But, to his horror, Jess’s big eyes filled with tears.

“Don’t... don’t cry. I didn’t mean I didn’t want you guys to adopt me.”

She sniffled. “Then what did you mean?”

“I meant no one has ever wanted to adopt me before. I figured that when I was eighteen you’d expect me to leave.”

“No, we don’t expect you to leave. We expect you to go to college. I’m assuming, to get your degree in music. Which reminds me, we need to sit down and figure out what schools you want to apply to.”

“I... I guess wherever I get a scholarship.”

“Scholarships are nice and good on résumés. But if you don’t get one to a favored school, we’ve already got your college fund set up so you’re covered there. So it’s a matter of where you want to go.”

“I have a college fund?”

“Of course. Every one of you little brats are going to college. Even if you don’t want to,” she finished on a snarl. “Do you understand me?”

“Yes, ma’am.”

“All right, then. Any other questions?”

“No.”

“Anything else you’re keeping from me?”

“No.”

“Good. Thanks for coming to me now, though. We’re not sure of the deal with Walt Wilson, so I needed to know this.”

“You’re welcome.”

Johnny leaned to the side a bit, his shoulder pressing against Jess’s. He’d learned to bury his emotions over the years. He definitely didn’t feel comfortable with them coming back up. But he had to say something. He just prayed she didn’t cry again. “Thank you.”

“You’re welcome.” Thankfully she didn’t cry. “But you’re still losing your allowance, bub. Nice try, though.” She winked at him, but her expression changed in a second as her head lifted and she scented the air.

“What’s wrong?” he asked, still learning to hone the skills the adults took for granted.

Jess didn’t answer him, simply jumped to her feet and charged up the stairs to her apartment. Johnny followed behind her, nearly crashing into her when she stopped right in her doorway.

Hands on hips, Jess snapped, “What the hell are you doing here?”

Smitty folded his arms across his chest. “Came to see you, my little sweet tart.”

Sweet tart?

Why was there a drunken wolf in her apartment? How did he even get in? The only way to the second entrance to her apartment was to get over the Pack house fence and cut through their backyard.

A house full of dogs and no one scented a wolf wandering by? A drunk wolf?

“I thought we said all that needed to be said this afternoon.”

“Nah.” He spotted Johnnyover her shoulder. “Boy.”

“Idiot.”

Smitty took a step forward and Jess pushed Johnny out the door. “We’ll talk more tomorrow.”

The concern on Johnny’s face warmed her heart. “Jess, are you sure?”

“Yeah, it’ll be fine.”

He didn’t look happy about it, but he left anyway.

Jess closed the door and turned around to find Smitty standing mere inches away from her.

“You look real pretty tonight.”

“Thanks.”

“I missed you something horrible.”

“It’s been eight hours.”

“That’s too long!”

“Ssssh.” Jess pushed Smitty away from the door. “Keep it down.”

“I want to stay here with you tonight.”

“No.”

“Why not? Don’t you care about me at all?”

“Smitty, this isn’t fair.”

“All’s fair in love and fucking.”

“I’m pretty sure that’s not the exact quote. How did you even get here?” Christ, she hoped he hadn’t been driving.

“Sissy shoved me into a cab. She said we should talk. So I’m here to talk.”

Damn that woman!

“You pushed me away, Smitty. That’s the second time. There won’t be a third.”

“Okay,” he said way too calmly. Then added, “So you’ll let me stay?”

Jess gritted her teeth. “No, I’ll call you a cab.”

“Fine. Be evil.” He took her arm and pulled her into his body. “At least give me a kiss, evil woman.”

“Smitty—”

“Kiss. Me. Now.”

“You’ll leave quietly if I kiss you?”

“Yes.”

Resigned and kind of wanting to anyway, Jess slid her hand behind Smitty’s neck and pulled him down so she could kiss him. He tasted like tequila, the wolf drink of choice. But, truly, tequila never tasted so damn good. His hands stroked her neck, his tongue making lazy circles around hers. The kiss seemed endless and she wished it could be. When Smitty kissed her, she could forget nearly everything else.

His hands slipped from her neck and reached for her breasts. She caught them and pulled away.

“That’s enough.”

Smitty licked his lips. “I knew it.”

“Knew what?”

“You’re not over me.”

Jess took a deep breath, looking around for something to throw at that big head when Smitty’s next words stopped her in her tracks.

“Don’t feel bad,” he said, wandering into the bedroom, “I’m never gettin’ over you.”