I located a novelty store, and after snooping around for a half hour, found a long plastic chain and a leather collar. Ideas for my next performance were bubbling, but I hadn’t quite figured out how to tie it all together. When I discovered costumes in a back room, I practically threw my money at the store clerk.

Bags in hand, I happily stepped onto the cracked sidewalk and caught a cool breeze that ruffled my hair. As I approached my car, which was parked off the main street, my pace slowed to a stop.

Someone had slashed my tires. I walked to the other side of my car and realized they had slashed all four of them. Annoyed, I looked up and down the street, wondering why no one had seen it and called the police. I pondered calling them myself, just so I could flirt with a man in uniform. We didn’t involve humans in our business, but I sure loved any opportunity to interact with the men in blue.

A loud engine roared in my direction and a gunmetal-grey Camaro screeched to a stop. “Get in, kitty cat.” Wheeler draped his tatted arm across the car door.

Was this a joke? If Austin had sent Wheeler to act as my bodyguard, then I was just going to have to—

“Whoever sliced up your tires still has a big knife, and now you don’t have a ride. I suggest you get in before I change my mind.”

I narrowed my eyes and walked toward him like a woman who had just caught her lover cheating with another woman. How was a man like him going to protect me? Wheeler came from Planet Asshole and didn’t even like women! I pulled open the heavy door, tossed my bags in the back, and got in. Before I had a chance to buckle up, his foot dropped onto the gas pedal like a stone and we took off.

“Is this how you normally pick up women?” I said, struggling to buckle my seatbelt.

“Look, I’m not about cloak and daggers,” he began. “Austin told me to watch you like a Peeping Tom, but that ain’t how this is going down. I chased the asshole who slashed your tires, but halfway up the street, I realized that might have been a diversion to get me away from you. And then I return to find your dumb ass hanging out in the street by the car, practically saying Take me! I’m all yours!” he said in a feminine voice, wiggling his fingers.

I removed a small clock that was adhered to his dash and tossed it out the window.

The car lurched. “What the hell did you do that for?” he snarled.

Cool air swirled through my hair and I leisurely straightened the wrinkles on my dress. “Each time you speak to me in that manner, I’m going to punish you, be it destroying something personal or striking you with my hand. But I won’t allow any man to berate me in such a patronizing tone. If Austin chose you, then I trust his judgment. But keep in mind your Packmaster wouldn’t approve if he found out you were harassing his mate’s best friend.”