And I do want to spend more time with Dexter.
There’s also the bonus that I can put new tires on my SUV next week, thanks to Dexter. The old 4Runner is reliable, runs great, and isn’t flashy. It doesn’t draw attention to me. It’s practical. I can get parts for it in nearly every area of the country. It can hold all my important shit when I move. It’s also nondescript and blends in, its own subtle camouflage.
Could I have afforded tires a long time ago? Yes, but I’m very tight with my budgeting. I’m actually building up my funds because I splurged to have the engine and transmission overhauled on the 4Runner last year, meaning it’ll last me several more years into the future.
I don’t like to spend money when I can squirrel it away in case I have to run. I spent way too many years lean and practically starving—financially speaking—to blow it. I remember the perpetual stress on Mom’s face, how she had to literally fight to feed us sometimes.
When waitressing wasn’t paying the bills, and she couldn’t find a job teaching a flavor of martial arts that she was skilled in, she’d pick up quick cash in underground fight clubs. Not difficult for a woman who was an expert mixed martial arts fighter and a trained stuntwoman.
When I was little, I used to think it was badass that my mom could do that. The older I got, the more I realized it sucked that she couldn’t be a normal mom. It was why I worked my ass off to get my GED so early, meaning I was one less stress on her plate, and I could usually pick up cash to help us out by waiting tables or washing dishes at the same places she worked.
I grab my cell phone on my way to the bathroom. As I’m sitting there, I take it out ofDo Not Disturbmode and find I have a text from Garrett Green.
Lucius called me.Can we talk? Call me when you wake up.
My stomach tightens.He knows I work nights and sleep mornings. Might as well do this now. When I call, he answers almost immediately.
“Hey, Connie.” It’s what I told him he and the other wolves can call me, just like Lucius’ inner circle thinks my name’s Connie Doe. It’s what’s on my fake ID.
It was easier than trying to have them remember the wig rule, and I wasn’t going to tell them my full, real name. It’s close enough to “Connover” that I can remember to respond when addressed like that.
“Garrett. What’s up?”
He plunges right into the topic. “I talked to Lucius overnight. Said he’s got someone he’d like me to talk to. Leech from Atlantic City who’s looking to relocate to Tucson. Guy named Dexter Van Sussex.”
My heart sinks. “I only met him last night.” I don’t lie to shifters or vamps. I either tell them the truth or keep my mouth shut. Besides, in person, they can both tell I’m lying, so it’d be stupid. Makes it easy to keep my story straight if I don’t have to remember a lie. They know this about me, so it helps with them trusting me.
“What’s your impression of him?”
I relax. Lucius didn’t throw me to the wolves in a literal way. “He didn’t get handsy with me. Wasn’t improper with me. Seems like a decent guy, but I’m not risking my reputation vouching for him when I just met him.”
“I told Lucius I’d meet with Van Sussex, if you came with.”
Well, fuck.I close my eyes and rub my forehead. “How’d I end up in the middle of a casino deal? I’m just a bartender and errand girl.”
He snorts, sounding every bit like the Alpha wolf he is. “That’s bullshit, and you and I both know it. You’re way more than that. Amber even says so.”
My eyes pop open. Sometimes, Amberseesthings. Yes, like a psychic. Next to Selene, she’s also my best friend.
One of my only friends. “What’d she say?”
“That you’re a good person I can always trust. So, will you?”
“Garrett, I’m honored, seriously. But I cannot and will not vouch for him.” I’m desperate not to go out after dark, either.
“Not asking you to vouch for him. I’ll make the decision or not, and nothing will splash back on you. I just want to see how he acts with you.”
Huh?“Why?”
“Because I know Lucius’ men are terrified of crossing you since you’re Lucius’ and Selene’s favorite feral human.” He lets out a throaty, rumbly chuckle. “Can’t call you a pet, since you aren’t. Lucius said Van Sussex showed up already prepared to talk to me. He didn’t assume he could just clear it with Lucius and move into the area. I like that show of respect, and as much as I hate Lucius, I like that he’s looping me in. I’m not eager about more leeches moving into the area, but if Van Sussex wants to throw my pack some cash and make assurances, I’m willing to listen. I’d be a stupid businessman not to.”
“Even though you don’t like Lucius?”
“I don’t have to like him. I do trust Selene. Amber told me this morning that the future of not only our pack, but of all packs, and the leeches, depends on whether or not Lucius and I can maintain this truce and work together. As much as I hate to admit it, that’s way bigger than both of us.”
“She had a vision about it?”
“Yeah.”
