Page 14 of Surging Reef
“I ran. I don’t think they noticed me, but I figured I had to get to the car before they went to check it out.”
“Good call.” Ashby checked the mirrors—nothing. Then he pushed the seat back so he could sit more comfortably.
“Where are we going?”
Kazimir opened the backpack and brought out his phone, which he plugged in. Then he tapped the little screen on the dashboard, and a map became visible. The destination was set to home.
“We need to stop and fix the seat belts.”
“Seat belts?”
He fiddled with his, strapped himself in, and held up a harness. “Pharos seatbelt.”
Oh…Ashby checked the rearview mirror. Pharos was curled up on the backseat, but he guessed it wasn’t great to have a dog loose in the car. “Let’s go for a bit longer.”
“As long as you don’t hit anything or get pulled over by the cops.”
Ashby smiled at him. “Relax.”
He took his own advice and blew out a breath. His shoulders dropped, and he rolled his head.
He was free.
Chapter 7
Kazimir woke to someone shaking him.
“Hey, sleeping beauty, I think we’re here.”
He forced his eyes open and stared at Ashby. The sun had risen while he’d been sleeping, and he saw Ashby in daylight for the first time. The flashlight hadn’t done him justice. He was an attractive man, had the whole tall, dark, and handsome thing going.
“Can you be out in the sunlight?” Fuck, what if he’d burn now that the sun was up?
“Yeah, sunlight is fine, as is garlic and religious symbols. You can take my picture too if you want, and I show up in mirrors.”
“But you’re allergic to silver. Wait, are you a werewolf?”
Ashby huffed. “We’re here. Your first wish has been fulfilled.”
Kazimir looked around. Yup, they were parked outside his little townhouse, and Alan Anderson from next door was glaring at them from his driveway. Fucker. Kazimir couldn’t wait until he’d be able to buy his lighthouse and be far, far away from neighbors. He grinned and waved, which had the fucker turn away and show Kazimir his back.
“Charming.” Ashby’s tone was droll.
“If you want to eat someone, I bet he’s tasty.”
Ashby grinned. “Is it your second wish?”
“Nah, I have to think for a bit.” He undid his seat belt. “Want to come inside? I need to log in at work.”
“You need to eat, drink, and rest.”
His words shouldn’t make Kazimir go all warm and fuzzy, but they did. It had been a long time since anyone had cared. “I’ll eat and drink while I work.”
Ashby looked as if he wanted to object, but Kazimiropened the door and ended the conversation. He went to unhook Pharos and carried him to the tiny patch of grass in front of the stairs. It needed mowing. All the others kept their patches in mint condition, but who cared about a miniature lawn? Last year, he’d tried to turn it into a meadow with wildflowers—it was better for pollinators, after all—but the neighbors had ganged up on him and demanded he cut it.
“Nice place.” Ashby looked up at the white three-story building. Itwasa nice building, but Kazimir didn’t like it here.
“I inherited it. It was my mom’s, and when she passed, five, almost six, years ago, I moved in. I figured I could live here while looking for my dream place instead of paying rent to some landlord, but the neighbors suck.”
