Page 18 of Greed

“Is it just me, or is everyone staring at us today?” she asked as a car slowed, and the passenger glared at her. What was everyone’s problem?

“What? Oh, no, I hadn’t really noticed. I mean, it is the city. You tend to get odd things happening on the regular.”

“This is true,” she said as they reached the bus stop.

The bus driver had been reluctant to let a dog the size of a pony on her bus, but when Toby licked her hand and laid his head on her lap, she laughed and agreed. Toby had that effect on most people. He was a suck magnet.

As they neared the location of the race, it was easy to tell something big was happening. Balloons in bright blue and green lined the route and created a massive arch over the finish line. One of the local radio stations had agreed to play music, and you could hear the upbeat tunes before they exited at their stop. There were long lines of people waiting all over the place to either get signed up, grab a free T-shirt, or purchase memorabilia.

A warm fuzziness enveloped her as she walked toward the ever-growing crowd. “Isn’t this great?” Minetta looked over at Penny, but she was staring around like she was looking for the Boogeyman to jump out at her. “Are you alright? You’re looking a little tense?”

A smile that didn’t reach Penny’s eyes spread across her face. “Just amazed is all. This is a lot of people.”

“Are you nervous of crowds?”

“No, nothing like that.” Penny looked over her shoulder, and Minetta followed her stare but didn’t see anything out of the ordinary.

“If you’ve changed your mind about volunteering, it’s completely fine. I’ll understand if you’re not comfortable?”

“I’m good, I swear. I’m just odd. I have odd moments.” Penny made a weird face, and Minetta laughed hard.

“You really are, but you’re also the best friend anyone could ask for. Thanks for coming. It means a lot.” Minny grabbed Penny’s hand and gave it a squeeze. Penny stared at her, a shimmer of a tear in her eye. “Oh, don’t go getting all emotional on me. This is a fun day. We’re here to raise some money, eat junk food from those food trucks, and I know you’re going to love ogling the guys in their shorts with no shirts.” Minetta smiled and wrapped her arm around her friend’s shoulder as she led her toward the volunteer entrance.

There was definitely something bothering Penny, but that was fine if she wasn’t ready to share. She’d be here whenever she was. She realized that she didn’t really know much about Penny’s past, especially when it came to her family or friends before she moved here from Oregon. Maybe it was the name Michael that had given her pause, maybe something had happened to her, and that had been the guy’s name. Goodness, if she triggered her friend accidentally, she’d feel terrible.

Minetta hated the idea of someone hurting her friend. In fact, if that was the case and someone had, she would be livid. She didn’t care about herself but no one messed with her friends and family.

Toby nudged her hand, and she looked down at him and smiled. Or dog—never mess with a girl’s dog.

I yawned as I pulled the Valkyrie into the underground parking of the office building. The triathlon’s finish line was right outside the office doors. I’d been wise enough to open the thousand-plus spots for competitors to park—for a ridiculous amount of money, of course.

“Sir,” the valet said as I got out of the shining silver vehicle and stretched. It had been a late and very fun night indeed, but I’d only got an hour’s sleep and was paying the price now. I never had this issue in Heaven or even Hell, but here on Earth, we Fallen had reduced powers, and we actually had to eat and sleep on a regular basis. Seriously, it was almost annoying as my dick standing on its own accord.

Reaching in the car, I grabbed the duffel bag and then let the valet take the car to my special spot. I’d had one spot made for myself that was three times as wide as a normal one and had a protective median round the spot’s edge. I wasn’t taking any chances that my beautiful baby would get scratched by some reckless minivan driver.

The street was already thriving with activity. One thing I never understood was why all the sins didn’t park themselves among the throngs of humans and wait to soak up all their sin’s energy. I mean, look at this whole event. Spectators were sitting in the stupid-looking fold-up chairs with armfuls of food and beer, already drunk, and the triathlon hadn’t even begun.

There were couples unsuccessfully hiding in alleys fucking against walls while others took advantage of the large group and loud noise to fight with one another. Every single sin was proudly on display. I puffed out my chest as I took in all our hard work. Our presence alone was addictive and influential to the hairless cats without tails.

It was a ten-minute walk to get to the starting area for the swim, the first event of the three. Shilo arrived early to ensure I didn’t have to wait in line. “Sir, these are for you,” he said and held out the blue-colored sticker as I approached him.

“Did they have my number?”

“Yes, Sir, I ensured that you would have your favorite number, 666,” Shilo said. “May I take your bag, Sir?”

“Sure.” I peeled the sticker from its paper backing and pressed it against my Jammer swim shorts, and then turned to head to the starting line. “Shilo?” I turned back to look at the old fallen angel. “Thanks.”

The corners of his mouth turned up slightly as he bowed his head. “It is my pleasure, Sir.”

The sand was already hot as it squished between my toes, relaxing me. I made sure to stand at the front of the line and ignored the annoying humans. There was the odd demon kicking about, but I was surrounded by the insects that Father loved for the most part. It was fun to beat them in their little competitions. Besides, I knew it would be a small pinprick in my Father’s side that I purposely set out to make his precious humans look stupid and prove that they truly were the inferior species.

“Hi,” a female voice said, and I looked to see who had dared to speak to me. A girl with colorful pigtails and a matching outfit stood beside me. “Such a beautiful day for a triathlon. I try to do at least two a month, how about you?”

“I suppose it is, and no, I don’t have the time,” I said flatly and turned my eyes back toward the dark blue water.

“Um, did you want to maybe…” She started, and I cut her off.

“No, I don’t, but if you require servicing, you can make arrangements for one of my Wednesdays.”