Page 172 of Beneath the Blue Moon

“Fine.Later.”

I watch him walk off, stopping to speak with Joe.The othermen watch him with expressions of awe and envy.That’s right, boys, take agood look.That’swhat a real man looks like.After he drives off,they turn their gazes to me.I smile to myself, knowing what they’re thinking.I couldn’t care less.I proudly stand before them, a thoroughly fucked,thoroughly loved, thoroughly in love, thoroughly happy woman.

By the time Sam arrives, I’m a wreck trying to figure outwhat the surprise could be.

“Where are we going?”I ask.

“Billings.”

“I knowthat.What are we going to do there?”

“I can’t tell you.”

“Why?”

“I received very strict orders.”

“Come on, you can tell me.I won’t say anything.”

“Sorry.No can do.”

I roll my eyes, pouting in annoyance.“Fine.”

I sit and stew for a few minutes, but how can I be annoyedwith him?He’s only following orders.I spend the next hour learning all aboutSam, who will forever be known in my head as Heracles.He tells me about histime in the military and growing up in Canid.

“And how long were you tailing me?”

He jerks his head toward me in shock.I wasn’t sure, butthat action just convinced me.

“Tailing you?What do you mean?”

“It was no coincidence that you and Brad happened to be inthe parking lot.And I’m willing to bet that it was the two of you…thatnight.”

He takes a deep breath and looks out the window.Tapping hisfinger on the steering wheel nervously, he turns back to me.

“Since the last week of June.”

“Huh.”It’s kind of nice knowing someone’s been looking outfor me.Who knows what would have happened to me if they hadn’t been there?“Thankyou.”

Nervousness turns to surprise and confusion; I guess heexpected me to flip out.He relaxes and gives me a bright smile, his blue eyestwinkling.

“You’re welcome.”

We pull up to the curb, and he parks in front of a store—GrandDesign.I step out, looking around curiously when he opens my door.

“Is this where we’re going?”I ask.“It’s closed.”

With a cheeky smile, he leads me to the entrance and knocks.Through the glass, I see a woman approaching, a huge smile on her face.Unlockingthe door, she opens it wide.She’s a wolf.She’s older, though I can’t reallyguess her age, with long, black hair pulled back into a ponytail and large,brown eyes.Her lips are covered with purple lipstick, eyelids painted with amatching shade.She’s tall, maybe six feet, but she has a nice body.

“Casey!Come in.”

I take her outstretched hand, giving her a polite smile.

“Madelaine Russo,” she continues.“I’m the owner of GrandDesign.”

“Nice to meet you.”

“It’s lovely to meet you.Ethan can’t stop talking about you.”