Read Online A to Zane by Cherie Nicholls - Free Book Online Page A

need to make sure they’re okay.” Her tiredness forgotten, Abby became all business.
    “That’s why we’re here,” Laney said.
    “They went after your file, Abby. They ignored everything else and went straight for you,” Karina explained.
    Abby sat back in her chair. “Me?”
    “Yep, so we’re thinking you should grab some stuff, and we’ll head back to the pack house. We can keep you safe until this is sorted out,” Laney said.
    It didn’t make any sense. Why would anyone start looking for information on her?
    “Abs, jump to. The quicker we get you out of here, the better.” Laney got out of the chair, walked over to the sink, and emptied her cup.
    Abby watched her cousin move around her apartment. Laney was so sure of herself. Her self-confidence had risen since she’d met, mated, and married Heath.
    But Abby wasn’t fooled. Under all that calm reserve was the same vicious woman who’d killed the wolf shifter who’d kidnapped her a few years back.
    “Thank you for the offer, but I’m staying right here,” Abby said.
    Laney didn’t stop moving, clearing off the table, and placing everything in the dishwasher.
    “Clara, make sure she packs enough for a few weeks. If we need anything more, we can buy it,” Laney said.
    “Stay in the chair, Clara. I said I’m not going anywhere, Laney.”
    The dishwasher door slammed as Laney stood and faced her.
    “You will get your goddamn clothes and get in the car. This isn’t up for discussion.” Hands on her hips, foot tapping, Laney looked ready to spit bullets.
    “I’m not arguing. I’m stating fact,” Abby snapped.
    “Get your shit together and get in the car, or I’ll drag you by your hair to the damn vehicle.”
    Abby was aware of the two shifters in the room moving back from the table. Two people who could turn into animals they may be, but even they knew better than to get in between family.
    “I’m not running because some spotty-faced teenager hacked my system, Laney.”
    “How do you know it’s a teenager?”
    “Because no one else would have any interest in my files. The kid probably went to my info because I own the company. You really are making more of this than is necessary. I’m going to get dressed and then head to the office.”
    Abby stood and headed to the kitchen door. She should have expected the dishtowel to be thrown at the back of her head. The damp dish rag landed limply on her shoulder.
    “Did you learn nothing from Christophe or Alberto?” Laney snapped. “You know…The shifters who kidnapped me and then later tried to kill Clara because Heath took over the pack when it was in desperate need of new leadership?”
    Abby’s own temper, usually slow to build, came roaring to life. Family had a special skill for being able to do that. “Not everything is about packs and shifters, and not everything is about you, Laney Marsterson!”
    “And not everything is so sweet and innocent, Abigail Short!”
    Abby dragged the cloth off her shoulder and threw it at Laney, hitting her square in the face.
    “You really want to push my buttons, Abby doll?”
    “Bring it on, Laney girl.”
    One second she and Laney were on either side of the kitchen, and the next they had handfuls of each other's hair. Both had been taught to fight, maim, and kill by their mothers, but this was different. This wasn’t for survival. This was a good old-fashioned family smack down.
    Abby knew the slap fight wasn’t pretty, and the screaming and name calling wasn’t really required. Which was probably why Clara and Karina stepped in, forcing her and Laney apart.
    “You will go to the pack house, and you will be protected, or I will kill you!” Laney screamed over Clara’s shoulder.
    “You know what you can do with your pack house? You can shove it up your wolf loving ass!” Abby shot back, trying to get around Karina. “This is what I do for a living, Laney. I fix problems. How would it look if, at the first sign of a personal problem, I