Ruffskin Read Free Page B

seen him," Johnnie said.  "I think his delivery job was authentic. Slender—too slender for a wolf, really. Short hair, I could see none of it beneath that cap. Shy, nervous." He made a face. "If I go in there and ask, they will tell me everything they think I want to hear."
    Nodding in agreement, Grim said, "Do not move so much as a finger while I'm gone, Johnnie. I'm serious. If you move one toe out of place, I will tie you to the bed—and you won't enjoy it," he added when Johnnie started to smirk.
    "I managed just fine by myself before I was saddled with a babysitter," Johnnie said, annoyed. "I think you've gotten worse since openly sleeping with me."
    Grim only smirked. "Hold still." He shook Johnnie briefly in warning and went inside the building. Johnnie leaned against the wall and rolled his eyes, and then settled on glaring at the rain and going over what little information they had.
    Though ordinarily he was thrilled by a mystery, this one had nearly gotten Peyton killed. Peyton, who had already suffered enough and just wanted to be left alone to enjoy his bar and quiet life. Peyton obviously still carried a torch for the alpha's son he had left behind—a man who had bought Peyton an eight thousand dollar watch. Who was trying to reach Peyton, and who was probably the reason Peyton had nearly died, and had murdered another high ranking wolf.
    Johnnie's scowl deepened while his mind raced. Time, he felt, was slipping away, and they could not afford to lose much more of it. Where could Hudson be? Why go to all the trouble to give Peyton an old present only to bolt?
    To say goodbye, Johnnie realized in the next moment. If he had really attacked, and possibly killed, his mother, then Pack Blue would be after him with a vengeance. Blue was no doubt long tired of losing leaders, especially those killed by fellow Blue. For a son to kill his mother…
    Hudson no doubt felt, and not incorrectly, that his days were numbered. Something must have scared or tipped him, however, that he dared to reach out to Peyton to say goodbye before… what? Was he going to run away somewhere else? What had changed things?
    He looked up at the sound of footsteps and smiled at Grim. "Well?"
    "They recognized him, said he was here to finish up his paperwork and finally get full citizenship just a few days ago. He's always wearing his uniform:  a gray polo with a winged foot and sunburst logo. Fleetfoot Deliveries. They gave me his home address, but I can tell you right now it's bogus."
    Johnnie nodded and pushed off the wall. "That is not surprising. So let us go visit his place of employment; I guarantee they have some sort of authentic address."
    Once they arrived at Fleetfoot Deliveries headquarters, however, Johnnie once more was forced to wait outside, after being strongly admonished by Grim to hold still again, while Grim went inside to extract answers.
    After nearly two hours of waiting, Grim reappeared. "Got it," he said. "You owe me big time for that hassle. I don't think even you are as stubborn as those bastards."
    "Is that a challenge?" Johnnie asked.
    Grim reached out and pinched his nose. "No, it was not. If you try to make it one, we will go right back to tying you up in ways you won't enjoy, brat."
    Johnnie laughed and pressed a kiss to the corner of Grim's mouth. "So where are we going?"
    "Not too far from the Bremen, actually. The really, really bad part of town." He took hold of Johnnie and they vanished, reappearing in yet another part of the city.
    Johnnie regarded the dilapidated looking apartment building, and then looked over his shoulder at the familiar building across the street. He smiled at Grim, sweet and razor sharp. "Such fond memories, babysitter. I really should have figured out when you walked over the cage that trapped me."
    "But you didn't," Grim said smugly.
    I really do not think you need to get cocky," Johnnie replied. "Not with your stalker tendencies, your lying, and do not think I have forgotten