The guests below reacted with cheers and applause—although some of the dogs yipped nervously and the pups squealed.

“See?” Ric asked, grinning at her. “Best part.”

“Absolutely. Although if I’d known there’d be a show, I’d have brought us some dessert so we could eat something sweet and watch.”

“Ye of little faith, Miss Smith.” Ric reached into the small insulated bag he’d brought with him.

He pulled out small plates, placing one beside her and the other in front of himself. On each he placed four graham crackers and two very large marshmallows.

“Aren’t we supposed to melt these?” she asked, more tickled than she’d ever been before.

“I’ve always loathed the idea of picking up random sticks that were in the dirt and sticking them through clean food. Besides, I’m relatively certain I don’t want to build a fire up here. So no melting.” Lord, the man was just so logical. And it was just so . . . cute.

“And the best part . . .” He reached back into the bag and pulled out two bars of Hershey milk chocolate. She appreciated the fact that he didn’t try to use that expensive, snooty chocolate the wild dogs preferred. He’d gone with an all-American favorite and since it was Fourth of July with all that

“rockets’ red glare” overhead, it only seemed right.

He handed her the still-wrapped candy and she took it, her fingers grazing against his—and that’s when they both froze, the immediate recognition sending a shiver of absolute pleasure down Dee’s spine.

She looked into his eyes, eyes that were suddenly more familiar than they’d been only an hour ago and she saw the same thing there that she felt.

“Thank you kindly,” she whispered and they smiled at the same time.

“I told Uncle Van I’d be the one to feed you,” Ric sighed out.

“Pardon?”

“Nothing.” Ric’s hand slipped behind the back of her neck and pulled her closer. “Nothing at all.” He kissed her, the fireworks display completely forgotten, and Dee knew in that moment that her daddy would finally have to accept a few things: She’d never be a doctor or lawyer, chances were that killing was as much a family business as her momma’s pie shops, and that his only baby girl would forever be in love with a Van Holtz.

CHAPTER 27

Van opened his front door and let out a little sigh. “Dee-Ann.”

“Mr. Van Holtz.”

“How are you?”

“Feelin’ pretty fine.”

“Is Ric with you?”

“He’s around.” They gazed at each other and Van knew what he saw: that the cold, bloodthirsty, deadly spawn of Eggie Ray Smith loved Van’s favorite cousin.

Why, oh, why, did these thingshappen to him?

“Would you like to come in?” he finally—and grudgingly—asked.

“Thank you kindly.”

She stepped inside, those dog-yellow eyes taking everything in. “Nice digs.” He nearly shuddered. “Thank you.”

Ric stepped through the doorway, carrying two small duffle bags.

“Uncle Van!”

Grinning, feeling pure joy at seeing his cousin alive and well, Van hugged the kid right off his feet.

“I’m so glad to see you, Ric.”

“I’m glad to see you, too.”

Van released him and took a step back. “You’re all right?” Ric’s gaze moved across the hallway floor to the She-wolf wandering along, studying the pictures on the walls. “I’m doing great.”

Van’s eyes crossed. “You’re such an idiot.”

Ric grinned. “I love you, too, Uncle Van.”

Dee went around a corner, wondering if there was a bathroom nearby, and came face-to-face with a full-human female. She had ice blue eyes and curly dark brown hair that had streaks of grey throughout. The hair was thick and she wore it on top of her head in a loose ponytail. They gazed at each other for several long seconds until the female asked, “Are you doing that on purpose? With your eyes?”

“No, ma’am. Born this way. Just like my daddy.”

“Really? Fascinating. And your height? Is that normal for your kind or are you freakishly built?”

“Irene,” Niles Van Holtz said from behind Dee.

“What? I didn’t ask for a blood sample this time.”

“Dee-Ann Smith, this is my wife, Irene Conridge-Van Holtz.”

“Ma’am.”

“You’re a Smith?” She studied Dee a little more. “I thought they were to be killed on sight,” she said to her husband.

“Irene.”

“Why do I keep hearing that tone?” She looked at Dee. “Was I offensive to you?”

“Not so’s I’d notice.”

“See?” she smirked. “Not so’s she’d notice.” Dee chuckled and watched the female move around her. “Ulrich?”

“Hi, Aunt Irene.”

The full-human opened her arms to Ric and he swept her up, hugging her tight. “I’m so glad to see you.”

“And you.”

He placed her carefully on her feet, kissed her cheek.

“You look very good,” she told him. “Your excellent bone structure will help ensure that you’re extremely attractive well into your sixties. Perhaps even your seventies.” He winked at Dee. “Did you hear that?”

“I’m standing right here.”