The Wrath Walker (The Wrath Series Book 1) Matthew Newson (essential books to read TXT) 📖

they were all armed. I guess Joey was more cautious than I thought him to be, but that no longer mattered, for his end was rapidly approaching. While Joey and Brandon had their conversation at the to-go counter, Brandon had no idea that I was disguised as the old man that stood behind him. He even looked me in the eye when I asked if he was going to order, and he never knew who he was talking to. When those two strolled into the back to have their little heart-to-heart, I placed a very large wager with the young woman Joey left in charge, and the time had nearly come for me to collect on it.

As the day turned into night, and my watch ticked down to my eventual meeting with Joey, I looked on as he started to let his extra muscle go home as the closing time approached. I guess he thought Brandon’s warning was nothing but a hollow threat made by a disgruntled man. The doors closed at eleven-thirty and the time had come for me to make my move. I stepped out of the spirit realm into the darkened parking lot and morphed back into an old man. Since there was added security, I was sure Brandon told Joey of my trademarked look. I needed the disguise to complete my objective. If only the humans knew how many times they had talked to an angel disguised as another person, it would shatter their minds. I shuffled across the concrete in a baby-blue polo with khaki pants, and I more than looked the part with my shoes that needed Velcro to be tightened. I walked right through the to-go door without anyone taking a second look at me.

“Sorry old timer, but we’re closed,” Joey said to me as he stacked receipts on the counter.

“I won’t take long, young man, I just need to pick up my order from earlier today.” I held my receipt for him to see.

“We close at eleven thirty, sir. We’re closed. Come back tomorrow.” The last two large security guys walked up to me. They were nothing compared to the might I had been entrusted with.

“Those are some mighty fine suits you boys have on, and I’m not here to cause any trouble. I’m just an old man, and my watch says eleven twenty-eight, and my watch is never wrong. Please sir, I really need to collect my order.” I gave him a saddened face.

Joey stopped sorting receipts and ran his hand through his slicked-back hair as he looked at me with frustration. His two guards turned toward him. It appeared my sad old man routine had gotten to them, as the looks on their faces added to my plight.

“Fine, old timer, come here and let me see what you got.”

“Thank you, sir.” I looked at the two muscle-bound men to see if they’d let me past them. They nodded for me to go to the counter, and I shuffled my way to it.

“Hey boss, since this is your last customer, and there’s no one else in the parking lot can we call it a night? I mean we haven’t seen anyone come in all day with a red suit on,” one of the two guards said.

Joey took another look at me and shrugged and shook his head. “Yeah sure, I can take care of this guy, and it figures that jerk was lying before. I have to pay him a visit later about that story he told, and make sure he knows not to try and play any more games with me. Hey gramps, do you mind locking the door behind them as they leave?”

“I don’t mind at all, sir.” I was all too enthusiastic as I walked behind the two giants and told them good night.

Click.

“Okay pal, let’s see what you got. Bring your ticket over here.”

“Thank you, sir, I really need to pick up my ten large lasagnas.” I shuffled to the counter and, with a shaky hand, gave Joey my ticket. Ten large lasagnas actually meant I was picking up ten thousand dollars.

“Let’s see here,” Joey said as he quickly scanned my receipt. “That will be five large lasagnas you’re picking up today, sir. That’s not a bad take-home. That should feed you for a while. Give me a minute and I’ll get everything together for you.” He marked something on the ticket.

He was about to try and cheat an old man. It took a special kind of lowlife to do something like that without a shred of guilt or shame. I couldn’t believe he hadn’t made my list sooner than he had.

“Wait a second, I believe you’re mistaken about the amount. I should be getting back ten dollars, you see. It says it right there on the receipt.” I was polite as I pointed to the number on the receipt.

Joey stopped and glared at me. “I’m not mistaken, pops. You should get your eyes checked because your ticket is clearly marked for five large lasagnas. Just take a look for yourself.” He held up the ticket. He was right that it was marked at a lower wager because he had just marked it down himself when I handed him the ticket.

“I see that, but that’s the mark you just made on it. You’re trying to cheat me.”

“I’m not cheating you. It’s marked right here on your ticket, gramps. Now you can either take what I give you and go, or I can throw you out of here with nothing at all. It’s your choice, pops.”

“So that’s your game, huh? Cheat people because you don’t want to pay what you promised? Well, I’m not going to stand for it.”

“I’m warning you old man, take what I give or get out.”

“No. I’ll leave when I get what I came here for. Either you give me what’s rightfully mine, or I’m going to tell everyone in town that you’re nothing but a low-down, good-for-nothing cheater. Then let’s see how many