Chapter 26 #2
Sam turned to a second folder on his desk.
“Then there’s Abdul Kettering. His mage friends have been making waves in Germany as well as here in the States.
I read the recent activity as probes. They’re testing boundaries, measuring responses.
When they’re ready to make another real move, it won’t be subtle. ”
The air in the room seemed to thicken. Gavin leaned forward, bracing his elbows on his knees. “So what’s our play?”
“My play,” Sam corrected, his tone quiet but absolute. “As head of Kinkaid Industries, I can get in places where Abdul also has access. The old billionaire’s club bullshit.” Sam made a disgusted face and sent an apologetic glance Marigold’s way.
“You’re going after him yourself?” Gavin looked surprised and wary.
“Who among us is better placed? I can get direct access to Abdul and see what the hell is going on for myself,” Sam countered.
“But the man surrounds himself with mages,” Gavin reminded his Alpha in a slightly exasperated tone.
“And I’ll have Claudia at my side. She assures me she can handle whatever Abdul and his friends might have in store.
And before you object again, trust me. I’ve talked this over with Granny Tucker, and the old witch confessed that she knew I’d be doing this.
That’s why she sent Claudia here in the first place.
If Granny’s not a seer herself, she’s got access to someone with a powerful gift of foresight. ” Sam shook his head.
“I don’t like it. I’m head of security. I should be on this,” Gavin said, then his gaze met Marigold’s.
“You’re exactly where you need to be, Gav.
You’re going to have to get used to the idea that your priorities have changed.
It’s natural and right. You have a mate now, and she comes first. I’m still free to risk myself, and you know I’d do anything to protect the Clan and serve the Light.
This is my job,” the Alpha said, his tone unyielding.
Gavin lowered his head, though his gaze remained glued to Marigold, his eyes warming as he gazed at her.
“I know you’re right, but it’s a bit of an adjustment. Does this mean I’m no longer head of security? Would it be better for the Clan if I step aside to let an unmated person take on the role?”
“Hell, no,” Sam answered emphatically. “You’re our security chief for as long as you want the job.
And while you’re figuring out how that’s going to work now that you have a beautiful mate to make your home with and a life to plan, I want you working on that talisman that got Blossom past our security.
Claudia has some info for you on that, and it’s going to require a top-to-toe adjustment of our security measures.
That’s your job now, Gavin, until all the Clan’s holdings in the immediate vicinity are secure once again. ”
“Are you sure this isn’t just you giving me a task to keep me close to home while Marigold and I are newly mated?” Gavin asked, suspicion in his tone.
“Why does that matter?” Marigold asked before the Alpha could answer.
“Because mates find it difficult to be parted for any real period of time, especially when the bond is new. It’s better that you two stick together for now,” Sam replied.
“And you’re partially right, Gav. Revamping out security in light of new threats will keep you in one place for a while, but it also needs to be done, and there’s no one I trust more than you to make certain our people are safe. ”
Gavin sighed, running his hand roughly through his hair.
“Thanks, Sam. I’m going to have to get used to this, and I appreciate your patience while I figure myself out.
As for your mission, you know I’m here for reference, surveillance, or whatever else you need that I can do remotely.
And I have strike teams I can send with you to be on call.
You’ll take one of them along as personal security, of course. ”
Sam bowed his head but agreed. “Of course. Any self-respecting billionaire doesn’t travel without an entourage these days. Your guys will fit right in with the other bodyguards.” Sam’s lips twisted wryly.
“Can I lay any groundwork before you dig into the mission?” Gavin asked.
“I’ve already started preliminary research and mission planning. Claudia’s cross-referencing mage activity with the breaches we’ve seen. When the time is right, we’ll be ready.”
Gavin caught the flicker in Sam’s eyes when he mentioned Claudia. It was something fierce and protective. It looked almost personal. Gavin filed the observation away but didn’t comment.
“Good,” Gavin said instead. “I can help with mission planning if you need to bounce ideas off anyone.”
Sam inclined his head, acknowledging the offer.
“If this goes the way I think it will, and the way Granny seems to think it will, we still have a bit of time before things come to a head with Abdul and his friends. In the meantime, Liam will figure out what’s going on with Mrs. Entwistle.
The Rollins mess is contained for the moment, Blossom included.
That means you can do what you need to do.
Focus on your mate and figuring out how things move on from here. ”
Marigold shifted, clearly uncomfortable with the scrutiny. Gavin squeezed her hand, steadying her.
“I’ll do that,” he said, meeting Sam’s gaze squarely.
Sam’s lips curved in the faintest of grins. “Good. Welcome to the Clan, Marigold. There’s a party being planned to make that official, but I just wanted to say it here.”
“Thanks, Alpha. I’m not sure how things work in a shifter Clan, or in a regular family, for that matter, but I think I’m really going to enjoy figuring it out,” she said, smiling from Gavin the Sam and back again.
The tension in the room eased as Sam gathered the folders into a single stack. “That’s all I’ve got for now. We’ll regroup once Liam sends word from New York and Claudia finishes her first round of checks.”
Gavin rose, pulling Marigold up with him. “Understood.”
As they turned to leave, Sam’s voice followed them, quieter but no less firm. “And Gavin? Good work yesterday. You kept her safe. That matters more than anything else right now.”
Gavin didn’t answer, just inclined his head before guiding Marigold out. But inside, his lion purred at the Alpha’s acknowledgment, and the truth behind his words. Marigold was safe. She was his, and no force, magic or otherwise, would ever change that.