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“I see you’re early as always, Randal.” The newcomer ignored Demetri and continued to stare at her.
The question seemed to hang in the air. Realizing that he was waiting for her to answer him, Stacy’s eyes widened. “I’m sorry, I believe that one is already occupied,” she said diplomatically.
“Too bad. I find it much more relaxing. Who are you?”
Standing, she forced a smile on her face. “I’m Stacy Jones, your mediator for the evening.”
“Already cozying
up to the mutt, I see. Should I assume that you will allow your lusts to control you, or do you think you can handle something as simple as being impartial?”
“I will do what I believe is best for everyone involved.” With a smile, she extended her hand. “May I get you any refreshments before we begin?” What would she do if he said yes? What did vampires and werewolves eat? What did they drink? Could they read her mind like Ms. Pope did?
“No. I’d rather get this distasteful business finished as quickly as possible. Unlike some of us,” he looked pointedly at Demetri, “I do not have all night to waste on this.”
As Stacy watched, Randal sat down across the table from Demetri.
“Randal, I would like to begin by saying how pleased I am that you agreed to this meeting—”
“Just get down to business, Mutt.”
Looking over at the very sexy werewolf clenching his jaw, she wondered how long this would take, or if they’d ever be able to find any compromises. Given the hostility she’d heard in Randal the vampire’s voice, she was certain it would be a long night.
* * * * * *
Four glasses of water, two goblets of blood, and one rather large steak tartare later, the men seemed determined not to agree on anything. Stacy wasn’t sure how much more of this she could take. She already felt the urge to walk over to the wall and begin pounding her head against the smooth surface. But unfortunately for her, she liked that shade of green and couldn’t stand the thought of staining it with her blood. And then there was the small factor of she wasn’t sure how Randal would react if he smelled her blood. Would it put him into a feeding frenzy?
“Enough,” she yelled when the two men resorted to insults yet again. “How’s this for a compromise?” She pointed to Randal. “Your vampires stay the fuck away from his area and the borders on the three nights of the full moon when their prowling urges are the greatest.” She turned until her finger was poking Demetri in his very muscular chest. She only took a half of a second to appreciate the way it felt before she continued. “And your werewolves stay the fuck away from his area and the borders on the three nights around a new moon, when they have the cover of darkness to shield them on their prowling.”
Both men were silent. Her impatience slowly evaporated until she was left with a desire to whimper in her seat as the two men stared at her in disbelief. “It would be fair to both of you, give you both control when you need it most, and you’ve both agreed that other than those times, your groups seem to co-exist.” Her voice had lost some of its strength. She wondered what Ms. Pope would do to a new employee who had just screwed up in a big way on her first assignment.
After making Stacy squirm uncomfortably in her seat for at least five minutes, Randal said, “That works for me.”
“Really?” She cleared her throat. It wouldn’t do to sound that hopeful. “Demetri, do you find those terms acceptable?” She prayed that she sounded professional.
“I do.”
With those two words, she could have kissed him. Her assignment was done. And she hadn’t messed things up.
“Great. Now, I just need your signatures on these contracts...” She pulled out the papers from the envelope.
“No,” Randal said.
“What if,” she quickly added, “what if we make an addendum that says you two gentlemen will meet in six months to discuss a more permanent contract if this arrangement has not worked out, or any other options you may come up with?”
“I will sign that.” The vampire nodded.
Looking through the contract, Stacy prayed that the new clause would be on the paper. On the last page, just above the spots assigned for their signatures, was the temporary clause. She exhaled in relief and handed her pen to Randal first. She watched as he signed all three copies, then slid the papers and pen across the table to Demetri.
The werewolf also signed all three copies before passing them to Stacy.
“What?” She looked at each man as she waited for some sign of what she was supposed to do.
“You have to sign them as well, since you are the mediator,” Demetri whispered.
“Oh.” Taking a deep breath, she felt the pen prick her finger as she gripped it and signed her name under theirs. Handing one copy to each gentleman, she held onto her pen and the company’s copy.
“Now, if you shall excuse me, I believe I need to get this foul taste out of my mouth. Next time, be sure to get me only a-positive or better.”
