Page 49 of Devil May Hunt
“I made a promise,” Brennon said. “A friend and I are going to open our own special forces unit.”
He frowned. “How will that work? On my planet, those are strictly government-run.”
“The Brumal and Imperial family enlist their own special forces,” he explained. “If I can offer enough financial backing, my friend and I will be welcomed into whichever program he chooses, and we can go from there. He wants to head his own unit, so we’ll develop an individual task force from within. It’s fairly simple.”
“Yes,” he drawled. “Sounds like.”
It sounded like they’d have to work their way up, same as every other soldier, but he didn’t burst Brennon’s bubble. Especially when he got the sense there wasn’t cause for it.
“This isn’t something you really want,” he dared guess. “Your friend wants it, but you’re just going along for the ride.”
Brennon shrugged. “So?”
“Your plans are different now, aren’t they? Now that I’ve guaranteed your place at Cree Cosmetics. I’m sure your friend will understand.”
“I could always supply funding…I have been thinking about it. But Daylen…I don’t have many friends. The fact he wanted to do this with me at all is a big deal. I don’t want to let him down.”
A thread of jealousy wriggled to life within him, but Gunho pushed it away. “Are you lonely, pretty lover?”
“What?” He snorted. “Don’t be ridiculous. Everyone likes me. You’ve read my files.”
“Everyone has nice things to say about you,” he agreed, “but few had personal things to say. How many people actually know you, the real you, I wonder?”
“How many people know the real you?” he countered.
“Don’t get upset. I don’t mean any harm.”
“Calling me a loser isn’t harmful?”
“You’re reading too far into things. Putting words in my mouth is a surefire way to make us both look like assholes. I’m simply trying to understand. You admitted you always wanted the company, but you’re willing to spend another two years training at an intense military academy, all so you can keep a promise to a friend? If our roles were reversed, what would you say to me?”
Brennon took a moment to actually consider his words.
Was that progress?
He also hadn’t attempted to pull away again, seemingly content in Gunho’s embrace. The bath and giving him space had clearly been good moves. As much as he wanted to be near him twenty-four-seven, Gunho made a mental note to take his mate’s comments about control to heart.
If this was going to work, really work, they both needed to learn to compromise and respect each other.
“I’d probably tell you to stop being stupid,” Brennon finally replied. “Two years is a lot of time to waste. But the thing is, it’s not just because of that promise. If I quit the Academy, I might not see my friends again.”
“Why?” He drew his knees up on either side of him.
“They’d still be busy with training, and I…?” He tipped his head back, waiting for Gunho to pull away enough that their eyes could meet. “What would I be doing? Would I have to enroll at Vail University?”
“Would you want to?” Gunho shrugged a single shoulder. “Your mother informed me that she raised you with theintention to pass over the company when you came of age. You already know everything you need to know to run the place.”
“She told you that?”
“We spoke at length about you during the turnover. She’s disappointed you decided you didn’t want it, but she doesn’t dislike you, Brennon. On the contrary, she expressed regret. She feels that if she hadn’t been so strict with you growing up, perhaps you would have made a different choice.”
Brennon’s brow furrowed.
“Was she strict?” Gunho asked.
“I mean…I had to spend every day after school from elementary on at the company learning under her secretary. And weekends weren’t much different. We’d raid the breakroom for lunch and get takeout for dinner most days. She and my father would work, and I’d do my homework and then learn over their shoulders.”
He pursed his lips. “That sounds like the definition of strict. You weren’t allowed to go anywhere else?”
