“I’ll give it a think.”
“Shiiit,” Lucas drawled.
Liam flopped even farther in his chair, but not out of defeat. No, he slumped so that his knees knocked into mine. I didn’t tuck mine to the side, because I liked the feel of him reaching for me, even if it was with just his knees.
Storm slapped his tray, and Lucas mirrored the action. “You’re right, Little Destroyer. Where the hell’s our pasta?”
“Softening in the pot.” Liam tipped his head to the kitchen, and Lucas got up.
If you’re not interested, I’ll drop it.
“Don’t drop it,” I said, placing some more bites of penne in front of his son.
Although I didn’t think Liam had taken my reluctance seriously, my answer smoothed away the ridges above his nose and brightened his dark eyes. I reveled in that look. Not to mention, a redo meant he’d enjoyed last night, otherwise he wouldn’t have suggested it. It was probably the fanging and not my bedroom expertise, but I’d take whatever reason he had for still wanting me.
As Lucas toted the steaming pot of pasta back to the table, a knock resounded on the front door. Liam sat up, and the door swung wide.
Adalyn rushed in, followed by Nash and Nolan. “We were at Pondside and heard the news.” Her blue eyes were rimmed red, lending them the same phosphorescence they had when she was in fur.
She sank down into a free chair, pulling my brother down next to her.
Nolan leaned against the kitchen counter, arms crossed while his twin stared at Liam, body coiled with tension. “Lori needs to pay for this. She needs to die.”
Chapter 32
Ichoked on my mouthful of pasta and sputtered, then seized my glass of water and flushed down the doughy clump. “Beaaskedto be bitten, Nash.”
Nolan cocked up a brown eyebrow. “You’re defending Lori?”
“Yes. How can you even suggest Liam kill her?”
“She can create halfwolves, Nik!” Nash said. “She’s a danger to humankind.”
“She’s never done it before.”
“Let me guess . . . She told you this was her first time?”
“No. Nate told me. I trust Nate. You should, too.”
Nolan tightened his crossed arms. “Our brother was involved with Lori. Did he tell you that?”
I looked over at Liam, hoping his thoughts didn’t align with my brothers’. “He didn’t, but I found out.”
“He’s obviously trying to protect her,” Nash insisted.
Ads wrapped her hand around Nash’s forearm. “Lori basically killed Bea. Why are you protecting her?”
“Because Bea blackmailed her into doing it.”
Nash snorted. “Natetold you that too?”
“So what if he did?” Anger shot through me. “You’re talking about eliminating someone from the face of the earth because you’re scared they might commit a crime.”
“Theymight?” The knot of Nolan’s arms tightened. “Lori did commit the crime.”
I shoved my hair back.
“What happened to your head?” Ads gasped.
