Wolf with Benefits
Page 5
Even worse for Toni, because Troy was an important prodigy, he was barely given a slap on the wrist. Not even a recommendation to go into therapy, probably because at the time, hed been working on some important equation that his school wanted him to solve so they could brag about it in the media, and they didnt want therapy appointments getting in the way of his busy schedule. So making sure he understood beating someone out of frustration was not a good option was down to Toni. And that responsibility was something she took very seriously when it came to her siblings. Someone had to. God knew, if she didnt take it seriously, Kyle would wander around the streets asking random strangers for naked sketch time.
I just dont see the problem, Toni. So what if I asked Novikov
Shut up, Kyle.
Yes, but
Shut. It.
This is about my art! Kyle raged. Dont you understand
Toni, not wanting to hear this particular speech againKyle had lots of speeches for such a young boyreached for the back of Kyles neck, but he scrambled over Oriana and into the seat on the other side of her.
Ill let it go, he quickly promised. Ill let it go.
Releasing a breath, Toni focused on the bobcat receptionist. Could you let Mr. Van Holtz know the Jean-Louis Parkers are here?
Do you have an appointment? the cat asked, not even looking away from his computer to give her eye contact.
Yes. Remember? I was just here twenty minutes ago? Having the same conversation with you?
The bobcat looked at her, shrugged. And?
Biting back an annoyed yip, Toni snapped, As I said, we have an appointment.
And your name?
This was why she hated the smaller cats. Lions and tigers could be annoying but nothing like the little ones. Antonella Jean-Louis Parker.
Dont you have anything shorter?
Just my fist, she shot back. Thats when Oriana lowered her cell phone and said, Dude, just get Ulrich before my sister rips your face off.
The bobcat sighed and picked up the phone to call the wolf theyd come to see.
Oriana re-focused on her cell phone but said to Toni, That wolf was cute.
Toni blinked, confused. What wolf? Ulrich?
Rolling her eyes, Oriana replied, No. The one you were talking to outside the skating rink. With the baseball cap.
Oh. Him. Yeah. He was cute. But just a wolf. It wasnt like wolves were something special or unusual. Their mother was best friends with fellow former-prodigy Irene Conridge Van Holtz. A brilliant scientist and full-human, Aunt Irene was mated to Niles Van Holtz. Alpha Male of the Van Holtz Pack. And because the Jean-Louis Parkers were as close tofamily as Irene had, that meant that they spent a lot of time around the wolves. A lot of time. Not that Toni minded. Uncle Van and his Pack were fun and most of the direct bloodline Van Holtzes were amazing chefs, which meant the Jean-Louis Parkers always ate well. But bringing more wolves into her existence was not something Toni felt was necessary at this stage in her life.
Tall, Oriana continued. Nice shoulders.
Hed been unnaturally wide in Tonis estimation. Shoulders that wide with hips that narrow just didnt seem right.
Nice smile.
All those teeth. Bright white teeth that he kept showing when he constantly smiled at her. Personally, she found his smile oddly threatening. As if every person he met was a potential meal.
Still, although Toni might not be susceptible to most males, she wasnt blind, either. He was a handsome wolf, but not like the Van Holtz wolves, who always reminded her of European cover models. He was too big. Too wide. Too . . . American. All those muscles and dark brown hair that just reached his massive shoulders. Amber eyes and a flat, wide nose that only barely helped to make the constant smirk on his face a little less annoying.
Plus, Oriana went on, he seemed to not mind your average looks and that uncontrollable mane of yours.
Slowly Toni looked at her sister. Thanks, Oriana.
Her sister smiled without looking up from her phone. Youre welcome.
Toni seriously considered ripping that phone out of Orianas hand since she had yet to learn the meaning of sarcasm, but Ric Van Holtz walked into the lobby before she could bother.
Hey, guys. Sorry I couldnt really meet with you earlier. Last-minute meeting with investors.
No problem, Toni assured him, handing Zia over to him as soon as he stretched out his arms. Ric was great with kids, no matter the breed or species, and he adored the Jean-Louis Parker pups.
How did it go at the rink? Ric asked, gently brushing his free hand over Zias hair as her head rested on his shoulder.
Fine.
Except for that fight, Oriana muttered.
Rics nose flared. It was a rather narrow nose, but it could flare quite dramatically when he was angry enough. Did Novikov hurt you? Should I have him killed?
That seems extreme. Toni cut a warning glare at her sister, but with the brats attention focused on her phone, there was no guarantee that shed seen anything. Mr. Novikov was just fine.
He wasnt fighting with us, Kyle clarified.
Oh. Ric quickly calmed down. That was probably Reece Reed he was fighting then, since its the middle of the day and Reece seems to be the only one who continues to fight that idiot.
I just dont see the problem, Toni. So what if I asked Novikov
Shut up, Kyle.
Yes, but
Shut. It.
This is about my art! Kyle raged. Dont you understand
Toni, not wanting to hear this particular speech againKyle had lots of speeches for such a young boyreached for the back of Kyles neck, but he scrambled over Oriana and into the seat on the other side of her.
Ill let it go, he quickly promised. Ill let it go.
Releasing a breath, Toni focused on the bobcat receptionist. Could you let Mr. Van Holtz know the Jean-Louis Parkers are here?
Do you have an appointment? the cat asked, not even looking away from his computer to give her eye contact.
Yes. Remember? I was just here twenty minutes ago? Having the same conversation with you?
The bobcat looked at her, shrugged. And?
Biting back an annoyed yip, Toni snapped, As I said, we have an appointment.
And your name?
This was why she hated the smaller cats. Lions and tigers could be annoying but nothing like the little ones. Antonella Jean-Louis Parker.
Dont you have anything shorter?
Just my fist, she shot back. Thats when Oriana lowered her cell phone and said, Dude, just get Ulrich before my sister rips your face off.
The bobcat sighed and picked up the phone to call the wolf theyd come to see.
Oriana re-focused on her cell phone but said to Toni, That wolf was cute.
Toni blinked, confused. What wolf? Ulrich?
Rolling her eyes, Oriana replied, No. The one you were talking to outside the skating rink. With the baseball cap.
Oh. Him. Yeah. He was cute. But just a wolf. It wasnt like wolves were something special or unusual. Their mother was best friends with fellow former-prodigy Irene Conridge Van Holtz. A brilliant scientist and full-human, Aunt Irene was mated to Niles Van Holtz. Alpha Male of the Van Holtz Pack. And because the Jean-Louis Parkers were as close tofamily as Irene had, that meant that they spent a lot of time around the wolves. A lot of time. Not that Toni minded. Uncle Van and his Pack were fun and most of the direct bloodline Van Holtzes were amazing chefs, which meant the Jean-Louis Parkers always ate well. But bringing more wolves into her existence was not something Toni felt was necessary at this stage in her life.
Tall, Oriana continued. Nice shoulders.
Hed been unnaturally wide in Tonis estimation. Shoulders that wide with hips that narrow just didnt seem right.
Nice smile.
All those teeth. Bright white teeth that he kept showing when he constantly smiled at her. Personally, she found his smile oddly threatening. As if every person he met was a potential meal.
Still, although Toni might not be susceptible to most males, she wasnt blind, either. He was a handsome wolf, but not like the Van Holtz wolves, who always reminded her of European cover models. He was too big. Too wide. Too . . . American. All those muscles and dark brown hair that just reached his massive shoulders. Amber eyes and a flat, wide nose that only barely helped to make the constant smirk on his face a little less annoying.
Plus, Oriana went on, he seemed to not mind your average looks and that uncontrollable mane of yours.
Slowly Toni looked at her sister. Thanks, Oriana.
Her sister smiled without looking up from her phone. Youre welcome.
Toni seriously considered ripping that phone out of Orianas hand since she had yet to learn the meaning of sarcasm, but Ric Van Holtz walked into the lobby before she could bother.
Hey, guys. Sorry I couldnt really meet with you earlier. Last-minute meeting with investors.
No problem, Toni assured him, handing Zia over to him as soon as he stretched out his arms. Ric was great with kids, no matter the breed or species, and he adored the Jean-Louis Parker pups.
How did it go at the rink? Ric asked, gently brushing his free hand over Zias hair as her head rested on his shoulder.
Fine.
Except for that fight, Oriana muttered.
Rics nose flared. It was a rather narrow nose, but it could flare quite dramatically when he was angry enough. Did Novikov hurt you? Should I have him killed?
That seems extreme. Toni cut a warning glare at her sister, but with the brats attention focused on her phone, there was no guarantee that shed seen anything. Mr. Novikov was just fine.
He wasnt fighting with us, Kyle clarified.
Oh. Ric quickly calmed down. That was probably Reece Reed he was fighting then, since its the middle of the day and Reece seems to be the only one who continues to fight that idiot.
