Page 38 of Homecoming

“And I said we’ll go when we’re ready.” Mikah wipes his chin and throws the towel to the ground as he turns to face them.

“Goddammit, did you not hear me?” Digby snarls.

“I heard you, but I also told you why we can’t leave. You know, you really need to take a chill pill, my friend.” Mikah slides an arm around Digby’s shoulder. “I’m sorry. Really, I am, but I promise you, wewillgo tomorrow.”

Digby sighs as his stomach churns not only with his rumbling hunger but his growing anger and as he rubs his head to gather his thoughts, he notices the shiny black Mercedes as it pulls through the gate into the commune. The car carries on at speed up the path until it sees them standing in the grass and pulls to a halt.

Rhys gets out and looks around—a huge frown of concern fills his brow. “What the fuck is going on here? Brother, it looks like you’ve got yourself a rodent problem—on a massive scale. Who the hell thought this was a good idea?”

“It’s not and they’re not supposed to be here. They were supposed to be gone—like now.”

“Did you let them stay here?” Rhys’s frown deepens. “Ryan, what the fuck meds are you on?” He shakes his head as he steps closer. “Well, all I can say is best of luck trying to get rid of them. Man, sometimes I have to question if you’re my brother at all because sometimes I don’t think you are.”

“Shut the fuck up. They’re going. Preferably before Kat wakes up. Anyway, what the fuck do you want at this time of day?” Digby sneers.

“Me? Oh, I just came to drop off some champagne and glasses. Riley wanted to borrow them for his reception.”

“Reception? Whatfuckin’reception? Reception for what?”

“His engagement party. Next Saturday.”

“What the fuck? Riley’s getting engaged. Who the hell to?”

“Uh…I forget her name, but one of those hot little nurses that he works with,” Rhys grins. “I’ve actually beenthinkin’of getting myselfamedical condition just to get treated there. Some of those she wolves…Ouch!They are real little foxes—that was a joke. I don’t do foxes, never have. What are you doing with these, anyway? Are they giving you a problem?”

“Kind of. They were supposed to be gone at first light because we had an ‘incident’ last night. Well, more than one. Now Kat’sthrowin’a fit and he… Mikah, he promised me they’d be gone at first light.”

“Then why aren’t they?” Rhys tips his head as he stares at Mikah.

“I’m handling it and they will be. I’ve got it in control, okay?”

“Well, you don’t look like you’ve got shit in controltome. Ryan, you’ve gotta put your foot down with these sons-of-bitches.” Rhys and Mikah sneer at each other. “I tell you now, hyenas are bandits and thieves. You need to keep a close eye on them to keep them in check, or they’ll take advantage. Why don’t you let me deal with them?” Rhys sniffs Mikah and wrinkles his nose.

“Well, would you look at that? You have a brother—a twin brother. Who’d have thought it.” Mikah smiles as the pair continue to glare. “So, do you share all the riches of the kingdom?” He touches Rhys’sarm and feels the strongfirmness of his bicep.

“Get your filthy damn paws off of me. For your information, I don’t need his kingdom. I have my own. Now, from what I’m understanding, my dumb ass brother here asked you to pack this shit up. So, get yourstinkin’ass’s packed up and get gone.”

“Yeah, but as I told him, we hit a few snags, and I thought we’d rest up—have some breakfast, fix the bikes and be on our way tomorrow.”

“Tomorrow, really?” Rhys pulls back the lapel of his jacket to reveal the chrome weapon holstered beneath. “No, I think you’ll be gone now. Are we clear?”

“Oh,c’monman, there’s no need to be like that. I told you, we’ll be gone just as soon as we can. You have my word, I promise.”

Seth steps up next to Mikah and stares at Rhys. “You got a problem, Boss?”

“I don’t know. Do I have a problem,Rhys?”

“Yeah, you have a problem. My brother might be nice—he’s also a damn idiot which is beside the point—but if he wants you gone, you’re going.”

With that, there’s a rush of noise and a loud groan as Rhys thumps Seth hard in the side of the head and drops him to the ground. Thestrong wolf then pulls his gun and points it at the smaller shifters head. “Now, I can take you out one at a time if that’s how you want toleave,or you can of course, leave of your own accord. Which is it to be, my friend?”

“Hey,c’monman… Okay, we get the message. Wow, you really don’t fuck about, do you?”

“Not where you’re concerned. Now I’m gonna go drop these glasses and champagne at the village and by the time I come back, you need to be gone. Are we clear?” He and Mikah stare in angry frustration at each other.

“Rhys…” Digby steps up behind his brother, “what the hell? I had this in hand—I wassortin’it.”

“From what I could see, you weren’tsortin’jack shit. Ryan, you need to stamp some Westwood authority on problems like this. Still, they seem to have the message now. I’ll check back before I head home and make sure they follow through and leave. Hey, relax brother… you really have got to learn to handle yourself better.” Rhys smiles, patting Digby on both sides of his face. “Klaus,c’monlet’s go. I will catch you,but not you… later. I have an engagement party invite to collect.”

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