“He’s early,” one of them complained to Grant, pointing to Algernon. “He interrupted my lunch. Can I eat him?”
“No, I don’t want to deal with you puking in the car all the way back,” Grant said firmly.
“You can’t associate with him!” Algernon cried shrilly. “I know who you are! You’re Grant Bronson! This man was barred from your pack!”
“This man was barred from theHidden Hills Pack,” Grant said calmly. “Hello. I’m Grant Bronson, newly appointed Alpha of the Crescent Moon Pack. As Alpha of the Crescent Moon Pack, I am not bound by Hidden Hills laws. My brother and me, we can hang out and party all day long. These days, we frequently do. He’s introduced me to a dive bar called the Watering Hole with surprisingly delicious beer. “
Grant, the expert at ferreting out legal loopholes, had also found out that while Cliff and his family couldn’t visit Austin directly or go to his house, they could visit Grant’s new pack any time they wanted. And if Austin was there visiting Grant at the same time Cliff and his family were there, there was nothing the Elders could do about it.
Grant shoved the envelope into Algernon’s hand. “Paid in full,” he said.
Algernon ripped the envelope open. He looked at the money order nestled inside. His face turned purple with rage.
“You…you’re giving charity to these…these beggars?” he screeched.
Grant shook his head. “There’s no charity. They grow a very valuable strain of the Somnorus herb on their property. I’m going into business with them, to manufacture and distribute it. This money represents my down payment to them.”
“And now,” Laurel added, stepping forward, “get thefuckoff my lawn and don’t ever come back, you little asshole.”
There was a universal gasp from her family. And then they started clapping. And then they started cheering.
“Mom! Mom! Mom!” they chanted in ragged unison. Jessamine smacked Anthony on the arm. “You’re an honorary Orman, derp-face. Chant!” she ordered him, and he joined them, pumping his fist in the air. “Mom! Mom! Mom!”
Laurel reached into her purse and pulled out two five-dollar bills. “Go put these in the swear jar, dear,” she said to Jessamine. “I am very ashamed of myself for setting such a bad example. I hope I haven’t steered you down a path from which you can never return.” But her eyes were twinkling with happiness.
She’d listened to Roy’s suggestion about the swear jar. Jessamine probably lost ten percent of her wages to it, which made her curse even more.
Algernon stamped on the ground in rage.
The family turned and filed back into the restaurant to finish eating. The last they saw, Algernon was punching his bodyguards and screaming at the top of his lungs.
