Myles did not pull away but dropped his gaze, clearly embarrassed. "Who did this to you, Myles? Who hit you?" Flint needed to be sure his beloved was not in any danger.
"Three guys were giving Randy a hard time. Randy is my co-worker. He was the one helping your friend yesterday." He clarified, and Flint nodded. "I heard him yell for me, and I came out into the front of the shop. One of them, a big guy with thick, wavy blonde hair, had his hand around Randy's throat. I tried to intervene and got this for my effort, along with a few well-placed threats."
Flint reached out and tenderly cupped the side of Myles’ jaw. "This man, how old was he? Did he have an odor, a distinctive aroma?" Flint had an idea who the man was, but wasn't certain.
“He looked between maybe thirty-five and forty.” He answered and then thought for a moment. "There was a wild, earthy scent to him. I thought perhaps he'd been out in a wooded area. It wasn't unpleasant, just airy and natural, I guess." Flint was impressed with his recollection and his ability to scent the shifter.
“Do you know who he is?” Myles asked, pulling back just a little.
"No, not specifically, but there is a group in town that security has been watching, and the scent is their marker. Itmight be them, it might not.” Flint wasn’t in a place where he could tell him more. “Why was he assaulting your friend?”
“Randy said his dad was handling it and to not get involved. I assume it has something to do with his dad’s businesses.” Myles took a sip of his coffee and fidgeted with his napkin. “His dad owns Classic Threads and a couple of other, less classy establishments." He glanced away, embarrassment coloring his cheeks.
"Oh, you can't leave it there, sweetheart." Flint chuckled. "Tell me more.”
He looked away again, still uncomfortable, and Flint was enjoying every minute. “He owns the sex shop on Livingston, For Your Pleasure, and he owns that metaphysical place, Cosmic Connections. It specializes in aphrodisiacs, fortune telling, and has started incorporating some sort of cosmic massaging. It all sounds sketchy to me.”
“And he owns a men’s clothing store.” Flint was actually surprised.
“Yeah, strange combination. Randy said he got the businesses cheap and had planned on building them up and then selling them, but apparently they're real money makers." He was so damned uncomfortable.
CHAPTER FOUR
"Randy's right, stay away from those men, they're bad news and capable of anything.” Flint became serious and held him with a pointed gaze. "His father can handle them, and they’re probably connected to the other businesses.” He fell silent for a moment and then asked. “Is it safe for you at Classic Threads?”
“Yeah, I’ve worked there a couple of years, and this is the first time anything like this has happened. We’ve had disgruntled customers, but no one ever raised a hand to any of us.” He was so damn cute. His big blue eyes were so trusting and open.
He didn’t know too many humans who would have confronted the shifter who was assaulting his friend. Myles was someone who acted first and thought it through later. He would have to keep a close eye on him and gain a clear understanding of the wolf's intentions toward Randy.
"If that guy and his friends return, I want you to call me." He handed him another card, but Myles pulled the one he had given him yesterday out of his pocket with a smile. "Put that number into your phone and call me.”
“I already put it in.” He said. “Did you put mine in your phone?”
Flint pulled out his phone and showed him, and Myles started to laugh. Flint had put him under the name Sweetheart. Myles showed his phone, and Flint smiled when he saw that Myles had put his number under Handsome.
"You think I'm handsome?" He teased, and Myles feigned demure.
"Absolutely," Myles stated, and just when Flint thought things were moving forward, a middle-aged balding man charged up to the side of their table and began shouting. Myles' smile dropped, and a fearful panic entered his eyes. He stiffened and reared back from where the man stood.
“How dare you abandon your parents?" He spat and reached out with an open hand toward Myles. Flint reacted immediately and was on his feet, grabbing the man’s wrist and twisting it backward before he had a chance to land the intended slap. Flint pushed him back and stood shielding his beloved.
"Who the hell are you?" He barked, and the man visibly shrank, stepping back, but Flint hadn't released him.
"I'm Myles' uncle and his father's brother." He stated as if it held weight.
Flint pinned the Uncle with a menacing gaze, "You ever speak to him like that again or threaten to raise a hand to him, you will not live to see another day.” He heard Myles’ chair scrape the floor as he pushed back from the table and stood.
"Don't hurt him." The tone was soft and hesitant. Flint looked back over his shoulder at Myles, lifting one eyebrow, checking if he was sure. Myles nodded curtly, and Flint releasedthe man, who quickly stepped back and kept looking from Myles to Flint back and forth.
"I don't know who you are, but you have no right to interfere with . . ." That was all he managed to say before Flint took him by the scruff of the neck and walked him out of the coffee shop, tossing him out onto the sidewalk. Flint turned and headed back to Myles without a word. The shop was not busy, and the few customers who had observed minded their own business and avoided eye contact.
“I’m sorry about that.” Myles began. Flint offered his hand, and Myles took it without hesitation. "Let's get out of here." He walked him out into the fresh air and across the street to a small park. It was a natural space that inspired calm and peacefulness.
Flint held his hand fast, and they walked in silence for a few minutes before stopping at a marble bench near the large central fountain. They sat, and Flint put his arm across Myles's shoulders, pulling him a little closer but not constricting his movements. It was a loose hold but intimate, and Flint noticed that Myles did not object but rather leaned into his side.
"What's going on with your parents, Myles? You can talk to me." Flint prompted.
“Can I? I hardly know you." His voice was soft as a whisper. The embarrassment weighed heavily on him.
