“That’s not what your manager thinks,” I said.
“My manager is human.”
“I noticed.”
I’d met Carlos the day before. He was a small, round omega in his forties who drank twenty cups of coffee every day and popped Tums like mints. Lothair was probably responsible for at least one of the man’s ulcers.
Lothair leaned back against the pristine cushions, stretching his torso and showing off his impressive physique. He was sculpted, even for a shifter, and I could see why that body had earned him enough money to build this monstrous mansion.
“People think I’m pushing myself to the limit when I do what I do. Instead, most of the time, I have to stop myself from running too fast, jumping too high, or punching too hard. I need to be the best, but if I’m too good, I stop looking human. It requires the highest level of self-control and precision. That’s why I’m constantly aware of every little movement and detail around me. I’ve been keeping myself safe with a one hundred percent success rate, and I doubt you can do anything I don’t already excel at. But let’s say that some nutjob decides to shoot me in the street. What can you do? Catch the bullet?”
He jerked his chin forward arrogantly, and I had to smile at his little speech. He was missing the point of me being here.
“I’m not going to catch the bullet. My job is to make it much harder for anyone who wants to hurt you to get close enough to do it.”
“As long as I do what you tell me.”
I wasn’t going to sugarcoat it for him. “Yes. Statistically, clients who follow the advice of a security consultant run a much lower risk of being exposed to incidents, including direct attempts on their lives.”
“And that statistic of yours applies to dragons, too?”
“Mr. Courtemanche, this is not a job interview, and I don’t have to prove myself to you. It’s you who needs me and not the other way around.”
He scoffed. “I’ve never needed anyone before.” Even as he kept challenging me, he sat all relaxed, his voice pleasant.
“Why did you agree to employ Cassidy and Hassel, then?” I asked.
“To get my manager off my back.”
“This is not a charade. If I’m to work for you, we will follow protocols.”
He just looked at me for a long time, studying me with an unnerving focus. Suddenly, he slapped his thighs.
“Okay,” he said brightly. “Good thing you’re a shifter. I won’t have to hide from you.” He smiled roguishly and adjusted his dick. His eight-pack rippled.
Lothair’s abrupt change of attitude had warning lights glaring in my head. Had he been pulling my leg from the start, just wanting to rile me up?
“Mr. Courtemanche.”
“Call me Lothair, please.” Something about the curve of his plump lips made me wish I could slap that million-dollar smirk off his face. He was just a brat who never grew up. I remembered guys like him from college—popular, attractive, rich shitheads who got away with everything while the rest of us had to keep our heads down and work our asses off.
Chances were, I wouldn’t even last the month I’d promised to Devon. My new client irritated me just by existing.
“Lothair, I understand the plight of an unmated alpha dragon. But I would appreciate it if your sex life didn’t interfere with our scheduled meetings.”
His glee only grew. “What? Didn’t you like seeing a fuckable hole early in the morning? Wakes one up, doesn’t it?”
I took a gulp of my coffee, holding his gaze. “Ten’s not early.”
“Do you get up at six and head straight for the gym before work?” He didn’t wait for me to answer. “Well, to each their own. Do you have a mate, Terrance?”
“No,” I answered honestly. It wasn’t uncommon for a dragon alpha to be unmated at twenty-eight. Lothair, on the other hand, was approaching thirty-five and fucked around like one of those rodents who’d climb down trees and copulate to death. I’d thought the rumor mill had exaggerated, but this morning confirmed it.
“I eat out a horny ass for breakfast, and you go jogging. We all cope with reality the way we deem best, am I right?”
“I’m not judging you.” I was judging him a lot, but whatever. “You’re free to do whatever you want as long as the other party wants the same.”
He narrowed his eyes at me. “Did you see them? They were happy as clams. I made them all come three times since last night.”
