Chapter Eleven
Gatlin
I clocked in early, not able to sleep a wink longer. Our date, trip, day, had gone amazing. Sebastian was one incredible little boy. He was so smart and quick. Knew a thousand facts about each animal and, even though he had trouble saying the big words, he tried like a champ.
And Shaw. My Shaw. He was the best daddy to Sebastian.
He stood between others and his son, protecting him even when there was no danger.
He lifted him up to see things. Let him touch and experience all under his watchful eye.
We’d touched a few times, Shaw and I, but more than anything, I was honored to spend time with him and his little family.
Being with him and Sebastian was the way I always imagined life could be.
Spending time together. Laughing and learning.
Having a kid that said eew and pew-wee when one of the animals pooped.
Watching Shaw hold his waist while he hurled fish food at the koi.
Hearing about his school, his teachers, his friends.
He was a fountain of information. He asked me to hold his hand a few times while we walked. My wolf reacted to Sebastian. If I didn’t know better, the wolf was acting like I was his father instead of his real one.
I melted every time he looked at me.
If I had a son, I would’ve wanted him to be just like Sebastian.
When I got to the control room, I found a note from Talon, asking me to meet him in his office that night.
My stomach dropped. His office was either a place you were happy to go to because of the exclusivity or scared shitless to be beckoned to.
People who went in for the latter were often never seen at the club again. Talon did the firing around here.
He was firm and stern yet, when I’d seen him with his omega, Rowan, it was like he was a whole other person. Tender. Caring. Anyone could see it and when we had retreats with the staff, seeing them both with their son, Link, well, anyone would be envious. They had the family dreams were made of.
I held the note in my hand and a thousand scenarios flitted through my head. Could I be fired? Did I do something wrong?
No time like the present.
The club wasn’t as busy on weekday nights as it was on the weekends, but that was when the security team had to be twice as diligent. Some of the members thought the quieter hours meant the rules weren’t adhered to as they were any other time. They were wrong.
The hallway leading to Talon’s office and some of the other offices was all black.
Black walls. Black flooring. Even black sconces along the wall.
Talon’s office was at the very end and he had his own exit from the building connected to it, as did some of the others.
I raised my hand and knocked on the door, except all I heard was the pounding of my heart.
The door clicked and opened, and Talon greeted me with a smile. “Come in, Gatlin. I see you got my note.”
“Yes,” I said, stepping inside. “Before my heart beats out of my chest, am I fired?”
Talon laughed and patted my back. “No. You’re not. Unless you’ve done something to be fired for that I should know about?”
“Of course not.”
“Good. Then take a seat. There’s something we wanted to speak to you about.”
“We?” I asked, taking a seat in one of his oversized leather chairs. He sat in the other chair next to me. I was no longer scared of being fired, but my knees jumped in anticipation of what news he had.
“Yes. The owners of Cuffed. This isn’t public news but we are opening up a new club, and we need a manager. Someone we trust.”
“Me?” I asked, pointing at my own chest. “You want me in charge of a new club? What’s it called?”
Talon laughed. “We haven’t come up with a name yet but there are a few on the table.
But this is more than security, obviously.
We want you there early, as the club is built to set up facilities.
Make sure everyone is following protocols in hiring and everything is in place.
You’d be our representative there, our liaison between clubs.
But once it’s built, we would want you as the head of security, for both clubs.
Handle the staff. Be in charge of schedules.
Hiring. Background checks. And it would give you a share in the club. ”
My knees stopped bouncing. “A share? Like an owner?”
He nodded. “Yes. That’s exactly right.”
“Why me?”
“You take your job seriously. You are committed to this place. A stickler for the rules, not because they are there but because you see the merit in them for the club and for the members. I was looking over your records. You’ve never even taken a sick day or been late to work, Gatlin.
We can count on you, you’ve proven that. The question is, why not you?”
I’d just reconnected with Shaw, and now I was being recruited for a job that would take me away from him and Sebastian?
I had some things to figure out with my omega before I could make any decision. His needs and, in turn, his son’s needs, came first for me. Being my mate meant he was my priority.
“Is there time for me to think this over? I-I’m in a new relationship and he’s my mate and…”
“Say no more,” Talon waved his hand. “Take your time. We are still in the planning stages of this new place. Talk to your omega and let us know. The offer is open to you and only you at this point. No pressure from us. Please know that we are grateful for your dedication to this club and even if you decide not to take the position, nothing about your job here will change.”
“Thank you. I appreciate that.”
I had decisions to make. Big ones.
Shaw and I had not even talked about him being my mate. And then, as I returned to my office, I got a text from him. Come over to dinner tomorrow?