That wasn’tentirelywhat I was saying, but it was the most important part. “Yes. Well, Mason is at the place now, cleaning up after the attack. He swears he’s fine and that he won’t be run out of his house, but I can see the strain he’s under.”
“Makes sense,” John muttered. “We do understand, and we don’t blame you at all. I don’t know ifanyonewould feel safe in that house after what’s happened to Mason. We have another one available, but it’s about a hundred square feet smaller and it’ll take us a couple of weeks to get it set up for you. Will that be okay?”
I was so glad he hadn’t flipped out. After we’d gotten back from the motel, Mason had flinched at every little noise, and was back to not sleeping at night. Even going to see Dr. Briggs wasn’t helping. She’d suggested moving out, finding a place of our own.
“That’d be great. Thank you, John.”
He waved a dismissive hand. “Don’t thank me. It pisses me off that we’re no closer to figuring out who’s attacking him, so it’s the least we can do.”
“Well, I appreciate it. I’m sure Mason will too.”
John smiled. “I love how the two of you found a path most Dominants and their submissives won’t take. It reminds me that no two people are the same, which I somehow forgot along the way.” He puffed up his chest. “And I’ve got some really good news. We sold three more houses in the past two weeks. People who moved here to be near the Omega.”
That was an opening I couldn’t resist taking advantage of. “Can I ask a favor?”
“Of course.”
“Would it be possible for me to design a new house for me and Mason? I’d like to give him something that’s ‘ours’, if you know what I mean.”
John cocked his head. “That’s right. You went to school to be an architect, didn’t you?”
“Yeah, though I had a few years to go. Once I was fully committed to Mase, he became my priority and I dropped out. I did draw up plans for a home for us, though. Mason settled for our current one, but he never really felt as if it was truly something for us. So if I designed this house, I’d get to use my degree, and Mason would get to have a place that’s all ours.”
John tapped a pen on his desk, and somehow the clicking noise was soothing. “I wanna say yes. You know I do.”
My heart sank. “But?” I knew there was one coming.
He let out a heavy sigh. “We don’t have the money to build a house, especially if it’s one you’ll be designing yourself.”
I should have thought of that. They’d paid me more of what I was owed, but the debt kept getting bigger as each week went by. The thing was, I really wanted this house forMason. I’d told him of my commitment, but this would give me the opportunity to show it.
To prove it.
I thought fast. “What if the pack provides the land, and I build the house on my own?”
He blinked. “With what? Where would you get the money?”
I chuckled. “Letmeworry about that. I promise it won’t be anything illegal. All I’m asking right now is…is it possible?”
He shrugged. “Yeah, I don’t see why not.”
“Awesome.” I smiled. “You know, I’m really glad we moved here.”
“I am too,” John said. “Really glad.”
I stood. “We’re done for the day, so I’m gonna go surprise Mase by getting home early for a change. Maybe we’ll go out to dinner or something.”
“Sounds fun.” He bit back a smile. “I’m not jealous at all.”
John had been busting his hump trying to bring money to town so he could pay those of us who were falling behind in bills and the like. And I couldn’t miss the wistful edge to his voice.
“Would you like to go with us?” I pointed to his phone. “Call your wife, grab the kid, and we’ll hit the Applejack.”
He gave a grateful smile. “Raincheck, maybe? I’m neck deep in things thathaveto get sorted.”
“Anything I can do to help?”
“Yes, in fact there is.” He grinned. “Get out of here and keep our Omega happy.” Then he returned his attention to the sheaf of papers on his desk.
