Chapter 56
Irub my head as I lean back in my office chair. Right now, there’s simply not enough caffeine to keep up with everything I need to do. Having Tennant stop by this morning and drop the bombshell on me about Sandro and him… Yeah, I need to talk to Ian.
Not to mention, I have no clue how it’ll impact his relationship with Cristian.
Mentally, I add “Get Tennant and Cristian in therapy ASAP” to the never-ending to-do list regarding these fuckers.
And, of course, Sandro needs to be in individual therapy and any other therapy my empire and I believe will benefit him…
I expected challenging test subjects, but this is slightly ridiculous.
I may as well just block out an entire day for Sandro alone, not to mention Cristian.
At least, others are making strides, like Lio.
Hopefully, his Owner has fucking listened.
It was still worth having Doc patch me up, though.
Even if he bitched about it the entire time.
For some reason, offering him a sucker didn’t help.
I sigh dramatically since nobody is here to watch me suffer over my college crush.
“Ahem.”
“Fuck!” I drop my hands and swirl to face the open doorway, where the butler is lurking. I didn’t even notice, which means I really need the caffeine if I’m that damn tired. “Well, Lurch, what do you need this time?”
A brief sneer crosses his face before it goes perfectly blank. “Once again, sir, my name is Reginald.”
“Fine, Reggie, whatever.” I wave a hand in the air to signify I get it. Not that I’ll use it, but still.
“Reg-i-nald,” he stresses, but I merely roll my eyes. With a huff, he straightens his pristine suit and says, “I have a Brannigan and young Rowan here. I have directed them to the suite you chose for them. However, it would be preferable if you greeted them.”
“Question, Reggie… How have you not been killed yet?” I stare at him, contemplating how much havoc I can cause, because the man needs to lighten up.
“Excuse us, Reginald,” another voice joins the conversation, and I bite back a groan. Reginald shifts away from lurking in the damn doorway so that Carter, Keegan, and Jude can enter.
“Good morning, sirs.”
I run my hand through my messy hair, while muttering, “Suck up.”
“May I say, you do a great job, Reginald.” Keegan's voice has steel underlying every word. “In fact, you’ll be receiving a bonus this pay period, courtesy of Javi.”
I jump out of my seat, my face flushed as I clench my hands into fists, imagining going for my knife. This is ridiculous! Before I can open my mouth, Jude cuts in.
“You may go back to your post. We’ll check on the new residents shortly.”
Reginald manages to somehow exude a smugness as he gives a deferential bow to them before gliding out, completely ignoring me.
“You’ve got to be kidding me!” I snarl, leaning over the desk. “I work too damn hard to give up any of the pittance you pay me!”
Carter snorts as Keegan steps forward, almost meeting me over the desk.
“Let me make this clear. I deliberately am looking the other way on your…
hobby. But the staff here are not to be harmed, unless we give an order.
And there will be absolutely no threats made against them.
If you like your room cleaned, food prepared, and whatever you're passing off as clothes washed, then you will respect them.”
I glance down at my outfit, aghast at the slander. The pink and yellow polka dots are quite eye-catching against the lavender background, and I’m even wearing pressed khakis in preparation for Brannigan’s arrival! Scowling, I glare at the men in front of me.
“You know, I thought Jude was the Daddy, not you, Keegan.” I sniff as I look him over, although my eyes catch Carter’s blush with interest.
“Oh, look. That bonus just got larger,” Jude states flatly. I go to argue, but he holds up a hand. “Push me and it’ll just increase more.”
I throw my hands up, making a disgusted noise. “Fine. Whatever. Hopefully, Reggie uses the money to buy some actual style. Or a personality.”
Carter stares up at the ceiling as if he's praying, and I wonder if I should add delusional to his chart, but before I can ask, Keegan interrupts my thoughts, again. “Are you ready to join us in welcoming Brannigan and Rowan?”
Cringing, I rub the back of my neck. “Uh, sure. We can do that. Just…as a reminder, I did tell you he wasn’t going to be the happiest to see me, right?”
This time, Jude and Keegan join Carter in the appreciation of my ceiling. I wonder if I should have a mural painted on it. What’s calm and soothing? Maybe a shipwreck? Those are fun.
“Let’s just…get this over with,” Keegan mutters, gesturing for Carter to lead the way. He cuts in front of me easily, but Jude lets me go before him. I’m fairly certain it’s so he can check out my ass. Although, it could be the whole “make sure I’m behaving” thing…
It doesn’t take too long for us to arrive at the suite I picked out.
I’ve tried to keep my new employees somewhat close to where they’ll be working.
Aside from Monroe, who I put closer to his goats.
That…will be fun. As long as I have Her Majesty Queen Floofy, I’m fine.
Although, I wouldn’t be opposed to another kitten.
Keegan gives me a quelling look and I shrug innocently, spreading my hands wide to prove I’m not carrying anything…visible. I hope he’s ready for fireworks, though. I did try to warn them.
With a sigh at me, Keegan knocks on the partially open door.
It’s only a couple beats before it opens to reveal Brannigan, a welcoming smile on his face.
He’s dressed in slacks and a long-sleeve button-up shirt with the sleeves rolled up.
His blue eyes are such a perfect contrast to that dark hair, and his full lips complete the picture.
The problem? As soon as he catches sight of me, the smile falls off his face.
“You have got to be frickin’ kidding me!” he hisses, and if his glare was any hotter, I’m sure I’d be incinerated.
I shift uncomfortably, not in fear of him, but because I'm turned on. The man has always gotten under my skin, and I’ve wanted under his.
..sometimes literally. I give him an awkward smile and wave with a cheery, “Bran-Bran, it’s good to see you again!
Guess what? We get to work with each other! Well, technically, you’ll be under me…”
Every line of his body goes taut, his hands clench, and then he whirls toward Keegan. It’s impressive that Keegan doesn’t step back, because honestly, I’ve never seen him so mad. Even when he didn’t take my courting gift well. Turns out, a dead body isn’t the way to his heart.
“I told you I would not put my son at risk! And you want me to work with a killer?” He sends me a scathing side-eye, before saying, “If I’d known he was involved, I wouldn’t be here!”
“Well, isn’t it a good thing you didn’t know then?
” I respond, blinking innocently as I point out the logic behind it.
Jude clamps his hand onto my shoulder and squeezes—hard.
I glance over my shoulder at him, unsure what I did wrong, but based on his expression, I decide I should probably shut up. Maybe.
Carter steps forward, holding his hands out, palm forward, as if to prove he’s innocent.
I almost snort. Everyone’s hands here are covered in blood, even if they want to pretend differently.
“Look, Brannigan, I’m sorry this came as a shock to you.
I was…unaware of your, er…exact history.
But please, we desperately need you. Our love needs you. ”
“And we have other patients, too! It’ll keep you challenged, I promise!
” I go for my most winsome smile, but Brannigan just pinches the bridge of his nose and mutters under his breath.
I think it may have included a string of curse words, which, far be it for me to judge a father, but…
somehow me killing someone is wrong, but that language isn’t?
From the look of disgust he gives me, it wasn’t quite motivational enough. I mean, personally, I’d be excited over a challenge. Jude squeezes my shoulder tighter, and it makes me weak in the knees. I turn toward him again, widening my eyes, because I don’t think now is the time to be flirting.
Keegan clears his throat, and draws Bran-Bran’s attention to him instead.
“Look, I understand that this isn’t ideal for you.
I promise, we will ensure you’re safe. You’ll have bodyguards.
While we cannot control all aspects of Javi’s…
nature, I can promise you that if you ever feel threatened, we’re here for you, and we will make sure to take action.
You’re the only one who can help us. And…
Javi is right. We have complex patients that need someone like you. ”
“Daddy!” a young child exclaims as he comes into view. Brannigan’s eyes widen as alarm takes over and he steps back, trying to shield his son. As if I’d harm a child.
Grinning widely, I shrug off Jude’s hand, since it loosened at the sight of a kid, and kneel down. I softly ask, “Are you Rowan?”
“How do you know my name?” He glances at me hesitantly, but like most children, shows no fear.
I reach into my pocket, even as Brannigan makes a high-pitched noise of distress, and pull out a sucker. “Well, Rowan, I considered your dad a close friend in college, and when I found out about you, I was really happy for him. I’m glad you’re feeling better. Are you allowed suckers?”
Showing he has some level of caution, he glances up at his dad, who grudgingly nods, even though he’s unhappy about it. I hold out the sucker, and Rowan sneaks forward and grabs it, unwrapping it, before he stops and says, “Thank you, sir.”
I can practically feel the men behind me melt, and I want to roll my eyes at them, but I don’t because he is a cute seven-year-old, I guess. He's definitely going to be spoiled around here. In fact…
“Do you like animals? We have kittens here, and my friend Lio has a dog who loves to play ball. We even have a couple goats coming, but you’d need to talk to their owner before approaching.”
His eyes widen in wonder, and he gives a small jump. It’s not much, but he’s still recovering. I’m satisfied with his coloring, though. Still, I’ll feel better after Dr. Ranlen does a full check-up.
Brannigan sighs, and I raise an eyebrow, daring him to let his son and the patients who need him down. Like I knew he would, he folds quickly. “Fine. But I want to interview these bodyguards.”
Carter exhales in relief, and Keegan steps forward, holding out his hand to shake on it.
Brannigan eyes it dubiously, but eventually accepts the handshake.
I know this man, and a handshake is as good as a vow to him.
Standing up, I try to hold in the smugness that’s likely radiating from me.
Based on Jude’s glare, I don’t succeed. Oops?
“Well, we’ll let you get settled, so we can start tomorrow.
I’ll let you talk more with Carter, Jude, and Keegan.
” Giving him another wave, and throwing a wink at Rowan, I duck out before the others can force me to stay.
I have too much to do anyway. Like possibly acquiring a kitten for a little boy…
Live animals have to be acceptable if dead bodies aren’t.
Although, I still plan on adding Bran-Bran’s father to my list of kills.
I’ll just have to make it look as if it was a boring accident.
Such is life, not everything can be fun.
I really would have preferred hearing the man’s screams. Still, a kitty or two will make up for the disappointment.
What Jude isn’t told about ahead of time isn’t my problem…