Treacherous (The Wolf Pack Series) by Maureen Smith Read Free Book Online Page B

getting every morning when you two show up late for breakfast.” Stanton grinned. “Hey, what can I say? There’s a reason three of my kids were conceived right here in this house. Something about being in Savannah brings out the freak in Prissy. It’s incredible.”
    Sterling smiled to himself, savoring the memory of what he and Celeste had shared in Forsyth Park five nights ago. He knew he’d never see that park the same way again.
    Catching his satisfied expression, Stanton grinned slyly. “Looks like Savannah’s been good to someone else, too.”
    Sterling’s lips twitched. “True gentlemen never kiss and tell.” He paused.
    “But, yeah, it’s been a good week.”
    The two men laughed.
    Sobering after several moments, Stanton glanced sideways at Sterling. “So everything’s all right between you and Celeste?”
    “Oh, yeah. Most definitely.” Wishing he felt as confident as he sounded, Sterling met his brother’s steady gaze. “What about you and Prissy? Everything okay?”
    A shadow crossed Stanton’s face, disappearing so swiftly Sterling might have imagined it. “Oh, yeah,” Stan replied, nodding vigorously. “We’re good. Most definitely.”

    An odd silence fell between the two men.
    As if by mutual agreement, they returned their attention to the yard, where Marcus had just thrown a deep spiral to his wide receiver. Manning had barely caught the pass before he was tackled by Michael, who drove him into the ground. Taking umbrage, Manning bounded to his feet and charged at Michael.
    The two cousins shoved and shouted at each other until Marcus intervened, stepping between them to prevent one of their notorious brawls.
    Stanton chuckled, wagging his head. “Forget what I said about all of them playing for the Falcons. I think Marcus is gonna be a lawyer.” Sterling grinned. “I think you’re right. He seems to be the only one who can talk Mike and Manny out of killing each other.” Laughing, they watched as their firstborn sons made up, slinging their arms around each other’s shoulders as they sauntered back to their teammates.
    Stanton smiled quietly. “Nothing’s ever gonna break up the Wolf Pack.” Sterling hesitated, then raised his glass to his brother’s. “Long live the Wolf Pack.”

Chapter Six
    Celeste nosed her Volvo into the empty space in front of her home and cut off the ignition. Instead of climbing out of the car, she sat there staring out the window, dismally surveying the block of row houses made of brown and yellow brick. The facades of several homes were crumbling with decay, and the surrounding lawns were overgrown and choked with weeds. Though Sterling kept their own yard neatly groomed, and Celeste had planted pretty flowers in the window boxes, their efforts—along with those of a few other conscientious residents—were not enough to change the look of neglect that plagued the neighborhood.
    Sitting there in her Volvo, Celeste was struck by an overwhelming urge to restart the car and get out of there. Just keep driving until she’d put this miserable place in her rearview mirror.
    A sudden tap on the glass made her start violently.
    Heart thumping, she whipped around to find her son’s best friend, Quentin Reddick, standing at the window.
    He flashed his trademark crooked smile. “How ya doing, Mrs. Wolf?” Celeste smiled wanly. “Hello, Quentin.”
    He held the door open for her as she got out of the car. He was so tall that she had to stand on tiptoe to kiss his cheek.
    “How’s your mama doing?” she asked him.
    “She’s doing good. Working hard, keeping herself busy.” Celeste nodded understandingly.
    Georgina Reddick’s husband had been killed in the line of duty three years ago. The senseless tragedy had devastated her and Quentin, who’d been forced to grow up faster than most boys his age. He’d become his mother’s rock, and she, in turn, became the center of his universe.
    Celeste smiled, gently patting his cheek. “You tell her I