E r o s

Everything at the hospital was finally coming to a clean end. Cole had been spending the past two weeks there gathering all the intel we needed and once that was finished, Mikhail compiled it all into a neat package for that cop.

We just had to do the drop off and it'd be set which is why I guess my mood was pretty good today.

No more hospital meant Cole wouldn't have to leave me for hours on end anymore and most importantly, that insignificant pest of a cop would no longer be able to hang around him. I could tell he's been sticking to Cole like gum under a shoe with the way his cigarette's could be smelled on Cole's clothing when he'd come home.

I wasn't being territorial or anything but I'd rather my scent on Cole than that weirdo cop's. If we had just threatened him a bit like I wanted to, this wouldn't be a problem...

"Whatever you're thinking of, please stop. Your face looks weird" a voice suddenly broke my train of thought and I looked over to the intruder.

Oh yeah, I forgot Caleb was here.

In fact he had come here to talk to me about something so I sat up a bit so that I could give him some proper attention.

"Sorry, what was it that you were saying?" I asked and Caleb sighed.

"I'm thinking of leaving" He said as he looked me in the eyes and I paused.

"Leaving?" I asked slowly and Caleb nodded in response.

"It isn't the same here anymore, if anything, ever since us coming here it's been one bad thing after the next. I'm not saying that it's all been bad, we've made some good memories here too. You've done lots for us by letting us join and whatnot, but I only did it because I was with Preston. Without him, I don't see a reason to be living this lifestyle anymore" Caleb explained.

Giving a hum, I folded my arms across my chest. I could understand why Caleb felt that way, when I first met them, they were all they had. Just the two of them and whatever happened between them before that was unbeknownst to me.

I wouldn't stop him from leaving if that's what he wanted but a part of me was hesitant to do so. The worry wart part in me that is.

"What are you going to do once all this is over?" I asked and Caleb shrugged.

"I don't know but I just don't want to be here right now" he said and I nodded.

"Are you going back to New York?"

"Not to stay, I just wanna check out what he left in that other locker of his. See if there's anything worth saving"

After he said that, I stood up and made my way around the desk.

"Well, wherever you do end up, take care of yourself and remember that you'll always be one of us. You can come back anytime" I said as I gave Caleb a firm pat on the shoulder. He just smiled in turn before speaking.

"Thanks but I promise the next time we see each other, it won't be under those circumstances" he said.

"Are you going to talk to Jamie?" I asked and the smile that was once on his face vanished without a trace.

"About?" He said, a disgruntled expression taking over his features.

"Oh, I don't know, maybe the fact that the two of you still can't have a decent conversation after 5 years" I said. Caleb's mood only seem to sour as I spoke.

"Why should I?" He muttered childishly.

"Because it'd be pretty cowardly for you to leave without apologizing" I said.

"Apologize for saving his life?" Caleb asked as he looked at me in disbelief.

"You made a choice for him that wasn't yours to make. Anyone would be upset about that" I had to explain it as if it were common sense.

"...fine. I'll go talk to him" Caleb grumbled before heading to the door and leaving.

I didn't mean to put him in a bad mood but it had to be said. I wasn't too aware of the details but I knew it had something to do with a friend they once had. No idea what happened to said friend, but that's between them.

A low vibrating from my desk made me reach for my phone and I picked up without really thinking about it.

"Hello?" I said and the voice that flooded my ears instantly made me freeze.

"Eros Sorren Azure, I will have you know that I am extremely furious with you!" The familiar nagging voice could only belong to one person.

"Well hello to you too Auntie Leila" I said and held back my sigh in order to avoid a scolding but it was clearly inevitable with how she started the call off.

"It's been three months since we've last spoken, that is absurd. Have you no time for the woman who raised you? I thought I made you a gentleman, not a deadbeat" she chided and I could already see the pissed off look on her face, with that deep frown for sure.

"Sorry that I don't have time for tea parties anymore, I'm not sure if you've heard but I've been dealing with an infestation and a murder case recently" I said but my answer didn't seem to make her any less upset.

"Blah blah blah, excuses! I'm sure you have time to at least call in between all the canoodling you've been doing with that man" Auntie Leila said and I paused.

How did she know about Cole? This woman...

"I don't even want to know how you found out about that" I said, this time letting out the sigh I'd been holding in.

"Unlike you, Mikhail would have been a lovely son. He's kept me updated on everything" She said and I internally groaned.

I didn't know my right hand man was a gossip girl, and with my aunt of all people. Honestly, I shouldn't even be surprised, she adores Mikhail after all.

"What did he tell you?" I asked but she just ignored me as she continued on her rant.

"Why didn't you tell me you were interested in someone? It's important to bring him around so I can get a good feel of his nature" she said.

"What you just said is the exact reason why I wouldn't want him around you" I replied and Auntie Leila huffed.

"Oh hush, I'm just curious. You know I can't help it" she said and I nodded.

I swear she's where my impatience comes from.

"Yes, I know" I said.

"Good. Now, if you don't clear your schedule and make some time to come see me, I'll do it for you" Auntie Leila's tone was demanding as she spoke and I frowned.

"It's not as simple as it sounds Auntie" I reasoned.

"Why, of course it is. Come see me willingly or I'll have to use bait~" her words were overly sweet and said in a sing song kind of way and it didn't take a genius to know what she was talking about.

"Please don't bother him, he's had enough of that kind of stuff in his life" I pleaded but it didn't seem to change her mind at all.

"Than you better figure out a time to come see me and it better be soon. My patience doesn't last forever you know" she said and I groaned.

"Why are you like this?" I muttered.

"Like what?" She asked sharply.

"...never mind. Goodbye, Auntie" I said.

"No 'I love you'?" She asked and I held in my scoff.

"You're lucky I didn't just hang up" I said and Auntie Leila just let out a laugh.

"Love you too, sweetie. Goodbye, Eros" she said and hung up.

Crazy lady.

Dropping my phone back on my desk, I looked to the clock on the wall. It was almost time to go pick Cole up and have a meeting with that little cop friend of his.

I grabbed the satchel Mikhail had so kindly left and headed down to the garage. As I did, I quickly texted out two messages. One to Cole letting him know that I was on my way and the other to Mikhail.

'Please stop gossiping about my love life to my aunt. Much appreciated'

After throwing the satchel in the back, I got in the driver's seat and it was then, I got a text back.

'Xoxo'

I hate Mikhail so much.

Rolling my eyes, I pocketed my phone before starting the car and driving off. It didn't take long to reach the hospital and when I parked, I headed to the designated meet up spot.

Cole had found an area where the cameras didn't reach so we'd be fine to have our drop off there.

When I reached the secluded area, I noticed Cole and who I assumed was Floyd, standing and chatting as they waited for me.

When noticing me walking up to them, Floyd turned and gave a nod.

"So you're Cole's friend. It's nice to meet you" he said, holding his hand out.

"Boyfriend. And I sure hope it will be nice to meet you" I said, smiling as I gripped it firmly.

Floyd seemed surprised but didn't speak on it and instead, opted for looking down at our joined hands.

"Strong grip there" he said with a nervous laugh but I didn't let up.

"It's a sign of respect, I trust you won't lose it" I said and Floyd nodded.

"No sir" he said and after being satisfied with his response, I finally let go. I held out the satchel with everything in it and at first, Floyd looked at me strangely.

"Don't worry, everything that you'd need for a solid case is inside it" I said.

"But I wouldn't be able to prove how I got it, it'd be inadmissible" he said.

"You can just say you took them" I said but this guy just looked at me as if I was crazy.

"You want me to lie?" He asked, his eyebrows going up in surprise.

Goody two shoes, bleh.

"Are you such a good cop that you can't even fabricate a tiny white lie?" I asked, annoyed at his constant objections. All he had to do was take the evidence and get out of here.

"And if they check the cams?" He asked.

"Already taken care of" I said and I could tell he had more questions but I spoke before he could ask them.

"Listen, no one will know we had any involvement, please trust me on this" I said, trying not to let my annoyance show but my patience was beginning to run thin.

"I guess I should thank you for your help" Floyd said while letting out a sigh of resignation as he took the satchel.

"Well...thank you, uh?" He said and I knew he was asking for my name but I had no plans in giving it.

'Yes, likewise'

"I hope we never meet again" I said and both Floyd and Cole looked at me.

Whoops.

"Sorry, it seems my inner thoughts and outer dialogue got mixed up" I said, giving a fake sugary sweet smile to cover it up but I really couldn't care less.

Giving a strained smile, Floyd turned to Cole.

"So, Cole. Even if this thing is over, I'd still like it if we could-" Narrowing my eyes, I immediately cut in between the two, not liking where this was going at all.

"Go on about our lives and never cross paths again? Yeah, me too" I said as I grabbed Cole's hand and pulled him closer to me. Cole just pinched my hand, making me let go and I frowned.

"I guess you're okay and I'm not sure if we're friends right now but you may come in handy later" Cole said.

"Jeez, way to make me feel special" Floyd said and Cole shrugged.

Nodding at the both of us, Floyd stepped back as he prepared himself to walk away.

"Let's get a coffee sometime" he said to Cole, leaving with a salute.

Good riddance.

"If you ever get a coffee with him, I'm considering that as cheating" I said as we watched him leave and Cole looked to me.

"Then I guess I'll just order tea" He said and that made me almost break my neck as I turned to him.

"Cole." I said firmly but Cole waved me off.

"I'm kidding" he said.

"Who made you the fun guy" I grumbled and Cole just punched my shoulder lightly.

"Let's get out of here. I'm sick of this place" He said before walking to the car. Giving one last look to the hospital, I followed after Cole.

I hope Gabriel has a fun time dealing with his new problems.