Chance nodded and then looked at Quintus, his eyes traveled down to his neck and then back up to his face with a brow raised. It was as if Quintus could tell the question Chance was asking. Quintus looked down to his chest, and he heard Chance chuckle.
“I’ll let you two get back to work.”
Quintus exhaled, not realizing he’d been holding his breath.
“How come you give him the dominant treatment and not me?”
At Donald’s question, Grayson’s words came back to him.
I think he’s just playing at being a dominant.
“Let’s get to work,” Quintus said instead of answering him.
* * *
It was latewhen Quintus left Donald's office. They'd made a map of where everything would be and had gotten it to Chance, Avi, and the printer in enough time. Quintus coordinated with his office to see what guys he could spare to start constructing the booths.
Quintus was grateful he had mostly shifters working for his company—they were fast, skilled, and efficient. Which was why he didn't mind giving them three weeks of vacation to take any time during the year, a yearly bonus, and other incentives. The company picnic happened around the same time every year and was an added benefit where everyone got to have fun with their families. Quintus usually went alone, but not this year—he'd have Scott with him. He couldn't wait to show off his mate.
He looked at his watch and noted he had time to stop by the house Scott had bought before meeting his mate for dinner at his place. After being in Scott's playroom, he had a few ideas and wanted to map things out before taking them to his mate. Pulling up to the house, he grabbed his tablet before getting out of the car. He instantly started to gag, quickly covering his nose.
What is that fucking smell?
The smell was so pungent, covering his nose wasn't helping. One thing was for sure, Scott's new house was the only part of town where the scent was. Quintus hadn’t smelled it anywhere else in Vale Valley. He ran up to the house holding his breath. Using the key Scott had given him, he hurried inside and slammed the door closed. Exhaling, he reached for his flashlight andturning it on.
Quintus didn't know the full layout of the house, so he aimed his flashlight towards the wall, searching for the light switch. Finding the switch, he flipped it expecting the lights to come on but was surprised when the hallway lights didn't come on.That's weird.He knew the electricity and plumbing worked in the house, because Scott had them turned on.
“I guess I’m going to have to feel my way through then.”
Walking over to the large stairs, he took them two at a time. Once he was on the second floor, he checked his forms about how many bedrooms took up the space. He took in a deep breath, instantly realizing his mistake and gagged from the scent—the telltale smell of death assaulted him.
“Okay, this fucking smell has got to go.” He wasn’t sure what was causing the scent, since the smell didn’t move from the house. It had gotten worse since the last time he visited the property.
Pulling the collar of his T-shirt up over his nose, Quintus moved from one room to another—taking down measurements and making side notes to talk with Scott about it when they met up later.
They hadn't talked about living together, but it was evident to Quintus that he was going to be moving in with his mate. It was the best option. He was practically living at Scott's place and he hadn't been back at his own home since they had become mates.
Scott's new house was big enough for them to raise a family and keep their kinky lifestyle. Quintus would have to figure out what to do with his home, but they had time. It wasn't as if he was pregnant. Even if he were, there still wouldn't be any rush. As it was, Scott's house wouldn’t be ready until maybe Christmas.
Christmas is pushing the timeline if I can’t figure out the cause of the smell. I can’t have my guys working in conditions like this.
Quintus stopped when he heard a creaking noise and then a loud slam, like a door had been forced shut. But that couldn’t be the case, since he’d closed all of the bedroom doors after walking out of the rooms.
“Maybe it was a window,” he reasoned.
A warm breeze touched the back of his neck, causing the hairs to stand on end as if someone was standing directly behind him. Ignoring it, Quintus continued with his survey. Entering the last bedroom, he froze when he felt something brush against his leg. Looking down, he sighed in relief when he didn't see anything.
Gods, why am I so fucking jumpy all of a sudden? It's an old house. There's bound to be weird sounds and shit that happen as it settles.
He should be used to weird things happening, since he lived in a town filled with supernaturals. But there were a few things that creeped him out—seeing a ghost was one of them. The spirits of a past residents still lingered around Vale Valley and were unable to pass onto the afterlife. Some residents believe it was one of the best parts about the small town. Quintus thought otherwise, it creeped him the fuck out.
Granted all the ghosts he'd come in contact with over the years had been friendly, Quintus wasn't naive to think that there wasn't a vengeful spirit or two out there roaming around somewhere and causing mischief. It could also be teenagers out in the woods trying to scare the cheetah and see how fast he could run. Whatever it was, Quintus was getting a weird feeling and he hurried through his survey of the bedroom with an attached bathroom. He turned to leave when the bathroom door slammed shut. Grabbing the handle, Quintus tried opening it, but the door wouldn't budge.
What the fuck?
He didn't try to call out to anyone for help, since the house was so far into the woods, and he was confident that he was the only one in the house. Putting the flashlight away and putting his tablet down, he turned to the side and slammed his shoulder into the wood, hoping to push it off its hinges. But even then, nothing happened. He could hear what sounded like the doors from the other rooms opening and closing. The light in the bathroom flashed on and off, before finally staying on.
Quintus's heart was thundering in his chest, and he didn't know what was going on or what to do. He looked around the large bathroom—the faucet in the shower and sink came on when he was nowhere near them. Looking away, he pushed even harder on the door but howled in pain when his shoulder was dislocated.
