CHAPTER ONE
"I've moved Damien to General Manager of the Blood Rose," Conall told Victor as they sat together having a drink in his office. "With all the work that needs to be done, I wanted someone seasoned and decisive in that position. I’ve chosen the Parks Construction Company to do the job. Rhett Parks was upfront, open, and honest throughout his pitch. Damien will be able to hit the ground running and keep things on time and on budget.”
“We’ve never had a dedicated Manager before, but I can see the need for one now that everything is in flux and with human construction workers on site," Victor remarked and took a sip of his whiskey. "Damien is an interesting choice considering his specialized background in field work. The men call him the liquidator.”
"Like I said, I want seasoned and decisive, and Damien meets the criteria. He never leaves a job half done, no matter what it entails, and that is what earned him the title of liquidator. Nothing gets in his way.” Conall emphasized.
“I look forward to seeing how he reimagines the Blood Rose.” Victor conceded.
“It’s going to be killer.”
“My bid on the Blood Rose was accepted. Conall Rose liked my proposal, and I’ll be signing the contracts in the morning.” Rhett Parks stood at his desk and started running through what he would need to get started immediately. He spoke with his newly hired foreman, Andy, and together they had everything set and ready for the following morning.
"This is an important job, Rhett," Andy remarked. “You do this right and you’ll be set. The jobs will keep coming.” Rhett couldn’t hold back the smile. He’d been getting by with small jobs for over a year, but this one would put his company on the map. . . if all went well.
“Conall Rose wants things done right and on time, and we can give him that." Rhett was not worried about the quality of his work or the integrity of the crew; they could do this and shine. Andy had been recommended to him by a friend in the business. He had a few people who had worked for him in the past, but this job required a full crew, and Andy had come through, supplying all the manpower he needed. Things were starting to look up.
“Must be a relief considering how close you were to . . .” Andy trailed off, but Rhett understood.
"I wasn't giving up, Andy. I planned to keep working, even if it was simply laying pavers in a garden. I wasn’t going to give up.” Rhett made himself clear. It was rumored that his company was on the brink of bankruptcy, but it hadn’t gotten that bad yet. Now, with the Blood Rose job, he could maybe breathe easy for a while.
“See you in the morning.” Andy waved as he left the room. Rhett watched him leave and then sat down, running hisfinger roughly through his hair. He had a lot to prove with this job. There were many general contractors in town, and it took a lot to stand out. The Blood Rose and the satisfaction of his client would make him or break him. He could get larger, more prestigious jobs in the future, or he could be stuck doing garden pavers and concrete slabs.
He would arrive early before Andy and his men, and he wanted to go over the site one more time to ensure everything was ready. They would begin the demolition, and Rhett would finalize the plans to be followed. Drakon, the man he'd dealt with so far, informed him that a new general manager by the name of Damien Russo would be present to approve all plans and orders.
Rhett closed up and headed home because morning would come early, and he wanted to be prepared. He was informed that Damien Russo was a hard taskmaster and difficult to please, but he trusted his work and trusted Andy.
"They'll be starting tomorrow morning," Drakon told him and handed him the prepared contracts. "That's just the basics; anything extra you want to do is up to you. The Master has given you a free hand in bringing the Blood Rose back to life." Drakon also handed him the business card of Rhett Parks, the owner. Damien looked at it and tucked it into his pocket.
They were currently standing in the alley behind what remained of the Blood Rose following a destructive fire. The main section of the bar was still standing and sound, according to all reports, but the front and back sections needed extensive repair and remodeling.
“Not my usual assignment, but it should prove interesting." Damien was a fixer or liquidator. He made things right, he made things go away, and he made things suffer, buthe never did repairs, remodeling, or worked with a general contractor.
“The Master wants it done right and done fast. He is certain that you will keep people on task even if it takes blood to do so.” Drakon smiled darkly. He understood that the job was important to the Master, and therefore, it was important to him. “Our biggest issue so far is insurance claims. It's the human realm, so we have been leaning on human workers and liaisons. That time has passed, and now we need progress.”
“How are the permits?” Damien asked as he quickly scanned the file.
“Again, humans have been taking care of it, but there have been too many roadblocks."
“I’ll take care of it.” Damien closed the file just as a truck pulled up to the north side, and they both turned.
"That's Rhett Parks. Come, I'll introduce you." Drakon stated. “He’s human, as are some of his men, although there are wolves in the mix. The foreman, Andy, is also a wolf shifter. The Master likes his work, but as you know, nothing is written in stone.”
Rhett pulled to the side of the building for now. He would move once the men arrived and they got started on the demo. As soon as he exited his truck, he saw Drakon approaching, accompanied by another man. This must be the new general manager he was thinking, but there was something oddly captivating about the other man. He didn't want to stare, but it was hard to look away.
He stood tall, with broad shoulders and a body built for action. He was dressed in a dark suit expertly tailored toaccentuate all his finest features. His face spoke of a hard, disciplined life, and his eyes were so dark they looked black and were filled with an exacting finality.
Nothing got by this man; nothing was ever missed or assumed. This man was much more than a simple general manager. In that moment, Rhett wondered what he'd gotten himself into and just how much it would cost him in the end.
Drakon walked up, and Rhett stood still. “Rhett.” He said. “This is Damien Russo, the new general manager of the Blood Rose." The man looked him dead in the eyes, and the left side of his mouth rose just a millimeter, but it was there. It was probably what passed for a smile with a man like this, and it had a strange effect on Rhett.
The closer he came, the more heat Rhett felt crawling up his back and igniting a fascination that had no place in their current business relationship. He tamped down the desire that coursed uncomfortably through him, took a deep breath, and hoped that Mr. Russo did not pick up on what he was feeling.
“Nice to meet you. I look forward to us working together.” Rhett said with such tight control, he thought his muscles might lock. He reached out his hand to Rhett with that same smile so subtle it could be missed, but Rhett saw it.
“I will be by your side throughout.” He said his voice was so deep and thick, and it ran across Rhett’s flesh like an electrical charge. He held Rhett’s hand and did not immediately let go. It was odd but not awkward. Rhett held until Damien slowly released and took a half step back. He was looking at him, and it was different than before. He was studying him with an intensity that had Rhett looking away and fumbling with his notes.
“I have a list of permits we’ll need, and according to the records, there has been some difficulty in having them secured.”Rhett tried to move his attention from the devastatingly handsome man in front of him to some practical matters.
