Page 35 of August

“Some shifters get wrapped up in the laws and in being alpha,” Atticus said. “They crave the power and the obedience of their people.” He shrugged. “I’ve never known someone to take out their family like that, but you might remember that Joss’s brother tried to kill him and Jeanie to take over.”

“Power corrupts, right?” Zane asked.

“It certainly can.”

“Hey, you’ll let me know in advance if you decide to go on a family-murder spree, right?” Zane asked, his brows high.

Atticus made a face at his son and then rested his hand on August’s shoulder. “Ignore him.”

“I usually do,” August quipped.

“Hey!” Zane said.

Atticus grinned. “We’ve got your back and Ginny’s too. I’ll meet you tomorrow at ten-thirty in the employee cafeteria so she can be settled by eleven when the park opens.”

August nodded and thanked his friend and alpha again, then he headed back inside. Ginny was still asleep, her chest rising and falling evenly along with the soft sound of her breathing deeply. She was so beautiful and so very much his. Although the last week had been crazy and frightening at times, he was glad they were together.

Once they got her grandfather to swear to leave her in peace, they could move on with their lives. Working together to restore the carousel and making a life together.

He’d keep her safe no matter what. It was the only thing that mattered.

The following morning after he made her breakfast in bed, they made their way to the employee cafeteria where Atticus, Lucius, and Jupiter were waiting.

“Morning, guys,” August said. “Thanks for this.”

“Hey, if one of us is in danger, we all are,” Lucius said.

Jupiter nodded. “Lucius is going to be in the main part of the security office with you today. Justus will be watching the monitors as usual, and I’ve got a setup in the other office. The doors will be locked at all times, so patrons will have to buzz to be let in, which will allow us to control who enters.”

“Sounds good,” August said. “Ready, sweetheart?”

“Yeah. I hope…what if I mess up and I don’t recognize someone?”

“You just do your best,” Atticus said. “That’s all we’re asking. If you miss someone, if your grandfather has recruited people you don’t know, then it’s out of your hands.”

She nodded and inhaled before blowing out a slow breath. “I’m ready.”

August took her hand and they walked out of the building with the others, straight to the security office. Lucius unlocked the door and let them in.

“I’ll be around,” Jupiter said. “I’ve got Amadeus and Benjamin coming for the first shift to stand here at the front and back of the building. Good luck.”

Atticus nodded at them and left with Jupiter. August and Ginny walked into the security office, and Lucius pulled the front door shut. He could hear the automatic lock engage. He was fairly sure the lock wouldn’t stop someone from getting into the building if they were inclined to use force to do so, but it would give them time to prepare in the event it happened.

Justus walked into the room where he would be watching the security feeds for the entire park, while Lucius took them into the other room and tapped one of two desk chairs in front of a bank of monitors. August and Ginny sat and faced the monitors while he explained what was on each one.

“You can focus on this one,” he said to Ginny. “We’ve only got two gate entrance lines for the time being, so this split screen shows each one and you’ll be able to see everyone as they come into the park. It’s a weekday, so we don’t expect it to be too busy, plus the temperature is dropping and we don’t have as many people coming to the park in the fall and winter as we do in the spring and summer. If you see someone you recognize, click the mouse and it will freeze the screen. You can also rewind and forward as needed.”

“Okay, thanks, Lucius.”

“You’re welcome. Holler if you need me, I’ll be at the front counter.”

August was going to watch the screens with Ginny, not because he would recognize a jackal if he saw one, but because he wasn’t about to leave her on her own.

He faced her, then turned her chair so she was facing him.

“You look so worried, Ginny.” He took her hands, which were cold, and held them.

“I am. I’m worried that you’ll never feel like I’m safe, I’m worried that I’ll never really feel safe topside, and I’m mainly worried about how intrusive all this stuff is to the park and people who live here. It’s just so much.”