Page 98 of Villainous Fate

His friendship means the world to me. I’m so glad he and Deacon became friends so that the three of us could someday all end up in a pack together. The Fates must have had a hand in it. They always have a way of making things work even when you don’t expect them.

For the second time in my life, I thank them. The first was for bringing Deacon to me, and allowing me to get to him in time. This time, it’s for sending Marcus.

I don’t know what I did to deserve these men but thank you.

Chapter 47

Marcus

Oncewe’rebackinReno, time speeds up again. Before I know it, it’s the middle of April, and after sharing the news from the road trip about the ‘leadership takeover’ in Stockton, I am on a new team. They didn’t say whether it was the time I took off or the information I’d found, but by the next shift, they restationed me to city center patrols monitoring pack members downtown, which was basically babysitting drunk wolves and making sure they kept their shit together.

The memories from Grace’s birthday trip still make me smile. The movie we saw was perfect, and seeing her analyze every minute was just as fun as watching it. She's a stickler for detail, and she made sure I knew any time the story left something out or changed a detail.

She spent the entire car ride home talking about the actors' choices, how the director nailed the theme, and how the movie version captured the characters she saw in her head well. I was just glad to take the look of defeat off her face from outside the signing. I felt helpless when the clerk told me about the cancellation and that the rescheduling was months away.

I knew what this trip was for Grace. Deacon had spent hours researching and hundreds of dollars on tickets and the hotel, not to mention the cash he tried to get Luca to give me. I gave all that back, spending the money I had left from my college fund on the food, gas, movie tickets, and concessions instead. She needed a pick-me-up to get her through until he got home.

I just hope it wasn’t a bad memory for her, and instead, she can see the good that came from it.

I tried to fix it.

When I spoke to Deacon in the packhouse after we returned, he was livid, threatening to burn down the bookstore for their role in it. I had to talk him off the ledge, and apparently, after we spoke, Grace told him about the trip and calmed him down in a way only she could.

Since returning, I had been so wrapped up in my new position and keeping in touch with Deacon while passing messages to Luca or Grace that I’d almost forgotten it was her actual birthday tomorrow.

So here I am, wandering the aisles of her favorite bookstore, looking for something to give her. After nearly an hour, I narrow it down to three options and set my pride aside as I walk to the front desk.

The bookstore's owner, Fran, is behind the register, crocheting some purple yarn. I know better than to guess what she is making because it all looks the same.

“Hi there, Fran,” I say, pulling her attention and getting her sweet, grandmotherly smile.

“Oh, Hello, Marcus. I wondered how long it would take you to ask me for help. Since she moved here eight years ago, Grace has been here at least twice a week, looking at or trading books. You can put those three back,” she says, nodding to the choices I’d come up with.

Pausing, I stare down at the books. I know for a fact she has mentioned two of these to me, and the third is the next in a series she was about to start. Also, my wolf doesn’t love being told what to do.

She senses my reservation and continues.

“It’s her birthday. The book you want is just past that bookshelf over there. Third level from the top. Dark green cover,” she says before going back to her needlework.

Setting the books I’m holding down, I walk where she instructed and quickly find the book she refers to. It's dark green, leatherbound, and gold embossed. The cover shows no title, but it's written on the spine.

Divine Comedy: written by Dante Alighieri.

Okay…

I bring the book to the register, confusion marring my face.

“I don’t understand. Why this book?” I ask, glancing down at my chosen stack and wondering if I should just go with what I have.

“I got that first edition reprint in mint condition four years ago. Grace knows she can’t afford it, but she goes by that shelf every time she comes in to see if it’s still here,” Fran says, and I think back to the few times I’ve come with her, remembering her always starting in that section.

“Why hasn’t Deacon bought it for her?” I ask out loud, though it was more a thought than a question for Fran.

“The Marlos aren’t welcome in my store,” she says, ringing up the order. “$187 even.”

Dang.

I pause for only a second before realizing it’s Grace. She deserves it, especially since she has waited for years. Cash changes hands, and I walk out of the store, excited to see her reaction.

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