He rubbed his eyes and pinched the bridge of his nose. It had taken a literal punch to his gut to wake him up. Jeffrey was a monster, and he’d had to escape. He deserved a life filled with love, and love didn’t mean pain and abuse. He couldn’t afford to live in the city on his teacher’s salary, and certainly not in a luxury building. This studio would be enough. It wasn’t a walk-up, although the creaky elevator didn’t seem too safe, especially when it jumped several times on its rise to the fifth floor. But he didn’t think Jeffrey would look for him here. He never came to Brooklyn. By this time, no doubt, Jeffrey had moved on and forgotten all about him. Besides, Sean had assured him the restraining order would work, and Jeffrey would never bother him again.
“I’ll take it,” he said to Mike. “First and last month’s rent?”
Mike’s eyes lit up, and the buttons of his shirt strained over his rounded stomach. “Yes. You made the right choice, Morgan. It’s a great deal even if it is outside the hot spots. There’s laundry in the basement, and the super lives on-site in case there’s a problem with the unit.”
“I’m sure it’ll be fine. When can I move in?”
“The landlord will have to paint and clean it for you first. It’s part of the lease agreement. In the meantime, we’ll do the credit check and verification, and all the incidental paperwork, and it’ll be the first of the month before you know it.”
“All right. I’m just anxious to get settled. I’ve been living with my friends, and I’m sure they want me out of their hair as soon as possible.”
Not true. Chris and Sean said he could stay as long as he wanted, but almost a whole year was long enough. Independence Day had finally come.
“Only ten more days. I’m sure they can deal with it.” Mike turned off the light and opened the door. “Let’s go to my office, and we’ll take care of the paperwork.”
He followed the agent out of the apartment, listening to him puff as he walked down the stuffy hallway to the elevator. Dust motes danced in front of his eyes, and the air lay thick and heavy with humidity. No air-conditioned hallways here. Sweat beaded on his face and soaked the back of his shirt. For spring, it was oppressively hot, and Morgan couldn’t wait to get outside and breathe the relatively fresh air.
A short flight of steps led from the front door to the sidewalk, and in his haste to get inside Mike’s cool car and stop choking on the thick, humid air, Morgan tripped and landed on his ass.
“Are you all right? You didn’t hurt yourself, did you?” Mike didn’t offer to help him up.
“Yeah, I’m okay. I can be a little klutzy.” He reached out to grab the iron railing to hoist himself up when a strong hand took hold of his elbow.
“Let me help,” a gruff, low voice said. “You might’ve twisted your ankle.”
Morgan gazed up into startling blue eyes that left him tongue-tied. “Th-thanks, but I think I’m okay.” He stood and took a step away from the man, who let his hand fall away. “It’s fine.”
The stranger nodded. “Good. Wouldn’t want you to sue the building.”
“Leo, this is the new tenant for 5C. Morgan Cantrell. We’re about to go sign the lease. Morgan, this is the super, Leo DeLuca.”
“You’re renting that one-bedroom?” A dark slash of brows twisted above those incredible blue eyes.
“Yes. Why? Is there a problem with it? And I’d hardly call it a one-bedroom.”
A dimple came and went in the hollow of Leo’s cheek with his brief smile. “Nah. You don’t look the type who lives here, is all.”
“No?” Morgan bristled. Just what he didn’t need. Some homophobic asshole getting on his case. “What type is that?”
Leo the super shrugged. “Guys in suits and ties don’t live here. It’s a working-class area.”
Relieved, Morgan felt his anger melt away, and he lifted his chin. “Well, I’m a teacher. And a regular guy. I’ll be fine.”
“Yeah. A regular guy.” Leo picked up the ladder Morgan hadn’t noticed until then. “See ya, 5C,” he threw over his shoulder and walked away.
“Ready, Morgan? I’d like to get to the office and send in all the paperwork.”
“Yeah, sure.” They walked to Mike’s car, and he slid into the passenger seat.
“Don’t let Leo get to you. He’s a little prickly but a good super. Keeps to himself, but if you need anything, he’s always around.”
“I’m sure I won’t.”
Morgan had no intention of drawing attention to himself. Once he moved in, Leo the super would never even know Morgan Cantrell was alive.
