The One Thing Money Can't Buy (Custom Solutions Book 1)
Page 15
“I was speaking to a journalist from the Paranormal Gazette last night,” Quaid said, speaking up for the first time since the job offer was put on the table. “I might have promised him an exclusive interview with you because he seemed inclined to listen.”
“You might have?” Cari asked.
Quaid shrugged. “Okay, I did. He started off asking the same inane questions we were worried about, but when I pushed him to question what he thought he knew, he was open to new ideas. You could do an interview with him, include a demonstration of your power like we were going to do. That should take care of a lot of the people who are after you simply because you’re a white hedgehog.”
“There’s still my lotto winnings to contend with too,” Cari said glumly. “My prickle, the wolves, and the cats all wanted that as well. Maybe I should just give it all away. It’s not as though I’ve spent any of it.”
“NO!” The loud exclamation from all three men around the table shocked Cari for a moment. As Quaid was his mate, it was him he looked for clarification from first.
“Babe, you know I’m not with you for the money,” Quaid said, sincerity clear on his face. “But when was the last time you had something nice for yourself? When have you ever had the chance to just do something random, like a buy a car because you liked the color, or buy and furnish a house just the way you liked it?”
“Never.” Cari thought of his little apartment with its threadbare furniture and his pitiful wardrobe.
“And what about traveling?” Christian asked. “We’ve got agencies all around the world and part of your job will be to go and check them out too. Wouldn’t it be nice to take some days off when you’ve finished a job, and have some fun too?”
“I never really thought about traveling,” Cari admitted. “I didn’t have a clue what to do with the money when I got it.”
“Which is why you don’t want to be making rash decisions about your money now,” Dolph said firmly. “It’s not harming anybody in the bank. If you decide to give some of it away later, to causes you believe in, then do. But don’t throw away your good fortune, simple because some other assholes think they deserve a piece of it.”
“What do you think, Quaid?” Cari knew, he sensed the advice given by Christian and Dolph was sound, but at the end of the day, it was his mate who had to wear the worry of him being taken or manipulated again.
“I think you should do whatever you think is best,” Quaid said gently. When their eyes met, Cari felt the rest of the world slip away and the feeling intensified when Quaid’s hands framed his face. “I love you, rich or poor, working or lounging around as an unemployed bum. There will always be people in this world who think they can have a piece of what you have for no reason at all. They steal, con, and manipulate, but if they put that effort into working, they’d have enough funds of their own.”
Cari nodded. He knew a lot of people in his prickle like that, including his parents.
“Don’t think of all that money as just cash in the bank,” Quaid went on. “Think of it as opportunities. There’s the fun stuff, like traveling and buying new things that you enjoy. And you can do a lot of good with it too, donating it to causes that you’re passionate about. I imagine you’ve spent most of your life surviving, so you probably don’t know what those things are yet. But this money gives you the opportunity to find out over time.”
“How will I know I’m not getting ripped off or manipulated?”
“You go with your gut,” Quaid grinned. “Your gut backed by one of the most invasive and extensive computer networks in the world. You offer money when you want to, and if someone comes to you and asks for some, we’ll use company resources to check them out before a cent changes hands.”
“And the Fanshaws claiming I belong to their pack, or the prickle claiming I owe them for them raising me?”
“We’ve got the best lawyers in town. Believe me, there is a solution, one that will wipe clean all their claims and leave them for dust.” He leaned forward, Cari calmed as he felt Quaid’s forehead on his, their breaths mingling. “Own what you have, own who you are. Stand strong and be proud, knowing we’ve got your back covered.”
“And the council? What if they try and take us away because of who I am?” Cari didn’t want to keep bringing up problems, but he had to be sure he was doing the right thing.
“You’re not alone anymore,” Quaid reminded him. “Do you honestly think two elite employees of Custom Solutions can just disappear without the bosses and the rest of the team raising merry hell about it?”
“So, the job comes with a security package,” Cari smiled, a true smile this time as he felt a huge weight lift off his shoulders. “That’s good to know.”
“There’s a whole new life just waiting for you, out there, if you want to take it,” Quaid said. “A job, travel, a new home when you’re ready, friends, family, and me. Are you going to take it?”
“I’ll take it.” Cari tilted his head, for the inevitable kiss. Inevitable, because that was just the way his mating rolled. When he was sufficiently dizzy, his cock pounding in his pants, and he pulled back for air, Cari turned slightly and said to a bemused Christian and Dolph, “I’ll take it.”
Epilogue
Three weeks later
Leaning on the wall, Quaid watched as Cari lectured the twelve men who currently made up Christian’s and Dolph’s bodyguard team. All the men were well over six foot tall, and had muscles upon muscles. Cari was like a tiny bolt of quicksilver, darting up and down in front of them.
“If you don’t like your client’s puking on your shoes, then don’t let them.” Cari threw up his hands. “You are bodyguards, not babysitters. I don’t want to hear that word used in relation to your duties again. You guard their body, you care about their safety. If they’re throwing up, it’s because you didn’t stop them getting drunk and stupid. You’re not just hunky back drops for the clients to parade about to make them look good. You’re men of integrity and honor and that will be respected. Do I make myself clear?”
“But what if….” One brave soul tried to ask.
“There is no what if,” Cari snapped back. “If your client is puking then it means they’ve been poisoned and require medical help. That is the only reason they will be puking. New contracts for clients have been drawn up. Any client caught disrespecting this company’s integrity and that of it’s staff from now on will be double billed and then terminated. The bodyguards in this company are the very best there is to be had. And they will be treated with the respect they deserve.”
Quaid noticed how the men all stood a little straighter. “Sir,” one of the new recruits asked, “Do you have tips on how we can dissuade a client from making unsafe choices without causing an incident, in public for example?”
“Good question.” Cari took the sir as his due. After giving his exclusive interview with the press, and actually being listened to, his little mate had blossomed, coming up with ideas, haranguing Christian and Dolph about new contracts and new methods of practice. Since word had gotten out Cari was working for Custom Solutions, more and more clients were pouring in. “What you need to watch for is this…”
Quaid tuned out as Parker appeared beside him. “Is Cari terrifying the new recruits again?” Parker grinned.
“New and old. He’s sharing his sense of worth,” Quaid knew the pride was showing in his voice. “He’s teaching these guys that they’re more than just military grunts who follow orders.”
“That’s the best possible way to inspire loyalty,” Parker agreed. “I’ve got this for you. Came this morning, special channels. Addressed to you and Cari.” He handed Quaid a thick official looking envelope. “Christian said to let him know if you need the lawyers again.”
Nodding, Quaid opened the envelope, pulling out a sheaf of papers. Scanning through them, he frowned and then went back and read the front page again. His frown turned into a smirk as the words sank into his brain.
“What’s that, babe?”
Cari bounced up to him. Looking over Quaid saw the men he’d been talking to were filing out of the other door, probably heading for the dining room. “Don’t tell me there are more packs, prickles, herds or goodness knows what else trying to stake a claim to me and our money.”
“Nope, it’s from the paranormal council.” Quaid handed over the covering letter.
“Not the shifter council, the paranormal council? Oh, my goodness.” Cari started scanning the letter. “Wait. What? They’ve given me emancipation?” He read out loud. “From this date forward, due to the unique nature of his heritage and genetics, Caractacus Bartholomew Hudson shall be deemed an independent, true mated paranormal with all the rights and responsibilities adherent to that title. No pack, pride, prickle, herd, or other paranormal group can, or shall from this date forward, imply through any means, legal or otherwise, a connection or control over or with an independent individual, with the exception of his mate, independent true mate, Quaid Poullon.” Cari looked up, tears shining in his eyes. “Does this mean…?”
“An end to all the court cases currently pending,” Quaid nodded. “Your prickle has no case because from now on you don’t belong to them. The Fanshaws can go suck eggs, although you will note in the attached papers, Douglas and Barry have both been arrested for attempted embezzlement while in a position of authority and Marcus has been charged for trying to interfere in a true mating. The cat coalition and the shifter council can’t touch you, for any reason and that includes Ryan and his pal Jo. You have been deemed, by the highest power we have, to be an independent paranormal. No one can touch you anymore.”
“Except my independent mate, Quaid Poullon.” Quaid sighed as Cari reached up and draped his arms around his neck. “Is this going to get you into trouble with your pride? I know you don’t see them very often, but they are your family and you did grow up with them.”
“I already spoke to Mom and Dad about it when Christian petitioned the paranormal council. Mom said, and I quote, ‘no piece of paper is going to get you out of being my son,’ but she understood. They all did.” Quaid was actually surprised at how supportive his family was being about his mating. Ernest had already been over for dinner a few times, and Quaid had promised he’d take Cari to meet the others at the pride for the holidays.
“So, does this mean I can get my passport now?” Cari had to put that off because there were so many court cases against him.
“Already here.” Quaid held up the purple booklet, with “Independent” stamped across the front of it. “Christian has booked us on the afternoon plane to Venice, first class all the way.”
“Venice, I can’t wait.” Leaning back his head, Cari whooped at the ceiling. Quaid guessed if he hadn’t been holding his mate so tightly, there’d have been happy dancing involved. “Who’d have believed it,” Cari said, straightening again, his eyes filled with joy, “that buying a ten line lotto ticket could change my life in such a positive way. I finally have a chance to dream and to make those dreams come true.”
“And what do you dream of most, little one?” Quaid asked, hoisting Cari off his feet and heading for the door.
“You,” Cari said in that simple honest way he had. “Always you. Winning the lotto started an amazing chain of events, but you will always be the most important thing in my life, because your heart was the one thing I couldn’t buy. You gave it to me, willingly.”
“And that will never change,” Quaid promised. “Now, how long do you think it will take you to pack? Only, I’m thinking a long relaxing bath….”
Cari’s sexy groan sent tingles right the way down to Quaid’s toes. He might have told Cari that money gave his young mate all the opportunities he’d previously been denied, but there were some things worth more than a dozen lotto wins. Quaid knew that because he was carrying one of those things in his arms. His pace quickened as he thought of all the other “free” things he and Cari could do before they needed to be at the airport.
The End.
This book was originally going to be part of the Alpha and Omega series, as it started as a short story for Stormy Glenn’s Manlove blog competition. It was always going to be a bit different, because in this book paranormals are “out” among humans and live together side by side. In my A&O series, shifters still hide who they are from the humans around them. But then, as the story progressed, a good friend of mine suggested that I turn this into a series. Dolph and Christian have a lot to say, and then there’s Parker… LOL. I am not giving the game away and I can’t say when the next book in this series will be written as I do have a few other series I want to finish up first, but you will hear more about the men in this book, in later stories.
In the meantime, the next book I have out will be Artemas’s story in The Gods Made Me Do It series, and then I am tossing up whether to write the last Necromancer story, or the last book in the Cloverleah series. I guess it will depend on who is talking to me the loudest at the time.
Remember, if you did enjoy this book, please take the time to leave me a short review wherever you purchased this copy. Sales are harder to get as more and more competition flood the Amazon stores, and Amazon’s policies make finding books like mine in the MM genre more difficult. As my writing is my only source of income, any help I can get is truly appreciated.
As always, thank you for reading this far. I count my readers as wonderful gifts and if you have the time to let me know I made you smile, please contact me in the links provided on the next page. Sharing smiles has become my new motto for 2019 and when I know I’ve made you smile, my day is a happy one.
Hug the one you love
Lisa.
About the Author
Lisa Oliver had been writing non-fiction books for years when visions of half dressed, buff men started invading her dreams. Unable to resist the lure of her stories, Lisa decided to switch to fiction books, and now stories about her men clamor to get out from under her fingertips. With over fifty MM true mate titles to her credit so far, Lisa shows no sign of slowing down.
When Lisa is not writing, she is usually reading with a cup of tea always at hand. Her grown children and grandchildren sometimes try and pry her away from the computer and have found that the best way to do it is to promise her chocolate. Lisa will do anything for chocolate.
Lisa loves to hear from her readers and other writers (I really do, lol). You can catch up with her on any of the social media links below.
Facebook – http://www.facebook.com/lisaoliverauthor
Official Author page – https://www.facebook.com/LisaOliverManloveAuthor/
My new private teaser group - https://www.facebook.com/groups/540361549650663/
And I am now on MeWe – you can find my group at http://mewe.com/join/lisa_olivers_paranormal_pack
My blog - (http://www.supernaturalsmut.com)
Twitter – http://www.twitter.com/wisecrone333
Email me directly at yoursintuitively@gmail.com.
Other Books By Lisa/Lee Oliver
Please note, I have now marked the books that contain mpreg and MMM for those of you who don’t like to read those type of stories. Hope that helps
Cloverleah Pack
Book 1 – The Reluctant Wolf – Kane and Shawn
Book 2 – The Runaway Cat – Griff and Diablo
Book 3 – When No Doesn’t Cut It – Damien and Scott
Book 3.5 – Never Go Back – Scott and Damien’s Trip and a free story about Malacai and Elijah
Book 4 – Calming the Enforcer – Troy and Anton
Book 5 – Getting Close to the Omega – Dean and Matthew
Book 6 – Fae for All – Jax, Aelfric and Fafnir (M/M/M)
Book 7 – Watching Out for Fangs –Josh and Vadim
Book 8 – Tangling with Bears – Tobias, Luke and Kurt (M/M/M)
Book 9 – Angel in Black Leather – Adair and Vassago
Book 9.5 – Scenes from Cloverleah – four short stories featuring the men we’ve come to love
Book 1
0 – On The Brink – Teilo, Raff and Nereus (M/M/M)
Book 11 – Don’t Tempt Fate – Marius and Cathair
Book 12 – My Treasure to Keep – Thomas and Ivan
Book 13 – is on the list to be written – it will be about Wesley and yes, he will find his mate too, but that’s all I can say about this one for now (Coming soon)
The Gods Made Me Do It (Cloverleah spin off series)
Book One - Get Over It – Madison and Sebastian’s story
Book Two - You’ve Got to be Kidding – Poseidon and Claude (mpreg)
Book Three – Don’t Fight It – Lasse and Jason
Book Four – Riding the Storm – Thor and Orin (mpreg elements [Jason from previous book gives birth in this one])
Book Five – No Point in Hiding – Artemas and his mate (coming soon)
The Necromancer’s Smile (This is a trilogy series under the name The Necromancer’s Smile where the main couple, Dakar and Sy are the focus of all three books – these cannot be read as standalone).
Book One – Dakar and Sy – The Meeting
Book Two – Dakar and Sy – Family affairs
Book Three – Dakar and Sy – Taking Care of Business – (coming soon).
Bound and Bonded Series
Book One – Don’t Touch – Levi and Steel
Book Two – Topping the Dom – Pearson and Dante
Book Three – Total Submission – Kyle and Teric
Book Four – Fighting Fangs – Ace and Devin
Book Five – No Mate of Mine – Roger and Cam
Book Six – Undesirable Mate – Phillip and Kellen
Stockton Wolves Series