Page 116 of Penny For Your Thoughts
When he didn’t respond—odd since Tallus’s phone was attached to his hip—I connected a call.
“Hi, Diem. It’s me.” Darcy’s chipper tone stalled my response. First, why was he answering Tallus’s phone? Second, why did he sound excited? After leaving the two alone for the past two hours, I expected blood and tears and torn throats.
“Where the fuck is Tallus?” I figured if they were going to kill each other, Darcy wouldn’t stand a chance. Maybe I’d underestimated the kid.
“He’s driving. We’re tailing Luke. Isn’t it awesome? We’re totally going all 007 on him.”
“You’re what?”
“We were doing recon at his properties and—” The audio changed, and Darcy yelled from a distance, “Hey! I was talking.”
“Hey, D,” Tallus cooed. “Before you freak out—”
“I told you to fucking wait for me. What are you doing?”
“How was your meeting?”
“Tallus,” I growled.
“Okay. Relax. It wasn’t planned, and we aren’t 007ing him. We were scoping out Lukyan’s properties and happened to spot him pulling out of a U-Stor down the road. I couldn’t pass up the opportunity to follow him. Can you do me a favor?”
A low rumble started inside my chest. “Do not divert this conversation elsewhere. Where. Are you?” I said from between clamped teeth.
“Um… Best guess? I think we’re headed for Brampton. I need your magic tongue and a bit of role-playing in my life right now. Can you deliver? I’ll reward you handsomely.”
“Gross,” Darcy said in the background.
“What the fuck are you talking about?”
“Lukyan must rent a storage unit at the U-Stor down the street from his property in Mississauga. I don’t know the address, but I need you to look it up and go there. Pay attention. Are you paying attention?”
“Tallus.”
He continued as though I hadn’t spoken. “Don’t go in right away. Park on the street or something. Call and tell them you’re Lukyan. You were just there and had problems with your key. Tell them you’re worried your unit isn’t properly locked and ask them to send someone to double-check. You’d do it yourself, but you’re heading out of town and can’t turn around. Be your usual charming and surly self. Complain about all the money you pay them and suggest you will change facilities if they make you go back to do it yourself.”
“Tallus—”
“Hear me out, Guns. Then, I want you to—Fuck shit damn! Get down, get down,” he shouted, and I suspected the demand wasn’t for me. I also suspected Tallus’s tailing skills needed work.
“Jesus fucking Christ. What are you—”
“Hang on, Guns. I have a situation.”
I fisted the steering wheel as I bit back a caustic reply. The parking lot had emptied out. The other AA members had disbursed. I had the urge to drive but didn’t know what direction to take, so I fucking waited—not patiently—for my boyfriend to sort out whatever shit was going on.
“You could have warned me,” Tallus snarked. Again, I didn’t think he was talking to me.
“Is it safe?” Darcy asked.
“Yes. D, are you still there?”
“What is happening?”
“Nothing. We’re fine. Where was I? Oh, right. So, make the call, then wait until whoever is working at the office comes out. They should be going to check Lukyan’s unit. Then, pull in and wave the guy down before he goes too far. This is where those fabulous acting skills will come in handy.”
“I’m not a fucking actor, and you know it.”
“Have I taught you nothing?”
