Malcolm

MALCOLM Blackridge Haven Shifters Book 5 A.F. MONTOYA This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents either are a product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, events, or locales is entirely coincidental. Copyright © 2023 A.F. Montoya All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced or used in any manner without written permission of the copyright owner except for the use of quotations in a book review. Contents Chapter 1 Chapter 2 Chapter 3 Chapter 4 Chapter 5 Chapter 6 Chapter 7 Chapter 8 Chapter 9 Chapter 10 Chapter 11 Chapter 12 Chapter 13 Chapter 14 Chapter 15 Chapter 16 Chapter 17 Chapter 18 Chapter 19 Chapter 20 Chapter 21 Chapter 22 Chapter 23 Chapter 24 Chapter 25 Chapter 26 Chapter 27 Chapter 28 Chapter 29 Blackridge Haven Series Connect With Me Other Books by A.F. Montoya Chapter One MALCOLM “Hey, Boss! Where do you want this?” I was focused on the paperwork in my hand, a few extras the client wanted added to the build. It wasn’t that difficult and it shouldn’t delay us too much but I felt like it wasn’t the last thing the guy would be adding. I missed working on Jackson’s garage. He was the most easy going client I’ve ever worked with. He left a lot of the decision making up to me. “The room in the back. But stop totin’ that stuff around by yourself. You hopin’ for a back injury?” He smirked, hefting the box of tiles higher in his arms. I glared at him until his grin turned sheepish and he spun around, calling out one of the other guys to help him. Idiots, every last one of ‘em. They aren’t shifters with heightened strength and healing. They’re human and one wrong move could put them out of commission. I was already down a few guys after someone decided to let the newbie operate the backhoe without training him proper first. We got lucky that the injuries were only minor but it could’ve been a lot worse. My phone went off and I dug it out of my pocket, smirking at the picture on the screen. Violet was with Esme today and she always sent me a picture or two to show how good she was being. The precious pup saved my life and I don’t know what I’d do without her. “Yo, Boss. Lawyers, five o’clock.” I fought back a growl. We got everything situated when we started this project but for some reason, they were causing trouble with us now. Rumor had it the client slept with someone’s wife and the husband was looking to cause trouble for him but he was only causing trouble for me and my crew. “Give this to Terry, will ya?” I handed him the papers to bring to my project manager. He’d mess with the schedule to make sure we’d get done on time. Sucking in a deep breath, I turned on my heel, heading for the group of suits standing just inside the construction zone. The one in the middle, who’s been causing me the most trouble, stepped up to me with a slimy grin. “Mr. Lennox! I’m glad we could catch you.” “Sure ya are,” I grumbled under my breath. “Whatcha want, Nathan?” He immediately gritted his teeth and I fought back a grin. He was always prim and proper with me but I’m not into that kind of thing so when I used his first name, it bugged him. He cleared his throat, shooting the other suits behind him a strained smile before turning back to me. “Well, as I said before, the continued construction on this project is against–” “I ain’t the one you should be talkin’ to about that. Call the client, it’s his project. I’m just doin’ my job.” Nathan scowled. “Mr. Lennox, your job is causing issues with mine. Mr. Callisto has been ignoring my calls and–” “And nothin’. He signs my paychecks, you don’t. Now get off my site, ya ain’t wearing hard hats and I’m not lookin’ to get sued.” I crossed my arms and glared at him. The ones behind him took a few steps back, I could be pretty intimidating to folks and the dominance coming from my animal right now was only adding to it, but Nathan just sneered. “He won’t be signing your paychecks much longer, not once I get ahold of him. You don’t want to make me your enemy, Malcolm.” I snorted. “That a threat? Pretty sure I could look up some legal mumbo jumbo about that bein’ illegal. You should think about movin’ on, unless you wanna stick your foot in your mouth. I’m not askin’ again, get off my site. It ain’t safe.” “Mr. Thomas, perhaps we should come back another time,” one of his people suggested. Nathan glared at me for a minute but when I just raised an eyebrow at him, he scowled and spun on his heel, storming off. Terry appeared at my side, a deep frown on his face. “He’s gonna cause trouble for us.” I hummed my response, watching with narrowed eyes until the suits were off my site. Then I turned to look over the site. “Time to tighten things up. I don’t wanna give ‘im any ammunition against us. Don’t care if it takes us longer, everything is done by the book and safety is top priority. Understand?” He nodded. “Got it. I’ll spread the word. What about the newbie?” I ground my teeth. “Give ‘im to me. He’s my new shadow. He’s already screwed up once, he ain’t ready to be on his own.” Terry looked sympathetic before he stalked off to pass the word around. I glanced back at my phone, letting out a long sigh. I should’ve taken the day off like Corey suggested. I could’ve spent the day with Violet on a hike instead of dealing with Nathan and