is that my lovely Kevin? My, but didn’t you grow up big and strong, and so much like your daddy. I sure hope you have a better temperament. That man could grump his way into next Sunday.” She gave a musical chuckle.
Kevin looked at Judd. “We out?”
Judd nodded. “Oh, we are so out. Colin?”
Colin was the only one still looking at his mother. “Can I hurt her? I mean, I’ve never wanted to actually hurt someone before. Could I try? I’d give it my all, mauling her nose off or something. She doesn’t need a nose, does she?”
Judd shook himself. He couldn’t let Colin do anything. It was sweet of the kid but Colin would only get injured. Lexi Blanc was a lot stronger than her son.
Blanc seemed to realize she was pushing things. “Ah ah ah, boys. Sugah, show them that contract. Heavy Lifting promised me two enforcer werewolves as bodyguards plus additional support, for all afternoon and evening tomorrow, plus the concert on Saturday. Did they not?”
Her, presumed, manager nodded. She was a rail-thin blonde with big hair, who fit in seamlessly with Blanc’s other human pets. Judd suspected Blanc had selected her for vast talents in the arena of silent agreement.
Blanc continued. “I doubt you’ll be able to find replacements who meet those specifications at short notice. You are, after all, the only pack in the Bay Area. Plus I have that nice Xavier’s bond on your reliability. You wouldn’t want to disappoint me and him, now, would you, boys? I’m quite sure that I have more money and more lawyers than you do.”
Judd thought Max could probably take her one way or another in that regard, but they really did rely on Xavier’s good will.
“Fine. But keep the personal comments to a minimum, lady,” he said.
“Oooo, so fierce. Such impressive growling and rippling biceps. Risa, I want them all in nice tight t-shirts. Keep with my color theme. If they’re to be in my entourage, they must match.” She gestured at Isaac, Judd, and Kevin. “Well, those three need shirts − obviously they’ll be doing the real work.” She seemed not to realize that Isaac was an Omega. The Omega. Which was good.
She tilted her head, coy. “Why did you bring my other son?”
Colin wilted.
Judd didn’t actually think it was possible to hate her more than he already did. “We’re a full-service team, ma’am. That includes tech. Colin will be manning our ear-buds and when the time comes, he’ll monitor the concert security feed. We brought him today because we thought we’d be talking tactics with your actual bodyguards. Not making small talk over drinkipoos.”
He wrinkled his nose at the large bottle of bubbly on the coffee table. Disgusting stuff.
“Oh, how precious. He’s your pocket geek.” Another tinkling laugh.
“I think we need Max. He’s the only one bitchy enough to go up against her.” Isaac sounded almost in awe of Blanc’s evil.
“Forget Max, let me eat her,” replied Judd. He couldn’t imagine Colin and Kevin growing up with this female. Much as he hated how alone Colin had been, and how neglected, at least he hadn’t had to bathe regularly in this kind of poison.
Colin seemed to think the same thing. “With a nice Chianti? Man, I’m so glad you left us behind, Mother.” He spat the last word at her. Reminding her he existed. That he was connected to her, whether she liked it or not.
Judd brought them back around to business. “Is there anything actually relevant that we should know? So that we can better protect you tomorrow and at the concert?”
“Isn’t it your business to know that?” Blanc fluttered her fake eyelashes.
Judd tried a different tactic. “Will the SBI be there?”
“At the concert? I don’t think so, but I’m not their keeper. Honestly, I don’t know why they wanted me to help them talk to baby-cakes in the first place. He’s so useless.”
Colin gave a dry chuckle. “Dude, I have no idea why I ever gave you a second thought.”
Blanc turned those achingly familiar green eyes on Colin. “Neither do I, sugah. I assure you, I never did give you a first thought.”
Judd shook his head. “Wow. Okay. We’ll enact standard protections, then. I assume you have an itinerary for us, at least?”
The angular manager passed him one.
“Also, I’d like a list of the items that were stolen.” Judd pointed at Risa. “Can you draw that up for me?”
The woman gave him a tight-lipped nod.
Judd continued. “We already know the security and layout