Page 73 of The Thief

“That remains to be seen. I’m doing a preliminary walkthrough first to see where the issues are. Once we talk about options, I’ll run an estimate of equipment and services and see if he’s willing. I’ve got references, just not local ones. I also got a call from your boss.”

“Calvin?” I asked, surprised the two had spoken. “What for?”

Lucian chuckled. “He told me all about what happened last night.”

“How did he get your number?”

“I left business cards with him to pass out, but he trashed them. He claims he found one on the floor, but he’s a liar. I can’t scent his lies over the phone, but I wasn’t born yesterday. Anyhow, this might solve your issues with the drunks stealing the good stuff.”

“Nothing we couldn’t handle,” Bear grumbled.

“It was preventable.” Lucian played with the black ring on his index finger. “That’s the whole purpose of my job. We can’t set up cameras in there—obviously—but I have a few ideas to improve security for his needs.”

I grinned. “Sometimes I wonder if Calvin rues the day I walked into his bar.”

“He likes you,” Bear informed me.

“Well, he has a funny way of showing it.”

“Any other excitement while I’ve been gone?” Lucian inquired in a tone that suggested he knew something.

It got quiet before Bear replied, “The usual.”

Lucian’s nostrils flared. “Bullshit.”

Telling Lucian about the horse would be as good as telling Lakota, who would tell Tak. Even with Hamish’s threats, it wasn’t worth troubling the Packmaster. Once we got the fence erected, the issue would resolve itself. We’d learned the hard way when not to let a horse out to graze.

“What did Hamish want?” Lucian asked.

Bear twisted his head around and stared daggers at him. “Who told you about that?”

“Settle down. No one snitched.” Lucian pulled his phone out of his pocket and flourished it. “Remote-access video. I couldn’t watch security the whole time, but I got a few alerts.”

“Does Tak know?”

“Should Tak know?” Lucian flashed a wicked grin. “If Montana’s in charge, I’m assuming it’s handled.” He tucked the phone back in his pocket. “Let’s just say… I’m curious.”

“You know what they say about curiosity,” Bear pointed out.

Lucian folded his arms. “Save the cat jokes.”

“I wasn’t going there.” After reaching a red light, Bear looked over his shoulder. “Listen, what I’m about to tell you is between us. If you can’t promise to keep your trap shut, I’ll never tell you anything again.”

Lucian sighed. “On my word as a Chitah, I won’t say anything.”

“The horse got out. We found her, but that wasn’t the issue. She ran across Hamish’s land, and he pitched a fit—said the next time it happens, he’ll keep her. So we’re building the fence at breakneck speed.”

“What a prick.” Lucian’s eyebrow arched. “Can he really keep her? I know Shifter Council laws vary by city, but she’s our property.”

Bear faced forward again. “I don’t know, and I don’t wanna find out. If he steals her, that’s one thing. But if she trespasses on his land again, he might be inclined to keep her. The Council expects the Packmasters to settle personal disputes, and I don’t know if I can see Tak starting a war over a horse.”

When a car honked behind us, Bear cursed and accelerated through the intersection.

Lucian cracked his window. “Sounds like he’s a pain in the ass. Maybe it’s not too late to move somewhere else.”

“I am not building another barn,” Joy piped in. “We’re staying.”

Lucian pondered on it for a moment. “That means we’re stuck living next to a tyrant.”

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