“No problem. I understand. Why all the levels of protection when my brothers are going to Seattle for three days without any.”
“You’ve been misinformed. Your brothers will have an elite guard of enforcers that belong to Dire Enterprises accompanying them. They will be under surveillance night and day except, of course, when they are enjoying the pleasures of the body, shall we say.”
Colton started to chuckle. He wondered if his brothers were going to enjoy the babysitting. Boy that sure would put a crimp in his style—having someone watching him trying to pick up guys.Shit,why did he get a sudden pain in his chest at that thought? He was absentmindedly rubbing it when Paul arrived with their beers. He waited until they took off before resuming his conversation with Slate.
“I’m embarrassed to say, I know very little about Dire Enterprises. How did you get involved in the medical needs of Mexican Wolf shifters?”
“One of our companies is Dire Medical. Remember about the goal of steady jobs, healthcare, and education?” Colton nodded and Slate continued. “Well, Dire Medical deals with health and medical needs of shifters. When the attacks started in Mexico, Dr. Luna who belongs to our organization, Frontline Doctors, was sent to determine what help was needed.”
“Wait! Frontline Doctors is your organization?”
“Yes, why?”
“Because my goal was always to become a nurse so I could join them. Why are you grinning like that?”
“Because Dr. Luna was so impressed with your work, he asked me to…no, more like demanded…I hire you for Frontline Doctors.”
“He did? Wow! How come Steel didn’t tell me?”
“Because I never discussed it with him. I was too busy trying to make sure everything was in place for this project to be brought in on time. I put the request on a back burner until the hospital and clinic were operational.”
“Wow! But I don’t have my nursing degree yet. Bummer. Without the certificate I can’t take care of patients.” He thought about that before saying, “But when I become a nurse, I’ll be knocking on your door for a job!”
“You bet. I don’t want to get your hopes up, but Dr. Luna mentioned he might have a way for you to complete your nursing requirements.”
“He did? How?”
“He didn’t give me the details but we can talk to him about it when we get there.”
“Holy Fuck! That is fantastic news. Thanks!”
“Hey, don’t thank me. It’s Dr. Luna you can thank. Tell me about your brothers. I wanted to meet Jackson today, but we’re on a tight schedule. How is my brother doing as a father-to-be?”
“Steel is a perfect mate for Jackson. He’s always there, protecting and doing everything for him.”
Slate snorted. “That sounds like my brother. He was always looking out for me as a child. It used to piss me off something fierce. But I’m sure Jackson doesn’t look at it that way.”
“I don’t think so. I know there’re times my brother puts Steel in his place. Hey, did you ever hear about our first Full Moon Run with your parents and Steel?”
“No, tell me. In fact, tell me as many stories about my brother as you can. I need an arsenal to use when he gets on my ass.”
“Well, that night was the first time any of us had seen a huge Dire Wolf and boy were my brothers uncomfortable…” By the time the plane landed, Colton had given Slate enough stories he could use to tease Steel for years to come.
Chapter 8
Waking up the next morning, Colton found it hard to believe he was in a foreign country, working in the medical field. Well, not quite what he expected when he entered the nursing program, but as close as he would get until he finished his education. Colton heard Slate in the small kitchen of their apartment banging cupboard doors and clinking dishes. When the scent of fresh brewed coffee reached his nose, he jumped out of bed, heading toward the aroma.
The kitchen was open to the living and dining room in the apartment giving it a spacious feel. Plopping himself down on a stool at the island, Colton asked, “Need any help?”
Slate whirled around. “Shit man, don’t sneak up on me. My brother already called me this morning to make sure you were safe. If he keeps this up, we’ll be here forever, with all his interruptions.”
“It’s not your brother, it’s Jackson. Steel is only doing what any good mate would do for their pregnant partner…eliminate stress.”
“I know. But it’s hell on me when I have to listen to a fifteen minute lecture on protecting you. I reminded him I’m a Dire Wolf…like that mattered. He thinks he’s the only one who can do it right.”
“Don’t feel bad. I’m telling you, it’s Jackson who’s driving the bus here. I’m sure he’ll calm down in a few days. I’ll tell you what…I’ll send Jackson a long email every night about what I did so he feels in control. Hell, I should’ve done that last night. But never mind. I’ll start tonight and I bet Steel will get off your ass in a couple of days.”
“Are you sure you want to do that?”
