“Damn and blast it.” Beau angrily banged the keys to his laptop, blasting out another message to his PA who seemed to think that now he was pregnant he had also lost his marbles.
“You okay, in here, hon?” Trent sauntered in, his long hair tied back, his overalls tied around his waist and his chest covered in smears of oil. “Is the Wi-Fi giving you grief again?”
It’d been four days since the men claimed each other and they’d quickly settled into an easy routine. Mornings, Trent needed to be out the house first, but they all took time to have breakfast together. Then when Trent went to open the garage, he and Liam spent time cleaning the house and doing the basic chores, before Liam had to get into his uniform for work. They walked together to the garage where Liam dropped Beau off before heading to the Sheriff’s office.
Beau set up his laptop in Trent’s office and worked until Liam came around for lunch. Trent’s office girl, Joanna, had recently left to have her own child, so Beau was helping Trent with his invoicing and things like that as well. At four o’clock, Liam would stop in after his shift was finished and then they’d either get take out, or go home and cook. While it’d only been a few days, Beau felt like he’d finally come home.
And in that time, Beau hadn’t found the time to explain to his mates what was going on with his business, or one business deal in particular. “Have you got time to sit and chat for a minute?”
“Always.” Trent poked his head around the office door and yelled into the workshop. “Gavin, get that muffler off and then you can go to lunch. If anyone wants me, tell them to come back later.”
“Lube is in the bottom drawer,” Gavin yelled back. Trent grinned and closed the door. Gavin was Trent’s apprentice – a young rabbit with bright ginger hair who damn near shit himself when Beau shook his hand. Around Liam he was worse, always dropping whatever tool he was using and then disappearing into the bathroom. Liam being friendly and always ruffling his hair when he saw him, probably didn’t help.
“Now, my mate, what’s got you looking at that laptop as though it served you overcooked steak?” Trent hitched his hip, so he was sitting on the corner of the old wooden desk Beau was using.
“I’m being a shit mate,” Beau rubbed his stomach. “I haven’t talked to Liam about this and he really should be here, but I don’t think I can keep this to myself much longer.”
“Then how about you talk to me, and then we’ll talk to Liam together. Does it involve him, or is it more of a general problem?”
“I didn’t mean to hide it from him, I just didn’t want to give him any more stress. He’s been through so much since he met me as it is.” Beau’s heart was going too fast and he could’ve sworn he felt something kicking in his stomach. Trent was there, by his side in seconds, the smell of his scent and grease soothing Beau more than anything ever could.
“Sit on the couch,” Trent ordered, guiding him out of the office chair. “Sit there. Put your head on my lap, sorry about the grease, and when you’re calm tell me all about it.”
“Gods, I’m sorry.” Beau felt close to crying. “I swear I’m not usually like this. I’ve been trying to fix things, but we haven’t even got our mating registered yet.”
“Fix what? Your hair? Because I have to say, hon, I’d love it if you grew it out. You’d look wicked sexy with longer hair.”
Beau frowned, diverted. “I thought I looked wicked sexy now. I seem to recall you telling me so last night.”
Trent laughed. That was the amazing thing about both of his mates. They never had a problem showing their emotions. For Beau it was a refreshing change from the way he’d been brought up. “You are wicked sexy and now you’re also relaxed. Tell me what’s been going on.”
Haltingly, Beau explained about his business. He was in property development and although the business was run out of Florida, he owned and managed properties all over the country.
“Good. You’ll know what to look for when we buy our new house,” Trent said, encouraging him to continue.
“A while ago, I got asked if I wanted to buy some property owned by a pride up north. It was a long strip of disused warehouses the owners claimed would be ripe for development. I hadn’t done business with this guy before, but he’d been referred by another business contact of mine, so I sent a few men up there to investigate and in the meantime got the lawyers to do a property search on the title.”
“Sounds like regular business practice to me. You sound like you know what you’re doing.” Trent’s hand on his hair was so relaxing.
“And I do. I do two dozen of these deals a year, but things started getting weird when I said I’d take the properties. My men had come back and said the warehouses could be developed into waterfront condos and with the growth in business in surrounding areas, it sounded like a good deal.”
“I like the idea of waterfront condos. Wouldn’t mind one of them for our use.”
“I’m not sure it will come to that,” Beau let out a long breath. “The standard business arrangement in a deal like this is I would deposit the money into my lawyer’s trust account to be held for the owner until the deal was complete. This owner wanted the cash couriered to his home address.”
Trent shifted his legs but refused to let Beau sit up. “Isn’t that a risk for you, if the deal falls through?”
“Exactly, so I said no and that’s when the guy started getting pushy. In the meantime, I get a call from my legal beagles, telling me the name on the title isn’t even that of the proclaimed owner.”
Beau rubbed his face over his hands. “I should’ve told Liam when I first found out. I should’ve fucking told him.”
“Let me guess. You were dealing with the Lamont Pride and the person whose name is on that title, is Liam’s.”
“And Lucien’s. That’s when I realized it was a tax dodge.” Beau sighed as he thought of the mountains of paperwork he’d had his advisers doing for him. “I thought if I could get Liam and Lucien legally named as the owner of the property and…I don’t know…convinced them this was a good business deal; both the brothers could make a lot of money. We all could. But their father said the buildings are in a holding company for tax purposes only and ultimately belong to him. I don’t want to give that bastard any money.”
“Then don’t.” Beau found himself looking at an upside-down Trent as his mate leaned over him. “Hon, money might be a big deal where you come from, but Liam doesn’t think like that and neither do I. Just pull out from the sale.”
“You don’t get it.” Pushing Trent out of the way, he sat up. “Pulling out of the sale was my first thought, but then I learned about how Liam and Lucien had been treated and thought fuck it, they deserve to get something out of that lousy pride. If I pull out, the asshole will simply sell the land and buildings to someone else and make a killing. So, I’ve been trying, really trying to get my legal beagles to work out a way so that it could be proven Liam and Lucien own these buildings and my damn PA treats me like a simpleton because I made the mistake of telling her I was pregnant and wants me to draw up prenups before she’ll record our mating for us. Without the record of mating, I don’t have the right to act on Liam’s behalf and that asshole’s going to… going to….” He swayed as black spots appeared before his eyes.
“Fuck, hon, you’re a stupid idiot trying to deal with this all on your own,” Trent grumbled as Beau found himself flat on his back again. “Deep breaths, feet up, there we go, now calm yourself; just calm down.”
“I can’t, I can’t.” Beau closed his eyes when he couldn’t stand the black spots any longer. “I swear I want this baby, I really do but if I wasn’t pregnant then I’d be up at that damn pride and I’d fucking take out the alpha myself. And now my stupid PA – how dare she talk about prenups for a shifter mating, but she says it’s what all my family do. She won’t listen to me!” The stress of trying to get things done, the heartbreak he felt for Liam, worry about the baby, their new mating and keeping his businesses afloat was getting to him and yet here he was lying on a dingy couch in a garage of all places. Beau felt as though his life was shattering into a thousand pieces and he couldn’t grab hold of one of them.
But one of his pieces, no two of them, grabbed hold of him. “Hey, babe.” Beau slowly opened his eyes. At least the black spots were gone. Liam was there looking so handsome and fine in his uniform and he could feel the heat of Trent behind him. Sucking in a deep breath, Beau willed his heartrate to go down. With his mates at hand, he could finally breathe.
“I’ve called the Doc, we’re going there right now,” Liam said firmly, but Beau focused on the hand on his face which was warm and steady. “Can you stand?”
Beau went to nod, but then he really wasn’t sure. “Come on, hon,” Trent got up and before he knew where he was, Trent was carrying him. “Thank the Fates the doctor’s office isn’t far.”
/~/~/~/~/
If you asked anyone in Arrowtown, they’d tell you Trent was an easy-going guy. His brothers used to joke about it with him; telling him he was more sloth than wolf, although he worked as hard as they did. He didn’t have a problem coming across as laid-back and that was simply because in his book, life was stressful enough without adding to it.
But at the moment, he was battling between yelling at his mate and finding Liam’s father and Beau’s PA and beating some sense into them. He hated how out of control Beau was feeling, and the tut-tutting Doc did when he checked Beau’s blood pressure didn’t help his protective instincts. Leaving and having lunch at home was a mutual decision although, Trent wondered how much of Cam’s muffler job would be done by the time he went back. Gavin was probably in the garage bathroom right now, wanking off over the sight of Liam.
“We’ve got left over stew,” Liam said, peering in the refrigerator. “I’ll get that reheated and that will have to do. There’s fresh bread because I bought that this morning. Drinks?” Liam bustled around putting the casserole bowl in the oven and pulling out the bread.
“Liam, sweetie. I know food’s important, but can you sit down a minute? Beau has something important he needs to share with you.” Beau hadn’t said anything since they’d gotten home; sitting in the kitchen chair like a zombie. Although, hearing Doc’s lecture on the perils of high blood pressure when pregnant was probably the cause of that. Trent tilted his head towards the table and Liam came and sat down.
As Beau explained to Liam all he’d been hiding from him and why, Trent tried to get a handle on his own feelings. Reasonable or not, Beau shouldn’t have hidden things from Liam. Then there was the issue with this mysterious PA and her failing to register their mating. Why did she even have to do it and what was all this shit about a prenup? Details, details, details, his wolf scoffed, and Trent knew his animal half was right.
“Beau,” Trent interrupted Beau still making excuses for his actions. “It’s time for you to let us in.”
“Let you in?” Beau looked between them with confusion written all over him. Liam was nodding in agreement though. “But I do. You guys are my life. I share…oh.”
“I think what Trent’s trying to say, babe,” Liam said softly, “is that if you’d come to us about any of this any sooner, we might have been able to help. I didn’t know your PA was being a controlling bitch and yeah, I’m pissed about what my dear old dad is doing in my name for freaking tax purposes. But if I’d known about it even before we met Trent, then me, Lucien and Noah could help.”
“Exactly, and now you have me and my brothers on your side too,” Trent said. “Getting our mating recorded is a one phone call job. It’s not something that needs to concern your assistant. As for this prenup bullshit, shifter law would supersede it anyway. You’re immortal and we’re fated mates, so we are too. Are you sure she’s not working with your father or trying to slow things down because you’re going to relocate the offices?” Trent had heard all about Beau’s asshole of a sire and Beau signed the lease for his new offices two days earlier.
“I’m used to handling things alone,” Beau looked so damn sad, and Trent huffed out a sigh as he reached over and took Beau’s hand.
“I’m sure you do a damn good job of it most of the time, but your body has got other things to think about right now, like that little one you’re carrying. You’ve got to stop being so hard on yourself.”
“I just hate that I seem to be losing respect from people just because I’m pregnant.”
“Then show them you’re still the man you used to be, or let us protect you and take some of the burden off those hunky shoulders of yours, at least.” Liam pulled out his phone and tapped out a number. “Mal, are you sitting with your feet on the desk watching Rocky trying to cope with the computer...then kick him off it, I’ve got something for you to research for me…yeah, yeah, looks like my dad put some properties in mine and Lucien’s name. I want to find out if those titles will stand up in shifter court…yeah, wouldn’t that be amazing. Get Simon on it too if you don’t mind…okay, thanks, Mal. Later.”
“Pass me your phone, hon.” Trent waved his free hand at Beau who handed it over. “Is this your office number? Oh yeah, it is. What’s your PA’s name?”
“Julie, but she’s not going to listen to you either,” Beau protested.
Trent held up his finger as he waited for the call to be answered. A sickly sweet, “yes Mr. Ferris,” greeted his ears.
“Julie? Hi, my name is Trent, wolf shifter and claimed fated mate of your boss, Mr. Ferris. How’s your day going so far?”
“I’m very well, thank you, but I don’t know why you’re calling. I only answer to Mr. Ferris and he’s not in right now.”
“I’m well aware of that, seeing as he’s sitting beside me having lunch. Now Julie, I understand Mr. Ferris asked you to file the record of our mating, how long ago?”
“I’m not sure I can say, Mr. Er…Trent. Mr. Ferris relies on me for a lot of things. I’m sure there’s something about it on my desk somewhere.”
“I see. Pull it out, would you? I’m happy to hold.” Trent rolled his eyes at Liam who was pulling the casserole out of the oven.
It was five minutes before Julie got back on the phone. “I have the file here, but there is a note on it saying the prenup papers haven’t been signed by the mate yet.”
“I see,” Trent shook his head at Beau who mouthed I told you so. “Who made the arrangements for the prenup papers, Julie?”
“I..er…well, it’s standard procedure.”
“Who’s procedure? You do work for Beau Ferris, don’t you?”
“Of course, I do.” Julie’s voice wasn’t so sweet now. “I’ve been working for Mr. Ferris for five years.”
“And I am sure you were over the moon when you heard he’d met his fated mates, weren’t you, Julie?”
“I’m not sure what that means, not being a paranormal myself, but I understand it’s important among your kind.”
Our kind? Liam mouthed while Beau looked shocked.
“Yes, Julie, you are quite right, it’s very important among our kind. More than a marriage, blessed by the Fates.”
“I wouldn’t know,” Julie’s sniff was audible to everyone. “I’m Presbyterian myself.”
“How nice for you,” Trent smiled although he really wasn’t feeling it. “Julie, you’re fired. Please clean out your desk and ensure you don’t take anything that doesn’t belong to you. Security will be along directly to escort you from the building. Mr. Ferris will arrange your final payment before the end of business today.”
“You can’t do that. I have a contract and besides I work for Mr. Ferris, not you.”
“And when you learned you were working for a shifter, you should have done your homework,” Trent snarled, letting his wolf through. “Interfering in a mating is an offense in both human and shifter laws. When two or more people claim each other, all material possessions, assets and authorities are automatically shared between the Fated ones. That means you work for me as much as you work for Beau and I’ve just fired your ass. You’ve done nothing but treat my mate with callous disrespect since his mating to Liam and subsequent pregnancy.”
“There’s been no complaints about the way I handle this office and Mr. Ferris’s affairs.”
“Consider this your first and last warning, Julie. Our mating is still not recorded; the information regarding the Lamont deal has not been sent through and I’ll bet you my two front fangs the signed papers for the new office space in Jackson haven’t been sent through to the lawyers yet for finalizing either. Your problem Julie, is you thought your sexy smile and submissive nature would eventually secure you a rich husband. Mr. Ferris will not be that husband. Collect your things and leave the premises.”
Trent disconnected the call. “What’s the number for security, hon? I don’t trust her not to make things more difficult for you before she leaves.”
“I can do that,” Beau waved for his phone back. “You sit and eat your lunch.”
“I have one more call to make.” Trent pulled out his own phone. Within five minutes of speaking with a very helpful shifter assistant at the council, his mating to Liam Lamont and Beau Ferris was finalized. “Now,” he said, digging into his stew, “what do we do about the Lamonts?”