“That soon?”
“Yes, and if you can get me the final equipment list tomorrow, I’ll order it to arrive the day after construction is finished.”
“Oh Dios! I cannot believe this. You are truly a miracle worker!”
“Thanks, but I think the real thanks should go to Colton. It would have taken me two weeks just to do what he did in a couple of days.”
“Sí, sí. I just have one other point for you to consider. We will need some help in setting up the hospital and clinic. While these attacks keep occurring, we are stretched too thin to take on the organization of getting everything in its place.”
“I know and I already have one of Dire Medical’s employees scheduled to be there for that purpose.”
“Gracias, gracias. Now if we can only stop these attacks.”
“I’m working on a plan for that also but need to talk to the Board about it first.”
“Good to know. I’ve got to go, I’m being paged. Adios, Slate.”
“Good-bye.”
After hanging up, Slate thought about Colton. Juan was right. Colton was exactly what Dire Medical looked for in their employees. “Wait until Steel hears about what a gem his brother-in-law is,” Slate muttered.
~/~/~/~/~
“Shit. This isn’t worth it. No amount of money will be enough if I lose my life,” he grumbled, bandaging up a cut. “That pansy-ass Alpha can do his own dirty work. This wasn’t our deal. Now he wants more from me. Well, fuck him. It’s gonna cost him a lot more.”
Mumbling with more complaints and curses, the shifter undressed, getting into bed. He had to be at work tomorrow in one piece, so he needed to heal tonight. Shaking his head, he once again regretted ever agreeing to take this job. Shit, at first it was simple but now it had grown way beyond the original assignment. “More money, lots more money. No more of this shit until they pay me more,” he slurred to himself, falling asleep.
~/~/~/~/~
“Have you heard anything about our night out, Colton?” Cody asked a week later.
“No, he hasn’t,” Steel answered, entering the dining room with Jackson.
Looking at Jackson’s pronounced baby bump, Colton chuckled at the t-shirt his brother was wearing today. This one said, ‘Keep Calm and Feed the Wolf Pup’ which suited Jackson’s appetite these days. Poor Dakota kept increasing the food he made for every meal, but there were never any leftovers. Shit, Jackson even ate from his mate’s plate as Steel looked lovingly at Jackson stuffing his face.
Colton knew Jackson had entered the stage in his pregnancy where the pup would need a lot of food to fuel the fast growth habit of a Dire Wolf. Today his brother was scheduled for another ultrasound and Colton was looking forward to seeing how big the pup was.
After everyone was seated, Steel announced, “I’ve arranged for all of you to spend three days in Seattle.”
“Really? Three whole days?” Cody asked, grinning broadly.
“Why Seattle?”
“When do we leave?”
“Are you coming with us?”
Colton sat back, listening to his brothers’ quick-fire questions at Steel. He didn’t care where they went as long as he could have a one-night hook-up to relieve a very long dry spell. And if it included dancing and drinking, well, that was a bonus he hadn’t expected. Picturing a blond, shaggy-haired twink shaking his booty while dancing close to him had Colton salivating. As far as he was concerned, the sooner they went the better it would be. Tuning back into the conversation, he was pleased to hear they would be leaving on Monday.Hot Damn!
~/~/~/~/~
Colton had reviewed Dr. Wallace’s orders for Jackson’s appointment and everything was ready. “Hey bro, are you in here?” Colton heard as Jackson pushed open the door, entering the room, followed by Steel. Smiling at his brother, Colton said, “Doc ordered some additional tests today, so before you get up on the table, I need a urine sample from you. You can use the bathroom down the hall.”
“Urine sample? Why?”
“He wants to make sure all your body parts are working right. Now off you go.” Colton said, smiling at the reluctant patient.
“Shit, okay. Babe,” Jackson implored Steel, “you have to come with me. I can’t see a little thing like a cup with this belly blocking my vision.”
