“I am not engaged,” she snarled. “The man is delusional.”
Irene stormed into her office, Jackie right behind her. She dropped her backpack on the floor before moving over to her desk.
“I swear the man is on me like an isotope. I literally cannot remove him.”
“I warned you about wolves.” Jackie threw herself into the chair across from Irene’s desk, planting her feet on the worn wood. “They’re certifiable.”
Irene practically fell into her desk chair. “He’s driving me insane, Jackie. I mean…really. He suddenly decided that I’m…what are you staring at?”
“What’s that behind your head? On your cork board?”
She didn’t even have to turn around to look. Instead Irene simply sighed. “That’s a picture of him, isn’t it?”
“Paul and I were wondering why we found them all over the house.”
“How does he keep getting into the house? And my office?”
“There’s no self-respecting wolf who can’t pick a lock.”
Irene put her head on her desk. “I don’t understand, Jackie. This wasn’t supposed to happen. We were never…he and I…he can’t seriously think we—”
“Oh, sweetie, he can. He does. I warned you, wolves aren’t hit often but when they are…bam! Then they hold on for dear life. Especially the males.”
“The worst part is, he’s so damn nice. I mean”—Irene leaned up, resting her elbows and hands on her desk—“if he were a total butthead, I could rip him to shreds without even a thought. Slash, slash, slash and I’d leave him like so many men and students before him. But he’s nice. Really nice. I’ve never had anyone be so nice to me.”
“He’s always liked you, Irene.”
“Great. You’re delusional too.”
“He has. You’ve always been oblivious but I see all, sweets, and that doggie has had it bad for you from the beginning.”
“I thought he only wanted sexual intercourse.”
“Stop calling it that. And maybe that’s all he wanted in the beginning. To start. But apparently that’s changed. Personally, I knew it was a done deal soon as he got you to laugh.”
With an annoyed growl, Irene laid her head back on the desk. As soon as she did, the phone rang. She didn’t even have to answer it to know who was on the other end.
Snatching the phone off the receiver, she snapped, “Yes?”
“Hey, doc.”
She viciously tamped down that burst of nervous excitement his voice elicited from her every damn time she heard it. “Van Holtz.”
“I want to see you tonight.”
“I’ve got work to do.”
“How about seven? Meet me at the restaurant; we’ll go from there.”
“I’ve got work to do.”
“Don’t worry about dressing up. Just casual. Jeans, T-shirt.”
“I’ve got work to do.”
“See ya then.”
“I’ve got work—” But he’d already hung up.
Irene returned the phone to the receiver. “I talk and talk and it’s like I’m saying nothing.”
“It’s a wolf thing, sweetie.”
“What is? Rudeness?”
“The ignoring. All canines do it. You say ‘no, don’t eat the food from the table,’ and they go right on eating the food from the table, giving you that innocent look the whole time.”
“So what do I do? Hit him with a rolled-up newspaper?”
“Well, that depends on you.”
“How?”
“The question you need to ask yourself is whether you really want him to stop?”
“I don’t under—”
“Do you love him, Irene?”
“What? No! Don’t be ridiculous! Why are you even asking me? Shut up.”
“Okay. I’ll take that as a yes.”
“Don’t you dare. I don’t love him. I don’t love you, for that matter.”
“Liar,” Jackie mocked with a smile.
“I don’t love anyone. I’m cold and calculating and a vicious, heartless bitch.” She’d been repeating that to herself for three days. Even when he showed up on her doorstep every night and she let him in. Even when he took her to bed and made sure she didn’t get a bit of sleep. Even as he fucked her so hard and long that she could barely remember her name, much less theorems and lab results. Even then, she kept reminding herself what a cold, calculating, vicious, heartless bitch she still was. “And when I see that rich idiot, that’s exactly what I’m going to tell him.”
“Uh-huh.”
“You don’t think I will?”
“I don’t think you’ll have the chance.”
“I’ll make the chance,” Irene vowed.
“And these are my uncles Geert and Volker.”
Even as Irene said her polite “hellos” and shook the hands of his many uncles, Van could hear those teeth grinding. He started wondering if dental work would be necessary at this rate.
“So, you’ve met everyone…who resides in North America.”
“You can meet the rest of the brood at Christmas,” his Uncle Ulbrecht promised, and Van saw Irene clench her fists even while she nodded. To his family Irene probably appeared the most polite woman any of them had ever brought home. But Van knew better. She wouldn’t embarrass herself in front of them, but once he got her alone…eesh.
Irene looked at him over her shoulder and before she could speak he said, “Dinner’s ready.”
The family moved toward the dining room. He took Irene’s hand and, to his surprise, she didn’t pull it away. Instead, she turned and faced him. Leaning in close as if to whisper something to him, she grabbed his cock with her free hand and twisted.
Van grunted and closed his eyes. He wanted to do more than that, but Irene knew he wouldn’t show the weakness to his family.
“What I’m currently doing, I can assure you, is not an accident,” she spit out between clenched teeth and then tugged to make her point. “Understand?”
He nodded and she released him, heading off to the dining room.
Thankfully the dinner itself went quickly and as planned. Van could see Irene’s years of experience coming to the fore as she deftly handled each of his uncles and aunts, never once betraying how angry she really was. Which, to be quite honest, he appreciated. He hadn’t planned to ambush her like this but his father had put together this little event and made it clear he wanted Irene to attend. Since she’d kept Van at an emotional distance after he dropped her off at her house Monday morning—and told the wolves waiting for them to guard her like their lives depended on it—he knew she’d never willingly agree. So, yeah, he kidnapped her, in theory.
Sitting down next to her on one of the couches littering the family room while the rest of his cousins pulled out board games and cards, he whispered against her ear, “You still mad at me?”
She rewarded him with a slight shiver.
“Yes. I don’t like to be blindsided.”
“I know, but it was the only way to get you here.”
“And I needed to be here why?”
“My father wanted to see us together.”
“Next time tell him no.”
“He’s the Alpha Male, baby. I can’t say no without a fight.” Van shook his head. “Besides, the way he’s been acting lately? No way. I’m trying to placate the old man. And come on, this hasn’t been that bad, has it?”
She shrugged, her elbow resting on the couch arm, her chin resting on the palm of her hand. “The prime rib was quite satisfactory, I suppose.”
He swallowed a chuckle. “Thanks. I made that.”
“At least you have some talents besides being attractive and a pain in my ass.”
Van took gentle hold of her free hand. The same hand that she’d twisted his cock with. He must love her…he hadn’t killed her yet.
“Don’t be mad at me, doc.”
“This wasn’t supposed to go this far,” she whispered fiercely. “Sexual intercourse and nothing else.”
“I never agreed to that.”
“No. You said you just wanted to kiss me once and then you’d leave. Twenty seconds tops, I believe, was your statement.” She looked at him and those eyes of hers still knocked the breath from his lungs. “Your twenty seconds are up, Van Holtz.”
“Twenty seconds? Are you sure I didn’t say twenty years?”
Growling, she tried to pull her hand away, “Don’t even try it. I know exactly what was said.”
“Maybe. Still, when one is lost in the arms of passion, maybe you misheard me.”
She stopped struggling and looked at him. “‘Lost in the arms of passion’?”
“Yeah. What’s wrong with that?”
She snorted a laugh and looked away from him. “Jack’s right. You’re all certifiable.”
“This comment from jackals. And I’ve been meaning to ask, did her parents purposely name her Jackie the jackal?”
“Stop.” Irene dropped her head, but he could see her struggling not to laugh. “You just stop right now.”
“It’s like the name of a cartoon character.”
“She was named after her great-grandmother, and cut it out.”
Van leaned in, nuzzling the nape of her neck. “Come on, doc. Let’s go for a walk. I’ve missed you.”
Irene swallowed and stared at him. He smiled and the way her body sort of melted in the seat told him he had her…until…
“Would you like to join us, my dear?”
Uncle Verner stared down at them with a damn annoying smirk on his face. Christ, is that the look Irene always accuses me of having? No wonder she’s so pissed off when I do it.
“Join you?” Irene asked, pulling her hand away from Van’s.
“In a friendly game of Risk.” He motioned to the table two of his other uncles had set up.
Irene shook her head. “I don’t think you want to do that, sir.” It was the way she said it that had most of the family turning around to look at them.
“I don’t?” Verner questioned, his smirk never leaving.
“You don’t. Perhaps Monopoly or Life.”
“Are you afraid?” Volker questioned while sitting at the table and getting comfortable.
“No. But I have incredible luck with dice and I am ruthless. You will lose, gentlemen. I will destroy your lands, take your women, ravish your men, and make your children my slave labor. I will own every castle, house, and farm that is within my reach. I won’t be satisfied until I own all of it and you. I will destroy you all, gentlemen, and, to be quite blunt, I don’t think you can handle it.”
Van covered his mouth to keep from laughing out loud and he didn’t dare look at his sister. Verner stepped back, motioning to the table. “Now I must insist.”
“As you wish.” Irene sighed and stood. She glanced at Van and gave him a quick wink before turning back to his uncle. “I do hope you’re a ‘sobber,’ Mr. Van Holtz. Nothing I love more than the lamenting of the men I annihilate.”
“I can’t believe you made him cry.”
“I did not. He just teared up a little.”
“Yeah. I think it was when you told him, ‘I now control your ports and own your manhood.’”
“His wife laughed.”
Van pushed the bedroom door open and Irene stepped in. “This is nice.”
“Yup. This is my room. Nice, big bed.”
“Yes. It is a nice big bed. I’ll enjoy experiencing it all by myself.”
“Irene…”
“Don’t whine, Holtz. It’s not attractive.”
“Okay, okay.”
Holtz stood behind her and suddenly the gigantic room seemed so small.
“Irene, I did want to thank you.”
She glanced up at him. “For what?”
“For playing along with whatever my crazy family is up to.”
“Up to?”
“Yeah. They’ve all been acting weird lately. Especially my father. I don’t know what’s going on but I know I don’t like it.”
“Maybe he’s afraid you’re ready to step in as Alpha Male.”
“I am. But I’m not going to fight my own father for it.”
“But based on my readings—”
“Your readings?”
“Yes. I stopped by the library yesterday during lunch and read up on wolves and their social structure.” Holtz grinned and she hoped he wasn’t laughing at her. “Don’t make fun of me.”
“I’m not. Really. I think it’s…adorable.”
She rolled her eyes. “You do seem to like that word. Either that or your vocabulary is quite limited.” She shook her head. “Anyway, based on how wolf culture is structured, you may have to fight your father for leadership.”
He laughed. “If this were the 1200s, I’d agree with you, doc. But the Van Holtzes are civilized. I’m not about to maul my father to prove I’m ready to take over whenever he wants to hand me the leash. The old man will just have to suck it up.”
Holtz let out a breath and his eyes focused on her lips. “Now that we’ve got that squared away…”
“Oh, no, you don’t. Out.” Irene pushed him—well, he let her push him, Irene guessed—to the door and out into the hallway.
“Come on, Irene.” Resting his hands on the doorframe, Holtz leaned in. “Let me stay. I promise you won’t regret it.”
“Your mother and father are six doors down and have heightened senses. There is no way I’m letting you spend the night.”
“You worried about the screaming thing you do?”
“Holtz—”
“If you ask me nice I can gag you.”
Done with the conversation, Irene slammed the door in Holtz’s face. “Go away. Do not return until breakfast is ready.”
“Tease.”
Van stared into the refrigerator and debated what he wanted to eat. True, he’d had a full meal with desserts, but he wanted more. Actually, he wanted Irene but, as usual, she’d decided to be difficult. Still, he finally had to admit, he liked being in love. He’d never thought he would. Always thought of it as another trap. But Irene wouldn’t trap anyone. She really didn’t want to be bothered. Actually, she looked as freaked out as he used to feel. He knew he’d convince her, though. Convince her that for some unknown reason, they were perfect for each other. Besides, he had to do something. He hated not having her in his bed. Only one night apart and he’d never been so lonely before in his life.
Van caught his father’s scent behind him and didn’t bother to turn around. “Hey, Dad.” He grabbed an apple to control his hunger and thought about hunting something down. But before he could move, his father’s growl had the hairs on the back of Van’s neck snapping to attention.
Slowly, Van turned and faced the Alpha Male of the Van Holtz Pack. His father. Standing on the kitchen table, already shifted, Dieter Van Holtz stared coldly at his only son. He bared his fangs.
Still holding the apple, Van raised his hands, palms out. “Dad. Please. Don’t do this.” But he knew it was already too late. Knew what his father would do. Knew that the Pack stood outside the back door waiting for the old to challenge the new.
His father’s paws slammed into him as he leaped from the table, knocking Van through the back door and out onto the porch. By the time Van hit the hard wood, he’d already shifted to wolf.
Irene sat in the big comfy chair in her room, her naked legs tucked up under her. She wore one of Van’s T-shirts as a sleep shirt. Since she hadn’t planned on spending the night, she hadn’t brought any clothes.
She turned the page on the hardback potboiler she’d found on the room’s bookshelf. This was the kind of book Irene rarely allowed herself the luxury of reading, but with nothing else to do and still too wound up to sleep, she felt no guilt for taking the time out now.
Nearly an hour before, she’d heard all sorts of snarling and growling coming from the back of the house. She’d ignored it even as she briefly worried what might be going on. They were probably taking down some poor deer and s
he’d rather not know about it. Kind of like how she didn’t need to know where her beef came from.
The glass doors leading to her balcony opened.
“I thought we had this discussion, Holtz—”
Irene watched the dark brown wolf limp into her room. How he’d cleared the balcony, she had no idea. A rather disturbing amount of blood followed him in but she didn’t know if that was his or another’s.
“Holtz?”
He walked up to her and rested his head in her lap. By the time she stroked his hair, he’d turned back to human. He had bite and claw marks over most of his torso, but the bleeding wasn’t as bad as she’d first thought.
His long arms wrapped around her and he held on. Carefully placing the book beside her chair, she used both hands to stroke his head and shoulders. “What happened?” she asked softly.
He let out a soul-deep sigh. “I just tore my father apart so I could be the next Alpha Male of the Van Holtz Pack. I left him bloody and lying there so I could take the Pack hunting in the woods.”
“To prove what you’d done didn’t bother you.”
“Right.” He burrowed his head deeper into her body, like he wanted to crawl inside her. “To prove that I was stronger than any of them.”
“He challenged you, didn’t he?”
“You knew this was coming.” It wasn’t a question.
“Yes. I knew. Not when, but I guessed it would be soon. Your father watched you all night.”
“If he wanted me to be Alpha Male now, he should have just handed it to me.”
“That wouldn’t have worked and you know it. We both know he had to do this or risk one of his brothers or their sons challenging you.”
Holtz finally looked up, giving her a sad smile. “Is that also from your reading expedition yesterday?”
“Pretty much.”
Holtz nodded and pulled his arms away from her body. “Well, thank you. There was absolutely no one else I could talk to about this.”
“I’m glad…” Irene swallowed past her nervousness, knowing instinctually what the next step had to be. “I’m glad you came to me. But you’re not done yet.” She’d read about this in one of her books, knew what he had to do to secure his position of Alpha Male. Knew what she had to do.
When He Was Bad Page 11