Chapter 5
After dinner, Jackson asked his brothers to join him in the great room.
Steel and Jackson were snuggling on the loveseat when Colton walked in.
He chuckled to himself about seeing them in their favorite position.
Well, maybe not the most favorite…ugh, don’t want to go there.
It was bad enough he had to listen to Steel and Jackson’s fucking every morning, noon and night.
No, he wasn’t jealous, well maybe a little bit.
He sure could use some action to help him get rid of his hard-on every time he thought… nope, not going there either.
While waiting for everyone to arrive, Jackson asked Colton if he’d heard from Slate.
“I talked to him this afternoon. I sent him and Dr. Luna my plans for the medical facilities along with a list of equipment.”
“Any problems along the way?”
“No-o-o, well, yes. Dr. Luna spoke Spanish first before switching to English. That’s when I realized I need to learn different languages so if I ever get the chance to work with Frontline Doctors I’ll be able to communicate with patients.
I can’t count on patients speaking any language other than their own. ”
“Hmmm, I never would have thought of that,” said Jackson. “Have you looked at online language classes?”
“Not yet. I’m thinking of beginning with Spanish. The others I want to learn are Chinese, Arabic, and Russian for starters.”
“Do your research on which online school you want to use and then see me.” Pausing, Jackson changed the subject, addressing the rest of the brothers who had joined them. “Today, I had a request from Colton for a night out on the town. I was wondering if anyone else was interested in joining him?”
“Wow!”
“I want to.”
“Count me in.”
“Where are we going?”
“That’s a great idea!”
As the brothers excitedly talked among and over each other, Jackson heard Steel in their mind link chuckling about how horny they were.
Holding up his hand for silence, Jackson laughed, “I’ll take that as a ‘yes’ for everyone.
Steel is looking into where you guys can go and still be safe.
Even though we aren’t in danger from Silver Point Pack right now, it doesn’t mean a rogue member might take one of us out to elevate his position in the pack. ”
Jackson gave his brothers a moment to think about what he said. “I want all of you to keep an eye on each other when you go. And if any of you have ideas or would like something in particular, please tell Steel as soon as possible.”
“When will this happen?” Logan asked.
“Hopefully within the next two weeks.”
“Hot Damn!”
“Any other questions?”
Seeing none, Jackson stood up with Steel. “Good-night guys.”
Cody watched them leave before pouncing on his brother. “Way to go Colton. How did you convince Jackson to let us go? Fuck, we owe you big time!” he said, slapping his brother on the back.
“Hear, hear,” shouted Zane. “Oh boy, guys, guys…what do you want to do? Dancing, eating, drinking or fucking?”
“Why not all of them?”
“Yeah, why not?”
“Okay, are we all in agreement?” Cody asked, seeing five heads nod. “Right, well, I nominate Colton to relay our wishes to Steel.”
“What-t-t-t? Why me? I did the hard part already. I think you need to do it.”
“Oh no, bro. You obviously are on the good side of Steel because of all the baby crap, so you’re the one to make sure we get what we want. Who agrees with me?”
Colton sighed inwardly. He knew when he was outnumbered. “Fine. But you all owe me big. Understand?”
Cody looked around at and saw everyone smiling and nodding. “Okay, we each owe you a favor. Any time. Anything. Okay?”
“Don’t you guys forget it either.”
~/~/~/~/~
After looking over the documents from Colton, Slate called Dr. Luna later that night, hoping to get approval so his construction crew could begin work.
“Hola, Dr. Juan Luna, hablando.”
“Hi Juan, Slate here. How’s everything today? Any more attacks?”
“Unfortunately, yes. Three male and one female. Wounds match the previous attacks. I had to keep one in the clinic, but the others were sent home.”
“The daily number of victims is slowly getting higher. Did anyone see their attacker?”
“No. As usual, the attacks came from behind when each was alone. But you are right about the numbers of attacks growing. There is something strange going on. I have never encountered such relentless attacks on a species before. None of the inflicted wounds are fatal. We know a wolf is the attacker. But why? What is the motive behind these attacks?”
“Eventually we’ll find out, but in the meantime, getting the new clinic and hospital up and running will help the victims.”
“You’re right. I would have kept another male today who was older than the others, but I didn’t have space for him to stay overnight for observation.”
“I know, I know,” Slate said, commiserating. “Have you had a chance to review Colton’s plans and equipment list yet?”
“Yes, I have. Where did you find this man? The floorplans for both the clinic and hospital are brilliant. He included everything that will make this facility the best.”
Chuckling, Slate said, “You won’t believe this but he’s the brother of Steel’s mate. He completed three years of nursing school before he was forced to withdraw.”
“He needs to finish. I haven’t seen this level of ability in a person for a long time. Just think of what he could do to help Frontline Doctors. Have you thought of hiring him to help out with Dire Medical?”
“It has occurred to me, but I want a face-to-face with him first. Once we can stop these attacks, I’ll be heading to my brother’s to meet his mate and his pack.”
“Let me know when. Maybe I can join you. I’d like to meet him.”
“Okay. Do you want any changes to the floorplan?”
“I have no changes. The same for the clinic. The flow is good; Colton’s plan has allowed for everything that would be needed here in the foreseeable future.
I’ve reviewed the equipment list, but before I give final approval, I’m going to have my co-workers review it and give their opinion. Can I get back to you tomorrow on it?”
“No problem. My construction crew will start building the interior for the hospital and clinic tomorrow. I’ll have them working around the clock, so it’ll be ready in less than two weeks.”
“That soon?”
“Yes, and if you can get me the final equipment list tomorrow, I’ll order it to arrive the day after construction is finished.”
“Oh Dios! I cannot believe this. You are truly a miracle worker!”
“Thanks, but I think the real thanks should go to Colton. It would have taken me two weeks just to do what he did in a couple of days.”
“Sí, sí. I just have one other point for you to consider. We will need some help in setting up the hospital and clinic. While these attacks keep occurring, we are stretched too thin to take on the organization of getting everything in its place.”
“I know and I already have one of Dire Medical’s employees scheduled to be there for that purpose.”
“Gracias, gracias. Now if we can only stop these attacks.”
“I’m working on a plan for that also but need to talk to the Board about it first.”
“Good to know. I’ve got to go, I’m being paged. Adios, Slate.”
“Good-bye.”
After hanging up, Slate thought about Colton. Juan was right. Colton was exactly what Dire Medical looked for in their employees. “Wait until Steel hears about what a gem his brother-in-law is,” Slate muttered.
~/~/~/~/~
“Shit. This isn’t worth it. No amount of money will be enough if I lose my life,” he grumbled, bandaging up a cut. “That pansy-ass Alpha can do his own dirty work. This wasn’t our deal. Now he wants more from me. Well, fuck him. It’s gonna cost him a lot more.”
Mumbling with more complaints and curses, the shifter undressed, getting into bed.
He had to be at work tomorrow in one piece, so he needed to heal tonight.
Shaking his head, he once again regretted ever agreeing to take this job.
Shit, at first it was simple but now it had grown way beyond the original assignment.
“More money, lots more money. No more of this shit until they pay me more,” he slurred to himself, falling asleep.
~/~/~/~/~
“Have you heard anything about our night out, Colton?” Cody asked a week later.
“No, he hasn’t,” Steel answered, entering the dining room with Jackson.
Looking at Jackson’s pronounced baby bump, Colton chuckled at the t-shirt his brother was wearing today.
This one said, ‘Keep Calm and Feed the Wolf Pup’ which suited Jackson’s appetite these days.
Poor Dakota kept increasing the food he made for every meal, but there were never any leftovers.
Shit, Jackson even ate from his mate’s plate as Steel looked lovingly at Jackson stuffing his face.
Colton knew Jackson had entered the stage in his pregnancy where the pup would need a lot of food to fuel the fast growth habit of a Dire Wolf. Today his brother was scheduled for another ultrasound and Colton was looking forward to seeing how big the pup was.
After everyone was seated, Steel announced, “I’ve arranged for all of you to spend three days in Seattle.”
“Really? Three whole days?” Cody asked, grinning broadly.
“Why Seattle?”
“When do we leave?”
“Are you coming with us?”
Colton sat back, listening to his brothers’ quick-fire questions at Steel.
He didn’t care where they went as long as he could have a one-night hook-up to relieve a very long dry spell.
And if it included dancing and drinking, well, that was a bonus he hadn’t expected.
Picturing a blond, shaggy-haired twink shaking his booty while dancing close to him had Colton salivating.
As far as he was concerned, the sooner they went the better it would be.
Tuning back into the conversation, he was pleased to hear they would be leaving on Monday. Hot Damn!
~/~/~/~/~