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This is a work of fiction Names, characters, places, and incidents are products of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiouslyandarenottobeconstruedasreal.Anyresemblancetoactualevents,locations,organizations,orpersons,livingor dead,isentirelycoincidental.
WorldCastlePublishing,LLC
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Copyright©2024KathiS.Barton
PaperbackISBN:9798891261723
eBookISBN:9798891261730
FirstEditionWorldCastlePublishing,LLC,March11,2024
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Editor:KarenFuller
didn’tknowtheycould,sononeofthemriskedtryingit Hewasnearlyeighteenbythenandwasoldenoughtobeabletocare forthemonhisownifitcametothat.
Father wouldn’tleavethejail because his love wasthere,sotheydidasmuchastheycouldingatheringupfoodstuffs, and cashwhile he was gone. Itwas the mostdifficultthree months ofhis life. Itwas a few months later, the dayhe turned eighteen,thateverythingwenttohell.And the onlytime inhis life whenhe could honestlysaythathe hated people. And he hatedhisparentswithapassionthatstayedwithhimformostofhislife
Temptationwasnothinghe’deverbeenswayedby Notaprettywoman Nota too good to be truth scam,norwasheever swayedbyfastmoney.Allofthemhadlearnedthehardwaythatiftheirparentswereonboardwithsomething,itwasgoingto meanjailtimeforsomebody.Noneofthemeverparticipatedinanythingthattheirparentsthoughtup.Infact,theywouldletthe police know about their scams so that if theywere caught withthemand made to go ontheir scams for some reason, they wouldn’tbeapartofthearrests Andtherewereplentyofarrestsfortheirparentstheoldertheygot,untilhisbirthday
Fredhatedhiskids.Hedidn’tmuchcareforhiswifeeither,butshewasaneasylay,andthat’smostlyallhewantedfromher. Paulahatedtheirkidstoo,mostlyLica,butshewouldbeatthemuntiltheywerebloodiedeverytimeshegotthechance.Fred didn’tfeelsorryforhisboys.Hatingthemwithapassiontookcareofthat.Buthedecidedoneafternoonthatifhewasableto get rid of the oldest one, the others would fall inline withwhat he wanted more oftenthantheydid now. Mother fuckers weren’tevengoodforscaringpeoplewiththeirbeasts Noneofthemhadone
“You’dthinkthatwithhavingsixkidsthat,oneofthemwouldbeawolflikeyouare,wouldn’tyou,Paula?”Shetoldhim thatshewasn’tapurebloodeither,soitdidn’tstandtoreasontheirkidswouldbe.Thensheremindedhim,asshedidevery time, that she couldn’t be a beast either. “Yeah, I know you can’t shift, Paula. You don’t need to tell me every time I say somethingaboutit.Butoneofthemshouldhavebeen,don’tyouthink?Imean,yoursister,shehasherninekids,andallofthem arewolves Iprobablyshouldhavemarriedher Thatwouldhavebeenbettersuitedtomeingettingsomescarykids”
“Ifyou’dofmarriedupwithmysistertherewouldn’thavebeennothingforyoutousetofatherthemboys Iwouldhave cutyoutothewick.Youcanbetyourassonthat.”Sheturnedandlookedathim.“WhatareyouthinkingaboutTallyfor?She’s worseoffthanwearewithfeedingherkids.Atleastoursdon’tcometothetableallthetimeexpectingsomethingforthemto eat.Wetrainedthemgoodinnotexpectinganythingfromus.”
“Yeah,that’strue,that’strue.”Hesmiledwhenhesawhisboysoutintheyard.Theywerejustsittingthereunderthetree thattheyhadthemchainedupto,notsayingaword “I’mthinkingthatthenexttimewehavetodisciplinethem,weshouldkill themoff Ain’tnolawagainstuskillingthemifthey’vebeenhorriblekids,isthere?”
“Youdon’tremember all thattroubleIgotintowhenIbeatthemfor working?Istill don’tbelievefor aminutethatthey wereonlyworkingforfood.Butnobodywouldtellusiftheyweregettingpaidrealmoney.AndIhatethatthempeopletriedto shame us bysayingwe should have fed thembetter thanwe did. Fuckthatshit. If I had to feed themeverytime theywere hungry,I’dnothavetimetohavemyselfsomerelaxingtime”Sheturnedandlookedathimagain “Whatareyouthinkingabout bykillingthemoff?”
“HowoldisLicanow?I’mbettinghe’sanadult.Weshouldmakehimworkatarealjobsomeplace.Idon’tknowwhyall ofthemain’tworkingatarealjobbringingushomesomecash.”Shesaidthatitwouldmessuptheirfoodcard.“Notifnobody knowsaboutit,itwon’t.Besides,ifanyofthemis eighteenor better,wewon’tbegettingfoodmoneyfor themanyway.We alreadyhadthemtestedforbeingstupid.Theysaidthatthey’reallsmartboysbutnotwolves.”
Thatbotheredhimtothisdaythathisboyswerejustplainoldhumanslikehewas Theonlyreasonthatheagreedtobe marriedtoPaulawasherbeingawolfandherdaddybeingthealpha Then,nottendaysafterthey’dbeenmarried,Licasenior hadwentandpickedafightwithayoungpupandlostnotjusthislifeandhispackbutallhislandandmoney,too.Fredwas thrilledbeyondwords thatheandPaulahadbeenontheir honeymoonthen,or theywouldhavebeenkilledtoo.Justlikethe entirepackhadbeen.Damn,butitwasawhollymess.
Theonlypersonthathadmanagedtogetawaywashismomma Hestilldidn’tknowhowthathadcometobe Butshe’d beenhelpfultothemforafewyears Herbeingadoctoroftheirkindandhavingafull-timejobthatpaidthemrealwelland kepttheminnicethings.Thensheupandthoughtthatshe’dnotbehelpingthemanymore.Shetoldhimthatshedidn’tlikethe waythattheytreatedhergrandsons.Stupidwoman.Therewasnothreateninghereithertomakeherstay.Oneday,theygotup, andshewasgone.Couldn’tfindhereither.Damnedwoman.Allwomenwerestupidasfarashewasconcerned.Buthedidn’t saythatveryloudwhenhiswifewasaround.She’dkillhimoffforsureifhedid.
Theyhadtohideoutforweeksafterthepackwastakenover Themjustbeingmarriedandjustbeingthetwoofthemmade itasightbetterathidingthanitwouldhavenowadaysandall sothatthepupandhiscrew didn’tfindthem Hedidn’tknow anythingaboutthatkind ofthinggoingonwhenhe arranged to marryPaula. And he wouldn’t have if he’d knownthat was possibleifsomeoneelsecamealongtotakeoverthepack.Theyjoinedthemanewpack,andthenhismomcameforabitto staywiththemaftertheboysstartedpoppingoutlikethemPezcandies.
whenitwasreleasedtohim Forsomereason,Freddidn’tthinkthatitwasgoingtobeagoodthingtakingcareofhim Hedidgettoseethepolice.Thereseemedtobeaboutfiftyofthemthewaythattheykeptmovingaroundandsuch.There wassomeonelaughing,too.Hedidn’tknowwhothatwas,buthethoughtitrudetolaughlikethatwhensomeonewassupposed tobedying.Hecouldn’trememberwhowasdying,buthedidremembersomeonetellinghimthatsomeonewas.
Whenheopenedhiseyesagain,hedidn’tknow wherehewas.Therewasn’tmuchtosee.Everythingwaswhitelikethe snowandclean Pauladidn’tkeepagoodhouse,soheknewthathewasn’thomeanymore Whilehe’dbeenlyingonthefloor one dayafter Paula hit him, he’d seendust bunnies about fortyinches long Lookingaround hurt, so he tried to call out to someone totalktohim.The little squeakthatcame outofhis mouthembarrassed himsome, butthatwas aboutall he could managerightnow.
“Mr.Frazier?Youhaveanythingtosayaboutwhyyouwereshot?”Heaskedhimwherehewas.“You’reintheemergency departmentofthehospital,butyou’renotgoingtobealivemuchlonger You’velostagreatdealofblood,andthewoundisin aseriouslocation,thedoctorsaresaying Canyoutellmeyourversionofwhathappenedtonight?I’vealreadyheardfromyour alphaandwife.Theirversionsareabitdifferentfromeachother’s.”
Couldhe?Hehadnoidea.Thenherememberedwhathiswifesaidabouttheirkids.Hetoldtheofficerasbesthecould whathadbeenplannedout.Howtheyweregoingtoblameitonthekids,sothey’dbegoingtoprisonandawayfromthem.
“We hate them, youknow. All they’ve done is suckus dry. Iwantthemdead. Youhand your gunover to mywife, and she’lltakecareofthemforus Idon’twantthemaround”Themanaskedifhewasserious “Asdeath”
Theothers,alldressedintheirnicestjeansandshirtsandties,weresittingintherowbehindtheattorneywhowashoping tokeeptheir mother inprisonfor another fifteenyears.Lica hopedthatthey’ddispense withthe fifteen-year parole hearings andjustthrowawaythekey.Whenthejudgecamein,anewone,theyallstoodupandlistenedtowhatwasbeingsaid.
“MynameisthehonorableJaneSabot.I’mheretolistentothetwopartiestodaytosettleifMrs.PaulaFrazieriseligible forparoleorwillbeimprisonedfor wheredidthiscomefrom?Didweeverfindout?”Thebailiffleanedintoher ear and spoketothejudge Shenoddedacoupleoftimes,thenrolledhereyesbeforeshethankedhim “Allright This is the hearing forPaulaFraziertobeeligibleforparoleafteronlyservingafifteen-yearsentenceoftwolifetermsforkillingherhusband, FredFrazier,andOfficerJoeyLipscomb.OfficerLipscombsuccumbedtohiswoundseighteenmonthsafterMrs.PaulaFraizer shothim.IsthereanythingelseIshouldknowbeforeIhavePaulaFraizerbroughtinhere?Bytheway,Iwillhavethisroomin ordernomatterwhathappenswiththeoffender.I’mtounderstandthatshe’shavingahissyfittodayandmightcausearuckus. Anything?”
GrannieFrazierwasletinfromtheback,andshewalkeduptothedais Onceshewasthere,shehandedoverwhatlooked tohimlikeaboutadozencolorfulfoldersandsomeotheritemsbeforeshespoketothejudge.Whentheywerefinished,about twentyminutesafterGranniemadeherwayupthere,shecametositwiththesixofthem.Asmuchashewantedtogetsome hugsfromtheirGrannie,theywereaskedtohaveaseatfirst.
“Ineedmeaminuteortwotoreadoverthis.Ihavecopiesofitalready,andsodoestheattorneyforPaula,correct?”The manstoodupandnoddedlikehisheadwasn’tconnectedastightlytohisshouldersasitshouldhavebeen “Youhavetouse your words I told you this the other day The woman recording this for us can’t make head signs” He said he had the paperwork.“Good.Andyou’vespokentoMrs.Fraizer,correct?”
“Yes,ma’am,Ihave.She’snonetoohappywithit,butsheisawareoftheinformation.”Thejudgesaidshedidn’tcareand askedhimtohaveaseat.Afterabouttenminutes,thecourtroomwascalledtoorder,andtheirmomwasbroughtoutoftheback oftheroom
“Christ” Lica agreed withhis brother Ayden’s assessment of the situation Their mother had aged about fifty years, it lookedlike.Herhair,usuallydyedtoadarkred,wasaswhiteasGrannie’swasbutwithoutanystyletoitwhatsoever.Justa stringymesswithabigchildlikebowinthebackthatwasaspinkashe’deverseenthecolordisplayed.
Herlips,usuallywhatGranniecalledherlippaintwhoresred,wasdevoidofanycolor,andthenothingnessbledintoher skinso well thatitlooked like she had no mouthatall whenitwas closed. She was wearinga prisonjumpsuitofblue and green Twocolorsthathe’dalwayslikedtogetherbutneveragain Itmadeherlooksicklyandwashedout Shakinghishead,he feltthe others sittinginhis row situpstraighter whenshe turnedtolookatthemafter beingchainedtothe table thatwas in frontofher.
“Theretheyare.Mysons.Never oncehavetheybeentoseetheir poor oldmother sincetheymadeitsothatshe’dbeen takenawayfromthem.” Mother turned to the judge whenshe told her to hush. “I’ll do nothingofthe sort. Theykilled their daddylikehewasnothingtothem ThentheygoandsaythatIdidthekillingsothatI’dnotseethemallgrownup Justlookat themthere ActinglikeIdon’tmeannothingtothem”
“Youdon’t.”WhenGuystoodupafterspeaking,therestofthemdidaswell.“Ajuryofyourpeerssaidthatyoumurdered themanwhofatheredusandanotherman,too.Apoliceofficerwhowasondutythatday.So,no,youdon’tmeanathingtous.”
Noonemovedbutthesixofthemstanding.Granniestoodupwiththem,andthatsettheirmotherofftocursingupastorm ofnamecallingthathadhimsnickeralittle.Hervocabularyhadgottenmuchbetteratspewingcursewordsthanitdidbefore sheleft,andhethoughtitwasfunny Whenthejudge,poundingonherdeskwithawoodenhammer,toldthemtosit,thesixof themsatdownasifthey’dbeenpushed Granniejuststoodtherestaringattheirmotherwithoutsayingaword
“Whatareyoudoinghere,bitch?Thinkingtokeepmeinprison,doyou?Well,itwon’twork.I’mgettingoutandseeingto theirdeathslikeitshouldhavebeendoneallthoseyearsago.”ThejudgehadMothertakenoutoftheroom.Shewasscreaming thatshehadeveryrighttobethere,butGranniejuststoodtherewatching.All thewhile,thejudgepoundedonher tableand askedforordertobemade
Standingup, he puthis armaround his Grannie, and she looked athim She was dazed looking, like for a few seconds thereshedidn’tknowwhereshewasorevenperhapswhoshewas.Whensheputherhandonhischeek,hekissedherfingers andaskedhertohaveaseat.Assoonasshedid,hedidaswell.Thejudgeletoutalongbreathandhadmothertakenbackto thejail.
Broganlooked at the headstone ofher son FredrickAllenFraizer, her onlyson, had beeninhis late thirties whenhe was killed Ifshe’dknownhalfofwhatshedidnow abouthim,she’dnothadanychildren Thenhe’dmarriedthatwoman,Paula Snow,andhe’dbecometheworstpersonshe’deverknown.Eventoherandherlatehusbandhadsufferedathishandsandthat ofPaulabeforeherhusbanddiedoftheirabuse,andshegotoutofthereasfastasshecould.Itwastheonlywaythatshecould savethoseboys.
“Youwere a cruel andmeanperson,Fredrick Evenfrombirth, there was nothingredeemingaboutyou Ifnotfor those boysyousired,I’dthinkthatyourlifewasatotalwasteofwhatittooktomakeyou.”Shelookedaroundtheprettycemetery and thenbackto where he was laid to rest. “Theydid right byyoueventhoughIdon’t know whytheydid. I’d of put you nearesttothetrashdumbandthatwouldhavebeenthelastvisitinganyonewouldhavedoneforyou.NotthatIthinkthoseboys havesetfootinheresinceyoutookyourlastbreath.No,they’dnotcomehereifforonlytomakesureyou’redead.They’lldo thesamefortheirmother,too Makesurethatthewitchisgoneforever”
The marker for her sonwas alsomade for Paula to restbeside himsomeday There was nothingmuchonthe marker to markhispassingbutthedatesoftheirbirthsandthenhisdeath.Nofancyscripttosaytheir names,justblocklettersoftheir firstandlastname.Itdidn’tevensay‘mother’or‘wife’justthedatesandtheirnames.
“I’vecometotalktoyouaboutwhatyourdadandIdidforyourboys.IwishIcouldhavedonesotoyourface,butIdidn’t knowthatyouweredeadalltheseyears AfterIleftherelongago,Iwenttoaplacethat well,afteryourdaddied,youkilling himoff,Imean,Ihadtogoandgetmyselfhealedfromthebeatingsthatyoulaiduponme Nearlydiedmyself,thankstoyou, butwhenIheardthatyouweredead,Ididmyselfalittledanceandhadabottleofchampagnetoo.I’llneverthinkofyouagain afterIleaveheretoday,Fredrick.OnlytotellthemboyswhatyourfatherandIdidinspiteofhavingyouaround.AsIsaid,you wereacruelandmeanman,andIwillneverforgiveyounorthatwifeofyoursforwhatyoudidtoyourfatherandI.”
Afterspillingherheartofall thethingsthatshewantedtosaytoherson,shemadeherwaytoherdaughter’sgrave.No oneknewthatshe’dbirthedherlittlegirlbutherhusband Andhetookhisknowledgeofhertohisgrave,ashepromisedthat hewould Layingthedozenwhiterosesontheinfant’sheadstone,shekissedherfingersandlaidthemuponthesmallstonethat wasLillies.Tellingherlittlegirl,whoonlylivedforafewhours,thatshelovedandmissedher,Broganmadeherwaytoher carandsatunderthesteeringwheeltosobouthermisery.Andthatwastheworstkindofmiseryforher,toloseherdaughter soclosetoherbeingborntothem.
Onherwayhome,shestoppedatthestoreandpickedupsomeflowersthatshewasgoingtohaveonthetable,aswellas acoupleofpiesfordessert Broganhadputahugepotroastonwhenshe’dleftthismorningandknewbythetimetheboysgot home,theentirehousewouldsmelldelicious.Thepotatoeswereallreadytogo,andtherewerefreshgreenbeanssimmering onthestove,too.Bread,threeloavesthatshe’dmadethatverymorningwasreadytoputintotheoventhenshewasgoingto haveamealwithhergrandsons.Thefirstofmany,shehoped.
Changingintohercomfyclothing,sheheardaknockatthedoor.Goingtothefrontofthehouse,shewassurprisedtosee anoldermanandwomanstandingthere Sheknewrightawaytheywerewolves,butshedidn’tmentionthatwhensheletthem intothehouse Whatevertheywanted,she’dtakecareofitforhergrandsons
“Hello,Mrs.Frazier.”Brogantold himto call her byher givenname. “Thankyoufor that. Idon’tsuppose the menare home,arethey?I’vebeenmissingthemaboutdaily,andIneedtohaveawordwithLica.”
“He’sinthebarn.Somethingaboutbreedinggoingon.Idon’tknow mywayaroundacattleranch,butIcancookoneof themup if it’s givento me” Boththe manand womanlaughed “What is it I cando for you? They’re not late on dues or anything,arethey?I’vecometolivewiththemforaspell,andIhavesomethingstotalkoverwiththem”
“No.They’reneverlatewithanything.”Themanlaughedalittle.“Idon’tknowthatthey’veeverbeenlateforworkeither buttheylearnedthehardwaythattheyneedtobewherethey’resupposedtobeandtobethereontime,too.”
“Mysontaughtthemthat.Thehardway,I’mafraid.WhatisitthatyouneedfromLica?He’sagoodboy,allofthemare.If you’ve gotsomethingto sayto them, I’mgoingto tell yourightnow thatImightnotbe a wolf, butI’mmeaner thana snake whenitcomestothesixofthem”
“Yes,ma’am,I’venodoubtthatyou’reveryfondofthem SoaremywifeandI Infact,Ithinkthetownisaboutasfondof thoseboysyoucallthemastheyareoftheirownchildren.I’vecometotalktoLica,himbeingtheoldest,abouttakingoverthe packforme.I’mgettingtoooldtomanageit,whatwithhavingnineteengrandchildrennowandI’dliketoretire.”She didn’t doubtthathavinggrandchildrenwouldtakeupalotoftime,andshewaslookingforwardtothatbeingaproblemforher,too, butshetoldhimthattheboyswereworking Thensheinvitedthemtodinner “Youhavenoideahowmuchwewerehopingfor aninvite As soonas mymissus and me stepped onthe land here, we could smell that dinner Mygoodness, it smells like heavenaroundhere.Ifyoudon’tmind,we’dlovetojoinyouandtheboys.”
“Good.That’sgood.Ithinkthey’llenjoythataswell.ButIhavearule.Nobusinessatthetable.Notthattheyhaveany, butnophoneseither.It’sfamilytimeandItakethatveryseriouslywhenI’maround.TheseboysofmineareallIhaveleftin theworld,andIwanttospendasmuchtimeasIcanwiththembeforeIjoinmyhusband.Youareallrightwiththat.ThenI’d love to have yousitwithus” Itwas his wife thatsaid she had the same rule attheir home “Good Thenwe’ll have a nice dinnerandhavesomeniceconversationstoo ButIwilltellyouthis:Licaisn’tgoingtotakethatjobwithoutsomeconvincing onyourpart.Notthathe’dnotbegoodatit,buthewouldfeelthatheisn’tgoodenough.Andhe’snotmuchonlikingpeople either.Noneofthemare,butLicaisespeciallynogoodaroundhumans.”
“I’venoticedthataboutallofthem.Whilethey’llgotopackmeetings,theytendtostandalone,andwhenit’sover,theygo
“GoodChrist”Henoddedatherwhenshespoke “I’massumingJoeyishisname Yousaidsomethingtohimaboutit”
“No, Isaid somethingto thatdumbass notverysmartwomanworkingthe cashregister. She told me that’s the special saucethatmakesyour buggers, thensheactedlikesheslippedupandcalledthemburgerssogood.ItoldherthatIwantedto seethemanagerandshetoldmethatit’syour pardonme,yourjuicesasthefemalemanagerthatmakesthefriessocrispy.” She didn’tgetitatfirst, butthe older woman, Brogan, she said her name was, stood up and satdowntwice before she askedLicaifhewasjoking Hesaidthathe’dneverjokeaboutsomethingsosexualwithastranger Thenshegotit
Brandybackedfromthetablesoquicklythatshenearlyfellbackward IfnotforLicaandhisbrotheroneithersideofher catchingher,shewouldhavehurtherselfbadly.Asitwas,shewasputinthepositionofhavingher headbetweenher knees againandthoughtshe’dbebetteroffstayingtherethistime.
“We’relosingbusiness.Well,IguessIknowwhynow.”ShesatupandlookedatLica.“Whatonearthmadeherthinkthat shecouldtalktoyoulikethat?”Hisfaceturnedpink,andshethoughtitsuitedhim,butshedidn’tmakeacomment “Soyou’ve datedherbeforethis”
“GoodChrist,no.She’s…whatissheaboutfifteen?No.Christ,no.”Shelaughed,andhegrowled.“Iusedtobabysither whenshewasababy.Iguess…shemakescommentslikethattoallofuswhensheseesus.Idon’tusuallyengagewithher,but IwasgivingRodeoanotherchanceaftersolongandwasstarving.Notthathungrytoeatthere,butthat’swhathappened.”
“There’smoreifyouwanttoknowaboutit.IfJoeyisstillworkingthere,I’mbettingthatnoneoftheotherstuffhasbeen takencareofeither”ShetoldAydenshedidn’twanttoknowrightthen “Good That’sgood It’sallworse,bytheway WhatI woulddoifIwereyouisclosetheplacedown,fireeveryone,andblowtherestaurantoutofthetown Noonewill evereat thereagainifitgetsoutthatsomeonesaidthosethingsandupsetLica.”ShelookedatLicaandaskedhimwhyhim.
“BecauseIdon’tusuallycommentaboutthingsIlikeordislike.”TheoldermanattheendofthetableagreedwithLica. Evengoingsofarastosaythathiswordwashisbond,too.Andeveryoneknewit.“Thankyou,Mr.Bates.Thatmeansagreat dealtome”
Nomorewassaidaboutheremployees,andshedugintohermeal Suddenlyhungry,shetastedthemashedpotatoesand moaned.Theywerethebestthingshe’deateninaverylongtime.ButthenLicastiffenedupanddroppedhisforkinhismashed potatoes and gravy, whichsplattered all over her face. She turned to lookathim, and that’s whenshe realized that he was staringather.
“What?”Theoldermanlaughedasdidboththewomen.Shedidn’tsomuchasglanceintheir directionwhenoneofthe manyFraziermenaskedLicaifshewastheone Withhisnod,shespokeagain “AmItheonewhat?”
There wasn’tanychance for her to getananswer whenthe frontdoor to the house exploded open Everypersonatthe tablestoodup,andshewasshovedtothebackofthemen.Makingherwaytothefrontagain,sheaskedwhatwasgoingon.It wasthenthatshesawayoungmanwithaguninhisbeltwithtwoothermenwholookedlikethey’dbeenouttrickortreating andhadn’tchanged.
“Whatdowehavehere?Apartyfortheretiree”Shedidn’tknow whatthatmeant,soshekepther mouthshut ButLica askedthemanwhathewanted “Didn’tyouhear?Batesisretiring?He’sputitouttherethathe’snotgoingtobeourbigbad alphaanymore.Isn’tthatwhatthislittleget-togetherisabout?Theretiringalpha?”
“Lincoln?”Themanattheotherendofthetablesaidthatiswhyhewashere.“Toretire?Orsomethingelse?”
“Toseeifyou’dtakeoverthejob.”Themanwiththegunlaughed.“IshouldhaveknownwordwouldgetoutfasterthanI couldtalktoyou.”
“Whatyougothere,Lica?Abitofpussy?”HernervesalreadyshothadBrandypunchingthemanintheface,completely forgettingaboutthegun “Whatthefuckwasthatfor?”
Brandypunchedhimagain,thistimeknockinghimbackafoot.Hereachedforhisgun,andBrandyfelttheairaroundher tighten,likerightbeforelightningstruckclosetoyou.Notturningaround,shetookastepbackandfeltLicaputhishandonher back.
“You’llhaverespectinthishouse Now,I’vetoldyouonceandhityoutwice Idon’twanttohearanotherremarklikethat outofyourmouthwhileyou’reinthishouse Doyouunderstandme?”Shehadnoideawhereallthisbravowascomingfrom, butsheknewthatifshebackeddownnow,he’deatheralive.“Iaskedyouifyouunderstoodme.”
“Listenhere,youfuckingcunt.”Thistime,sheslappedhim.Theextrastrengththatshesuddenlyhadwasenoughtoknock himintothetwomenbehindhimandontothefloor.Hewasshakinghisheadwhenshefinallyturnedtolookbehindher.Then sheturnedtofacethemenstillonthefloor.
“Lica I’massumingthathe’sLincoln?”Henoddedather “Yes,Iremembernow I’massumingsinceheofferedyouto bethealphathatyou’resomeonethatcould arethosewolvesbehindmeyourbrothers?”
“Yes.They’retheretoprotectyou.”Shenodded,thenlookedathimagain.“You’redoingjustfine,Brandy.I’mhereifyou needme,butI’mthinkingyouhavethis.”
“Allright.”Themangotup,andhelungedatherlikeachildwoulddotomakeyouflinch.Shedidn’t.Sortofafraidifshe
have sexwithyou butabsolutelyno kissing We’re notinlove, nor will we be, and kissingseems so intimate to me, and we’renevergoingtobethatway.Butwithsex?It’llbejusttheonetimetobondorwhateverit’scalled,butIdon’twantyouto come near me again.” Again, his hearthurtand he puthis paw over the painto see ifhis heartwas beatingstill. “There is somethingelsethatyoushouldknow.Ihavemoney.Agreatdealofit.Andasofanhourago,yournameisonallmyaccounts. Also,Ihaveacoupledozenhouses all over theworldthatalsoyouownwithme.”He startedtospeak,butshe cuthimoff. “Don’ttellmethatyoudon’twantanyofit Becauseifyoudon’thaveallthatIhave,Iwon’thelpyourbrotherseither AndI likethemagreatdealmorethanyou So,doIcallmyattorneyornottochangeitfromournametojustmine”
“No.” She told himhe was a smartperson. He wasn’tnearlyas pissed offather thanhe thoughthe should have been. “And I agree with you. Absolutely no, not ever kissing. Not even for show. No kissing. As for money? We have very little money Not even enough that we could live off of for the rest of the month There is pack money, too, as well as money that will be paid to us monthly But I don’t know how much or how much we ’ re to get paid when it’s time ”
“Allright You’vemadeyourpointaboutkissing Money?Youdon’tneedit Wedon’tneedit,Imean”Heaskedherhow muchmoneyshewastalkingaboutiftheydidn’tneedthemonthlytopaythemforbeingpackalpha’s.“Billionsofdollars.Not includinghouses, stocks, bonds, businesses and anythingelse that youcanthinkof. And I ownthe Rodeo Burger company. TherearefivethousandrestaurantsacrosstheUnitedStatesYoudoaswell.So,doyouwanttohavesexouthereorinabed someplace?AsIsaid,Ihaveahouse,it’sclosetohere.”
Hegotupandshifted Licawasgladthathewasclothed,buthewasn’tthrilledaboutthecalluswayshewastreatinghim aboutsex Walkingbyher,hemadehiswaybacktothehouse,andheknewwhensheturnedandfollowedhim Hecouldfeel her pain, her heart hurting, but he couldn’t do anything about it. His own was shattered as well. The thing was, he didn’t understand why. She’d beenrightonall the stuffthatshe’d said. Theydidn’t evenlike one another, didn’t get together, but becausethey’dbeenfated.Buthertalkingaboutsexlikeitwasaduty hecaughthimselfwhenhethoughtthat.Becausethat’s exactlywhatshewassaying,too Itwasadutyforthemtohavesex Sothathecouldtakeoverthepackandbeabletorunit safely Christ,hewishedhe’dnevermether Sortof
Shewastreatinghimthesamewaythathe’dbeentreatingher.Coldindifference.Henomorewantedherthanshedidhim, apparently.Whenhewasreadytogointothehouse,heturnedtoherandaskedherifshewantedtosleephereorsomeplace else.Shedidn’tsayawordbutwentintothehouseandintothelivingroom.Whenshegotontothecouch,alumpypieceofshit thathadcomewiththehome,hesatontheothercouch.Aftershepulledtheblanketthathadseenbetterdaysoffthebackand laiddown Hesupposedhedeservedwhateverhegotfromher
ReachingouttoLincoln,hetoldhimthathe’dtakethepack Assoonashelaiddown,hefeltthemagicrollpainfullyover him.HewouldhavegonetoBrandy,too,hedidn’tknow,tohelpherwhenshestartedscreaming,butitwastoolateforbothof them.Theyweregettingthemagicthatcamewithhisnewpositionasthenewpackalphas.
recordingofitonthebackcamerastoseewhathappened”Themanonthefloorjuststartedcursing Itwas hilarious tohim thatthe man, evenwithall the evidence theyhad onhim, kepttellingBrandythathe’d looked for cameras while he’d been stealingandhadn’tfoundanyatall.Finally,itwasLicawhotoldhimtoshuthismouth.
After that, all three ofthe menwere arrested. Lica and Edmond were admonished about enteringbuildings where they weren’tsupposedtogobutalsothankedforfindingtheporchpiratesthathadthepolicebaffledforthelastseveralmonths.He thoughtitwasagooddayallthewayaround
Alansaidthathewashungryandwouldbuythemalllunch,eventhetwocopsiftheyjoinedthem Theofficersdeclined, asheknewtheywould,butLicaandEdmondsaidthattheywerehungry,andhisdaughtersaidshe’dcometoo.Hethoughtthat itwasawin-winforallofthem.
Licahadn’tbeenabletoeatoutasmuchashewassinceheandBrandyhadfoundeachother Itwasablastalsoforhimtobe abletojustgointoanyplaceandorderwhateverwasonthemenu Hedidn’tdothat,ofcourse Evenwithherhavingbillions andbillionsofdollars,heknewthatinordertokeepthatmuchcomingin,they’dhavetocutcornersevennow.Heclearedhis throattoaskaboutthecamerasthathedidn’thavearoundtheranch.
“Cost?Well,ifwefindsomeonetocomeoutandputthesysteminforus,andonecoworwhateveritisyou’reworried aboutgets stolen,thenitwill makethecostworthit,correct?Imean,how muchdoyouloseifone,dollars todollars when somethingcomes upmissing Idon’tknow whatyoudo,soIcan’tfigureoutapriceper whatever”Hetoldher,thinkingit wasfunnythatshewaswillingtotellhimshedidn’tknowanything “Okay So,astandingonthehoofcowwouldweighinat abouttwelvehundredpounds.Christ,that’salotofsteak.”
“Wesellonthehoof.Whichmeansthattheyweighthesteerwhileit’sstillaliveandstandingonitsown.Eachonewill costper pound thatway. One ofthe reasons thatwe’ve never butchered our cattle for the public is thatyouhave to have a slaughterhouse that is inspected every few months Not that we’re not clean where we sell our meat, but this was an inexpensivewayfor ustoraiseour cattleandthenmakeaprofit,too”Sheaskedhimiftheymadeanyprofitatall indoing this. “Yes. Not as muchas most jobs, but it kept us infood and a roofover our heads for the last few years. Here, let me explainittoyouthewaythatIlearnedit.Sayyourdadcametobuyasteer,takeittohisownbutcherandhaveitcutuptosuit hisneeds.But,andthishappensnomatterwhodoesthebutcheringonatwelvehundredpoundsteer,yourdadisgoingtolose weight.Aboutfourhundredandfiftypoundsoftheweightwillbeskin,somebones,andhoof.”
“That’s agreatdeal Ihadnoideathatyou’dlosesomuchafter theworkis done Then,whatdo theydo with Idon’t wantto know, Idon’tthink” Alanlaughed and asked himifhe’d somedaylike to getinto butcheringcattle “I mean, if the opportunitycamealong,wouldyoudoafewcattleayearforfamilyandwhatnot.”
“Icandoitforourfamily.That’showwegetourownmeat.ButsinceI’mnotsellingittoanyonebutforourownpersonal use,thenitonlyneedstohavethemeatinspected,nottheplace…I’msuretheyhavestandardsthattheywantthingstobebut they’veneversaidanythingtousaboutit”AlanaskedifhecouldhaveatourwhenBrandyapologizedabouthavingtotakea callandleftthemthere Whenshesteppedoutside,hesaidhewasgoingtomakesureshewasallright Heheardhisbrother explainingaboutwhathadhappenedtothemearlythismorning.
Licadidn’tgofarjustoutsidethedoortokeepaneyeonher.Leaningagainsthistruck,hejustwatchedher.Hecouldtell thatshewasfrustrated.Whether itwasabouthimor thecall,however,hedidn’tknow.Buthe wasn’tgoingtoleave her out herealone.Onceshehungup,shewaspissed.Hecouldseeandthenhearditinhervoicewhenshespoketohim.
“Whatthehellareyoudoing?Thatwasaprivatecall”Hesaidhewaskeepinganeyeonher “Youdon’tthinkthatIcan takecareofmyself?AmIgoingtohavetoexpectyouto ”
“Theyoungmanthatyousavedusfrom,DavidJames,ismakingnoisesaboutfindingyouandkillingyou.”Thatshutherup andhadherlookingaround.“He’soutofjail,asarehistwobuddies.They’relookingforyousothattheycangetrevengefor whatyoudid.Didanyoneexplaintoyouthathiswristwillnothealuntilheapologizestoyou?Hehastomeanit,too.”
“No Imean,someonemighthavesaidthatwhenhe Iwasn’texactlylisteningverywellafterIremovedhishand Iwake upinthemiddleofthenightscreamingwhenIthinkaboutwhatIdidtohim”Hetoldherthatshewasjustifiedinwhatshe’d done.“ThenwhydoIfeelsohorriblefordoingit?Ido,justsoyouknow.”
“Iknowthatwe’venothadagreatdealoftimetotalkaboutwhat’shappenedbetweenus,thesharingofmagic.Thereis someruleaboutthemagicthatallowedyouto,andBrandy,themagicdidallow youtoremovehishandtosaveus.Butifit wasn’tjustifiedinwhatyoudid,thenthewoundwouldhavehealedupimmediately.Asitstandsrightnow,it’sanopenwound. Noteventhebestdoctorsintheworldcansealitupsothatitheals Heneedstotalktoyoucalmlyandtellyouhowverysorry heisforwhathedidtomakeyouhavetoremovehishand”Sheaskedhimifthatwastrue Notthatshewouldblamehimfor lyingaboutthistomakeherfeelbetter,butshewouldratherhedidn’tlieaboutthemagic.“I’mtellingyouthetruth.And it’s becauseyou’remorepowerfulthanheis.That’ssomethingelseyoushouldknow.Youarebyfarmorepowerfulthananywolf orhumanoutthere.You’rethealphabitch,andheknewitwhenhecameheretochallengeme.”
“What?”Brandyhad to pull her eyes awayfromLica whenhe came into her office. Good lord, ifhe looked this good with well-fittingclothingon,thennaked,he’dbe,“Brandy,issomethingwrongwithwhatI’mwearing?”
“No.Ijustnever thoughtofyouina suitbefore.” He grinned, and she turned her backto him. “You’re more ofa jeans personlikeI’veseenyouwearsinceI’vemetyou ButLenordwascorrect Asuitofftherakewouldneverhangonyou,right” Embarrassedwhenhelaughed,shewentintotheconferenceroomofffromherofficeandstartedputtingthefilesinfront ofeachchairthatwassetclosetothelongtable.Heaskedifhecouldhelp,andshepointedtowherethebottledwaterwasand askedhimtoputthemonthetable.
Brandycouldonlycarryaboutfour,maybefivebottlesofwatertothetable.Licapickedupthecaseinonehandandused hisfreeonetosetthebottleswhereshetoldhim.Thenheputoutnapkinstogounderthemwhenhefoundastackofthem,too. Havinghimaroundwasgoingtobehelpfulinsomanyways,shethoughttoherself Heaskedherifshehadamomentthathe couldtalktoher
“Ihavetwoquestionsforyou.One,I’mnotinahurrytogetananswer,butthesecondoneis,doyouwantmetohaveany opinionsinthismeeting?AmIgoingtobe notbeingmeanbutlikeaboytoytoyouwhilehere?Ididn’tmeanboytoy.Imeant aheavy,someonetokeepyousafe.ThewayyoulookedatmewhenIgothere,that’swhatmademethinkofthe nevermind. Mymouthgotaheadofmyhead,andIapologizeforthat Thefirstquestionisaboutgettingcamerassetuparoundtheranchto keepaneyeonthecattle”Sheaskedhimifhe’deverbeentoabusinessmeeting “JustwhenIgetturneddownforaloan The banker here, Howard Slaven, he won’t allow our kind to open an account unless it’s for a business. Even then, he’s very particularaboutwhatwetakethemoneyoutfor.Idon’tknowwhybutthat’sjustwhathedoes.Isometimeswonderifhehasa listofalltheshiftersintownandkeepsadailyaccountingoftheiraccounts.Idon’tknow,Iguessthat’ssilly.”
“Heneedsagoodswiftkicktohisheadiswhatheneeds.WhenIwasputtingmoneyinyoursandyourbrothers’accounts, hedidn’thaveanythingtodowithitbecauseIdiditonline IwonderwhathewouldhavesaidtomehadIcomeinanddone it”Licatoldherthathesimplywouldn’tallowedhertodoit “Soit’sdoubtfulthatheknowsthebalancetoyouraccounts”
“I would saythat’s about right. And speakingof money, I know that youtold me that I didn’t have to come to youfor money,butIwouldverymuchlikeitifIcametoyouwhentheamountisoveracertaindollaramount.”Shestoppedandturned tolookathim,askinghimwhy.“Well,Iknownothingabouttheaccountsyou’veputmeon.IknowyoutoldmethatIhaveas muchbuyingpowerasIneed,butIdon’twantyoutopullupastatementandflipoutbecauseIspentfivehundredgrand”
“Okay,Iguess Iwouldlike toknow that AndI’mnotsayingthatifyouneedit,youdon’tspendituntil youtalktome Whatwouldthatbefor?Youcandoit,butIthinkyou’reright.Aheadsupwouldbegood.”Hetoldherwhathewantedtodo. “Yes, that’s wonderful. But we need to set youup a business account for the ranchinstead of takingit out of the personal accounts.Thereisplentyenoughtocoveracheckthatsize,butitshouldcomeoutofbusinessfortaxreasons.”
“Ineverthoughtofthat.”Shesaidshe’dgethimwithanattorneytodayforthemtositandsettheaccountup.“Thankyou. AndIdoappreciateyouallowingmeto ”
“I’mnot allowing youtodoanything,Lica Youare,Iguess,mypartner anequal partner inall things thesameas I’m yours. However, the moneyis for all ofus. You’re also runninga business that Iknow absolutelynothingabout. However, numbers Icanworkwith.Atthe endofthis deal today,for example. If,as Isaid,that’s a bigdeal, ifwe lend this company money,it’sgoingtobeinthemillions.Sevenoreight.Thenthereistheloanthatwe’regoingtoworkwiththatwillbenearly thatmuchmoretoexpandhisbusiness WhileItrustthatyou’llusethemoneyforwhatyousayyouwill,andthereisnoneed foryoutoworrythatIwon’ttrustyou,butthisman?Ifeelsomethingslimyfromhim Like Idon’tknow Like,he’sgoingto getthemoneytoexpand,butthereisashinythingrightthereinthecornerthathereallywants,andnoonewillcareifheusesa bitofitforthat.It’shappenedbefore.”
“Speakingofshinyobjects,Ihavearingforyou.Itwasn’tmymother’sring.Idon’tevenknowifmyparentswerereally married,butmygranniegaveittome,andIhaditsizedforyouwithhelpfromyourdad.”Hehandedittoher,andshefelthurt bythat Itwas ina box, butthat’s as far as he wentinaskingher or tellingher thathe wasn’tgoingto putmucheffortinto winningher heart Notthatshe wantedhimtohave “Ithoughtaboutdoingthe whole downonone knee thing, butsince I knowthatwe’reonlydoingthisforshow,youwouldn’tlikethateither.”
Sheturnedherbackonhimandmadeherwaytothecupboardtograbsomepensforthetableandtohideherpainwhile slippingthe ringand boxinto her pocket. He asked her if she was all right. And she told himthat she needed to get forty notepadsfromhersecretarysothey’dhaveenoughtogoaround Whilehedidthat,shelaidthepensonthetableandhurriedto herbathroom
Brandydidn’thaveanyideawhyshewasupsetbythewayhegaveherthering.He’dbeenrightinsayingthatthiswasa shamofa marriage and the onlyreasontheywere eventogether was because someone somewhere had picked her outofa
crowdandgavehertoLica Heneededthemtohavesexsothathe’dbemorepowerful,magicallypowerful,torunthepack Andshewasgoingtodothatwithoutcomplaint.Also,shewasn’tgoingtobestingywiththemoneythatshehadgoingintothis sham,either.Ifsheweregoingtobelikethat,itwouldbeharder for bothfamilies.Especiallyhis.Theyweren’tgoingtogo downthetubesifshe
“Brandy,yourphoneisringingonyourdesk.Doyouwantmetogetit?”Shetoldhimtogoahead,andshe’dbeoutina moment “Allright”
Fixingherface,somethingthatherowngrannieusedtosaytoherallthetime,shelookedinthemirrorhard Hernosewas alittlebitred,andherlipstickwasalittlelighterthanitwaswhenshecamein.Thankstowashingherface,shewasreadyto getonwithherlife.Anyway,shecouldmuddlethroughit,shesupposed.Brandyopenedthedoorandnearlyfellintothearms ofLica,whowasjuststandingthere.
“Whatdoyouthinkyou’redoingcomingoutofthere what’shappened?”Shetoldhimthathewastheonelurkingaround behindherbathroomdoor,orshewouldn’thavefallen “You’vebeencrying WhichpersondiditsothatIcanhaveatalkwith them?”
“You.”Heglaredather,andshewelcomedthatoverhim,laughingather.“You’remakingmeinsane,andsometimesyou makemecry.Becauseyou’reactinglikethis…thisthingbetweenuscanbeputoffforever.Well,I’mgettingsickofwaitingon youtomakeadecision.”Avoiceclearinghadherturningtoherright.Herdadwasstandingtherewithoneoftheclients.“I’m sorry,Dad,Mr Green I’venothadagoodweek That’snoexcusetotakeitoutonLica,but well,nobuts,I’vehadabad day,andhewastheoneinlinetogetblasted”
Brandydidn’tbother apologizingtoLica.Shecouldseetheanger onhisface,andshedidn’twanttodeal withittoday. She’dnotliedwhenshesaidshewashavingaterribleday.Whatshedidn’tsaywasthathe’dbeentheonethathadputherin it.Shedidn’twanttodealwithhimononeofhergooddayseither.Buthewouldneedtogethissexthingoverwithsothatshe wasn’tforeverthinkingwhatacolossalmistakethishasbeenagreeingtobehismate
Bythe time all the menfor the meetinghad shownup, she was worked up again This time, itwas her nerves and had nothingtodowithLica.Hewaskeepinghisdistance,for whichshewasgrateful,butitdidn’thelpthattherewerefifty-four meninher conferenceroom.Forty-one ofthemwere attorneys,andtheywere all screamingather toanswer their questions firstandforemost.
Theshrill whistlecamefromher left.LookingatLica,shecouldtell thathewas as frustratedas shewas withthemen. Neitherofthemhadgottenawordoutofwelcomingbeforetheystartedyelling
“Now Thenextperson,Idon’tcarewhichsideofthetableyou’refrom,oursor theirs Ifyousaya word,I’mgoingto haveyouescortedoutofthisbuilding.IfyouthinkforonemomentthatI’mkiddingorthatyoudon’tthinkIcandothat,thentry me.I’minjustasshittymoodasmywifeis.Doyou,quietlyandwitharaiseofyourhand,understandwhatitisthatI’vesaid toyou?”Everyoneraisedtheirhands,andshenearlylaughedwhenonemanontheotherendofthetablefromthemraisedhis handandfranticallywaveditatherandLica “You’llhaveyourturntospeakinamoment Unlessthebuildingisonfire,put yourhanddownandbequiet”
“Whatis the meaningofthis mantalkingtome like this?” WhileshetoldMr.GreenthatLica was her husband and her partner so he could say what he wanted, Lica said he was calling security. “I’min charge of this meeting, and I demand respect.”
“No,we’reinchargeofthismeeting,andyou’llsitthereanddoasyou’retold,orthismeetingisfinished.Itoldyoufrom theverybeginningthatIwasn’tgoingtoputupwithyourshenanigansaroundhere,Mr Green I’mworkingwithyou,butIwill quit,andyouknowthatIdon’tliewhenitcomestothiscompany Iwillhaveyoutossedoutofthisbuilding,andwe’llnever doanybusinessagain.”Mr.Greenstoodup.Theattorneyoneithersideofhimpulledattheolderman,tryingtogethimtosit down.“Doit,Mr.Green,andthiswillbe ”
“I’mnotgoingtoallowyoutobullymearound.ThisismycompanyuntilIsaydifferently.”Sheaskedhimwhathemeant. “I’mgoingtoshowyouhowtorunasuccessfulbusiness,andyou’regoingtoshutupandsitdown IhavethetermsI’mwilling to workwithall writtenout Now, be a good girlyand signwhere you’re supposed to, and we’ll get this finished withor withoutyourhelp.”
“Lica.”That’sallshehadtosaythatgothimmoving.HestoodbehindMr.Green’schairandpulleditfromthelongtable. The two attorneys stood up, begangatheringthe things they’d onlyjustsatout, and were talkingto the people around them. SecurityaskedMr.Greenifhewantedtobestandingwhenheleftorifhewantedtobecarriedout.Shewasnotfuckingaround today Apparently,neitherwasLica
“You’re bluffing There is no way that you can afford to turn me down for business” Security, with the help of Lica, startedpullingGreenandsomeofthepeoplewhosimplyfollowedhimouttowardthedoors.“I’mgoingtoownyourbusiness bytheendoftheday,younglady.YouseethatIdon’t.”
“Youcan’tevenkeep your owncompanyafloat, how do youthinkthatwe’re goingto take youseriouslythatyou’ll be