CHAPTER SIX #2
"We occupy the large warehouse behind." That surprised him because the warehouse looked rundown and unused from the outside, but the inside was a total state-of-the-art office building and apartment complex.
He pulled into the alley, and then the large double doors opened to a huge underground garage.
He parked and turned to regard Thomas, who was looking around, taking it all in. "It looks unused from the outside, but inside it is sleek and clean. The Coven house is hidden in plain sight."
"Exactly." He smiled and got out of the car. Thomas met him, and they walked to the elevator. Two men were standing by one of the parked cars, and Thomas gave them a glance.
“They’re vampires.”
“They’re Coven guards.”
"This place is a fortress, a very elegant fortress."
“No one gets in uninvited.”
“Does Master Rose live here?”
"Yes, all leadership lives here. He and his beloved occupy the top floor."
“This could be overwhelming.”
"Take it as slow as you need to. There is no rush.
" Riggs held his hand, and they got on the elevator.
He stopped on the first floor and introduced Thomas to Errol and a couple of other soldiers, Ravi and Nils, all good men.
He handled himself with relative ease, although Riggs could feel a slight tension growing, so they excused themselves and headed up to Riggs' apartment.
"Nils wasn't a vampire; he was something else," Thomas commented as they took the elevator to the third floor.
“Nils is a shifter, a hellhound.”
“They’re real?”
“You tell me.” He countered. “What did you see?”
"I saw a massive beast, all hair, teeth, and muscle," Thomas said, and they nodded. "They're real."
"You'll get used to it," Riggs assured and squeezed his hand.
Riggs texted asking for a meeting with Commander Drakon. He wanted to get his beloved settled, then meet with Drakon about the issue of Ferris and the museum. Ferris wasn't the only one with influence at the Art Institute of Chicago, and he hoped to work that fact in his beloved's favor.
Dr. Ferris was working feverishly, getting his case in order.
The board usually deferred to the academics on staffing, but he didn't just want to fire Thomas; he wanted him squashed.
He wanted all his opportunities to end, and that took more evidence of misconduct than just being unsuited for a position.
He had to prove Thomas was a risk and a misfit both academically and morally.
"Mandy, I'm going to need you to attend the board meeting tomorrow afternoon.
Bring your report on Thomas, and you will be presenting it personally.
You must make your case, so be sure to elaborate on the salaciousness of his behavior.
Also, explain how he ditched his coworkers to go and very publicly fuck a bartender.
Hit all the main points." Orin had no doubt Mandy would put forth her best work, especially if he dangled an internship in front of her.
“I’ll be there, sir, and I'll be very thorough in my report." She knew what he wanted.
"Be ready to answer questions and don't stray from the points in your report."
"Yes, sir." With that, he closed the call and sent a message to the Director outlining his concerns about Thomas Carter and letting him know he would request Thomas Carter's termination.
He was getting all his ducks in a row. The board meeting was going to be devastating for Thomas, and Orin could hardly wait.
He ordered an early dinner to be delivered to his townhouse. He included a nice bottle of red wine to celebrate. After tomorrow, he would finally be rid of Thomas Carter, and Thomas Carter would learn to respect his superiors.
He received a message from the Director requesting a copy of the transgressions he planned to discuss regarding Thomas, but Orin decided to ignore it. He would get the information when everyone else got it.
Riggs ordered a late lunch for them since Thomas had not eaten since the donuts at breakfast. He seemed to be settling in as well as could be expected. "I like your place, Riggs." He said and took a seat at the counter, which was just off the living room.
“Thank you, Thomas. I’d like for it to be your place too as soon as you’re comfortable with moving in.” He walked up behind him and nuzzled his throat. “Don’t make me wait.”
“This is awful fast, but it sure feels right.”
"It is right." Just then, their lunch arrived, and they settled into a fruit salad, roast beef sandwiches, and brownies for dessert.
“Do you want to keep your job at the museum?” Riggs figured he should get that clear before anything else.
"Yes, but I want the internship they promised me per our agreement. I've been told one will be open for me next year, but with Dr. Ferris baying for my blood, I doubt that's going to happen." He said with a mixture of anger and sadness.
"The coven has power and connections, so don't rule anything out yet." Riggs poured him another glass of iced tea and poured coffee for himself.
"Dr. Ferris is part of a donor family, they wield a lot of power. According to Jeremy, there is only one other person in this town who gives more to the museum than the Ferris family.”
“Do you know who that person is?” Riggs asked, raising an eyebrow.
“Jeremy said it was a local businessman.”
“It’s Master Conall Rose.”
"Well." He said, staring at Riggs with a shadow of a grin on his lips. "That might change things a little."
“Just a little.”
To Riggs' surprise, Drakon met him at his apartment. "I thought it would be more convenient for you if they met here." He said and then congratulated them on their bond. Riggs made introductions, and everyone took a seat in the living room.
Riggs explained their situation with Dr. Ferris, the museum, and he mentioned that Ferris had been spotted sitting in his car outside Thomas' apartment. Drakon listened and nodded, taking it all in.
"He was outside my apartment?" Thomas asked, and Riggs slipped his arm around him.
“He was sitting in a dark blue SUV across the road, but he didn't follow us."
"That's upsetting." Thomas leaned into Riggs and placed his hands on Riggs' thigh, needing the comfort and peace of his touch and his nearness.
"Yes, it is," Drakon spoke up. "You have more than enough cause to kill him if that is what you wish. I will sanction the action." He spoke to Riggs, but it was Thomas who reacted.
"No, please, don't kill him. I couldn't live with myself if I caused his death." He pleaded to Riggs. Riggs could see the smile on Drakon’s lips. Drakon’s beloved was also human, and he knew of their soft hearts.
"I won't kill him." He said, but he knew he could do a lot to Dr. Ferris without killing him.
"Master Rose will be at the board meeting tomorrow, and you, Riggs, will accompany him as one of his guards," Drakon stated. “So, we’ll finish this tomorrow.”
"Yes, sir, and thank you."
He showed him to the door, and before leaving, Drakon spoke softly so that Thomas didn't hear. "The death sanction stands if you need it, use it." Drakon never took chances when it came to the health and welfare of a beloved
"Yes, sir," Riggs responded. When Riggs returned to the living room, Thomas was standing, staring at him.
“Dr. Ferris is the Collection Manager. I applied to work under him because I wanted to learn collection management, but my real desire was to work under Dr. Walsh, who directs exhibition design. Jeremy had already taken the last position with Dr. Walsh, so I opted for Dr. Ferris.” Riggs walked over to him and reached out his hand. Thomas took it and stepped closer.
“My time there has been fraught with problems and complications. I thought I could work through it all. I knew Dr. Ferris didn’t like me; he made that clear in so many ways right from the beginning, but I didn't know that he hated me. I didn't know that he was willing to go to these lengths to try to destroy me when I was no threat to him.” Thomas took another step forward and laid his head on Riggs’ chest.
"You're not the first new hire that he's done this to.
" Riggs said and wrapped his arm around him.
"I had a background run on Ferris, and he's targeted people before, both professionally and personally.
It's his style, it gives him some sense of power and authority, but he only attacks those under him, never an equal or a superior. "
"That's messed up." He said, and Riggs agreed. "I'm a little nervous about the meeting tomorrow."
"Don't be," Riggs stated. "You won't be alone, you're one of us now, and we take care of our own." Thomas looked up at him, searching his face. "You and I are bonded, you're a coven member, sweetheart." Riggs smiled broadly at the look on Thomas' face.
“I belong here.” He said with just a touch of wonder.
“You belong with me.” Riggs took him in a sudden and insatiable embrace.
Kissing him deeply, holding him like the treasure that he was.
He let the kiss trail down his throat to the small scar at the base.
The minute he kissed him, Thomas began to tremble and clutch at him, pulling him closer. The response was sensual and exciting.
“Let me show you our room," Riggs whispered in his ear, sweeping him up into his arms. Thomas gasped and then chuckled.
“I’d love to see it.”