“My psychic link with you helped me find you,” Justin blurted.
“That’s pretty cool,” Scott said.
“You think so? I was afraid you’d feel intruded on.”
Scott shrugged. “I trust you not to misuse it. That whole thing about great power and great responsibility.” He gave a tired half-smile.
“Brandon and the people at the Fox Institute said they would help me find someone more specialized to train me now that we know my mate is a shifter. That way, not only will I have more control when things quiet down, but I can make the most of our connection,” Justin said.
“I don’t want to go back to Albany except to get my stuff,” Scott blurted. “I’m ready to make Fox Hollow my home.”
Justin grinned. “That’s great. Are you ready to live together, or do you need time?”
“I was just reminded how time runs out before you know it.” Scott reached for Justin’s hand. “I want to move in. I don’t want to miss another minute with you.”
Justin leaned in for a kiss. “That’s what I was hoping you’d say.”
The next morning,Justin had seaplane appointments, so he couldn’t stay home.
“How about I go to Bear Necessities?” Scott suggested. “I don’t want to be alone, and I’ll be safe there.”
Justin nodded. “Okay. Fox Hollow is a small town. We notice outsiders, especially ones in cheap suits. But I’d feel better if you were with people.” He didn’t want Scott to feel smothered, but Justin couldn’t shake the feeling that they hadn’t seen the last of his boyfriend’s pursuers.
“That’s fine. You can come get me when your appointments are done,” Scott said. “Don’t blame me if I’ve had enough coffee to be bouncing off walls.”
Scott’s phone rang, and he frowned when he looked at the number. “That’s odd.” He answered the call and put it on speaker.
“Mr. Fredericks, what’s up?” he asked.
Scott looked to Justin. “It’s my landlord,” he whispered. “Putting you on speaker.”
“Hi Scott. Sorry to bother you, but I wanted to find out if you were expecting anyone from your work to drop by theapartment,” Fredricks asked. He sounded worried, and Scott frowned.
“No, I wasn’t. Did someone show up?”
“Two men in suits stopped in this morning and said they were from your office,” Fredericks said. “They asked if you were home, and I told them I had no idea of your schedule. Then they asked more questions about where you were, when I expected to see you again, and if you’d be around this weekend. It all just struck me as wrong, so I didn’t tell them anything. Not that I’d have given out that kind of information anyhow.”
Scott and Justin traded worried glances. “Aside from the suits, can you describe them?” Scott asked.
“One was taller, and he had a thin face, long nose, shifty eyes. The shorter one looked like he’d had his nose broken a couple of times, like a boxer. Neither of them struck me like the suit or office type,” Fredericks replied. “They seemed frustrated when I couldn’t tell them when you’d be home. I noticed that they hung around the parking lot after I spoke to them. They left right before I was going to call the cops.”
Scott looked like he was weighing how much to tell his landlord. “You did the right thing. I’m freelance, so I don’t have an office, they were lying. I witnessed a crime, and those guys are prime suspects. They’re dangerous, so if they come back, don’t deal with them. Call the police right away.”
“Are you okay?” Fredericks sounded sincerely concerned.
“Yeah. I’m safe. I’m staying with friends,” Scott assured him. “The police are working on the situation. I’m sorry that they bothered you.”
“I’ve got no patience for that kind of crap,” Fredericks said. “You can be sure I’ll put the cops on their asses if I ever see them again.”
“If you can get a license plate number without putting yourself in danger, that would be helpful,” Scott suggested.
“Will do,” Fredericks said. “Keep your head down. Your things are safe here until you can come home.”
Scott paused. “Do you think they showed up in any security footage? If so, can you please send me the clip? That might help the police.”
“If they went to your apartment first, I’m sure they did,” the landlord said. “Probably got them in the parking lot as well. I’ll download the video and figure out how to email it to you.”
“Thank you,” Scott replied, sounding weary. “I’m sorry for the trouble.”
