Page 149 of Our Deceptive Heat

Ianto curls himself around her back, while Tyr does the same to me.

I cock my head to the side and look at Ianto. He looks so dangerous I can’t help but stare, and I know it’s making him nervous, but I have a plan. “You’re my cousin now.”

He pauses and then shrugs. “Sure, why not?”

“So you have to help me when I need help, right?”

“Ryn!” Lia warns.

Ianto’s eyes narrow. “Depends. Why can’t he help you?”

“Oh, no, I’m staying out of it,” Tyr says immediately. “I do not do that.”

“Do what?”

“Cousin,” I say, leaning towards Ianto… “have you ever taken Lia shopping?”

Ianto looks like he swallowed a lemon.

“Shopping?” Lia asks hopefully. “I like shopping.”

“What kind of shopping?” His gaze darts between us as Lia whirls to look up at him with the world's cutest eyes.

“The fun kind,” I say and wink at Onyx and Silver. “Tomorrow? Erin? You in?”

“Yes! I need a new skirt.”

“What’s wrong with your other skirt?” Bray protests.

“You’re going to rip it off me later.”

Bray swallows and focuses his eyes on Lia’s alpha. “Ianto, take them shopping. Take one for the team.”

“Why me?” Ianto growls.

“Because we need someone scary who will keep everyone away but won’t encourage anyone to come close, and Bailey looks like Raider, who is famous. My pack are famous. Erin’s pack don’t quite pull off city scary. Whereas you, you look like you’re one step from flaying people alive.”

“It can be arranged.”

I beam at him. “Thank you, cousin.”

“I meant the flaying!” Ianto protests, but I’ve already turned away.

“That’s me,” Bailey inserts himself between us and looks me up and down. “You are cousin Ryn.”

“And you’re the mystery Baby Raines.”

He laughs and hugs me before I can say anything else. “I saw you sing. You were amazing. And our families are dicks.”

“Agreed. Welcome to the fucked up family.”

He grins, and I get the feeling that he’s actually happy to be here. What’s his story? Where has he been all this time?

“It's time.”

“Time?” I ask in confusion. My pack gathers at my back, while everyone else spreads out around us.

The lights go off, and a screen turns on.

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