Called by the Siren

Chapter 4: Negotiations

Bee was well and truly stuffed! She leaned back into the sofa to give her stomach as much room as possible. She eaten far more then she should, but she could not help it - all her favourites were here! Plus the Twins had made her laugh too much at their stories. She was glad she didn’t have to deal with those two!

“Aiden and Ethan move it!” Theo had ordered. 

“But why?” The Twins said in unison.

“Because, he said so and stop acting weird! You are going to scare the poor girl!” Alannah ordered in Mandarin.

Bee was careful that her face didn’t change, she did not want them to know she was fluent in Mandarin. In fact Bee was fluent in several languages including Russian and French. It was one of the perks of living on the seas, you meet a lot of people from many different nationalities.

“They are doing no harm Uncle Theo, leave them be!” Bee said making the twins both grin widely and Theo growled in reply.

“I am watching you both very carefully!” Theo grumped in Mandarin as he sat on the sofa near them. He was joined by Alannah and Kurt. Frank sat in a single seat near by.

“I suppose we should get down to business. I am guessing that I am not here so you could feed me!” Bee said seriously.

“Yes, well we have an issue we need your help with Bee” Theo said gently.

“Which is?” Bee said. 

“The British Syndicate have been challenged..” Kurt was beginning to explain.

“You mean the British Land Syndicate” Bee said interrupted.

“That is such a good point Bee!” Ethan said and Kurt rolled his eyes.

“Ok, well what ever we call them we been challenged by the Russian’s!”  Kurt said.

“Why?” Bee said.

“Because we helped my cousin marry the Japanese chairman instead of becoming their Grand Princess.” Alannah said.

“Well, yes that would piss them off” Bee said with a shrug.

“Well anyway, the Russian’s have said that it is either war or this challenge!” Kurt said.

“Hmm, war would not be good for my people,” Bee said and Kurt nodded in agreement.

“Exactly, which is why we accepted the challenge. But the stakes are high, very high” Kurt said

“So, what are they?” Bee said sipping some tea.

“Our first born child and 25 percent of the syndicate profits!” Alannah said in an anxious voice. Kurt put a hand on her knee any gave her a comforting look.

“That is barbaric! She is your grandmother! Can’t you talk to them? They are your Grandparents for goodness sake!” Bee said shocked. Family was everything in the Sea Gang community, what Alannah described was shocking.

“No, I have tried!” Alannah said.

“OK, so what is the challenge?” Bee said.

“The sailor’s five,” Frank said and Bee laughed.

“Oh, they are clever, aren’t they? They have chosen your syndicate’s weak spot - your relationship with the Sea Gangs!” Bee said.

“See Brother, she is smart and beautifully!” Aiden said in Mandarin.

“Don’t forget brave!” Ethan replied back in Mandarin.

“Yes, they have,” Kurt admitted.

“Let me guess, they have chosen that arrogant t**t Viktor from the Black Dolphins Gang to be their representative?” Bee said.

“Of course!” Frank said and Bee rolled her eyes.

“So, let me get this straight, you want me to compete for you in the Sailor’s Five?” Bee said.

“Yes, of course you will be well compensated” Kurt said.

“How?” Bee asked.

“Well, what so you want?” Kurt asked.

“If I win, I want 3% reduction in our taxes.” Bee said and Frank smiled. Bee was a true leader, putting her people first.

“1.5%” Kurt said quickly. This was an area he was confident in - negotiation.

“4%” Bee quickly said.

“Wait? What?! You are suppose to go down to meet me!” Kurt exclaimed. 

“Says who?” Bee said with a shrug making Theo and Frank smirk.

“She is a Kraken Kurt, I would take the 3 percent. It is a fair offer!” Theo said.

“Fine! A reduction of 3 percent in taxes!” Kurt said with a sigh. Theo was right, it was a reasonable offer and he would beyond stupid to reject it!

“Grand!” Bee said as she stood up and held out her hand for Kurt to shake. Kurt stood up and shook it smiling.

“I will send the contract over in the morning!” Kurt said and Bee’s face changed from a smile to a frown.

“A contract? What is my word not good enough?” Bee snapped.

“No, it is just a formality,” Kurt said taken a back by the sudden change in mood.

“My word as a Siren does not hold enough worth? You have to write it down in a binding contract?” Bee said in an offended tone.

“No Bee, that is not what he is saying and he meant no offence!” Frank said calmly 

“Yes, Kurt does not know about the Sea ways. He does not know for instance that asking a Siren to sign a contract after they have given him their word is highly offensive!” Theo said hinting heavily at Kurt’s mistake.

Kurt put his hands up and said “I am deeply sorry for any offence called, I had no idea! Of course, your word is more then enough Siren.” 

“Good! Now my Uncles will tell you what I need - don’t worry it is nothing major. I will try and find out where it is and then we can figure out a strategy” Bee said.

“Oh, Bee thank you so much!” Alannah said getting up and hugging Bee.

“Of course! Now if you don’t mind, I need to go now. I have got plans this evening, but I promise I start training tomorrow morning!” Bee said.

“We will be there!” Theo said.

“Wait, you are leaving?” Aiden said with a slight panic tone to his voice.

“Yes, afraid so!” Bee said with a smile.

“Well, do you want some company? Maybe we could take you out for dinner to say thank you?” Ethan asked. He cursed himself for sounding so desperate.

“I am afraid she is going out with Jack and his crew!” Frank said slyly.

“You have a boyfriend?” Aiden blurted out trying not to look devastated.

“Jack? God no! I don’t have time for such things! You guys can come if you want, but I warn you it is not as high class as you are use to!” Bee said.

“No, we would love to! Shall we pick you up?” Aiden said

“Sure, here I will give you my number. Text me and I will text you back with the details” Bee said and Ethan tried to look cool as he gave her his phone.

Bee smiled and typed in her phone number. “It is a paint party, so make sure you wear old clothes!” Bee said.

“Paint party?” Aiden said confused.

“Yeah…you know…a party…involving paint! Anyway, I must go! Love you Uncles and I see you both tomorrow. Make sure you bring the parachute running stuff, you know much I love that stuff!” Bee said as she blew two kissed to Frank and Theo.

“Do you need someone to walk you out?” Kurt asked.

“Nah! I used to finding my way on massive cargo ships, this complex is dead easy! You know you are not so bad…for a land lover!” Bee said with a wink before she left.

“Looks like we have a competitor!” Kurt said with a clap of his hands. 

“She is definitely special! You have done a good job raising her Frank!” Alannah said.

“She is more then that! She is the most amazing women we have ever met!” Aiden said.

“We need to get ready! We only have a few hours!” Ethan said suddenly panicked. The Twins nodded at each other and tried to make their way to the door. 

However, the felt themselves been pulled back by Theo strong arms. “We need to have a word!” Theo growled and everyone nodded.