“Momma, what are you doing here?” Ricky asked her.

“Can’t a mother come to see her son?” She looked Ricky Lee over. “Especially when he’s busy having tiny hybrids beat up his ex-girlfriend.”

“What?”

“Don’t pretend you didn’t hear me, boy. I saw that girl’s face. Now, I don’t like Laura Jane and never did, but having some other girl slap her around—”

“Momma, I did no such thing. I haven’t even been here.”

She grunted and that’s when her gaze locked on Toni. “And who’s this?” she asked, motioning to Toni with a sweep of her hand. “Is this that tiny hybrid?”

“I’m not a hybrid,” Toni replied. “I’m a jackal.”

“The devil’s pet.”

“Momma,” Ricky glanced at Toni. “This is Antonella Jean-Louis Parker.”

“Toni for short.” Toni came forward and held out her hand. “Nice to meet you, Mrs. Reed.”

“It’s Miss Evans, Miss Tala Evans. I’m a wolf, why the holy heck would I bother gettin’ married?” She walked past Toni without shaking her hand. “And why is Laura Jane’s momma calling me and telling me that my son is lashing out at her idiot child?”

“Because Laura Jane is a crazy liar.”

“I thought we agreed on narcissist,” Toni reminded him, but when Ricky’s mother stared at Toni, she added, “You know, it’s all about her?”

“So were you the one who beat up Laura Jane?”

“Me? Fighting She-wolves?” Toni shook her head. “No, ma’am. I like my face just as it is. Attached to my skull.”

“Momma, I’ve been in Russia. I’ve seen Laura Jane once since she’s been in town. I’ve been busy with other things.”

The She-wolf eyed Toni. “Have you now?” She abruptly faced her son. “You know, I’m not really surprised that Laura Jane is playing these games. That’s what the little bitch does. Just like her momma, that one. But what really surprised me, Ricky Lee Reed, was how defensive your brother got when I mentioned it to him.”

“Rory?” Ricky Lee shrugged. “You know how he is.”

“Not Rory. Rory doesn’t even know I’m here yet.” She glanced at Toni. “I think sometimes I make my oldest boy a little tense.”

“Reece defended me?”

“He called that little gal all sorts of things that I thought I taught him better about. But he was adamant. Not only that you had nothing to do with it, but he said it was some dark-haired little photographer that just didn’t like the look of Laura Jane’s face. Not that I blame her.”

Ricky briefly closed his eyes,but Toni outright laughed.

“Something I’m missing?” Miss Tala asked.

“It’s nothing, Momma.”

“And what were you doing in Russia?”

“Protecting me.” Toni sat on the couch. “From bears. And now, since I apparently can’t take care of myself at all, he’s going to follow me to my day job, too.”

The She-wolf looked right at Toni. Locked on her. “Is that right?”

“Uh-huh. I’m just waiting for him to shower and change clothes so we can go.” Toni tapped the watch on her wrist. “Which . . . if you don’t mind.”

“Well . . .” Ricky glanced back and forth between Toni and his mother. He clearly didn’t want to leave them alone.

Which was probably why the She-wolf smiled and motioned her son away. “You go on, Ricky Lee. I can keep your pretty little jackal company until you get back.”

“Yeah, but—”

“I said,” his mother low-growled, “go on.”

“I’ll be right back.” Ricky, with an apologetic look at Toni, rushed into his bedroom.

The She-wolf sat at the other end of the couch. She grinned and they both looked over at Barinov. The hybrid looked from one woman to the other, pointed at the door, and said, “Why don’t I . . . protect the hallway.”

Once he bolted for freedom, Toni turned back to Ricky Lee’s mother. She studied the older woman and finished sizing her up.

“You know, Miss Tala, I’m so sorry you had to come out here for this.”

“Are you?”

“Of course! To have to travel all the way here because you’re hearing bad things about your son? Things that aren’t true. He was definitely in Russia with me. We just got back yesterday morning and he was at my parents’ rental home until today. I’m so sorry someone is involving you in some ridiculous vendetta.” Toni leaned in, made sure her face looked appropriately concerned. “Would you like some tea? Or, even better, let’s get room service. I bet an iced tea and some scones would be perfect for such a hot summer day.”

“You sure are friendly.”

“I have to be,” Toni admitted. “It’s my job to protect all my siblings. And do you think they appreciate it? No. They treat me like a nanny. Like they hired me for the job.”

“Well, how many siblings do you have?”

“Ten.”

“Good Lord.”

“Exactly. And . . . they’re all prodigies.”

“Prodigies? Do you mean—”

“Geniuses. A scientist, a mathematician, several artists, a future prima ballerina. All of them prodigies. All except me.”