CHAPTER SIX
Flint held him all night, afraid in some part of his mind that he might disappear if he let go of him.
He hadn't intended to claim him; his plan was to simply spend this night getting to know each other better. But things changed when that hungry look entered Myles’ expression and his eyes called out for him to take control.
It was all there, so clear and so irresistible that Flint's instincts took over, and the bond was set.
He didn’t regret it, nor did he regret pulling Myles into his life. The acceptance was taking shape, and the connection between them was unmistakable. He simply sped up the timeline, but now he needed to explain everything, and hopefully Myles was as understanding as he assumed.
Flint pulled him tight and glanced out the window at the dawn. It was a new day, the first day of his bonded future. He couldn't help but smile and feel joy.
“They paid up.” The wolf entered the alpha’s office and slapped the envelope on his desk. “Roughing up his son and that employee seemed to do the trick.”
Alpha Rand picked up the envelope and thumbed through the bills inside. "I enjoyed roughing them up, and the cash was just a bonus." He laughed as if what he said was funny. "Bring me, Calder Ashe; he’s the best man for this next job.”
“The kidnapping?” The man asked with a grin. “You’re going to go after the employee?”
“Yeah, I’m going after the kid, but I’ll do that myself. Bring in Calder. I want him to start staking out the Ruby Light and let me know of any weaknesses he finds. I think we might have a chance to infiltrate that business and take it over.” He was calculating and cocky.
“The vampires own the Ruby Light." The man reminded him.
“They don’t care about that two-bit club. If trouble arises, they'll just ditch it, and that will be our opening." The man nodded, seeing his logic.
"I'll let Calder know." He said, and then added. "What about the kid? How much do you think his parents will pay?”
"I checked, they have money, plenty of money, and only one child." He laughed. "I'm sure they'd pay anything to keep him safe." He laughed again. "Let's head over there this afternoon and bring the van. We’ll grab him at work.” They both laughed.
Myles woke with his head on Flint's shoulder and his arm lying on his chest. He didn't know what to say; he was still processing the night.
So much had been said using so few words, and he needed to understand.
He'd slept surprisingly well considering the chaos that had been his mind.
Something about being held by this man made everything appear okay, better than okay, actually.
He knew Flint was awake, but he stayed still, letting Myles gather himself and waiting for him to speak. He was thoughtful and kind and one hell of an amazing lover. "We probably need to talk," Myles said, and looked at the handsome man holding him, looking at him with such a loving expression.
Flint nodded but did not respond. "The things you said last night, were they all true?" Myles knew they were, but still needed to ask.
“Everything I said to you was true." He answered.
“I sort of understand, but believing it all is difficult. I'm not saying you're not telling me the truth, I'm just saying it's hard to believe." He knew he wasn't making a lot of sense as he tried to verbalize his thoughts and feelings, and he hoped Flint did not take offence.
He reached up and touched the small scar on his shoulder near the base of his neck and felt a pleasurable wave course through his body.
He closed his eyes and did it again. "That is so sensitive.
" He said as Flint touched the area with his fingertips and Myles trembled with the reaction.
Flint's touch was double, maybe triple the effect that his touch had elicited.
“You made me tremble and my heart race.” He said.
"You are my beloved, and that is our claiming mark." He touched it again, and Myles trembled again. “You will always react to my touch in that way; it is natural.”
Myles was feeling so many things that his head was spinning.
He didn't want to lose Flint, but he didn't know how to process.
.. everything. "I'm sorry, I'm just so stunned by it all.
" He shook his head and sat up in the bed while Flint remained flat on his back, looking up at him.
His sad expression was crippling, and all Myles wanted was to hold him and say he understood, but how could he when he. .. didn't.
“You are Fate’s gift. You are my beloved predestined and eternally.
" He explained again their first meeting, how he recognized it, and how he worked to position himself closer and grow their connection.
He spoke of their bond, how it was set, and what it meant.
Myles listened and nodded, and somewhere in his heart, he believed and understood, but his head was fighting him.
His head was demanding evidence, verification, something more than just words, but the words were touching him, and his instinct was to trust.
“I know it is hard to take in, and I know I should have taken this slower, but I've waited years and years to meet my beloved, and seeing you and being near you was too hard to resist.” He reached out his hand, and Myles took it, holding it in both of his.
Silence fell for a few minutes, and then Myles' phone rang.
He checked it, and it was his father again.
He didn't answer, and then it rang again and again.
It was his father, and he declined. Then it rang again, and when he grabbed it, the caller was not his father.
"It's Randy." He said and answered. Flint watched him closely with those eyes that pierced through him, that laid bare everything he was thinking and feeling.
He wanted him so badly, but at what cost?
Flint was established and held influence.
He was one of Hadden's men who held a lot of authority in this city.
“Hello.”
"Sorry to bother you, but I was wondering if you could come in early today.” He asked.
"Sure, what time?"
“How soon can you get here?” Randy chuckled.
"Maybe an hour," Myles stated and squeezed Flint’s hand.
“I’ll see you when you get here. Thanks.”
"Sure." With that, he closed the call and stared at Flint. “I have to leave.”
“Let me drive you.”
"No, I'll get a cab." He said, released Flint's hand, and stood, gathering his clothes from where he'd tossed them the night before.
“Please let me drive you home.” Flint was up and helping him get dressed.
"I need time to think. I'll be at work till eight tonight, but maybe we can meet up then." Myles wanted a little space to clear his head, but he also wanted to see him again. He didn't want this to be a dead end.
Flint stared at him and nodded. “I’ll meet you at eight at the shop." He bent and kissed him hard and exacting; he was making a statement with that kiss. "Search your heart, baby, you’ll find me there.”
"I will, and I do care very much for you. I just need some time." Myles clarified.
“I know.” He ran his fingers through Myles’ hair and pulled him roughly toward him for one more kiss. “I’ll see you at eight.” He walked him to the main floor and out the main entrance, where a car was waiting. Flint had made the arrangements.
"Thank you," Myles said as he slid into the backseat.
“You're welcome." Flint closed the door, and Myles could feel his eyes on him as they pulled away.
Flint watched his beloved drive away, and there wasn't a damn thing he could do about it. "Fuck me." He said, staring off into the distance, completely humbled by the most beautiful man in the world.
"No thanks, you're not my type." He turned to see Lazlo coming toward him, and he looked back over his shoulder at the car turning the corner.
“Was that your beloved leaving in that car?” Flint nodded.
“That’s sad, man. Come on, let's have coffee or something stronger.
" He put his arm loosely around Flint's shoulders and guided him inside to the dining hall.
He sat Flint down, went for a couple of drinks, and was back in mere seconds. "Here," he put a cup of coffee and a glass of whiskey in front of him. "Whichever you need."
“I’ll probably need both.” Flint took the whiskey first and downed it in one. “Yeah, that was good.” He took a deep breath and told Lazlo the highlights and what led to Myles leaving.
"You have to sit around until eight tonight?" He was sympathetic, and that was exactly what Flint needed.
“I seem to be spending a lot of time waiting.”
"That's how it is with humans."
I should have handled this better. I pushed for too much too soon."
“I can’t see where you went wrong. How else could you have said it?
He's human and unaware, so the truth was going to be difficult no matter how you couched it.” Lazlo was a good and supportive friend, and he dearly appreciated him, but he knew he messed up.
He'd acted too fast, and now he was paying for his impatience.
“The bond is complete, so that should work in my favor.
He's human, but the pull was present and should bring him around to trusting me.” Flint shook his head.
“I thought it would be easy, the connection was clear, and he was saying all the right things, but then the clear light of day brought with it doubts and uncertainty.”
“Are you going to stop by the shop and check on him?” Lazlo asked, assuming he wouldn't want to be away from him too long.
“It will be tough, but I have to give him what he asked for. He wanted time and distance. I have to give him that.”
"That's rough, man." Lazlo sympathized. "It's not going to be easy to stay away from him." That was true; the vampire within him would fight the forced distance.
“I’m scheduled to patrol the Ruby Light today. Why don't you pull your shit together and go with me? I know you're off duty for a few days, but staying busy will help you keep your mind off other things." His meaning was clear, and his offer was valid.