asset with regard to the security systems and tech.” He spoke with confidence, but his eyes were still dark from memories he’d rather not think too hard about. I understood that feeling all too well.
“There’s no question in my mind that you have the skills,” I assured him. “I’m only worried about one thing…”
“The thing with Lackley?” He sighed, his shoulders slumping a bit.
“No.” I gave him a rueful grin. “I’ve wanted to pop him in the mouth more than once myself. I can totally understand the urge.” Yes, his loss of control worried me. But I knew Kevin had gotten better in the past nine months. I was willing to give him a chance. “What worries me is this. In Mexico, I was working with an experienced crew that included some very alpha personalities. One of the men knew me personally. Even though I was in charge, he wasn’t able to behave professionally and follow orders because of our prior relationship. That undermined my authority with the other men and made me look bad to the clients, to the point where I had to fire him. We’ve known each other a long time, Kevin. Can you follow my lead?”
To give him credit, he thought about the question before he answered. When he spoke, his voice was calm and confident. “There was a time when I couldn’t have,” he admitted, “but that was before I actually saw you in action, during the situation at the Zoo. You work hard. You’re willing to invest in good equipment. You prepare as much as you can, you’re good at strategy and tactics, and you’re able to change your plans on the fly when things go wrong. You don’t ask anything from anybody that you wouldn’t do or haven’t done yourself. I respect that, respect you. So yes, I believe I can.”
“What are your salary requirements?” Dawna asked.
“I’m willing to negotiate,” Kevin said. “I have extensive experience, but I also have a couple of black marks on my record.”
I smiled at him as I sent a thought to Dawna. My siren telepathy still isn’t perfect, but I keep working on it, and with the ring my cousin gave me, I’m much better than I used to be. What do you think? I’m leaning toward hiring him.
Dawna gave a minuscule shrug; apparently it was my choice.
“Assuming we can work out salary issues, I’d like to start with a ninety-day probationary period. Would that work for you? I know I’ve worked with you before, and I like and respect you. But I need to know that you’re going to be able to handle the stress. You’re free to bring Paulie to work with you.”
He smiled and it was like the sun coming out from behind clouds. I heard Paulie’s tail thump gently against the floor. She could sense he was happy.
“You won’t regret this.” He rose and leaned over to shake my hand and then Dawna’s before gathering up his things and leaving, with Paulie at his side.
God, how I hoped he was right. Because if he wasn’t, it was going to be such a mess.
Dawna waited until she was sure Kevin was gone, going to the door and peeking out to make sure before she said, “I guess you’ve finally forgiven him.”
I knew what she was talking about. Some while back, Kevin and his father, Warren, had betrayed me. They’d done it to save Emma’s life and soul. What had pissed me off was that I’d have willingly helped if they’d asked. I mean, Hello, they were saving Emma’s life and soul.
But I’d trusted them—they were so important to me back then. Warren had been my teacher and my guide through all things supernatural; Emma was one of my closest friends; and Kevin … well, for a while, Kevin had been very much on my mind. Until Bruno had come along. And they’d betrayed me without an apparent second thought, offered me up as a sacrifice.
For a long time I couldn’t get past it. Then someone threatened my gran. I discovered that I’d do pretty much anything to save her and I wouldn’t be the least bit rational about it. In that moment, I forgave
“There’s no question in my mind that you have the skills,” I assured him. “I’m only worried about one thing…”
“The thing with Lackley?” He sighed, his shoulders slumping a bit.
“No.” I gave him a rueful grin. “I’ve wanted to pop him in the mouth more than once myself. I can totally understand the urge.” Yes, his loss of control worried me. But I knew Kevin had gotten better in the past nine months. I was willing to give him a chance. “What worries me is this. In Mexico, I was working with an experienced crew that included some very alpha personalities. One of the men knew me personally. Even though I was in charge, he wasn’t able to behave professionally and follow orders because of our prior relationship. That undermined my authority with the other men and made me look bad to the clients, to the point where I had to fire him. We’ve known each other a long time, Kevin. Can you follow my lead?”
To give him credit, he thought about the question before he answered. When he spoke, his voice was calm and confident. “There was a time when I couldn’t have,” he admitted, “but that was before I actually saw you in action, during the situation at the Zoo. You work hard. You’re willing to invest in good equipment. You prepare as much as you can, you’re good at strategy and tactics, and you’re able to change your plans on the fly when things go wrong. You don’t ask anything from anybody that you wouldn’t do or haven’t done yourself. I respect that, respect you. So yes, I believe I can.”
“What are your salary requirements?” Dawna asked.
“I’m willing to negotiate,” Kevin said. “I have extensive experience, but I also have a couple of black marks on my record.”
I smiled at him as I sent a thought to Dawna. My siren telepathy still isn’t perfect, but I keep working on it, and with the ring my cousin gave me, I’m much better than I used to be. What do you think? I’m leaning toward hiring him.
Dawna gave a minuscule shrug; apparently it was my choice.
“Assuming we can work out salary issues, I’d like to start with a ninety-day probationary period. Would that work for you? I know I’ve worked with you before, and I like and respect you. But I need to know that you’re going to be able to handle the stress. You’re free to bring Paulie to work with you.”
He smiled and it was like the sun coming out from behind clouds. I heard Paulie’s tail thump gently against the floor. She could sense he was happy.
“You won’t regret this.” He rose and leaned over to shake my hand and then Dawna’s before gathering up his things and leaving, with Paulie at his side.
God, how I hoped he was right. Because if he wasn’t, it was going to be such a mess.
Dawna waited until she was sure Kevin was gone, going to the door and peeking out to make sure before she said, “I guess you’ve finally forgiven him.”
I knew what she was talking about. Some while back, Kevin and his father, Warren, had betrayed me. They’d done it to save Emma’s life and soul. What had pissed me off was that I’d have willingly helped if they’d asked. I mean, Hello, they were saving Emma’s life and soul.
But I’d trusted them—they were so important to me back then. Warren had been my teacher and my guide through all things supernatural; Emma was one of my closest friends; and Kevin … well, for a while, Kevin had been very much on my mind. Until Bruno had come along. And they’d betrayed me without an apparent second thought, offered me up as a sacrifice.
For a long time I couldn’t get past it. Then someone threatened my gran. I discovered that I’d do pretty much anything to save her and I wouldn’t be the least bit rational about it. In that moment, I forgave
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