Bite the Big Heartache (Monstrana Paranormal Romance 2)

“There’s something you have to know, first.” She followed him toward his truck.

“Can’t this wait?”

He tried to remember how much gas he had in the tank. Was it enough to make it to the studio or would he have to waste precious moments at the gas pump?

Rounding the front of his truck, he cursed and kicked at the ground. The front driver’s tire had been viciously slashed. No doubt, another part of the Wilson brothers’ shenanigans from last night. The tire lay flaccid on the ground. No way was it going anywhere soon.

Despite the fact that Billy knew the brothers were currently sitting in a stuffy Molodoy jail cell, awaiting the trial that would most likely expel them from their pack, he didn’t feel any satisfaction at that moment. Instead, he felt the strong desire to punch each of them in their big snouts.

“Looks like your truck isn’t going nowhere tonight,” Garret said, whistling when he caught a look at the damage. “Those boys got you good.”

Billy clenched his fists and snarled. If only he hadn’t kept his spare tires in the garage. Now, they were melted piles of goo. No good to anyone.

“Billy, seriously, I really have to tell you something.” Ashley tugged on his flannel shirt, redirecting his attention toward her.

She flinched when she got a look at his face. He forced himself to calm down and breathe, putting on a neutral expression. “What did you want to say?”

Ashley stared down at her painted toenails and wrung her hands together. “I was the one who stole your letter all those years ago. I was the one who turned Stasia into the palace guard. I was jealous of your friendship and wanted her all to myself. This is my fault. I apologized to Stasia this morning, but I needed to tell you, too.”

Garret reached down and took Ashley’s hand in his. She looked up at him and he smiled softly, squeezing her fingers.

Shock and anger hit Billy simultaneously. His breath came out in forced puffs of air, his whole body tightening. He stared at his sister and thought about giving her a good tongue lashing. A lecture that she would never forget.

He’d been a good big brother to her. Maybe not always the most patient, but definitely above average. How could she have done such a terrible thing to him? It was as if he didn’t know her at all.

But just as quickly as it came, the anger was gone. In its place was a strong sense of calm. That summer had been hard on all of them. His sister never really had the best luck at making friends. Especially, with girls her age. Maybe this wasn’t the way he’d wanted things to go down, but Ashley was still his baby sister and he’d do anything for her. Including, forgive her for something that had so altered his life.

“I still love you, kid,” he said, wrapping her up in a tight squeeze. Her eyes widened in shock and then she smiled and returned the

embrace. “Thank you for telling me. I guess it all makes sense now.”

Stasia hadn’t known about the letter when she’d chewed him out. She’d been angry about someone turning her into the palace guard, not about his declarations of love. The mix-up seemed almost comical now.

“If there’s any way I can make it up to you, let me know.” She blinked through her tears. Garret ran his large hand up and down her back.

“I don’t suppose there’s any way you can get me to Lochness Broadcasting Studios in the next few minutes?” he asked, scratching the back of his head. “I’m kind of in a hurry to see a girl.”

“As a matter of fact,” a grin tugged at her lips and the tears faded, “Garret has a plane. We just went for a ride this afternoon. Our very first date.” She smiled adoringly up at the big man. “He can get you anywhere you want on this island in less than an hour. Will that do?”

“It’s a small Cessna 172,” Garret explained, his eyes never leaving Ashley’s face. “All fueled up and ready to go.”

“Let’s go!” Billy grabbed his friend’s arm and tugged him toward the Toyota.

They’d have to talk about that budding relationship and the rules about dating his sister later. Right now, they had a plane to catch.

?

“Are you sure you know how to fly this thing?” Billy splayed a hand on the window next to him and gritted his teeth. The plane dropped a few feet in the air, sending his stomach contents up into his mouth.

“Relax, buddy.” Garret grinned from behind the controls, huge headphones over his ears. “We’re almost there. You can change your underwear when we land.”

“Ha, ha, very funny.” Billy gave him a sour frown and grimaced when the plane dropped again.

He was of the mind that a werewolf belonged on the ground at all times. None of this flying nonsense. That was for birds and bugs. Not creatures of the woods, like him. Still, he’d take a hundred planes if it meant he could see Stasia tonight. He was within minutes of finding her. Holding onto that thought, he managed the rest of the bumpy ride and the treacherous landing on the busy Monstrana airstrip.

“There should be taxis outside the baggage claim,” Garret yelled over the sound of the dying plane engine. “Go get her!”

He didn’t have to tell Billy twice. Jumping out of the plane, Billy sprinted through the airport and jumped into the first taxi he could find. A squat little gnome with a white beard sat in the driver’s seat upon a stack of encyclopedias. He had a stick in one hand to press the gas and the other hand on the wheel. Billy only questioned the sanity of jumping into such a vehicle for a mere second. He’d already survived a plane ride with Garret. How difficult would a taxi ride with a gnome be?