Chapter Forty-Seven
“So are we off the team?” Sinc’s nose looked almost normal again, with just a little swelling. She and Sasha were on the basement couch together and his long fingers were playing distractedly with her dark hair. William and Heinrich were back at the pool table, trying to act inconspicuous.
“No, of course not. I’m not angry with either of you. Sasha told me honestly there was an attraction, and you’re both adults. Apparently, you also told Jackie what was going on with you and Ethan. I’m only disappointed in the way you handled it. I’m faced now with the fact that Ethan may not want to stay on the team, or may have trouble coping if he does.
“Whatever the end result, I’m calling a team meeting for tomorrow at 10 p.m., and that includes Rob if he’s around and even Bridgett. If Ethan is still with us, then I want you two to cut out any behavior that could be hurtful to him. You will act professionally at all times or I’ll come up with some really entertaining assignments for you. Entertaining for me, not you.” I looked at Sinc. “I think you should go home, since Kyle and Ethan have left already.”
“I’m all packed up. I was just waiting until Ethan had finished at my house.”
I looked at Sasha. “Monday, Aaron’s weres will start building the Vamp Villa as Jackie calls it. Tomorrow night I’ll have a copy of the plans so you can look it over and pick out your rooms or suggest any ‘improvements’ you’d want to make. The entire house will be set up like my room, with metal shades that cover the windows during daylight hours.
“Will you tell us what happened to Jackie, while she was a prisoner?” Sinc’s gaze held a deep concern. She didn’t seem to be holding any grudges.
“I can’t. She’ll have to tell you herself. It was bad, I can tell you that much. But she does have one very interesting bit of news to share with all of you at the meeting tomorrow night.”
“I’ll be going now, but I’ll see everyone tomorrow. Thank you, Garrett.” Sinc got up and when Sasha made a move to follow her she shook her head and turned away.
Sasha watched her walk up the stairs. “Looks like the honeymoon is over.” He smiled and shrugged.
“Garrett, when will Bridgett be back?” William looked a little anxious. “She’s okay, isn’t she?”
“Yes, she’s fine. She found the exact spot where Kennet was keeping Jackie. She even jumped him and tried to rip his throat out when she was in cheetah form.” They chuckled. “It was something to see, all right. Yesterday, she officially apologized to the fae prisoners for what happened with her father, so now that’s all behind her.”
“Great, thanks.” Will’s shoulders relaxed..
I sent to Will, “You remember what I told you about taking it slow. She’s leaving in a week. She could be gone for two years.”
“I understand. I’m not going to do anything stupid…Dad.” He smiled as I laughed and nodded at him. The change in William was quite remarkable. He was filling out as he continued to exercise—no longer the pathetic creature Eleanor had kept all skin and bones. His confidence had grown, as well as his sense of fun. He’d actually made a joke—not something I’d ever have imagined happening a few months ago.
I relaxed back in my chair and scanned their faces. “Now that the Kennet crisis is averted, we’re going to get busy. There’s a stack of requests from people who need the team’s help. I’ll sort through them tomorrow afternoon, then we’ll discuss the ones with top priority at the meeting tomorrow night.”
“I can help with that.” Sasha stared at me intently, waiting for me to say ‘no thanks’. But I’d chosen him as my second and he’d handled himself well while I was gone, with the exception of agreeing to Sinc’s ridiculous let-me-hurt–Ethan-so-he-doesn’t-want-me-anymore plan.
“Thank you, Sash. I want you involved. I’m also going to ask you to continue training Jackie, Will and even Bridgett when she’s around. Maybe at some point, Kyle could come in and work with you. His inventions are pretty cool, actually.”
“Sure.” Sasha looked relieved and a little bit excited, although he’d never admit to it.
“Rick, how are you doing these days?”
Heinrich, cocked an eyebrow and said, “Bored, Garrett, if you want to know the truth. I could have helped with Kennet.”
“I thought about it, but I needed you here protecting the shifters. I’ve been thinking about starting a security business. There’s always a need for protection. Maybe you and Sasha could run it together as equal partners. You could recruit some of Aaron’s weres or other vamps as long as they follow the rules. I’ll put up the seed money and then stay out of it, unless there’s a serious problem. The business would be all yours. I might need to hire your services on occasion myself.”
Judging by their expressions, Sasha and Heinrich were counting up the money already. The more self-reliant they became; the sooner I could let them go off on their own. Of course their independence was contingent on them sticking to the oaths they’d made never to kill or harm an innocent. I would never unleash another Eleanor or Antoine on the world.
“Let’s concentrate on getting some clients for Rogues, Inc. first. Some of the requests on my desk are specifically for security, so Sasha and I will look them over and we’ll make a list of people for you guys to call.” Heinrich nodded. “I’m going out. I’ll be back in an hour.” I headed out to one of my donors, feeling good about what we’d discussed.