“Oh, we could?” Cash asked, adjusting his glasses as he stared at his son.
“Yeah,” Clover said as if he’d be footing the bill, not his father. “I liked this apartment when I was little, but I’m big now. I want a home with a yard, and we learned about the golden egg in school. My teacher said it’s priceless. That means it’s worth sooooooooo much money that you can’t put a number on it. So, if my dad gets the job protecting it, we should get a house.”
“Finish your breakfast,” Cash chuckled as he tussled his son’s hair. He was a brunette like his father, but the similarities didn’t stop there. Clover was his spitting image, their shared genes so strong that Cash never bothered with a paternity test when the boy showed up on his doorstep. Clover was his son, through and through, and he was his pride and joy… even when he tried to hustle a new house out of his dad. “You’re going to be latefor school if we don’t get moving. Did you manage to fit your homework in last night between all your internet searching?”
“I did.” The boy jumped down from the kitchen island and swiped his empty cereal bowl off the counter.
“Did you need my help with anything?” Cash asked as his son placed his dirty dishes in the sink.
“Nope.”
“Are you lying so that I don’t check your backpack?”
“No, Dad.” Clover playfully shoved his father, but Cash caught him and dragged him into a hug.
“Are you ready to go, then?”
“Yes, Dad.”
“Okay, then get your butt in the car.”
“Thank you so much for coming. Would you like something to drink?” the interviewer, Mr. Lepus, asked.
“I’m fine, thanks,” Cash answered. “I had coffee on the drive over.”
“I hope it wasn’t too far,” Lepus said. “Please, take a seat.” He gestured to the chair opposite his desk, and Cash obliged him.
“Two hours.”
“Oh wow, I didn’t realize you lived so far. If you took this job, would you commute or move? I only ask because I’m sure you’ve seen the news. Baptiste Precieux’s final design didn’t go missing by accident, so keeping it safe and available to the public will be no easy task. The head of security needs to live close to the museum inthe event ofan emergency. There was a break-in last night, and as ex-special forces, I don’t have to tell you it won’t be the last.”
“You don’t,” Cash said. “It was sloppy, but they’ll learn with each attempt until they succeed. And to answer your question, I would move if I took the job. My son researched the city. He’s all for living here.”
“Well, I can agree with him on that front,” Mr. Lepus said. “There’s so much culture here. It’s low on crime too because of the Merveille De L’art. The Fae keep a close eye on the museum since many of their artifacts reside there, meaning we benefit from their protection… well, it’s normally low crime. The egg has rattled the status quo but only at the museum. The city is great for families. Parks, restaurants, museums, amazing school systems, and safe neighborhoods. That alone should encourage you to take the position.”
“It will be a factor, yes,” Cash said, keeping his features neutral. A beautiful metropolis was appealing, but there were plenty of stunning cities throughout the country that weren’t home to the most sought-after gold in the world.
“Right, of course,” Lepus said. “As for the job, we spoke to both Valentin and Cane, who you served in the special forces with, and both men highly recommended you.”
Valentin was the current Cupid. Unlike the fairytales, Cupid was the defender of love, and the succession of Fae males who assumed the role were warriors of the highest caliber. Valentin had been in the military alongside Cash before he’d been tapped to be the next Cupid. They kept in touch, but they didn’t see each other as often as they used to. Clover consumed Cash’s time, and Valentin had recently found his mate. Cane was an elf and the former head of Santa’s security detail, but he retired after he injured his knee. If the Fae Male and the Elfwere recommendinghim, he had to accept the position. You didn’t turn down jobs handed to you by Cupid and the protector of Santa himself.
“We are taking their recommendations seriously because last night’s break-in isn’t a one-time event,” Lepus said. “Police found the Precieux Egg by accident, and whoever they took it from wants it back. We need someone like you to run security. This museum has a multitude of priceless Fae artifacts, but this egg makes our exhibits the most expensive in the world. We can’t hire just anyone. We need the best, and both Cane and Valentin believe that’s you.”
Lepus continued, outlining the head ofsecurity’sjob description, and Cash had to give it to his son.His salary prediction was spot on. They coulddefinitelyafford a house. The job wouldn’t be any more dangerous than his time in the special forces, but he’d be home for dinner every night. In truth, he missed the military. He missed the action. It was what he was good at, and this job seemed the perfect combination between his calling as a soldier and his calling as a father.
“Cash, we would like to hire you,” Lepus said in closing.“We can havean official offerto you by tonight if you’re interested.”
“I am interested,” Cash said. “Send the paperwork, and I’ll look it over. I’ll get back to you as soon as possible, but Ihave totalk to my son first.”
“And lastly, this is the backyard,” the real estate agent said as she led Cash and Clover outside. “The previous owners installed the privacy fence two years ago, so it’s in great condition. It’s the smallest yard on the block, but the fence and patio make up for the size. It’s perfect for family barbeques or a romantic evening around the fire pit. The patio is large enough for a picnic table, and the sliding glass door leads into the kitchen, which has a window over the sink. Your wife will loveit,sinceshe’ll be abletokeep an eye on your son playing out here while she makes dinner.”
“I’m not married,” Cash said out of reflex before grinding his teethin regret. The real estate agent was a pretty woman, and her face brightened the instant he confirmed his singlehood. Her comment about a wife had little to do with selling the house, and he’d walked right into her fishing expedition.
“Well, this neighborhood will be perfect for you, then.” She touched his arm as she spoke, and Cash unconsciously leaned away. “There are a lot of families with kids, which is great for your son, and it’s close to downtown. It has the best nightlife and entertainment, and we’re only a few minutes from The Merveille De L’art.”
“I heard,” he said, choosing not to mention the museum was why he was buying a house.
“You’ll love living here,” the agent continued with a grin. “And I’d be more than happy to show you around. Give you a personal tour of all the city’s hidden gems.”
