman to have held it all together during that marriage and to have ended up with such a remarkable daughter as Christina. We think she’s just wonderful.”

  Donna exhaled. “Thank you. I think she’s pretty wonderful too.” Even if their son had gotten her pregnant. She reminded herself that Christina shared in that responsibility.

  A different woman than the one who’d taken their coats came to the door, though she wore the same black and white uniform. “Miss Jeanne, dinner is ready.”

  “Excellent, Cora, thank you.” Jeanne gave them all a big smile. “Let’s go in, shall we?”

  Tom stayed at Donna’s elbow, walking with her. “I hope you like steak. We’re big meat eaters out here.” He laughed suddenly. “You’re not a vegetarian, are you?”

  Donna shook her head. “Not by a long shot.”

  For a second, it looked as though his nostrils had flared too. What on earth was up with these people? Had she put on too much perfume? A weird panic went through her as she tried to remember if she’d put on deodorant. She had, hadn’t she? Maybe she’d just been around so many supernaturals lately that it felt weird to be among humans.

  “Fantastic,” he said.

  The dining room was decorated in the same traditional style as the rest of the house, and the table was set beautifully with china and crystal that probably cost a fortune. The room held more fresh flowers, and beeswax candles burned in two holders at either end of the long table.

  Tom went straight to the head, and Donna saw that there were place cards for the rest of them. She was seated beside him, then Cammie next to her, Noah at the other end, then Christina and Jeanne, putting Donna across from Jeanne.

  As she put her cloth napkin on her lap, she hoped Cammie chatted Noah up and got to know him, since Donna’s time was probably going to be spent talking to his parents.

  Cora and Denise arrived with small plates of salad.

  The meal would be more than one course, apparently.

  But instead of being fussy about it, Donna had a sudden swell of appreciation for the lengths these people were going to in order to make a good impression. Her mood changed, and she realized that there was no way not to like them.

  If they cared this much, how could she feel any other way toward them? They were obviously well-meaning and felt as desperate for this to go well as she did.

  Granted, they didn’t seem upset that their son had gotten a girl pregnant, but then, Noah wouldn’t have any issues finishing school. Christina would be the one who’d have to put her education on hold.

  Maybe Donna should find a way to bring that topic into the conversation so the Millers knew it was important to her.

  Tom picked up his salad fork as he looked at Donna. “I’m not much on rabbit food, but Jeanne says it’s a good way to start the meal.” Then he laughed. “I’d rather eat the rabbit.”

  “Tom,” Jeanne said, looking a little horrified.

  He just laughed harder.

  Donna tried not to stare at him, but she could have sworn she’d seen a flash of light in his eyes. A very familiar flash of light.

  One that could only have a single explanation.

  Tom Miller was a werewolf.

  Donna did her best not to react. That couldn’t be true, could it? Was Tom a werewolf? Was Jeanne?

  Holy mother. Was Noah?

  She swallowed and forced herself to smile. “Jeanne? Could you tell me where the ladies’ room is?”

  “Of course. Just right down the hall, first door on your left.”

  “Thank you so much.” Donna got up, grabbed her purse, draped her napkin over the back of her chair, and went down the hall. She found the bathroom, slipped inside, and put her purse on the counter. Then she planted her hands on the marble and took a big gulp of air.

  Was Christina carrying a werewolf baby? Donna thought she might have a panic attack. How on earth was she going to deal with this? Should she flat-out ask them?

  She did the only thing she could think of to do. She got her phone out and sent a group text to Charlie and Pierce.

  Need help. I think the Millers are werewolves. Find out now! Ask LV and Toni, if nec.

  She hit send, hoping she could hang out in the bathroom long enough to get the response without Jeanne thinking something serious had happened. But if anyone would know the scoop on the Millers and their shifter status, it was LV Medina, the alpha of the New Jersey pack and the grandmother of Rico, and Toni, Rico’s mother.

  She supposed she could have texted Rico directly, but texting him about this seemed a little unnecessary. The man was engaged in far more serious matters, after all. And then she’d have to explain about Christina and all of that.

  She stared at her screen, waiting for a response, trying to will one to show up.

  Charlie’s came in first. We’re on it.

  Hurry. I’m camped out in the bathroom. Donna supposed she could go back out to the table and just keep her phone on silent on her lap so she could check it for messages. But part of her really wanted to know what was going on before she went back out there.

  Of course, if she suspected the Millers were werewolves, did they also suspect she was a vampire?

  Was that what all that nostril-flaring had been about? Them smelling her?

  She put her hand on her forehead. Mary and Joseph. This was all so complicated, but unfortunately, she couldn’t just come right out and ask. If the Millers were ordinary humans, they’d think she was nuts.

  Not even remotely the first impression she wanted to make.

  Her screen lit up with an incoming message. She tapped it to read.

  Pierce this time. No answer from LV or Toni, left voice mail. Will update as soon as possible. Charlie is researching.

  Thanks, Donna texted back. Then she frowned and sighed and stared at the door. She couldn’t stay in here much longer, or they’d get suspicious.

  A soft knock told her she’d already stayed too long.

  “Donna? It’s me,” Cammie said. “You okay?”

  Donna opened the door and pulled her sister in.

  “Hey,” Cammie said. “What’s going on? The Millers are starting to wonder what’s up. I can tell.”

  “I think they’re werewolves.”

  Cammie stopped talking, her mouth still open. Then she closed it, and her eyes narrowed. “That would explain a few things.”

  “The dog smell? Which I no longer think has anything to do with their two Labradors. Or the way they’ve been sniffing me? Or the weird flash in Tom’s eyes?”

  “I was thinking more about the books on moon cycles and lycanthropy in the family room.”

  Donna rolled her eyes. “And you’re just telling me this now?”

  Cammie threw her hands up. “What was I supposed to do? Bring it up in conversation?”

  “No, you’re right.” Donna exhaled. “What should I do? Ask them outright? Christina could be carrying a half-werewolf baby.”

  Cammie made a face. “She definitely could be. We need to figure this out. I’m sure you’ve already texted Charlie?”

  “And Pierce. They’re working on it, but they couldn’t reach LV or Toni, so they left a voice mail.”

  Cammie shrugged. “You could call Rico.”

  “I hate to bother him with something like this. You know that the last time I saw him, at the funeral for the wolf who died at the fae confrontation, he said he wanted to talk to me about something.”

  “Which is what he texted about earlier.”

  “Right. And I told him I was traveling, whic
h he said was fine, but if I call him, he might decide he wants to talk after all, and this isn’t really the best time for a long conversation.”

  Cammie nodded. “I’m sure he’d understand.”

  Donna glanced at her phone. There were no new messages. “I guess I could text him.”

  She was about to call up his contact info when more knocking interrupted her.

  “Ladies? Everything all right in there?” Jeanne sounded worried.

  And well she should be, Donna thought. All the same, she opened the door and smiled big. “We’re just fine. I had a little trouble with my zipper. Cammie got me all fixed up. I’m sorry we’ve interrupted dinner.”

  Jeanne looked infinitely relieved that Donna’s emergency had involved only fashion and nothing of a more personal nature. “No, no, it’s not a problem. I’m sorry you got stuck.”

  Donna grabbed her phone and her purse, and they all went back to the table.

  Christina was giving her a look like whatever was going on, she’d better stop it immediately.

  The poor child had no idea who she’d gotten involved with. Donna sat, positioning her phone on top of her napkin so she could glance down and see the screen easily. She picked up her fork and took a bite, doing her best to look like nothing was going on.

  But the truth was, she was whipsawed with worry and concern. Sitting here, eating her salad like everything was fine, was hard. Especially when she believed there were three werewolves at the table.

  And a fourth one growing inside her daughter.

  She ate without tasting anything but the tang of vinegar in the dressing. Maybe she should just say something. Have it out. So what if they were human and ended up thinking she was a nutjob? Wasn’t it better to know than—

  Her phone screen lit up.

  She glanced down. The message was from Charlie. Tom Miller isn’t just a werewolf, he’s the Indiana pack leader.

  Donna inhaled and sent back a quick thumbs-up emoji, then looked at the Millers with new eyes.

  This had to be discussed, didn’t it? She looked at Christina, who was gazing lovingly at Noah. They were talking about something, but Donna wasn’t sure what.