The One Thing Money Can't Buy (Custom Solutions Book 1) Read online

  “Perfect for me?” Cari gulped, before reminding himself sternly Ernest was recommending a body guard, not a date. “Professionally, of course, I understand what you mean.”

  “Well, professionally for a start,” Ernest winked. “But I happen to know my brother has a soft spot for shy young geeks in bow ties and glasses.”

  I’ve fallen down a rabbit hole. Cari didn’t know what was bothering him more – Barry and Douglas’s deception, suddenly being in control of more money than he’d ever know what to do with, or meeting the sexy lion who was going to be protecting his person. Sexy? Of course, he’d be sexy, Cari thought to himself. Because if he was related to Ernest, he couldn’t be anything but sexy.

  Chapter Three

  “Why me?” Crossing his arms, Quaid Poullon stared down at his brother. Standing at six foot eight, he and his litter mate were almost even in height, but where Ernest went into finance and management during college, Quaid opted for the enforcer squad through the council. When he and his superiors had a “falling out” Quaid came home and quickly found work at a shifter run security firm. He’d done some jobs for Ernest before, but nothing as urgent as this one proposed to be.

  “You’ll have to see him for yourself to understand.” Ernest’s evasiveness and the hint of glee on features so like his own didn’t help. “All you need to know for now, is that the person you’re protecting is a tiny hedgehog shifter who has issues with his prickle and who’s just won the one point six billion dollars, which when paid out this afternoon, including interest was closer to one point eight billion.”

  “You want me to play bodyguard for a fucking lotto winner?” Quaid shook his head. “No. No way, no how. You know how those idiots get when they suddenly have more money than sense. Partying all night, throwing their money and their attitude around like they’re fucking god. I’m not doing it. Get someone else.”

  “I really need you on this, Quaid,” Ernest said, suddenly more serious than he had been. “Cari came in with a lawyer from the Fanshaw pack. They’d already forged a power of attorney and were planning on having all the funds transferred to a specially set up pack trust account.”

  Quaid frowned. “What’s an itty bitty hedgehog doing with those assholes?”

  “That’s the problem – he’s not.” Leaning back in his chair, Ernest steepled his fingers and rested them on his chin. “Cari asked for sanctuary with the pack when his prickle kicked him out. The alpha turned him down. Apparently, that was months ago.”

  “That alpha’s not known for being the caring considerate type.” Quaid wasn’t going to question why his lion was suddenly alert, worried about a hedgehog being alone in town. “So, what’s the connection?”

  Quaid’s fury mounted as he listened to his brother explain about the hedgehog’s tie to Douglas and Barry Fanshaw. “That bastard Douglas. I bet he hasn’t even approached the prickle to see if your winner could get back in. He’s just ripping the little guy off.”

  “That was my thought,” Ernest agreed. “The thing is, even though Cari’s signed up to receive his winnings anonymously, the pack know who he is. They’re determined to get their hands on that money, one way or another. You know all their tricks.”

  “Yeah, persuasion, seduction, and if they don’t work, they’ll kill the little guy and steal it all.”

  “I don’t think Cari’s that worldly and from what he said, I don’t think he has anyone else in his life except some no good friends he works with, who seem to spend all their time putting him down. Those friends were Douglas’s suggestion as well, so Cari told me.”

  “Are you always this invested in one of your lotto winners?” Quaid knew his brother handled billions of dollars every year. The Lotto Commission didn’t discriminate, the lottery was open to paranormals and humans alike. Every week a dozen winners trundled through the offices, often leaving millions of dollars richer than when they arrived. That’s when the trouble started. Up to sixty percent of people who won more than a million dollars were broke within a year of getting their money. Oftentimes they were left worse off than before they bought a ticket.

  “There’s just something about him,” Ernest said, twisting his hand back and forth in the air. “I can’t explain it. I just know he needs help from someone he can trust, and my first thought was you.”

  “I’m not going to let him treat me like dirt,” Quaid warned.

  Ernest chuckled. “I don’t think you have anything to worry about on that score. Look, just meet him, okay? And if you really can’t handle the idea after you’ve seen him for yourself, I’ll put Parker and Ranger on the job instead.”

  For some reason, the very idea of Parker and Ranger, both guys Quaid worked with, being near a newly rich and vulnerable hedgehog made his skin prickle. “I’ll meet him, but I’m not making any promises,” he warned, already mentally planning what appointments he was going to have to reschedule to take on his new job. A small hedgehog was going to need round the clock protection, especially if he had a pack sniffing up his ass.

  /~/~/~/~/

  Cari carefully signed his full name at the bottom of the last document and then double checked it to make sure it was the same signature as all the other pages he’d signed. He didn’t want anyone to question it was his signature on the line, although all of them had been witnessed by a rather dour looking crow shifter who barely said two words as he handed page after page for Cari to sign. Tax declarations, insurance forms, bank notifications, and ID certification. Initial here, sign here. It was all very confusing, although Cari made a point of reading every page, even if he knew he looked geekier still in his glasses.

  The Lotto Commission was very careful about ensuring their money went to the right persons and Cari was secretly impressed, although slightly worn out with it all too. He’d barely slept since knowing he’d won the money and there was a part of him that was still worried the whole thing had been a dream. He wasn’t going to be one hundred percent sure he was about to be rich, until he saw the money in his account.

  The other thing that had been plaguing his mind all afternoon was Douglas and Barry’s betrayal. Cari didn’t like using such harsh words about anyone, but he couldn’t think of their actions in any other way. Douglas might have been condescending towards him during their sessions, but Cari always believed that was just his wolf’s arrogance shining through. He didn’t believe the man would deliberately conspire to steal from him, although… Cari remembered the thirteen receipts he had in his expenses box at home, all for substantially more than he paid on his rent each week. Considering Douglas spent most of their sessions either ignoring him or putting him down and letting him know he was completely flawed as an individual, Cari was coming to realize he’d been ripped off. Anytime he dared to ask Douglas if he’d heard from Cari’s prickle, the man just brushed him off and held his hand out for money.

  “Is there anything else I need to do?” he asked, handing back the last of the papers. “Did Mr. Poullon need to see me again, or should I go now?”

  “Mr. Poullon wants you to stay here until he comes back with your bodyguard.” The crow wouldn’t even look at him and Cari thought he would just leave. But the crow edged closer. “Stick to your bodyguard like glue. Those wolves have got your scent and love to hunt,” he whispered so low, Cari could barely hear him. “Don’t let them catch you off guard.”

  “Wait, what?” The snick of the door let Cari know the crow was gone. What a strange man. Taking off his glasses, Cari rubbed his eyes and then put his glasses back on again. The crow left his copies of all the documents in a neat pile. Maybe it would be a good idea to read over them again while he was waiting. The crow’s warning didn’t make Cari feel any better about heading home. He was halfway down the first page of a lengthy bank declaration that was meant to prove he wasn’t involved in any money laundering when the door to the office he was in opened again. Twitching his nose, Cari caught a sniff of the most amazing scent.

  Chapter Four

  Quai
d knew immediately he’d be taking the job. One look at the lucky lotto winner was enough to convince him and that was without the beautifully sweet scent of thyme and blackcurrants that permeated the office. The cute hedgehog was tiny, at least two feet shorter than he was, and slim enough to fit his whole body in one of his pant’s legs. His spikey hair seemed to mimic a hedgehog’s shifted form, an interesting mix of blond and black strands that spiked in all directions. Cari’s face was slender, with a sharp chin that came down to a point. His button nose was sprinkled with faint freckles and the wide eyes that were staring up at him from behind adorable glasses, were a curious mixture of browns and yellows. Hazel? Quaid wasn’t sure. He just knew his life had irrevocably changed from this point forward.

  “Caractacus Hudson, I’d like you to meet my brother, Quaid. Quaid this is our billion dollar winner. I’m hoping you’ll agree to protect him while he navigates the joys of suddenly becoming a rich man.”

  I’ll be protecting him a lot longer than that, Quaid thought as he pushed back his lion who was keen to come out and meet their new mate. If he put a bit of swagger in his walk as he crossed the distance between them, no one would know but his brother and Ernest was already smirking.

  “Mr. Hudson, I’m truly delighted to meet you,” Quaid said as he reached for Cari’s hand. Raising it to his face, Quaid didn’t lick it, though he was sorely tempted. Instead he took a long deep sniff, a small sigh escaping his lips as Cari’s scent infused every cell in his lungs. Yes. This was who he’d been waiting a lifetime to find.

  “You… you’re going to be my bodyguard?” Cari’s nose was twitching madly.

  “For a while, until we get to know each other better.” Conscious of his smirking brother, and the fact his mate wasn’t safe, Quaid forced himself to let go of Cari’s hand and straightened, addressing his brother. “Is there a back entrance we can use out of this place? There were a dozen cameras at the front entrance when I came in.”

  “Cari’s asked for anonymity, so it’s our duty to ensure he leaves the office unhindered by the media,” Ernest said smoothly. He chucked a set of keys at Quaid. “Take the elevator down to the basement garage and use my car for now. They won’t be expecting you to use that.”

  “Do you have a car?” Quaid asked Cari who still looked stunned. “How did you get here?”

  “Uber,” Cari said faintly. “I met Barry here. I er… I’m not sure what to do now.”

  Quaid scowled at Barry’s name falling so easily from Cari’s lips. “What are your plans now you’ve got your money? Were you thinking of taking a holiday, or something like that? Because now might be a good time to do it.”

  “I wasn’t planning on doing anything.” Cari seemed to be completely frazzled by the question. “The money’s not in my account yet.”

  “It probably is,” Ernest said. “It was transferred two hours ago and most banks process transactions within the hour.”

  If anything, that answer seemed to throw Cari off more. “I should probably go home,” he said, looking anywhere but at Quaid. “I have to do my laundry for work tomorrow, and pack my lunch and…”

  “You can’t go to work tomorrow,” Quaid said just as Ernest asked, “Where do you work?”

  “I do data entry at Schofield and Connors, the statistical analysis company,” Cari said, his cheeks a pale pink, but his fists were clenched on top of a stack of papers. “I can’t take another day off. It was difficult enough asking for time off today – my boss asking questions. My desk will be piled up….”

  “You do realize you don’t have to work anymore, don’t you,” Ernest explained gently.

  “But how will I…? Oh.” The pink on Cari’s cheeks got brighter. “But even if I give up my job, I still have to work out my notice.”

  Cari has to be the most clueless billionaire I’ve ever met. Quaid decided to take action. Sitting around waffling about jobs and notice when Cari had enough money to buy the whole town twice over was ridiculous. “We’ll get you home and make plans from there,” he said firmly.

  “You’re coming with me?” Was it Quaid’s imagination or did Cari seem relieved about that.

  “I’m staying with you.” As far as Quaid was concerned, their mating was a done deal. All they had to work out was the logistics. Even if his new mate wasn’t in danger from a ruthless wolf pack, Quaid would still be camping on his doorstep. “Ernest, can you get my go-bag from my truck and send it to Cari’s address? It’ll have everything I need for a week or so.”

  “But, but,” Cari was still protesting when Quaid lifted him to his feet and propelled him towards the door.

  “Being your bodyguard means in the interests of your safety, please do as I say.” Quaid hustled his mate towards the elevator. “We can work out the ins and outs when I know you’re in a safe place.”

  “The office looked pretty damn safe to me,” Cari muttered. Quaid decided to ignore it. But as he stabbed the button for the basement garage, Quaid had to wonder how badly his mate’s safety was going to be compromised if those damn wolves opened their mouths. And they would – he was sure of that.

  /~/~/~/~/

  There were very few times in Cari’s life when he could consider himself in a “crisis overload” situation. There was the time he came out to his parents – he’d spent months worrying about that, only to have his parents completely ignore him when he told them. There was the night he got banished from his prickle, the only home he’d ever known. That had been unexpected, and Cari struggled for a week to make sense of his new situation.

  Today, he decided, definitely qualified as an overload situation. For some reason, and Cari would worry about what that reason was later, the Fates saw fit to give him his mate and a huge lottery win, all on the same day. He imagined most people, most shifters at least, would be overjoyed to have a mountain’s worth of blessings heaped on his head, but Cari wasn’t like most people. Change was the scary boogey-man who lurked under his bed, catching him out when he least expected it. He’d suspected at times he might have a spot of OCD. Regardless of any mental health diagnosis, or lack of it, Cari had a feeling his life as he knew it was beginning to unravel and he was helpless to do anything about it.

  Just work through this one step at a time. Cari knew it was the only way he was going to survive the next few days. His money was in his account. He checked using his phone app as soon as they got into what looked like a big black town car. Making sure his seat belt was secured properly, Cari brought up his list making app. New list. Just doing that made him feel better.

  “Do you have any food intolerances I should know about?” Cari asked politely, risking a quick glance at his mate who was focusing on the road like any good driver should.

  “What?”

  Okay, maybe he hadn’t been clear enough. “Food intolerances are an important health issue all people should consider when preparing food, or dating a new person.” Cari quoted an article he’d read while waiting in Douglas’s office. “Is there anything you don’t like to eat, won’t eat, or can’t eat? I’ll make notes.” He tapped his screen with his nifty little stylus. He adored his new phone even though it’d taken him almost six months to save up for it.

  Quaid sighed, and Cari worried he was pushing his mate too far, too fast for information. Maybe the solid lion shifter was a private person. But just as he was about to say, his question didn’t matter, Quaid said, “There is nothing I won’t or can’t eat, but I don’t like to eat green salads, pecan nuts, and strawberries. I prefer to eat a lot of meat and protein.”

  Cari dutifully tapped out that information. Quaid’s dietary requirements would mean an adjustment on his grocery list but, I suppose I can afford it now. Cari put that thought away as fast as it arrived. Focus on the details.

  “Do you carry weapons?” He asked. “Because if you do, then I’ll need to….”

  “No weapons.” Fair enough. Cari typed in “no need to extend gun safe facilities.”

  “Now about your showering habi
ts,” Cari bit his lip. “Not that I don’t adore your scent because you smell amazing, but do you prefer to shower in the morning, after a workout, in the afternoon, before going out, or mostly in the evening?”

  Okay, Cari didn’t mistake that look. Quaid thought he was a sandwich short of picnic. “I only have a small hot water cylinder,” he explained patiently. “I prefer to shower between seven thirty five and seven forty five in the morning, so I can be fresh and clean for work. I can adjust my schedule if you’d like….” Cari’s heart beat faster at the very idea. Quaid is my mate, he reminded himself. Compromise is an art form.

  “Have you thought, maybe, now you have all that money, that maybe you could buy a house with an infinity hot water system? Are you really going to stay here all your life?”

  Looking up from his screen, Cari saw they were parked outside his apartment building. It was an older brick building, built in the seventies when the town expanded and was showing signs of wear. Three stories high, it rarely had a working elevator, and the heating was inclined to go off at times. Cari never thought when he took the lease that he would be living in it forever. It was just temporary, until he got back with his prickle. But now… Cari risked another look at Quaid.

  “I don’t know? I hadn’t really thought about it?”

  “Can we go inside please?” Quaid had that measured tone that suggested he was holding back strong emotions, although Cari didn’t know why. His questions had been perfectly polite. “Which apartment is yours?”

  Cari pointed to the far left corner. “The landlord gave me a ground floor space because I’m short. He said the stairs would be a nuisance to me in my shifted form.” Not that Cari left the apartment in his shifted form. The cat shifter in 2B had two huge manx cats as pets and the snake lady in 3D had four large black dogs who growled at him every time they saw him.

  “Of course, it’d be ground floor.” Quaid got out of the car, surveying the parking lot and the other units. It was only then Cari noticed his mate hadn’t been wearing his seat belt. He quickly tapped out a reminder to himself to talk to Quaid about it when he was in a receptive mood. It was very unlikely a shifter was killed in a car accident, but it could happen. Cari wasn’t going to lose his mate now he’d found him. Or been found. Cari was still trying to work out which phrase applied when Quaid gestured for him to get out of the car.