In a Badger Way (Honey Badger Chronicles #2) - Shelly Laurenston Page 0,82
rolled her eyes. “I’m not talking about sex.”
“Oh.” He shrugged. “Sorry.”
“I never knew you could be such a horny monkey.”
“Wild panda,” he reminded her. “So what’s your suggestion?”
“You might think it’s crazy. It goes against everything I believe.”
“Now I have to know.”
She glanced at the receptionist who managed her therapist’s office. Frowning a little, she leaned in and said, “I think we need to involve Max.”
Shen shook his head. “Sisters are not my scene.”
“That’s not what I mean, perv.”
“You started it,” he murmured. Then he winked and she didn’t know whether to punch him or put his cock in her mouth.
“Are you going to focus?” she asked.
“Well—”
“On the topic.”
He chuckled. “Sorry. Bring Max into what?”
She leaned even closer. “Dealing with Wells.”
“I thought you said if your sisters found out—”
“That’s mostly Charlie. If Charlie finds out, she’ll kill everybody. Probably even you. For not stopping me.”
“Good to know. And a little terrifying.”
“But Max—”
“Is an unhinged nut bag. Who I respect as your sister,” he added when she glared. “But she is an unhinged nut bag. How do you know she won’t flip out, too, because you’re involved?”
“We give her a task.”
She motioned him closer so she could whisper in his ear, “Breaking and entering.”
“You sure that’s a good idea?”
“She says she hasn’t done it in a while but . . . I’m not sure I buy that. Anyway, it’s like riding a bicycle. It’s a skill you never truly lose. Only this time, instead of robbing people of their very expensive jewels, she’ll be helping her kind.”
“If you think it’s a good idea . . .” He shrugged. “But you’d better protect me if Charlie finds out.”
“I can try but . . . ya know. I may have to let you go.”
“Thank you very much for that.”
Stevie laughed but the sound got caught in her throat when her doctor’s partner walked out to the front desk . . . with Charlie behind her.
“If you have any questions or experience any side effects,” the woman told her sister, “just call. But there shouldn’t be a problem.”
“Thank you,” Charlie said, taking an actual prescription from Dr. Lewis.
“Great. See you next week.”
“Yeah.” Charlie turned and that’s when she saw Stevie. Their gazes locked and Stevie opened her mouth to tell her sister how proud she was of her, how excited she was that Charlie was taking her own mental health in her hands and managing it, how amazing her sister was, how she’d never loved her more. But before she could say any of that, Shen pressed his hand over her mouth. She tried to drag it off as Charlie looked down at the floor and began to quickly walk toward the elevator, but he wouldn’t let go.
He dragged Stevie onto his lap and wrestled with her until the elevator doors closed.
“Are you two having fun?” Dr. Morgan asked, standing over them.
Stevie finally got Shen’s hand off her mouth. “My sister was here!”
“Stevie, you of all people know that I can’t discuss that with you or anyone.”
“I know. I know.” She jumped off Shen’s lap and spun away from her doctor. “But isn’t it amazing!”
* * *
Watching the ballet troupe on the big stage was interesting, but not as interesting as the woman sitting beside him in the theater.
“I don’t think I’ve ever seen anyone so happy that someone was going to therapy.”
“My sister’s not nuts,” Stevie replied, her eyes focused on the stage.
“Never said she was.”
“You can’t do what Charlie does and talk to the voices in your head or wear foil beanies to protect you from the alien rays.”
“That is very specific.”
“So I don’t worry about my sister having an emotional breakdown. I worry she’ll have a physical one. Stress can be very damaging to the body as well as the mind. Even to those of us with superior DNA. I don’t want to wake up in twenty years with a sister who has heart problems and back problems and ulcers and any other number of things that can kill you. So, yeah. If someone needs therapy and medication, I’m all for it.”
“Maybe she just went for medication.”
“That’s not okay. Medication should never be given without therapy.” She suddenly looked at him. “And if you ever go to a doctor who tries to tell you otherwise . . . get another doctor.”
“I’m a panda,” he said and, when she frowned, “We’re just happy.”
“Well, lucky you.”
A break was called on the stage and Stevie got up and started down the aisle. Shen grabbed