Sucker Punch (First Fangs Club #3) - Kristen Painter Page 0,4
an icy-blue, othernatural light flashing in her eyes as she lifted her chin. “I am Louisa Valentina Medina.” That was a mouthful. And she shared a last name with Rico. Coincidence? Donna didn’t think so. “I am the alpha of the New Jersey pack. In case you don’t know, that means I’m the leader, vampire.”
Donna canted her head slightly. “I know what alpha means.”
“Good. One more thing. I am also Rico Medina’s grandmother.”
Chapter Two
Louisa Valentina gestured to the younger woman beside her. “This is the pack’s alpha-elect, Maria Antonella.”
Maria Antonella’s eyes narrowed, and the same othernatural light sparked in them. “I’m Rico’s mother. LV and I would like to have a word with you.”
Donna nodded, a little stunned that the women at her door weren’t just werewolves, but also Rico’s grandmother and mother. And they were the leaders of the New Jersey pack. She’d been right about it not being coincidental, but it also seemed like a thing Rico might have mentioned.
But if being married to the mob had taught her anything, it was how to deal with the unexpected. “Please, come in. It’s good you came, actually. I would have called you in a little while anyway.”
Maria Antonella made a face. “You would have called us?”
“Absolutely. We’re just getting ourselves organized here. I didn’t know you knew already.”
Donna’s answer did nothing to erase the look on Maria Antonella’s face.
Pierce stepped back, opening the door wider. They came in, studying the penthouse as if it had secrets to share. Their nostrils flared, and they seemed to be sniffing the air.
No, they were definitely sniffing the air.
“He’s not here,” Maria Antonella said to LV.
“I don’t think he has been either.” LV finally made eye contact with Donna again, scanning her like something on her person might be of interest.
Donna felt like she’d missed something. Did they think Rico was here? Unless there was someone else they were talking about, but that seemed highly unlikely. “You’re talking about Rico, right?”
Maria Antonella glared. “Who else would we be talking about?”
Pierce shut the door, then rejoined them. “Can I get you something to drink? Coffee? Water? Juice?”
“Black coffee, two sugars,” LV answered.
“How about my son?” Maria Antonella shot back.
“Toni,” LV chided as Pierce went off to the kitchen.
Donna did her best not to react too strongly. “I understand you’re upset. I am too.”
LV’s dark, penciled brows lifted. “What do you have to be upset about? That he isn’t here? That you can’t get to whatever love nest you have him stashed in?”
Donna slowly closed her mouth but continued staring at the woman. “Um…you think I have him stashed in a love nest? We need to back this conversation up. There’s been some misinformation somewhere.”
“Listen, vampire, I know what I know. He’s sweet on you and now this,” Maria Antonella snarled.
Rico liked her? That was news. Donna blinked as she tried to process the rest of the situation. “And by ‘this,’ you mean—”
“He didn’t show up for the pack run last night,” Maria Antonella said. “He isn’t answering his phone or his texts either. We figured he’s shacked up with you. We know you two have been working closely together. We know he has feelings for you. And we know the allure of a strong, virile male wolf to the female vampire. So where is he?”
Donna took a breath. This was worse than she’d thought. “There is nothing going on between us except a working relationship. I promise you he’s not here or in a love nest. But I know where he is.”
“Where?” LV asked.
“Yeah, where?” Maria Antonella relaxed a tiny bit.
Donna gestured toward the kitchen. “Why don’t you come in and sit down so I can explain?”
Thankfully, they seemed amenable to that. Donna led them in, then let them pick their seats before choosing one herself. Pierce brought LV’s coffee over with another for Donna, which she was definitely about to need. He returned a second later with sugar, creamer, and spoons.
Donna let LV fix her coffee first, then helped herself to the cream and sugar as she selected her words carefully. “I wish we were meeting under different circumstances. I also wish I had something different to tell you than what I’m about to.”
She looked up at the women, making careful eye contact. “Rico has been kidnapped by the fae. He’s being held at their stronghold. I highly suspect King Dredward is behind this.”
The color drained from both women’s faces. Maria Antonella let out a little gasp and crossed herself. “How did this