Page 6 of Flint's Arrow
Except that both Cyrus and Python had called him Flint. They’d said he was the agency’s best sniper, and worse, they’d looked at Arrow like he was dirt for how he’d treated him. Arrow had come to the office, hoping he’d get more answers there…and that would be big fat “no.”
Arrow’s stomach twisted. He shoved the feeling away and reached for his phone again.
“Don’t even think about it.” Jack appeared in his office doorway, arms crossed. The other wolf worked in cybercrimes too and was often partnered with Arrow when they went to apprehend white-collar criminals. “You’ve been calling people non-stop for two days. What’s going on?”
“Nothing.” Arrow turned away, pretending to sort through papers.
“Bullshit. You haven’t been out to Howl in weeks. Tommy asked me last night if you died.” Jack moved into the office uninvited, shutting the door. “You always hit the clubs on Fridays, at the very least. Every Friday, like clockwork. But you’ve been holed up in here instead, snapping at everyone and making phone calls.”
“I’ve been busy.”
“Busy trying to track down someone’s address. I heard you yelling at Jenkins.” Jack’s eyes narrowed. “Who is it? Some hookup who didn’t give you their number?”
Arrow’s hands clenched into fists. Fur rippled across his knuckles before he forced it back. “Drop it, Jack.”
“No way. You’re my friend, even when you’re being an asshole.” Jack dropped into one of the chairs across from Arrow’s desk. “Talk to me.”
For a moment, Arrow considered it. Jack was pack, even if they weren’t from the same one. He’d understand the pull of a mate, the way it burned through Arrow’s blood and made rational thought impossible.
But then Jack would want to meet him. He’d expect Arrow to introduce his mate properly, and how could Arrow do that when Flint refused to even see him?
Because you treated him like garbage,a small voice whispered in the back of his mind. Arrow crushed it.
“There’s nothing to talk about,” Arrow said. “I’ve got a case I’m working on. I’m trying to track down a witness.”
“A witness.” Jack didn’t sound convinced, and that wasn’t surprising - chasing witnesses was a totally different department.
“That’s what I said.” Arrow could be stubborn, even as he knew Jack could scent the lie.
“All right then.” Jack stood. “When you’re done being a stubborn prick about whatever’s actually going on, you know where to find me.” He paused at the door. “And Arrow? Whatever’s eating at you...fix it before it destroys you. You’ve been looking like shit for days.”
Arrow waited until the door closed before slumping back in his chair. His reflection stared back at him from the dark computer screen. Jack was right - he looked terrible. Dark circles under his eyes. Hair disheveled. His suit was rumpled because he’d slept in it last night after passing out on his couch.
Because you can’t sleep without your mate,his wolf whined.
Arrow’s phone buzzed. A text from his brother Kyle back in Wyoming:Mom wants to know when you’re visiting. She says you haven’t called in two months.
Arrow deleted it without responding. He’d left Wyoming to get away from his family’s expectations and the pack’s old-fashioned rules. He’d worked his ass off to get into the agency, to prove he was better than his brothers, who still lived in their parents’ basement and worked at the same factory their father did.
He’d earned his expensive loft, his designer suits and his reputation as someone who could have anyone he wanted and usually did.
Except now the only person he wanted couldn’t even be bothered to write on a piece of paper left for him.A blank pieceof paper.Arrow’s jaw clenched. That’s what the hybrid had given him. A fucking blank piece of paper, like Arrow wasn’t even worth words.
His phone buzzed again. This time, it was Taylor from legal:Stop calling people about personnel files. You’re making waves, and Patterson’s asking questions, wanting to know why you’re trying to track down an assassin.
Arrow threw the phone across the room. It hit the wall and clattered to the floor, screen cracked.
He needed to find Flint, needed to bring him home where he belonged. He needed to...
To what?The thought stopped him cold.
What exactly did he expect to happen when he found Flint? That the pretty blond would take one look at him and fall into his arms? That the mating bond would override everything Arrow had said and done when his dick had taken over and he’d let it do the talking?
He’s the agency’s best sniper.
Cyrus’s words echoed in his head.
Flint is a highly respected professional and our friend.
