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“Yeah, then we can tease you more since you’re on national television.” Snake burst into laughter, knowing how much I loathed any and all publicity. When he threw up his hands, acting like he was going to surrender, I lifted my middle finger.
“And you can introduce us to that girl of yours.” Phoenix winked as Lily headed toward the bar. “If I weren’t hitched.”
“Touch her and die. I’m just warning you.” At least I could grin, shaking off the events if only for a little while. Unfortunately, I had a bad feeling that refused to leave.
The danger I just went through was nothing in comparison to what was on the horizon. I was certain of it. Maybe Gage was right, and I was a loose cannon.
Somehow, I had a feeling that’s exactly the reason I might be able to keep her alive.
* * *
“You’re coming to the party, Lily. That’s final.” I folded my arms, remaining in the doorway. She’d turned me down over the phone, so I thought a little personal persuasion was in order.
“I’m working tonight,” she said, giving me a mischievous look.
“All I need to do is make a single phone call. You know that. Right?”
Lily grimaced. “I need the money. Somehow, a little fairy must have helped me get a pretty spectacular house. Oh, this one.”
When she gave me a stern look, I laughed. “What? I did nothing but make a phone call.”
“You’re not a good liar.”
“You’re calling me a liar? I just might need to spank that butt of yours again to remind you who’s in charge.”
“Nope.” She took a step away, laughing. “Seriously, I need to make money to buy groceries so I can eat and have nice things like clothes. Go to the party by yourself, big boy. Or should I call you Wolfman?”
Growling, I gathered her into my arms, swatting her on the bottom. “Who told you?”
“I might have overheard Scorpion use it.”
“I’ll kill him.”
“You’re not going to tell me why, are you?”
I gave her a stern look. “Not unless you come to the party. You need to enjoy life.”
Her smile faded slowly, a strange look appearing in her eyes. “I do, at least with you. Give me a couple weeks and I’ll feel better about taking time off. Okay?” She pressed her hand against my chest, using every bit of her feminine wiles on me.
After bending my index finger, I brushed it back and forth across her jaw. “I love your independence, but I can’t ignore the fact you’re hiding something from me. Maybe one day you can trust me enough to tell me what that is.”
“It’s not you, Maverick. The two times I trusted someone I was wrong and paid for it. I’m just… I’m broken.”
“You’re not broken, baby, just bruised a little. I’m going to write down the address. If you can stop by, that would be great. I’ll show you around the sanctuary.”
At least her eyes lit up. “I’d love to do it again.”
“Again?”
“Be with animals,” she answered quickly. Too quickly. “They’re my heart too. Aren’t you, Sammy boy?”
When he jumped up, standing taller by a few inches, she laughed, the sparkle returning in her eyes.
“Don’t spoil him,” I teased.
As he started licking her face, I thought she’d fall over from laughter and from his weight. As they continued their love fest, I moved into the kitchen, trying to find a notepad. When I noticed a single photograph on the kitchen counter, my curiosity got the better of me. The girl in the photo looked a lot like Lily. I flipped it over, noticing the date. There was also a city indicated.
“What are you doing?” There was an edge to her voice that surprised me.
