Jess knew she didn’t want to hear this. She didn’t want any more hurtful words or, even worse, hurtful silences between her and Smitty, but there was no avoiding it now. “What, Smitty? What does that make me?”

Amber wolf eyes locked on her and she saw fangs as he opened his mouth to speak. Her own claws slowly slid into place, prepared to tear and render as necessary.

“Mine, Jessie Ann,” he finally said. “That makes you mine.”

Jessie stared up at him like he’d grown a second head. Even her claws had receded. He’d seen them slide out, and that had only confirmed what he already knew. She would have ripped him apart if he’d made a move on her. Jessie Ann had a vicious streak a mile long and ten miles deep and nothing turned him on more.

“I’m sorry... ” she said softly. “What?”

“What did you think would happen, Jessie Ann?” Smitty asked calmly. “You attacked my She-wolves when they were trying to leave your territory. Mauled my sister after just apologizing to her the other day for punching her in the eye. And tore open my face with your teeth when I tried to protect her. And you did it without pity or remorse or a lick of conscience. Sorry, darlin’, but that makes you prime Smith-mate material.”

Looking away from that beautiful face and those big shocked eyes, Smitty examined the surrounding acres. He immediately spotted a big unused barn. Perfect.

“Come on, Jessie.” He took hold of her wrist and kissed her palm gently. “Let’s do this right, darlin’.”

Yeah. He’d do this right. Slow and easy. Just the way Jessie Ann deserved. No Smith mate-mauling for her. Even if that’s what he wanted to do, he’d give her what she needed.

Smitty walked to the top of the porch stairs with Jessie behind him when she stopped abruptly, bringing him up short. He turned and saw that Jessie had secured one foot against the porch railing, locking her in place. Then she jerked him back and slammed that small fist of hers right into his already abused face.

He dropped her arm and covered his bleeding nose.

“What in the holy hell was that for?”

“Oh, you don’t know? Well, let me do it again until you figure it out!”

Grabbing her under the arms, Smitty lifted her up until they were eye to eye. “What the hell is wrong with you?”

“The barn? You were going to take me off to the barn like we’re walking to the local store?”

He smiled and let out a breath. “Jessie Ann, if you wanted something fancy, you just had to say.”

“Fancy?”

“Yeah.” He carefully placed her back on the porch. “We can wait until we get back to the city, and then we can go somewhere real nice. Just what you’d want. I know you’re used to better now, and Ishould have thought of that before. I’m sorry.”

When she plowed that fist into his stomach, all he could do was stare at her.

“What was that for?”

“You think it’s all about money? Is that what you think?”

“Woman—”

“Don’t you ‘woman’ me. For you to think I’m that shallow and insipid and that it’s all about money is just rude!”

“Then what do you want?”

She threw up her hands. “Everything!” She stepped away from him. “And until you can give me that, we have nothing else to say to each other.”

Without another word or punch, she walked around him and headed back to the house.

He followed. “Jessie Ann—” But she slammed the door in his face, leaving him standing outside in the cold.

Jess leaned back against the door, fighting tears she’d never allow to come. He wasn’t worth one damn tear. Not one.

She glanced around the room and every dog stared at her. Pup and adult. All she saw was sympathy and warmth. They all loved her as only dogs could. They knew what she wanted. What she needed from Bobby Ray Smith. Because they understood her completely. Even if he didn’t.

Sabina walked up to her and handed her a bag of dark chocolate chips.

“Here, my friend.”

“Thanks.”

“You want hug?”

Jess nodded, feeling particularly pathetic but not caring. Sabina hugged her tight, then her Pack was there in one massive group hug that would completely freak out most people.

Ronnie jumped when the front door slammed open, and she blinked in surprise when she heard Bobby Ray Smith of all people yell, “She is driving me insane!”

He yanked off his jacket, threw it across the room, and stormed into the kitchen. She scrambled over Shaw and the back of the couch, making it to the kitchen as Smitty grabbed hold of a bottle of tequila from one of the cabinets.

“Oh, no, you don’t.” She took hold of the top and yanked. He yanked back. “Bobby Ray, you give me that bottle this minute.”

Bobby Ray snarled at her—he’d never snarled at her before—and yanked the bottle with one hand while shoving her back with the other. Ronnie stumbled back and watched as he unscrewed the cap. He almost had it to his lips when his sister walked up behind him, slammed her foot into his instep and, when he gasped in pain, snatched the bottle from his hand.

“What happened?” she asked, walking to the other side of the kitchen.

“None of your damn business.” He stormed toward her. “Now give me—”

Sissy Mae held the bottle up, aiming right for her brother’s head. “Just try it.”