Page 25 of Perfectly Leashed
“Deal.”
Walking toward the open bay doors, Luca could hear Lenny’s radio playing classic rock and the familiar sounds of tools on metal. Normal workday noise that felt good after yesterday’s violence.
But as they got closer, something felt off. The hair on his arms prickled, wolf senses picking up tension in the air.
Parked across the street was a police cruiser, Deputy Gilmore sitting behind the wheel with his usual scowl.
“Problem?” Darcy asked, following his gaze.
“Maybe.” Luca kept his voice casual, but his wolf paced restlessly. Cops hanging around after yesterday’s shooting meant questions he didn’t want to answer. “Just checking on my guy.”
He called out to Lenny and got a wave in return. Everything looked normal, but Gilmore’s presence set his teeth on edge.
Luca slipped his phone from his pocket and texted Matias.
Pork bellies rising this morning. Got Boo Peep and four furballs under my wing. Need really good bloodsucker before I go belly up. He dropped a pin on his location.
“We should keep moving,” he told his lucerito. “Dogs are getting restless.”
As they walked away, Luca caught Gilmore’s reflection in a storefront window, the deputy's cold stare following their every step.
“If I’m arrested, I want you to go directly to Sin’s, got it?”
Darcy looked wide-eyed at him. “Why would you be arrested?” he whispered.
“My gut tells me it’s about yesterday.” Luca glanced in Carver’s Hardware storefront window, and just as he suspected, Gilmore was still on his heels. “I think the cops are going to pin it on me.”
“Pin what?” Darcy kept his voice low. “You were the one who was shot.”
Luca adjusted his grip on Atlas’s leash as the Great Dane tried to investigate a fire hydrant. “Don’t know.” He was positive the five dead hyenas had been cleared away. All the cops had, at most, was a report of gunfire. But Luca wanted his pack there for Darcy and the dogs if Gilmore made his move. The deputy wouldn’t be following him if the prick didn’t have something on him or planned to pin something on him.
“I’m scared,” Darcy admitted when Luca handed over Atlas’s and Jimbo’s leashes.
“I know, baby, and I’m sorry this is going down with you here. Just remember, keep your body relaxed and they’ll obey.” His legs moved in a measured rhythm, one after the other, giving the impression he was simply out for a leisurely stroll with his boyfriend and pets.
“How am I supposed to stay relaxed when we got a cop following us?”
Luca was surprised his lucerito had figured that out. “Just get the dogs away. I don’t want one of them biting the deputy trying to protect either of us.”
Gilmore’s steps were nearly silent, but each one landed with unbearable weight. He was about to arrest Luca before the pack arrived. A few seconds later, the deputy’s voice interrupted the quiet morning. “Luca Alfaro, turn around and keep your hands out where I can see them.”
Darcy moved the dogs a few feet away.
Arms out, hands splayed, Luca slowly turned, snarling when he saw the Glock aimed at his chest. “What’s this about, Gilmore?”
“That’s Deputy Gilmore. Up against the building.” The dogs started barking and lunging when Gilmore shoved Luca against the rough brick, using his injured shoulder to make sure he cooperated.
“Take the dogs to the shop,” Luca told Darcy. “Now.”
Atlas and Jimbo were straining against their leashes, forcing Darcy to wrap the leashes around his arm. If they didn’t calm down, they would break free and bite the asshole.
“Siéntate!” Luca said forcefully, knowing they needed a sharp command. The dogs were anxious, worried about him and ready to attack Gilmore for touching him.
All four sat but whimpered. Darcy unraveled the leashes but kept a firm grip on them.
“Pretty neat trick,” Gilmore commented then read Luca his rights as he cuffed him. The pendejo yanked his arms back, causing Luca’s shoulder to flare with pain.
“No me importa la regla que me dio mi alfa sobre la policía. Toca a mi elegido y te arrancaré el corazó, puto.” The epiphany left Luca reeling. How could he have been so blind to the truth staring him in the face?
