No one dictates my decisions.

"Listen," Nick says, holding his voice as neutral as he can. "I don't know exactly what causes you to dislike me so much."

Tommy is snuggling into his side, and she looks up at Graham. "Is it because of...me?"

Graham looks over at her, surprised. "Fuck no. My people had third-gender wise people hundreds of years before the white men killed us off."

Nick clutches Tommy closer, stroking her hair. "Whatever the Hell it is, Graham, here's the deal." He takes a deep breath to steady himself, then lays it out. "I won't be handling hiring or firing, that's Kate's job. She'll be running the place. If she wants to keep you and the others, great. If not, well, that's up to her."

"So yer dodging the whole thing?"

"No." Aden stares at the shorter dark-haired and wiry man. The dude is a bundle of muscles, tough and rangy. "I don't want you as an enemy. But don't try to dictate things to me. I don't respond well to threats or pressure."

Graham's hands tighten by his sides, his knuckles whitening. "Listen to me, you motherfucker, I will-"

"Shit," Kate interjects. "We're late for the Gym."

Graham stops, and then turns quickly toward the doors. "Don't think this is done," he warns as they start to leave.

Nick doesn't answer, watching them head for the next event. Tommy looks over to him, curious, raising one eyebrow.

"I don't know, darling," Nick answers her unspoken question.

"Maybe we should follow along?"

Nick nods, scowling. He can feel bad things in the air, the monster growling hungrily. There's something bad coming, he realizes.