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"Yes," Paul responded emphatically and without hesitation, and the lightness he was exhibiting was a balm to Sloan's heart. His adored was happy and taking the enlightenment he was experiencing as a gift. "I've always thought there was more to this world than could be seen, and now I know."
“Now you know.” Sloan pulled him in for a kiss that owned him completely and utterly.
CHAPTER SEVEN
Paul's mind was thoroughly blown. The events of the last twenty-four hours ranged from lovely and wonderful to heart-wrenching and then to amazement. What more could happen to him in one weekend. He found the man of his dreams, lost his job and his home, and then learned that vampires were real and have lived among humans since the beginning of time. He felt so special to have been brought in on the secret and was now one of the elites that knew the truth.
The moment he looked at Sloan and really saw him was a shock and a delight. He sensed the differences and the unique nature of the man upon first meeting him at the Sin Lounge. The belief that there was so much more to the man became a fact when he stepped out of his car in the parking lot and walked toward him, where he sat despondently on the curb. The vision of that man was extraordinary.
Paul wanted to run to him and throw himself into his arms. The draw and the need were so great. He saw the vampire in him, and it made his heart pound and his hands sweat. It brought all his previous thoughts and suspicions together, and everything suddenly made sense. Having him there, his calm and his power was all Paul needed.
He explained their relationship, the meeting, the bonding, the awakening, and again, it all made sense. His heart and his mind were open, and taking it all in, the only thing that concerned him was longevity. Sloan had not indicated whether this connection of theirs was limited and just what it meant for someone like Paul.
There were a lot of basic questions still to be answered, but right now, Paul was too caught up in the amazement of it all. He also had a situation with Austen Fields that needed to be worked out. It would be difficult for him to find future employment in his field with a dismissal on his record.
"I realize there is a lot to learn, and I appreciate the fact that you have opened my eyes to this new world. I feel so many things, and it's going to take me a minute or two to process them." Paul began to explain his state of mind but also wanted to make sure Sloan knew that he was there for it, all of it.
"I'll help you, my love." He assured him and pulled Paul in for a sweet kiss on his cheek. There came a quick knock at the outer door, and whoever it was walked in and called out to Sloan.
"Hope you're decent." He said with a chuckle. Paul recognized the voice as that of Sloan's brother, Rian.
"Come in; we're in the living room," Sloan called out.
“I discovered who has it in for Paul at Austen Fields.” He announced.
"I contacted Rian earlier and asked him to look into the dismissal," Sloan explained to Paul, who simply nodded and waited for what Rian had to say. The Agincourt Bank would no doubt have extensive contacts throughout the financial sector.
"Your boss, Mr. Rye, was called at home by the board secretary, informing him that your position was to be terminated immediately. The Board president, Mr. Allan Pierson, had been contacted by one of the major stockholders who demanded your termination with no reason given." Rian regarded them both, and Paul couldn't help but be terribly confused.
"I don't know any of those people apart from Mr. Rye," Paul stated insistently.
“Who is the major stockholder?” Sloan asked.
"Mr. Camden Mitchell, a local financier with his fingers in a lot of businesses. He owns majority shares in Austen Fields." Both Rian and Sloan looked over at Paul as he dramatically flopped back onto the sofa and looked up at the ceiling. He closed his eyes for a moment and then spoke softly, feeling defeated. He knew who was behind this, and he should have figured it out sooner.
"Camden Mitchell is Joshua's father," Paul spoke to Sloan since Rian did not know who Joshua was. He saw the look pass between Rian and Sloan, and then Sloan enlightened him.
“Joshua is Paul’s ex.”
"He's with someone else and apparently living the dream with his wealthy and handsome doctor boyfriend, so why would he feel the need to punish me. We're done. I don't want him, and he doesn't want me, so where is this petty vindictiveness coming from?" Paul was at a loss as to why Joshua would pull such a hateful prank. "Why won't he just leave me alone and go away?" The tone was so forlorn that Sloan was instantly on his feet with his phone out and began making a series of calls.
"He will go away, my love; I guarantee it." Sloan seethed, and Paul saw the nod that passed between the brothers. He didn't know what Sloan and Rian were planning, but at this point, he no longer cared, even the least, about what happened to Joshua. Now it made sense why he showed up in the parking lot outside Paul's apartment just minutes after he was fired from his job and evicted from his apartment. Joshua planned the entire thing and got his dad to put pressure on him to have him fired.
"Joshua came to your apartment," Sloan stated with a hardness that was felt.
“You read my mind?” Paul was still getting used to the new rules of communication between them and didn’t realize he could actually hear his thoughts.
“I read your emotions and filled in the blanks." He clarified, but still, Paul was impressed.
"He drove through the parking lot right after I was evicted. He drove up next to me and leaned out the window to gloat at my situation. At the time, I thought it was just a matter of chance and bad luck on my end, but he knew I was being thrown out, and he wanted to be there. How could I have ever dated that man?" Paul dropped his head, feeling all kinds of stupid and naïve.
Sloan reached over, patted his shoulder, and dropped a kiss on the top of his head. "You're a good man, Paul, and you took Joshua at face value. People like Joshua are good actors and liars don’t ever blame yourself."
"I wish I'd never met him, but if I hadn't, I might never have had the nerve to walk into the Sin Lounge, and then I wouldn't have met you. He made me angry enough to go there looking for satisfaction." Paul chuckled and looked up at Sloan.
"Even without Joshua, we would have found each other; that's how Fate works. Don't give that bastard any credit." Sloan told him and dropped another kiss on his head.
"Fate always brings couples together when they need each other the most." Rian chimed in. "You two were primed to meet with Sloan, aching to meet his adored one, and you needed the devotion and the passion of your true love. It was just a matter of time."
