“Understood. I’ll see you in the morning.”
Jinx rolled his shoulders. Exhaustion had begun to set in, but he still had to finish things with Lukas before sleep could be considered. Turning to his brother, he felt his stomach twist as he wondered when the answer would come about the Lieutenant position.
Chapter Fourteen
Jinx sat there listening to Lukas go over the rest of the security details, but he was completely uninterested. For the first time in longer than he could remember he wasn’t interested in the figures, or what was happening. He just wanted to know if Lukas was going to take the position. He started to ask him but each time he bit his tongue.
Knowing his brother as he did, he was aware that pressing him would only delay the answer. Lukas needed time to work things out for himself. He had never been one that could be pressured into something, and he never let family or friends sway his decision. It was one of the things that made Jinx want Lukas as his Lieutenant.
“Jinx…” Lukas waved a hand in front of Jinx’s face, and it was clear that he had missed something. “You’re not even listening to me.”
“I apologize, Lukas, that was rude of me. To say I have a lot on my mind would be an understatement, and though true, it’s no excuse. I should have been paying attention.”
“Thinking about your mate? I know I’m keeping you from her, but I thought you wanted me to go over this stuff to bring you up to date.”
“Summer is always on my mind. You’ll find out just how much your mate is in your thoughts once you’re mated.” He shook his head. “That wasn’t what I was thinking about now. Beyond what my tiger is telling me, there is more to life than just mating.” Since finding Summer, his tiger had paced within him, always demanding he touch her, then never being satisfied when he did. The tiger always wanted more, more of his mate, more of everything.
Lukas leaned back against the sofa and stretched his legs out. “Would it help if I said I was considering your offer?”
Years of training were the only thing that kept what he was feeling from showing on his face. That and the fact he didn’t know if he should be smiling or frowning. Lukas was too hard to read for Jinx to get a clear picture of what he was thinking.
“I guess that depends on which way you are considering it.” He couldn’t help but let out a nervous laugh. This could be the moment that defined things between them. “Are you considering telling me to screw off and shove the clan? Or are you interested in the position?”
“I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t interested.”
Jinx could feel there was a but coming, even when Lukas remained silent. “But?”
“My time in Alaska allowed me to discover me. I love working with Connor, and I’m good at it. I can put my skills to use and help our kind.”
“The Nerd Crew won you over.”
Lukas shook his head. “That’s not what I’m saying. While you were downstairs I had an interesting conversation with your lass.”
He wasn’t thrilled that Summer and Lukas had been talking about the decision while he was away. It was Lukas’s decision to make and he didn’t want her pressuring him just to make him happy.
“I hope she didn’t press you into anything.”
“No pressure. She suggested we find a middle ground and compromise.” Lukas smiled. “So if this compromising crap doesn’t work, then you know who to blame. You’re sweet lass has a way of making you believe things will work out.”
“I believe I’ll be having a word with my mate later. Alphas do not compromise well, neither do stubborn little brothers.”
“Well, let’s go against everything in us and at least try it, for our sake and the sake of the clan. What do you say? It’s worth a try, isn’t it?”
“Fine.” He wasn’t sure he liked it, but it couldn’t hurt. “Put your cards on the table and we’ll go from there.”
“I’m not asking much.” Lukas leaned forward, resting his elbows on his knees. “I’ll take the position if I can continue working with Connor remotely. I’m useful there, and you know Ty needs all the help he can get when it comes to the Nerd Crew.”
“What about when I’m away? How are you going to balance the responsibilities of the Nerd Crew with your duty to the clan? How long until one begins to suffer, and when that happens, which one will be neglected?”
“I can do both. I’ll work it out with Connor and Ty. You know I can do this.” He dragged his hand over his face. “Damn it, the clan means everything to me just like it does you. I wouldn’t neglect them, and you know it. This can work if you just give a little. Everything I do for Connor and Ty can be done from anywhere.”