"If I'd known, I would have brought you here sooner." He stated.
“We just met Damien.” Rhett reminded softly.
"We'll pick up your things, and you're moving in today."
“Okay, you’ll get no fight from me.”
“Good.” That was settled, and Damien seemed relieved. Rhett was touched by his genuine concern for his welfare. Rhett had some friends and had been in relationships, but he’d never felt valued the way Damien made him feel valued.
CHAPTER FIVE
Rhett was shocked to see a full crew already at work when he arrived. He was struck by the fact that he recognized these men as paranormal. As requested, he did not react but took the time to walk around, introduce himself, and learn everyone's names.
Damien stood back and observed for a few minutes, and then disappeared. He was a resourceful man. Where he came up with these men, Rhett had no idea he'd never met them before when hiring other crews, but that didn't matter; what mattered was that he could complete this job.
Half his thoughts were consumed by the work, but the other half was owned by Damien Russo. Last night had been epic, and he didn't use that word lightly. Many things had changed, and many things had been revealed. The connection he felt to the man was uncanny, yet also quite nice.
He wanted to believe everything he was feeling, all the revelations and everything Damien had told him, but there was still a small piece of doubt in the back of his mind that believed nothing was absolute. Was their love for the ages, or would it fade over time? That thought brought a veil of sadness that he quickly dispelled by engrossing himself back in his work. Therewas plenty of time to work out his uncertainties, but he needed to stay focused on the task at hand.
Damien had gotten him a crew, and he was going to keep his mind there. They could have the place completed in a couple of weeks, considering the size of the crew and the fact that all the permits were in hand. He was walking to his truck to get a copy of the design plan that Master Rose had given him when he heard a familiar voice.
“I told you we’d be back. You didn’t need to hire another crew.” Andy whined as he came up abruptly and stood beside him. Andy seemed angry and stressed, but Rhett didn’t have time for his bullshit.
"I need men I can depend on, and that's not you or your crew," Rhett spoke plainly and honestly.
“I had a prior obligation that will be wrapped up in a day or two. There was no need to get an entirely new crew." He persisted, but it was only making Rhett uncomfortable.
“It’s done, and you're done. I don't need you or your crew." He said and then headed back inside the bar, leaving Andy in the alley. He took a quick look around and then headed down the north side out of view. William Henry had expectations, and Andy wasn’t going to disappoint. Parks was about to learn that you don’t step on powerful toes and get away with it.
Damien met with Master Rose and Drakon regarding the renovations, the difficulties that were arising, and shared the fact that Rhett Parks was his beloved. When his phone rang, the Master told him to answer it.
"We followed Andy, and he's back at the Blood Rose talking with your beloved." It was Ravi reporting. "From whatwe observed, Parks shut him down pretty quick, but Andy hasn’t left the site yet.”
“Go back to Henry and keep watch on his activities. I'll take care of Andy." He said and closed the call.
“William Henry submitted a bid on the Blood Rose renovation.” Master Rose remarked. “He had a standard proposal, basic for a nightclub, satisfactory, I would call it. But I wanted creativity, and I wanted something that spoke solely to the character of the Blood Rose. I got that from Parks General Contracting.”
“Do you think he’s behind the harassment?” Drakon asked.
“Most likely. The cougar from last night worked for Andy.” Damien spoke up.
“Andy works for Henry and is currently involved in at least two of his projects. He never had any intention of working for Rhett; it was just a scheme to screw with him.” Damien told them and then added.
“I'll pay Henry Properties a visit." The Master stated. "You go check on your beloved."
“Yes, sir.” Damien quickly headed back to the Blood Rose. The crew he gathered were all capable of handling anything that might arise. Their connection indicated no problems, but he wanted to make sure his sweet beloved was not being bothered.
Andy found traces of the cougar having been there, as well as remnants of the explosive he'd devised. He’d tried to contact him late last night, but there was no answer. He wasn't sure what took place, but the scene spoke of violence and probably death. It wasn't Parks that humans did not have thejuice to take out a cougar shifter, so it must have been someone from among this crew or one of Master Rose’s men. That meant things were going to come to a head very soon.
He could either wait for the shit to hit the fan or act now and finish it before it started. He made a call to Mr. Henry and requested additional personnel. “He hired a crew.” He began. “Send me enough men and I will fuck this up.”
“They're on their way," Henry stated, his anger barely contained. "Do not fail me." He barked.
“Temporary setback.” Andy tried to assure. “I’ll have these men on the run soon enough, and the site will be shut down." Henry did not respond; he simply closed the call. Andy knew he was on thin ice and had a lot to lose if this didn’t work. The shifters working for Parks were strong and cunning, but fire was a wonderful equalizer. No one, not even vampires and shifters, could survive fire.
He'd provided the cougar with a devise but still had three in his possession. Properly placed, he could bring the remainder of this club down along with the contractor and maybe some of his crew. It could work out just fine.
He planted a device behind the remains of the bar, and no one noticed him. He would stay out of sight until the others arrived, and then he'd use them as a distraction while setting off the firebombs. Yes, it was going to work out just fine, and Mr. Henry would reward him handsomely.
