“Fine, fine.” He threw the dog the last slice and pitched the wrapper into the trash. “I was using food to train him.”
“I think the pet store sells special treats for that.”
“And I bet they charge an arm and a leg for it.”
“I’ll pay for all the expenses,” I said, patting the dog. “If you make him fat and lazy, he’ll be useless.”
Crush tied his goatee up with a small rubber band. “True. I liked the way he chased after your Vampire. What’s in the file?”
“Work stuff.”
“The same work stuff you won’t involve me in but you’re using my house for?”
“Have you talked to Ren?”
Crush scratched his ear. “Two nights ago. Why?”
“Did he say anything?”
“No. He’s keeping things tight-lipped now that you’re working on it.”
“Good. I want you to do the same. I don’t think we’ve got anything,” I said, lying through my teeth. “So if they’re sitting around swapping stories, they’re better off putting an end to all that gossip. You know how your friends run wild with ideas.”
“Give me a hug before you leave.”
My father never held back on his affection for me, and I loved the hell out of him for it. Every hug made up for all those years lost, and I wasn’t sure if he was doing it for him or me.
“I believe in you,” he said, squeezing me tight. “You’ll figure it out.”
“Daddy?”
“Yeah?”
“Don’t name that dog Pickles. What if I named you after your favorite food?”
“Hungry Man is a respectable name.”
We both laughed, and for a brief moment, I forgot all about lions and tigers and bears.
Chapter 17
Istared at my dinner plate, my stomach turning.
Wyatt took off his hat and dropped it in his lap. “What the immortal hell is this?”
Gem spooned a helping onto Claude’s plate. “It’s my world-famous bacon macaroni salad.”
Shepherd lifted his plate to his nose and sniffed the mystery meal.
Viktor turned away from his liquor table and held up a bottle. “Who wants wine?”
Everyone but Gem simultaneously raised their hand.
“None for me,” I said.
Wyatt poked at the pasta salad with his fork. “What are the green things?”
Gem wiped her hands on her long apron, her fingernail polish every color of the rainbow. “That’s spinach.”
