Shifting Michelle's Boundaries (Siren Publishing Ménage and More) by Kelsey Blue Read Free Book Online

a hotel room…” He winked at Craig, who glared at Stefan. “You call in and we’ll reassign. Clear?”
    A round of “Yes, boss,” and one “I’m going to kill you, Stefan,” sounded simultaneously, and everyone but Tate rose to leave.
    “Head on out. I want a word with Jack.”
    They all did as they were told, leaving Jack and Tate sitting in the now-quiet kitchen. They waited until the front door closed again. Given that a shifter’s hearing was enhanced, when someone wanted a quiet word everyone else had to go a little farther away than normal. Tate glanced around, then leant toward Jack.
    “These two guys,” he said, his voice barely above a murmur. “Was one of ’em blond? Liked knives?”
    Jack frowned. “Yeah, you know him?”
    “Thought I smelled him on you.” Tate swore. “Knew him way back when. In my last pack, before I started my own. Thought he was dead, actually.”
    “Nope, though I brought him a little closer.”
    The boss chuckled. “Look, it’s probably nothing major, but keep an eye out, especially for him. No need to worry the others yet, though.”
    “Sure thing, Tate.”
    “Knew I could rely on you.” Tate reached across the table and shook Jack’s hand. “There may be an opening coming up in the top rank of the pack soon. I think you and Craig would do well.”
    Jack tried not to grin. The top rank was reserved for Tate’s most trusted pairs. Him and Stefan, Mitch and Paul, and one other pair. Jack wondered whether someone was leaving, or if Tate was simply expanding the tiers. It wasn’t a time to enquire about such things, though.
    “That, uh, that’d be great, boss.”
    “Well, you two deserve it. You two are the smartest guys in the pack. You know how to handle yourselves, too. Never seen a pair work together as well.”
    “With respect, boss, why aren’t you telling Craig yet?”
    Tate tapped a finger on the table. “He’s got a lot on his plate already, and I don’t want him to feel pressured into taking on more work. If you break it to him, though, you’ll get his honest opinion, and that’s the only one I care about.”
    Jack smirked. “Crafty for a dog, aren’t ya?”
    Tate laughed and stood. “Keep your eyes peeled, okay?”
    “Will do.”
    Jack walked him to the door and waved the small group off, then headed back inside with Craig. They both headed back to the kitchen, and Jack flipped on the coffee machine while Craig began rifling through the fridge.
    “So, what did Tate want?”
    “He was talking about us maybe moving up a rank.”
    “What?” Craig straightened so fast that his head smashed into the roof of the fridge. “Damn it!”
    “Whoa, calm down. It’s not that big of a deal.”
    “That’s what you think.” He dipped back into the fridge long enough to pull out a couple of steaks. “No wonder he didn’t want Mitch and Paul to hear.”
    “Huh?”
    “The only way to the top rank is through dead-man’s boots. Someone has to leave, or be demoted.”
    “And?” Jack poured two coffees and dumped them onto the table. “Maybe it’s the other two guys.”
    “Danny and Carl? No way. They’re practically Stefan and Tate’s bodyguards. No, it has to be Mitch and Paul.” Craig chewed his lip. “Kinda not surprised, either. Paul’s a dick.”
    “Yeah, but Mitch is a great guy.”
    “Doesn’t matter, man. If one is demoted, both are.”
    “Ouch.”
    Craig shrugged. “It’s the way of the pack. You’d know if you paid more attention in the meetings.”
    “And miss all that napping time?” Jack grinned. “I guess I’ll have to, once we’re promoted. Assuming you want to move up, anyway.”
    “Yeah, sure I would. Why wouldn’t I?”
    “The way Tate tells it, he’s worried you’re overworked as it is.”
    Craig slapped the steaks into a frying pan. “That’s just this current building project. Once it’s done I’ll have more free time. Besides, I’m the foreman. If I get too busy I go and slack off.”
    “True