Chapter Seven

Cyrus was unbelievably happy, and he rarely used that term to describe himself. But after a long afternoon and night getting to know his mate in almost every intimate way possible, he’d been treated to a meet and greet with Ness’s shifted form earlier that morning. Ness was a very responsible shifter, and even though they’d barely had any sleep, he insisted he had to go and do his bit for the area lore. Which meant they had been down by the lake while the sun was starting to rise and the mist still lingered across the waters. It was just like the day before, but this time Cyrus was on the same side of the water as his mate.

Ness’s creature was the most fascinating animal Cyrus had ever seen. In a lot of ways he resembled a colorful brontosaurus with flippers. To the touch, the skin, which Cyrus was sure was scales, was more of a leathery hide, but it was as if it was holographic, shimmering where the pale light caught it.

“No wonder people think you’re magical,” Cyrus murmured, cupping the large head before letting the creature go. Ness had explained to him the legend of Loch Ness over their early morning coffee, before his swim, and Cyrus could totally understand anyone’s urge to pull out a phone and capture a picture of the creature moving through the mist before disappearing in the depths below.

Ness hadn’t stayed under the water as long that morning, and Cyrus liked to think that was because they didn’t want to stay away from their mate for too long. Cyrus sat on a blanket on the shore his animal side attuned to any possible danger, and kept seeing Ness’s head pop up above the waterline every now and then, always looking in his direction. Cyrus would wave and then the head would disappear again, and he was there waiting when Ness emerged and shifted, quick to fold his mate into his robe. Cyrus’s shark wasn’t keen on anyone seeing their mate in animal form or naked.

It was just as much fun showering with his mate before they made their way down for breakfast. Cyrus was perfectly capable of cooking, but Ness pulled out a frying pan and started making breakfast. Cyrus kept himself busy refreshing the coffee pot, moving around Ness as though they’d been together for years. It was very domestic and comfortable between them and something Cyrus realized he’d missed in his life. Not even he and Blade’s mother had shared simple things like making breakfast together, and despite him being the head of a “family” for the want of a better word, Cyrus had still lived alone and guarded his privacy furiously.

Once the breakfast dishes were out of the way, Ness had asked if Cyrus minded if he checked his emails. The sweet blush on Ness’s cheeks as he asked had Cyrus thinking “to hell with the emails, lets go back to bed instead,” but he understood responsibility and checked the messages on his phone while Ness went through his emails.

“What is it you do exactly?” Cyrus asked, after making sure there was nothing going on anywhere that needed his urgent attention. “What type of business had you visiting Vegas the other day, for example?”

“I fund startups.” Ness looked up from his screen. “People come to me with ideas. I’ve always been keen on supporting innovation in all types of businesses. If I think the idea is a good one, and has a commercial viability, I put up the capital. Sometimes that money is used so they can expand something they’re working on to appeal to a wider market, or I might provide the funds needed for other people to bring their concepts to life.”

“That gives us another thing in common.” Cyrus was pleased. “I’ve helped a number of people get a start in having a business of their own and when people are struggling, they always know they can come to me.”

“Perhaps my Vegas opportunity should’ve come to you. Then he wouldn’t be giving me a headache.” Ness was frowning at his computer. “I was there a few days ago, as you know. Anyone who I invest in has to sign a contract with me. I imagine you expect something similar from the people you give money to. The contract outlines what’s expected on both sides of the agreement, benchmarks, deliverables, deadlines, progress reports, that sort of thing.”

“Hmm.” Cyrus leaned back in his chair. “My lawyers and accountants insist on that sort of thing, understandably, I know. Although I miss the days when a handshake meant something.”

“Back in the good old days?” Ness smiled at him. “I know what you mean, but back in those days everyone knew everyone else, and scammers and grifters were run out of town or shot.”

“Definitely the good old days.” Cyrus grinned, remembering a few such occasions when that had happened in his past. “People didn’t try and fuck you without lube fifty years ago. Now…” he shrugged. “I’ve been burned a few times over the years and learned not to take anything said to me at face value unless I fully trust the person talking.”

“You don’t come across to me as a man who trusts that often. Unfortunately, it could be that some people see my quiet personality and assume I’m a pushover.” Ness indicated his screen. “I heard about these two brothers three months ago. They approached me through my website. They have an idea for creating a device that could accurately detect cancers in humans a lot sooner than typical blood tests do. The idea is solid and could save a lot of lives, if they can get it into the market. That’s where they needed my help.”

A little warning bell went off in the back of Cyrus’s skull. “I assume you’ve met these people, verified their claims, things like that?”

“As best as I can.” Ness groaned, leaning back in his chair and running his hands through his hair. “The issue with a lot of modern technology is that it’s not like a person can fashion a prototype device out of fence wire and pieces cobbled together from old machinery. Some of the hardware for this project apparently has to be designed and manufactured before a prototype can be made, and the software can’t be tested fully until that prototype is finished.

“All I’ve seen is a stack of paperwork a mile high and a bunch of projections. I’ve met with these guys twice, and while I’m not scenting any deceit as such, some of the things they’re asking for now… We were supposed to sign the contract when I flew to Vegas a few days ago, but now they’re asking for changes. Expensive ones.”

“What’s your stake in this company if they sign the deal?” That alarm bell was ringing louder.

“Ten percent.” Ness must’ve seen the shock on Cyrus’s face although he tried to hide it. “I know most financers would want up to fifty percent for a risky startup like this, but pretty much all I would be doing is putting up the money. The brothers would be doing the work.”

Or running off with your money. Cyrus kept that thought to himself. Ness was a lot older than him and had been conducting business since before Cyrus was born. “Are they wanting another meeting with you? Only if they’re in Vegas…”

“They’ve not mentioned it. I think they just want me to initial the changes and then send the document back to them for signing.” Sitting forward again, Ness checked the email. “The contract was meant to be paid out in three equal parts. Initially they wanted the money all in one go, citing that manufacturers would trust them more if they already had full funding. But that’s not how I work and ironically that part of the contract is the only thing they haven’t changed.

“They’re looking for an increase in the first payment from me – for the prototype – of twenty-five percent. Which is steep considering in their financial projections they had the cost of the initial manufacturing of the parts they needed at only ten percent of the overall cost.

“They also want the first deliverables date – again this is just the prototype – to be pushed out to a year after the initial payment, instead of the six months deadline. However, they insist they would still need the second installment at the six month mark to cater for any unforeseen expenses. There’s more, a lot more, but you get the gist.”

Cyrus got the gist completely. His mate was getting scammed. “Significant changes to a contract shouldn’t just be initialed and signed off on without a discussion at least. Another face-to-face meeting would probably be a good idea.” Especially if I go with you. Ness hadn’t mentioned who the brothers were, but Cyrus knew a lot of people in Vegas, and it wouldn’t be long before he knew everything there was to know about the scammers. “It’s not like traveling to Vegas is a problem for us, and it sounds like the most sensible thing to do.”

“You’re right. I know you’re right.” Ness sighed. “It means I’ll have to push back my meeting with the scientists at my candy factory, and I was really looking forward to doing that.”

“You have a sweet factory?” Cyrus chuckled. “Why am I not surprised? Is that one of your own ventures, or another one of your investments?”

“The candy business is mine.” Again with the pink cheeks. “I’ve been fascinated with sugar since it was first used commercially. I have a team coming up with new ideas now, but candy creation was one of my full time jobs for quite a few years until the investment side of things started taking up more of my time.”

“I can see you in a white lab coat playing with sugar products.” Cyrus knew his eyes were gleaming because Ness’s blush deepened.

“I’ll write to these two and let them know I’ll be back in Vegas… when would work for you?” Then Ness shook his head. “Look at me making all the plans without even discussing it with you first.”

“I’m happy to go back to Vegas with you tomorrow, as you’d originally planned to leave here then. After your morning swim of course. I can send my plane back now, and I’ll travel with you.” Cyrus pulled up his pilot’s number and typed a quick message. “That will give me a chance to show you my Vegas base, we can get the wrinkles in this contract business of your ironed out, and then make plans on where to go from there.”

“We should probably go to Arrowtown sometime soon as well.” If Ness’s cheeks got any redder they’d burst into flames. “Chat to the doctor there, possibly meet up with Blade and the others, if you wanted to let them know we’re mated…”

“I can’t wait to see Blade’s face.” Cyrus burst out laughing just thinking about it. “I have spent a hundred and ten years watching that boy grow up, and I admit his childhood was harsh, but necessary. But when I met up with him, after Ethan was born, ah, that boy of mine had finally grown up. I’m so proud of him, and as I’m equally proud I have you in my life, I think it will be fun. Blade has a saltwater pool, so you can meet my shifted form there, too, if you like.”

“I’d really like that. So, today’s Tuesday, we can meet the brothers on Thursday in Vegas?” Ness asked. “It will give us time to get over the flight and time zone differences.”

“And then we can head out to Arrowtown for the weekend.” Cyrus pulled up Blade’s number and hit the message icon. “I’ll let Blade know to expect us sometime over the weekend. Look at us, meshing our schedules together already.”

“It probably helps that we’re both used to traveling frequently and dealing with businesses on a worldwide scale,” Ness said, typing quickly. “Are there any future appointments you have that I can add to my calendar?”

“Barring any unforeseen emergencies, nope.” Cyrus hit send on his message to his son, and then checked his calendar. “France next month, and then New York. Those are just casino inspections so I can fit them in anytime.” Looking up, he added, “It always helps to keep the staff on their toes if they never know when I’m going to turn up.”

“I can imagine you cause a stir no matter where you go.” Ness ducked his head. “Did you fancy going out for lunch?” He asked quickly and Cyrus’s heart gave an extra thump.

“Yes, my darlin’, let’s go and explore this afternoon. Play tourist. You can show me around Inverness, and then we can come back and explore each other a bit more.”

Ness just nodded, but Cyrus was sure the man was typing faster. He grinned and sent off another couple of messages to his staff back in Vegas. He wanted everything to be perfect for his mate when they got there.