Chapter 6 - Flynn
The broker, William, sat across from me in the guest chair of the big office.
Ellie was right, I deserved to work from the fancy office while I could.
“We have three tours scheduled today,” he stated.
He glanced down at a tablet. “The first are some people wanting to open a health spa. The second is for some kind of luxury marketplace; I forget the exact term he used. The third wants to turn this place into a restaurant with a members-only lounge area on the second floor.”
“Uhhhhh…”
“Now I know you want to find somebody to keep that monstrosity downstairs, but these are all good clients who can be ready to move in as soon as it’s removed.”
I forced myself not to let out a long sigh.
Jeremy had been right. The incentives for me to find a client who wanted the vault and other upgrades hadn’t even been hidden in the contract naming me the closeout manager.
I’d just skipped them on my way to signing for another paycheck.
But if I played my cards right, I could get the equivalent of several months of pay—something I sorely needed.
Plus, he’d been right about something else. There was a bonus for finding a new lessee by a certain date, but it was far enough in the future that I was still in a good position to be picky and hold out for somebody who would take it all.
After a series of emails in which I asked him for more tips to get the best deal, he’d told me to look at how long permits were taking in the neighborhood. A few hours on the city website revealed that even expedited requests took several months, and that was before the public comment period.
“Also,” William continued, “there is quite a bit of furniture left. What are your plans for it?”
I shrugged. “Sell what I can. But I figured that for now it looks good for staging, and if a potential tenant wants anything, they get first dibs.”
He pursed his lips, then sighed. “I agree about the staging… if this was going to be an office space. But I’ll let it slide for now. We do need to reconsider that thing you call the vault, though.”
I shook my head. “Let’s give it time. There are businesses that can use it.”
He scowled, then nodded. “As long as you still give anybody who wants it removed proper consideration.”
“I can do that. But I won’t recommend anybody who wants to tear it out to the landlord until we’re closer to my deadline.”
There were several seconds during which we were at an impasse, then he slumped in the chair. “Agreed, but I’ll still bring them to tour the building… along with other brokers.”
“Understood.”
He paused. “You really should have them rip it out, though.”
“I’m not going to rush things just because you have clients looking for a prime location.”
The scowl briefly returned, but we both knew that I could make things difficult for him. I was required to be on-site for various reasons during walkthroughs, and I was the one communicating with the landlord, not him, since it was a lease reassignment rather than a new lease.
His watch beeped, making him jump. His scent took on a sharp, nervous edge. “That will be the health spa people.”
I nodded as we stood, and I led him down to the front door. I steeled myself to deal with some multi-millionaire’s wife who wanted to pretend to be an influencer by opening a trendy business.
I froze when I saw three corporate-types in suits waiting outside.
William made a noise from behind me, and it spurred me to continue toward the door.
“Gentlemen,” I started as I opened the door.
The three alphas breezed past me as if I were nothing more than another obstacle and strode right to William.
Even their scents were purposefully dismissive.
“Hey, Will,” one in a charcoal-gray suit said, his back to me. “Perfect location. Let’s get this walkthrough done so we can sign.”
“It’s…” William started.
“Yeah, yeah, I know, William,” gray suit said, still acting like I wasn’t there.
I bristled at the disrespect, and my displeasure deepened as they fanned out to start evaluating the space without as much as a word to me.
One—in a dark blue suit—lightly kicked the semicircular granite desk that Ellie had once sat at—a desk that I’d learned retailed for well over ten thousand dollars.
Then he muttered something about it being cheap trash before walking away and leaving a scuff mark that I’d have to scrub off before trying to sell it.
“It’s a beautiful space, isn’t it?” William asked in the most kiss-ass tone I’d ever heard. “High ceilings, three floors. Plenty of room for all the treatments you want to offer.”
The third—in a black suit—made his way over to the hall that held the vault. “What’s back here? Can we open up this space?”
“That’s a climate-controlled secure room,” William answered before I could.
Black suit turned, seemed to see me for the first time, and snapped three times. “You… omega… I’m assuming you need to open it for us? Chop chop.”
I took half a step, then pulled my foot back. “No. You three are welcome to leave now.”
Something inside insisted that if I didn’t put an immediate stop to their attitude, it would only get worse. My instincts were screaming that they were not safe, and the last place I wanted to be was upstairs in an enclosed office while they pressured me to remove the vault.
William’s eyes went wide and slightly panicked as he turned to me. But the others grew cold as heavy alpha scents started to fill the air.
The hairs on the back of my neck rose, recognizing the danger, but I didn’t back down.
“Excuse me?” demanded black suit. “Who the hell do you think you are?”
I crossed my arms. “I’m the one responsible for passing your application to the landlord, and, right now, I’d be putting it through the shredder instead.”
“Do you know who we are?” roared gray suit.
I snorted. “From where I stand, all I know is that you’re three assholes without a shred of decency.
It’s a bad look for whatever company you represent.
So you can go. If the building is still available in two months, maybe you can come back, assuming you’ve learned basic manners.
But I will not let this walkthrough continue. ”
“Now see here, little omega…” started blue suit.
I turned to William before the alpha could finish. “William, I will call up my bosses right now and ask them to terminate your services on the basis that you’re not controlling your clients if these men don’t leave. I read the contract, and they’re violating the professional conduct clause.”
The blood drained from his face, and he turned from me. “Apologies, gentlemen. It seems we’ll have to cut this walkthrough short.”
“Are you serious?” roared the one who seemed to be in charge. “You’re going to let this omega boss you around?”
“This omega,” I declared, “holds the damn keys to this building. Now, you’ve been asked to leave. Don’t make me call the cops.”
William was still pale as he rounded up and escorted the three angry alphas out—shouting as they exited.
I let out a sigh of relief as William followed them out of sight; then I leaned against Ellie’s desk.
I looked up at one of the security cameras and gave a thumbs-up. Someone somewhere across town had just watched everything go down, and I needed to let them know I was ok.
On cue, the phone on Ellie’s desk rang.
“This is Flynn,” I answered, not even bothering with the caller ID.
“Hey, this is Eli from SecondShield. Everything ok?”
I waved at the camera. “Yeah. I gave you a thumbs-up so you would know.”
“Still protocol to call, especially since you mentioned cops.”
“Just a trio of alphaholes. They started off rude, and I got a bad vibe. I didn’t want to go upstairs with them.”
“I don’t blame you. Even from here, they seemed off. Want us to document and call the cops immediately if they come around again?”
“Document, yes. I doubt they’ll be back.” I sighed. “At least I hope they’ll stay away. The broker, who was here before, is still authorized as long as I’m with him.”
“I’ll note to call the cops if they come around without you notifying us in advance. That’s your car in the loading bay, correct?”
“Yes.”
“I’d suggest you keep parking there.”
“Will do.”
“Ok. It seems like things have calmed down. Give us a call if you need anything.”
“Thanks.”
“You’re welcome; stay safe.” With that, he hung up.
I let out a long breath, then noticed tapping on the door. I turned to see William locked out.
I walked over and opened it slightly, but stood in his way. “The next appointment isn’t until after lunch, correct?”
“Yes, but…”
I shook my head. “They’re supposed to be here at one-thirty?”
“Can we…”
“One-thirty?” I repeated.
“Yes.”
“I’ll see you at one, then. I need to air out the place and clear my head.”
I closed the door again before he could respond and listened for the lock before striding away toward the air conditioning panel.
I couldn’t explain why, but something deep in my soul insisted that there was more than money on the line.
I had to hold out for the right tenant.