Page 45 of Secrets at Dawn
Augustus, or Gus, since that was what all his friends called him, nodded and jogged in place.
Toby closed the distance. “I don’t appreciate you hanging out outside my mate’s house.”
“When are you going to get rid of Ransome?”
“Tonight. When will I get the rest of my money? And an assurance that you won’t blackmail me again?”
“You’ll get your money. And there is no guarantee.” Wolf Dickwad grinned.
Toby leaned in and sniffed Wolf Dickwad. “Tell Bobby Ball I want to talk to him. Tomorrow, or I’ll go to the Magic Council and turn myself in.”
“Why not just teleport me off like you did Mark?”
Toby growled and shifted his eyes. “Do you know what it’s like watching your father die. I was a fucking child when Sibly’s friends killed him. I did what I had to do.”
Toby got inches from Wolf Dickwad’s face. “Remember that the next time you decide to camp out in front of my mate’s house. I protect what’s mine, Dickwad.”
Wolf Dickwad growled.
“Head out. Now. Before my mate wakes up.” Toby banged his hand against the car's top.
Wolf Dickwad didn’t like it. Toby could tell by the way he kept growling, but he did what Toby demanded.
As soon as he was gone, Toby jogged to the sidewalk where Gus waited.
“Is everything okay, Alpha?” Gus had called him Alpha just a couple of days into their budding friendship.
Toby smiled. “Everything is good.”
Everything was exactly how Toby needed it to be.
****
Toby still felt someone watching him. It was a good thing, considering he was pretending to stalk Kinnison. They had to make it look good, and they must have made good actors because the person watching him hadn’t come out of hiding yet. It was an unnerving experience, though. So unnerving, Toby had to wonder if he gave off some sort of nervous vibe.
Toby wasn’t as calm as he wanted Griffin to believe. He was so scared someone would get hurt. Toby just had to make sure that Griffin and his family stayed safe. The blackmailers were abunch of idiots. No doubt they would try and hurt Griffin, which would be the biggest mistake anyone could ever make.
Kinnison stood up and went into the bathroom, which was Toby’s cue to go inside the diner. Toby entered and made a beeline for the bathroom, trying to make it seem like he had to pee really badly before the server could seat him.
As soon as he entered, he saw Kinnison leaning against the wall.
“Let’s get this show on the road.” Kinnison sighed.
Toby nodded. “Where do you want to go?”
Kinnison scowled. “I don’t fucking care. So long as you bring me back here as soon as possible.”
“You don’t seem like a beach kind of guy.”
“Toby.” The warning in Kinnison’s tone made Toby growl because it sounded too much like a threat, and Toby’s wolf didn’t like it.
“Don’t put me even more on edge. My wolf is already freaked out enough.”
“I don’t like this either, kid. But this is the way we’re doing it. Just put me somewhere. The beach is fine. I’ll get a hotel room and chill.”
“Don’t use credit cards. Or your actual name. Nothing traceable.” The last thing Toby needed was the dickwads tracing Kinnison’s movements.
Kinnison shook his head and sighed. “I’m not an idiot, kid. I have a fake ID and cash. I’ll be fine long enough for you to have your meeting with Ball.”
