"I can't help you, I don't have it." He said and closed the call. That was a first for him, and it probably wasn't going to go down well. He went the extra step and blocked his father's number, and then, after a few seconds of consideration, blocked his mother's number as well. He also decided not to send them the three hundred.
"This has to stop. I can't live like this." He said, raking his fingers through his hair roughly. He wasn't sure if he would be able to be strong or if he would ultimately give in, but for now, he was going to break, at least not tonight. He tossed his phone to the chair across the room and watched it bounce on the cushion. Maybe he needed to leave Pittsburgh to start fresh somewhere. It was a thought, although moving took money, and right now he didn't have much.
“Fuck!” He yelled and jumped to his feet. He grabbed his phone, unblocked them, and headed to the kitchen.
He pulled a couple of slices of cold pizza out of the fridge and popped them in the microwave. He did some clothing alterations for his neighbor, who worked at Max Pizza Shop, and the man paid him in pizza. It was a fair trade because Max Pizza was some of the best in town.
It wasn't long, and salacious thoughts of Flint Marsh returned to his idle mind. He wondered with a speculative grin if Flint was thinking about him.
Flint notified his commander, Michael King, as soon as his shift was over and he had returned to the Hadden Center. Flint occupied an apartment on the twenty-second floor along with many other guards and soldiers.
It has been his home for several years, ever since moving from the Imperial Club. He liked the location, liked being in the downtown financial sector, and liked protecting the Hadden Center; it was beautiful, regal, and a true statement of the Hadden Coven's dominance and the power and importance of the Hadden Coven.
“A sales associate at a men's apparel shop on the east side." Michael smiled. "I'm happy for you, Flint. Will you be needing time off to pursue your chosen beloved, or do the two of you already have an understanding?”
"I'd like a few days. He's human, and I'm not sure how he feels about the paranormal. It may take a while to win him over.” Flint wasn’t sure how to go about introducing Myles into his life, but he figured he'd play it by ear and was certain Fate had a plan.
"My beloved Cole is human, and let me reassure you, they feel the pull; he will not be able to stay away." Michael smiled. “Take the week, and if I can be of any assistance, do not hesitate to ask."
“Thank you, sir.”
“I look forward to meeting him.” Michael patted him on the shoulder.
Flint went to the subbasement, where the tech department was located. He and the director, Zac, got on well, and he'd helped him with cases in the past. He was pretty sure he'd help him with his research on his beloved. Flint had checked him out online, just a basic search, but there wasn't much there.
He had a few social accounts, but there wasn't much there, just brief information regarding his parents and his job at Classic Threads. They weren’t accounts he kept up with, obviously, and other directions were equally stagnant. He found his address listed on the east side, not far from his workplace. He lived in a studio apartment in a building that was moderately safe.
Flint wasn't satisfied with the location, but it didn't matter; Myles would be moving in with him as soon as they got their relationship on track. His parents were both retired and lived in a retirement village of sorts in the Ralston suburb. That was the sum total of what he discovered, but he knew Zac could find the goods, the real scoop, and give him some depth regarding his beloved.
“I’ve been researching the case you sent me, and it doesn't appear to be anything scary or salacious, just a young guy living his life from the looks of it." Zac smiled.
“Don’t look so disappointed.” Flint pulled up a chair and sat next to him as he scrolled. “I like the idea of just a young guy living his life.”
“He lives on the east side." Flint nodded, and Zac pulled up the image of his street and apartment building. “He’s just turned twenty last month and has been in this apartment since turning eighteen. He moved out of his parental home in the Ralston suburb immediately upon turning eighteen and could legally sign a contract. He finished his senior year at night school program, which indicates a difficult home life."
Flint hadn’t given the parents much thought, but it did show a lack of connection. It's one thing to move out at eighteen, it's quite another to move before graduating and have to finish your last couple of weeks through an adult education program. “What issues did they have, do you know?”
“Your beloved has been working since a young age and has provided considerable financial support to his parents. Both parents are financially stable, and there appears to be no reason to be bleeding their son for money.” Zac turned to look at him cocking an eyebrow in disgust.
“They were taking advantage?”
“That would be my guess. I don’t know what the catalyst was that spurred him to move out before graduating, but it was probably related to the fact that they were using him. It’s hard to get ahead and build a life if the people closest to you are kneecapping your efforts.” Zac scrolled down as Flint processed the information.
“As you know, he is a sales associate at Classic Threads and works quite closely with the tailor on staff, Mr. Kranz. Myles also does alterations as a side job from his apartment.”
“Sounds like a young guy just living his life.” Flint smiled.
"He's going to love you, Flint. You will put the spice into his life.” Zac teased.
"I'm hoping to put heat into his night." Flint countered.
“That too.” Zac laughed. “I'm happy for you, and if you need anything else, just ask."
“Thanks.”
CHAPTER THREE
Waiting till three to meet for coffee was a really bad idea. Flint paced his quarters for most of the night, not able to get thoughts of his newly discovered beloved out of his mind. He went to the dining hall and had coffee and pie at five in the morning, hoping it would focus his thoughts and ease his anxious need to be near Myles, but it was useless.
