Page 27 of Claimed By The Orc

“Tanner?”

It took me a moment to recognize the frazzled voice on the other end of the line as the part-timer, Mike.

“Mike, what’s up?”

“I’m sorry to call you on your day off, but, um, I need help.”

I was already disentangling myself from Mahk and searching for my clothes even as I was frowning. I had no idea what he could possibly need help with, but he sounded frantic, and I knew Mike pretty well. He was a decent guy and reliable. He’d never called before, so I had no doubt if he was, there was a reason.

“There’s a group of people here. Campers from the city. They’re fucking pissed, and I’m pretty sure they’re high too. They’re claiming I’m ripping them off or some shit and demanding to speak to the manager.”

What the fuck? “They realize it’s a fucking gas station in a town with less than a 1000 people, right?”

Mike didn’t laugh. “They won’t leave. They already knocked down the chip display and are now opening all the sodas and dumping them on the floor. I called the owner before they escalated and he said to call you. After the call went to voicemail. The sheriff, well you know how he is, I don’t think he took me too seriously and I don’t know if he’s gonna bother showing up. and. I—fuck, I’m kinda freaking out here.”

“Fucking hell. Listen. Go lock yourself in the back room. Your safety is more important than whatever damage those assholes do. I’ll be right there.”

“Thanks.” Behind him, I heard a woman screaming at the top of her lungs while a man’s voice cursed loudly.

I hung up and looked toward Mahk. He was also already dressed and had activated the bangle to look human.

“I’m sorry,” I told him, upset that our conversation had been interrupted.

Mahk grinned and flashed his fancy blade. “That’s okay. This sounds fun.”

Why was that so hot? I gave him a quick kiss. “No killing anyone please.”

Mahk batted his eyes. The little fucker. “How about some light maiming?”

I almost laughed out of pure shock. “Mahk . . .” I fixed him with a look my mom would be proud of.

Mahk pouted, a full-on puppy-dog pout. “Fiiiine. But if they come for you, I make no promises.”

I could live with that compromise. I pecked his lips quickly. Mom’s door to her room was still closed, so I quickly left her a note that I had to run to work and then we were heading toward the door.

Mahk seemed satisfied and hummed to himself as followed me. He didn't even complain when I went for the truck. It was broad daylight, so we couldn’t do the piggyback thing, and I didn’t want to take the time to walk.

Once he was in the passenger seat, I reached over and took his hand, kissing it gently. “C’mon, let’s go take care of some asshole Karens.”

CHAPTER 14

TANNER

Itore out of the neighborhood while I stabbed the number for the police station into my phone.

“Destiny Sheriff's Department,” a young woman’s voice said cheerfully.

“Hi, Marcy, it’s Tanner. Is Sheriff Johnson in?”

“Hi Tanner!” She responded brightly. How did a person raised by Sherrif Johnson, arguably the grumpiest person in Destiny, possibly all Maryland, turn out so cheery all the time, I had no fucking clue. But she had always been like that, even when we were kids. “Yes, he’s right here at his desk. Would you like to speak to him?’

Mahk eyed me curiously, but I just shook my head slightly. I’d explain later.

“Hello?” The man grunted once he was on the line.

“Sheriff Johnson, this is Tanner from the convenience store.” Technically, the place had a name, but no one ever used it, and somewhere along the lines, even the sign disappeared.

“Pagely,” he deadpanned my last name, “Why can I do it for you?” Annoyance dripped from his tone.

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