Lycan Legacy - Paladin: Tales of Luna White - Werewolf by Veronica Singer (funny books to read TXT) 📕

time, Lady Birdsong shudders when he’s around, he makes fun of everybody, and even Logan blows him off. And he’s not in the best shape.”

“Alisha isn’t a good judge of character. Ladybird hates the fact she’s attracted to him, and Logan doesn’t like the fact that another joker like him is around. I like him. He’s reliable in a crunch. And since you healed him, he’s getting back into shape.”

I took a deep breath and decided to accept Mike’s fait accompli. “And how much am I paying this new employee?”

“Not an employee, a short-term contractor. I offered him five thousand dollars a day with a minimum two weeks’ retainer.”

“And this is above and beyond the five hundred thousand I gave him?” These numbers were making my head spin. Five thousand dollars a day would have changed my life at one time.

“We would consider that a performance bonus. We really needed his help to get Alisha out of there.”

I’m good with numbers, in the abstract sense, but these were hitting close to my heart. Then I remembered Mom’s advice.

“Is that a fair price, in your opinion?”

“It’s what most ex-military contractors get in a war zone,” Mike said. “If I overstepped my bounds, I’ll pay his two weeks from my salary and send him on his way.”

But we’re not in a war zone! I stifled that thought. Wherever I went, it seemed, was a war zone.

“No, Mike. I trust your judgment. If you think we need guards, and those are fair prices, I’ll back you up. I’ll message Kuga to set up another account for these payments.”

“Thank you.”

I felt sudden shame. The man who had sworn to follow me through the gates of hell was being paid less than a sub-contractor.

“Two more things. I want you to make more than any of the contractors we hire—”

“You can’t do that. I’m happy with my salary.”

“I insist.”

“Well, if Princess Luna insists…” he said with a wry smile. “And the other thing?”

“Let me know if we need more guards. Human guards. There are things I can’t do around other werewolves.”

Mike pursed his lips as if getting ready to convey bad news. “We’ll need about ten more guards to ensure coverage.”

“Ten more guards? Fifty thousand dollars a day?”

“That’s only the bonus payments if they travel with you. I’ll set the salary and benefits as low as possible, but if you want to have SEAL-level guards, that’s the going rate.” He pursed his lips in thought. “We might have a garrison force for our compound in Nevada. Those will have a good salary, but not the premium for traveling with you. That’ll save a lot of money.”

“Mike, I don’t know if I can free up that much money from our accounts.”

“It’s not going to start right away. It’ll be several weeks before we hire anyone.”

“Okay. I’ll have to spend some time at the mine when we get back to ‘dig up’ some more gold.”

“We might be able to get a better deal if you can offer something besides cash,” he said.

“I can’t afford to toss more BITCHCoins around, Mike. I can’t keep up with current obligations.”

“You have something more valuable. You could offer healing or upgrades.”

“Like I did with Manny?” I shook my head. “We were lucky his problem was something I could fix with my talents. Anyway, upgrades are out of the question until Mason is back and fully recovered.”

“Okay, no upgrades.”

He grew thoughtful. “Here’s how I want to do it. For strictly short-term assignments in danger zones, we can pay out at the five-thousand-dollar rates. If you decide that one of the new guys merit a full-time position, and you can offer them something better than cash, we can craft an offer.”

In for a penny, in for a Krugerrand. “Okay, Mike. You’re authorized to hire ten more guards.”

“I have a few guys in mind.”

“From your top-secret SEAL Facebook group?”

“Them and some others.” Mike took a gulp of coffee, frowned at the cold brew, and topped up our cups with fresh portions.

I buttered another scone. Would I end up with an army of guards? That seemed absurd. I was just a businesswoman. A part-time nurse. A full-time werewolf alpha. And a mother.

“Mike, you keep saying ‘guys.’ Do you have any female candidates?”

“If you want SEALs, there’s not much choice. Almost no women have completed SEAL training.”

“Why? Don’t you think someone like me could make it through?”

Worry flashed across his face as he searched for a diplomatic answer. “You could certainly pass the physical requirements. Even at the new moon, you’re stronger than most men.”

He looked away before continuing, “But you’re not a team player. I can’t imagine you not being in charge.”

“Okay, not me, I’m a bad example. I know I’m bossy.” And proud of it. “But in general. Why don’t the SEALs have more women?”

“Because if a woman has the physical skills and determination to make it as a SEAL, she can always get a better job somewhere else.”

“Such as?” I asked.

“Professional athlete, performer, stunt double—there are a lot of options for talented women. Personally, I’d love to have some women on the guard force. It makes our job much easier. Hell, just having someone who can go into public restrooms with you would be great.”

“Well, if you can find some candidates, make them an offer.”

We cleared the table and I set up my materials for study. For magicians, school never ends. Now, with Mason in the hospital, most of my studying was self-guided.

I scanned for recording devices, mostly out of habit, since we had already swept the rooms when we moved in. The soundproofing prevented audio, but any camera aimed at the table would show my work. Luna likes to keep her secrets.

Mike watched as I sketched out the design for a spell on an A2 sized easel board.

Mike watched from the side, occasionally sipping his coffee. The scent of curiosity came from him, but he kept quiet.

“It’s okay to ask me what it is, Mike,” I said. “I only need quiet