"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.”
