ANGELS and DEMONS

CJ BISHOP

Chapter One

Without Hope in This Life

“So, where to next?” The fact that Seth had no reservations about dancing with Horatio in the

middle of the restaurant and had, in fact, been the one to ask Horatio to dance, just enhanced his

resemblance to Max that much more. Max had never had a problem being open about his sexuality,

didn’t care what people thought. And Seth seemed as untroubled by some of the looks they were

getting as Max would have been. Horatio tightened his arms around the young man and drew their

bodies closer—for the viewing pleasure of the bigots within the restaurant.

His question hung in the air as Seth wove his fingers through the hair at the back of Horatio’s

neck and teased his mouth with a mere brush of his lips. “I feel like we’re taking advantage of your

good will and hospitality,” Seth murmured. His warm body moved with Horatio’s, swaying together

to the soft, mellow instrumental music. His arousal was evident, as was Horatio’s.

“How are you taking advantage of me when I’m offering my services?”

“Your services?” Seth smiled and kissed his neck. “I like how that sounds.”

Horatio laughed softly. “I thought you might.”

Drawing back, Seth looked at him. “You know, you can offload us if you’re getting tired of us.”

Smiling, Horatio rubbed his hands down over Seth’s hips and pulled him snuggly against his

body. “Does that feel like I’m getting tired of you?”

“Well, no,” Seth chuckled low. “But even so—”

“No,” Horatio interjected. “I’m not getting tired of you. Any of you. It’s nice, having someone

around steadily. Sometimes,” he sighed and shrugged. “Sometimes I feel like I’m wandering

aimlessly around the earth, with no destination in mind and no agenda.” He swallowed thickly. “No

purpose.”

Seth wrapped his arms around his neck and kissed him softly. “Sounds to me like you’re on the

run,” he said quietly, sincerely. Had it been a joke, perhaps it wouldn’t have settled so heavily in

Horatio’s gut. But Seth wasn’t trying to be funny.

“Maybe I am,” he murmured. “But sometimes, when a man can’t stand and fight, all he can do is

run.” He smiled, but it wasn’t strong enough to reach his eyes. “Luckily I’ve got the means to run far

and wide.”

Stroking his fingers through his hair, Seth whispered, “No one can run forever. Whatever you’re

running from will eventually catch up to you.”

I wish, Horatio thought as he gazed at the young man’s handsome face, then told him, “What I’m

running from, isn’t chasing me.”

“If the ‘it’ you’re referring to is this Max guy,” Seth said, “and he’s as in love with you as you

are with him,” he nodded, “I guarantee you he is chasing you. Maybe not in the physical sense just

now, but...” he rubbed the back of his fingers down Horatio’s cheek, “...his heart is running after you,

everywhere you go.” He kissed Horatio’s mouth lightly. “Just as your heart never really leaves him,

even when you do.”

“Let me guess,” Horatio’s voice rasped thickly. “You’re a psychology major.”

Seth chuckled softly. “Nope, I just know true love when I see it.” He sighed and smiled, “And

you, my friend, need to figure out how to make it work.”

Horatio’s eyes began to sting as he whispered, “And what if it can’t work?”

“When it’s this real,” Seth told him, “there is always a way.”

Horatio loved Seth’s way of thinking, and wished he had the same ability to believe like that. But

nearly two decades of being forced to deny his heart had a tendency to wear on a man and weaken his

faith in happy endings.

* * *

The scrap of old newspaper caught on the low breeze and tumbled across the patchy, brown

grass and wrapped around the leg of the picnic table upon which Angel sat watching the bits of

garbage and litter being tossed around. This place was like a wasteland. He felt caught in a futuristic

movie in which the world had gone to hell and there was nothing good or beautiful left in it. Why the

fuck wouldn’t he want to take Maddy and get out?

As if his mind were a talisman that could magically manifest his thoughts into reality, Maddy

appeared down the block, walking toward the park. Though the boy didn’t look chipper, he certainly

had more life to his step than when they’d left the apartment that morning. He’d been so scared that

Maddy was shutting down emotionally, mentally. But the boy was a hell of a lot stronger than Angel

was giving him credit for. Even so, as his little brother drew closer, there was still an emptiness in

his eyes that made Angel heartsick.

Maddy didn’t say anything as he approached, his hands stuffed in the pockets of his sweater,

head slightly lowered. He crawled up and sat next to Angel.

“How was the job?” Angel murmured.

Maddy shrugged. “Okay,” he mumbled. “Kind of boring, but better than being at the apartment.”

He finished with a whisper. He stared at the weathered seat of the table and his worn sneakers, which

were developing tattered holes and a slit along the sole. “What did you want to talk to me about?”

Angel looked at him. All of his life, it seemed, Maddy had been his priority; the only person in

this world who mattered to him, whom he fought to protect at all costs. His earlier thoughts plagued

his mind and his eyes glazed with tears. He cleared his throat and sniffed, wiping his arm across his

face. “We’re going to get out, Maddy,” he whispered thickly. “Out of all of this.”

The boy’s hands remained buried in the single front pocket of his pullover hoodie, eyes averted

from Angel’s face. “Are we going to...” He stopped right there with a note of hopefulness in his

voice.

Angel’s heart broke all over again. Maddy was so desperate to escape their stepbrothers, that

even after his emotions had calmed, he was still ready to take that ultimate leap. Angel had been

ready as well. But staring at his little brother now, he knew there was no way he could harm him, not

after all this time spent protecting him. “No,” his voice strained and he shook his head, throat

working. All the pain inside begged him to take that route, just get out of this fucking life once and for

all. He didn’t want to be here, knowing what he knew about Dane; it hurt too fucking bad. But he

didn’t have it in him to take Maddy out like that. His need to protect the boy was too strong and

ingrained.

“Then how?” Maddy whispered and it was clear to Angel that Maddy didn’t believe there was

any other way.

“We’ll just leave,” Angel told him. “We’ll run away. Get out of the city, even if we have to

walk.”

“But Wade took our money,” Maddy reminded quietly.

Swallowing thickly, Angel’s lips tightened. “I’ll work one more night. Try to get at least a

couple of high paying customers. Then we’ll just take the money and run. Tonight.”

Maddy finally looked at him. “But if you don’t give Wade the money...” Fear darkened the boy’s

eyes.

“I’ll hide the money somewhere,” Angel said, “and tell him I didn’t make any. I’ll make up an

excuse. Then when they fall asleep, we’ll sneak out.”

“But Wade locks the front door with a padlock,” Maddy pointed out quietly. “He knows we

might try to get away.”

“I’ll get the key while he’s asleep,” Angel told him. “But we’ll get out.”

Maddy swallowed hard and lowered his eyes again. “Won’t he be pissed if you come home with

no money?” His eyes watered. “What if he hurts you again?”

Angel’s jaw tightened. “I don’t care. Let him. I can handle it.”

Tears slid down Maddy’s face and he shook his head. “No you can’t.”

The truth of Maddy’s words punctured Angel’s heart; he wanted the boy to believe he could

handle it. But after last night, his little brother saw firsthand the horror Angel was put through by the

men in their lives. Angel stepped off the table. “Come on,” he murmured, “it’s getting late. I don’t

want to be down here after dark. And I need to get to work soon.”

* * *

“Dane’s gone,” Max said when he returned to the club. “I went by to check on him and he wasn’t

there, but the mirror in the upstairs bathroom was busted all to rat shit, and there was blood on the

floor.”

“Fuck,” Cole hissed.

“His car was still parked out front, so he’s on foot.” He looked at Cole. “When you went to his

place earlier, he told you what happened with Angel, right?”

Cole nodded. “Yeah, and he was in bad shape.” He shook his head. “But I didn’t think he was

that bad off. I just figured he’d drink himself unconscious.”

“Should we look for him?” Gabe asked anxiously.

“I wouldn’t even know where to start.” Max leaned against the bar and slid his hands through his

hair. “He was likely running blind. I doubt he was headed anywhere specific.” He cleared his throat.

“But when he broke it off with Angel, he did show up at my place. Maybe he’ll go there again.”

Cole had guessed something was going on between the two men, although he hadn’t been certain

just how far it had gone, or to what emotional levels. But if Dane was running to Max when he was in

emotional distress, they weren’t just playing fuck friends. Cole glanced at his watch. “When is Angel

supposed to be in?” His throat tightened, thickening his voice. He didn’t look forward to this, not one

fucking bit.

The same dread shadowed Max’s face. “Anytime now,” an audible strain squeezed his words.

The club was filling up quickly. They had anticipated a large crowd, but now Cole was wishing

everyone would just go the fuck away.

“I’m going to go check my house,” Max said, “in case Dane made his way there by any chance.

When Angel comes in, call me if I’m not back yet. And keep him here.”

Cole nodded, “All right.”

Rubbing his eyes, Max sighed hard. “How did everything get so fucked up?” It was a rhetorical

question for which he received no reply before he left the club again.

“What Dane told you,” Gabe murmured. “It was pretty bad?”

“Fuck,” Cole whispered and shook his head, “the fucking worst.”

“Do you think there’s any chance for him and Angel?”

Cole wanted to say yes. He wanted to believe that even something as fucking twisted as their

tangled situation could be worked out and repaired. But how was Angel supposed to get over

something like that? And then let the man into his life on an intimate level? “Fuck, man,” he said

thickly, “I don’t know. I don’t see it happening. Dane won’t be with him without telling him the truth,

and once he does, Angel will likely want to get as far away from him as possible.”

“It’s really that bad?” Gabe asked sickly.

“Yeah, it is.” When the customers began approaching, Cole wanted to brush them off. But he

needed the distraction until Angel showed up. He didn’t want to just sit and think. “If you see Ricky,

tell him to keep an eye out for Angel as well, and let us know if he spots him before we do.”

“Okay.” Gabe nodded as Cole was led away by an eager customer. Inside the private booth,

Cole switched to autopilot, went through the routine, let his guy believe he held Cole’s full attention

when, in reality, Cole was barely aware of the man. The distraction he’d been seeking wasn’t

effective and he couldn’t keep his thoughts off Angel, or Dane.

What the hell was he going to say to the boy when he arrived? How would Angel respond to

them learning of his indiscretions? Would he own up to them, or deny he knew anything of the matter?

Chapter Two

Angels Unaware

The thread of hope that Wade and the others would still be gone when Angel and Maddy returned

to the apartment snapped when they stepped through the front door, and Angel’s nostrils were

instantly invaded by the sickly sweet stench of pot smoke. Axel sucked on a joint at the kitchen table

while Wade and Byrd did lines. Axel didn’t seem to have any interest in taking his turn at the powder

as his heavy eyes looked to Angel and Maddy. Where typically a smart ass remark would lash from

his lips, mere silence resided as he took another hit from the joint.

Wade and Byrd were hunched over the table, snorting the lines, and Angel said nothing to draw

their attention as he directed Maddy toward the hallway. Axel watched them but made no move to

alert the other two men to their presence.

“Hey.” Wade looked up and stopped him when he started to follow Maddy down the hall.

Angel’s body still hurt from the men’s assault last night and he hoped they didn’t take it upon

themselves to want anything from him now.

“What?” Angel stood at the edge of the kitchen.

“Come here,” Wade smiled and motioned with his hand. His smile made Angel nervous as he

walked over to the table. He jumped a little when Wade smacked his ass then squeezed his cheek and

held on. “Do you dance as hot and sexy as those other guys at the club?”

The other guys? Angel frowned. “You were at the club again?”

Wade simply arched his brow.

“If you hang around down there,” Angel said quietly. “They might get suspicious.”

“Fuck,” Wade snorted. “They don’t know who I am, or that you belong to me. They’re fucking

clueless.”

You belong to me. The words made Angel queasy. But they rang true; since he was thirteen, he

had been Wade’s possession.

“There’s no reason for them to make the connection,” Wade said. “And one of the guys might

even come to work for me.”

“Who?” Angel’s brow pinched.

Wade rubbed his mouth. “Uh, Gabe. He said his name was Gabe.” He chuckled and looked at

Byrd as the man wiped powder from his nose. “Talk about a fucking hot motherfucker.”

“You should invite him here,” Byrd grinned, then glanced at Angel. “Have them put on a show

for us, fuck each other—then we’ll take our turn at them.”

Gabe? Gabe and Cole weren’t fools. If Gabe was playing up to Wade, he knew something. But

even if he suspected Wade of being a sleazy pimp, that didn’t necessarily mean he knew Angel was

involved in any way. Still, if Wade kept coming around, they might figure it out.

It doesn’t matter. Tonight is my last night anyway. I just need to get some cash and get Maddy

the fuck out of here.

Lust thickened Wade’s gaze and he massaged Angel’s ass cheek hard, his fingers digging into his

firm flesh. “Yeah, I bet you shake this sweet ass real good.” He shifted in his chair and adjusted his

crotch with his other hand. “I’m getting a fucking hard-on just thinking about it.”

Byrd snickered.

Wade pulled Angel closer and he moved stiffly, not wanting to be near the man. “I have to go to

work,” he mumbled, straining against the man’s grip on his ass. “Let go.”

“You’ll go to work when I say you can.” Wade’s breath quickened a bit. “First, suck me off.”

Angel’s gut twisted. “What?”

Wade’s free hand worked at the front of his pants.

“Fuck, Wade.” A sick look pinched Axel’s face. “God. Are you a total fucking fag now?”

“Shut the fuck up,” Wade snapped, breath quicker. “Who the fuck are you to talk? You had his

face in your lap too, you little fuck.”

Axel went silent, a hard, troubled look in his eyes as he glanced at Angel evasively then dropped

his gaze, sucking hard on the joint. “It was that shit that did it to me,” he muttered, indicating the

white powder. “Maybe if you stopped inhaling it every second of the fucking day, you wouldn’t be so

quick to shove your cock in a boy’s ass.”

A sudden snap of Byrd’s hand sent Axel sprawling onto the scuffed, worn tile. “Show your big

bro some fucking respect, shithead.”

“Yeah,” Wade glared at the younger man who was slowly picking himself up off the floor. “You

lazy ass, worthless motherfucker. I don’t even know why I keep you the fuck around. You’re not good

for anything. You don’t do shit.”

Like you do? Angel thought bitterly.

Byrd smirked. “Rather than sitting on that ass all day,” his lips twisted, “maybe we could find a

better use for it. Teach you a little appreciation for cock.”

Fear and uncertainty darkened Axel’s eyes, as if he couldn’t be sure if they were just fucking

with him, or they meant to literally fuck him. He crawled to his feet and backed away from the table.

“You guys are fucking freaks.” He left the kitchen quickly and then the apartment.

Byrd busted up. “Fuck. Did you see the look on his face?” He snorted. “Can’t wait to see the

look when he’s bent over, taking my cock.”

“And mine,” Wade smiled coolly.

“He’s your fucking brother,” Byrd laughed.

“So? What the fuck do I care?”

For whatever reason, Byrd found that fucking hilarious. These guys are out of their fucking

minds. Angel pulled against Wade’s hand. “I need to get to work, Wade,” he said low.

He was surprised when Wade released him then slapped his ass. “Go, you little fucker. Bring me

back a nice wad,” He and Byrd cracked up.

Angel left the kitchen before Wade could change his mind and decide he wanted the blow job

after all. They were getting worse and Angel had no intention of sticking around until their new fuck

drug drove them to assault Maddy. Whether or not they would actually rape Axel wasn’t his concern,

he was on his own.

* * *

“Shit.” There was no sign that Dane had been to Max’s house. When Max returned to his car, he

sat behind the wheel, staring out into the oncoming night. “Come on, baby. Where are you? Don’t do

anything stupid.”

Check the bridge. The sudden thought hit him and he started the car. There was something about

the Brooklyn Bridge that drew despondent souls. Yeah, to jump off it . Max shook the thought from his

head; Dane wouldn’t take such drastic measures. Even so, his guts twisted with anxiety and fear. He

didn’t know exactly what it was Dane was suffering through in terms of his past—Cole hadn’t

expounded on the details of what Dane had relayed to him—but it was really bad, Max knew that

much.

He made his way through the city then crossed the bridge, trying to watch the traffic as well as

check both sides of the bridge. Unless he missed him somewhere along the way—which was entirely

possible—the man was nowhere to be found. He needed to get back to the club and deal with the

issue of Angel, but rather than head straight back, he found himself patrolling the city streets,

anywhere that was even a remote possibility Dane might go.

Max considered calling Caleb to see if he’d heard anything from him. But if he was with Caleb,

he was safe, and if not, he didn’t want to alarm the boy. He had his doubts, though, that he would run

to Caleb. But just where he was, Max hadn’t a fucking clue.

I have to go back to the club, take care of this other shit, and then I can start looking for him

again.

* * *

The stage lights flashed myriad colors, the music blasting as Ricky worked out a sexy, dirty little

routine for the overcrowded floor. The boy was a hot one, no doubt about that. The G-string barely

contained his package, the strings riding low on his slim hips as he executed moves with his body that

caused a twitch or two in Cole’s own shorts.

When a hand suddenly grabbed his crotch and squeezed, he instinctively went to shove away the

groping customer with annoyance—being a stripper didn’t give anyone the fucking right to grab him

whenever they chose—but stopped short when Gabe laughed then massaged his hard cock through his

tight pants.

“Enjoying the show much?” Gabe grinned and moved in between his legs, his hand staying right

where it should be.

“Just a bit,” Cole murmured and kissed him, but tried to stay alert in case Angel came in.

“Angel hasn’t shown up yet?” Gabe asked and pressed closer. He released Cole’s crotch and

squeezed his hips, grinding against him.

“No,” A groan strained his voice. All this activity in the club tonight was affecting Gabe in all

the right ways, but unfortunately, Cole wasn’t at liberty to capitalize on it, not just yet anyway.

Gabe backed off just a little, but remained between his legs. “How much influence do you think

this Wade guy has in Angel’s life? Some pimps, they treat their prostitutes like shit, run every aspect

of their lives.”

Prostitutes. The word didn’t feel right being applied to Angel. “I don’t know,” Cole shook his

head, feeling sick inside. “I still can’t believe it's Angel. It feels like some huge mistake.”

Gabe nodded. “He doesn’t fit the type, that’s for sure.”

“Hang on,” Cole murmured when he glanced at the stage and Ricky caught his eye, motioning

toward the dressing rooms. Cole looked quickly and saw Angel disappear into the back.

“What is it?” Gabe asked.

Cole stood up. “He’s here,” he said tightly. “I just saw him heading into the dressing rooms.” He

stepped around Gabe. “Call Max. I’ll get Angel and take him to Max’s office.”

Leaving Gabe to dig out his cellphone, Cole burrowed his way through the crowded club and

slipped into the corridor that ran past the dressing rooms. When he found Angel, the boy was already

out of his regular clothes and squeezing into a pair of tight red leather pants, beneath which he wore a

cherry red G-string. The back of the pants labored up over his bare ass cheeks, squeezing them

beautifully. He was built to be an exotic dancer, not a hooker.

“Angel?”

The boy jumped and pulled the tight pants up over his rear. He turned as he fastened the front, not

without effort. His slim hips peeked out temptingly above the red leather waistline. He merely

glanced at Cole but didn’t hold his gaze as he grabbed a matching leather vest that hugged tightly to

his chest and left his midsection bare. The boy was a lovely sight, the bright red outfit contrasting

nicely with his creamy skin, and his clear crystal white eyes enhanced with a touch of black eyeliner.

It was no wonder Dane had fallen so fast and hard for the kid.

“We need to talk,” Cole said quietly, “in Max’s office.”

“I can’t right now,” Angel mumbled and finished buttoning the front of the vest. “I need to get out

on the floor.” He adjusted the waist of the pants then brushed past Cole.

“We need to talk now,” Cole caught his arm. “It can’t wait.”

“Let go,” Angel whispered, a sudden thickness to his low voice. “I have to get to work.”

“Work can wait.” Cole held onto his arm with a firm grip and directed him down the corridor,

certain that if he let go, the kid would bolt. “This is important.”

“What’s going on?” Angel tried to hold onto his stiff tone, but it was breaking and seeping

through with tendrils of fear.

Cole had wanted to believe it was a mistake, that Angel wasn’t the impostor planted by Wade.

But he could feel the boy growing more nervous by the second, as if he, indeed, had something to

hide.

Chapter Three

Caught In Sin

“Spill it, man,” Grid said. “How did you get so fucking rich?” Grid was short for 'gridiron'

which, in turn, was Gregory Mandel’s nickname, because he was the college quarterback of the small

group. His bluntness gained him points with Horatio; he preferred people who were straight forward

and not afraid to say what was on their mind. Though, clearly, the pretty blond sitting on Grid’s lap

thought otherwise.

Chelsea Reynolds smacked his arm. “Grid!” she flushed with embarrassment at his bold

question.

“What?” Grid laughed, and then hugged her small waist. “If I’m going to be a rich man and give

you a life of luxury, I have to know how to go about it. And who better to ask than another rich man?”

“Life of luxury, huh?” She smiled appraisingly, and then looked at Horatio. “Yes, Mr. Kaplan,

how did you get to be so rich? Pray tell.”

The others laughed at her sudden shift, and Horatio chuckled and scratched his temple with his

index finger. “Well now, it’s quite simple really.” Sitting in the seat next to him, Seth grinned and

gazed at him with equal interest. “First, you must be born to a rich father who’s already done all the

legwork—and then you just sit back and inherit.”

“Fuck,” Grid laughed and shook his head. “I’m shit out of luck.”

Seth slid his arm through Horatio’s and leaned closer, resting his chin on Horatio’s shoulder,

eyes dreamy. “Will you be my rich daddy?”

The others busted up and Horatio grinned, “How can I say no to that gorgeous face?” He was

coming to the realization that he wished he could keep Seth, that the young man was, perhaps, the

closest he would ever come to having Max—or any semblance of Max—in his life.

When Seth’s friends shifted the topic of conversation, Horatio turned his face to the small

window of the plane and stared out at the cloud covering. The kids had unanimously agreed that their

next destination would be Rome. Horatio had mixed emotions about going back there. It hadn’t been

very long ago that he’d walked those streets with Abel, watched the boy’s eyes light up in wonder at

the beauty and romance of the city. And made love to him in the enchanting Cavalieri hotel.

He could sense in Seth the same wonder, and knew that the city wouldn’t be wasted upon him,

but even he didn’t possess that innocent wonder Horatio had found in Abel. In truth, if he couldn’t

have Max, Horatio wished he could have kept Abel for himself. To some degree, he had fallen in

love with the boy. He would never love anyone as he did Max, but there were various levels of love.

“I was just playing,” Seth’s lips were suddenly brushing his ear, “about the whole rich daddy

thing.” He smiled and drew back when Horatio looked at him. If this boy remained with him much

longer, he feared he might fall for him as well. He hadn’t planned for that. A night or two of having

the young man in his bed, and then that was supposed to be it, nothing more. But here they were, flying

all over the globe together, and he was in no hurry to turn the boy loose.

“I wouldn’t have been opposed to you being serious,” Horatio murmured then kissed him,

uncaring that they were in the midst of Seth’s friends. But they were clearly used to seeing their gay

buddy kissing guys, because no one so much as blinked an eye, or shifted uncomfortably when

Horatio left his seat, took Seth’s hand and led him back to the bedroom.

* * *

Though Cole had a tight hold on his arm, he wasn’t being forceful or mean. And as soon as they

stepped into Max’s office and the man closed the door, he released Angel but remained standing in

front of him, blocking his only avenue of escape.

Angel rubbed his arm though it didn’t hurt. “What do you want?” he asked with a low mumble,

eyes avoiding Cole’s stare. “I need to get out there.”

“And do what, Angel?” There was a slightly hurt tone to Cole’s voice that caught Angel off

guard.

“What do you mean?” Angel whispered.

“Angel,” a pained look came over Cole’s face. “We...” he sighed heavily and rubbed his mouth,

brow pinching. “We know why you’re here.”

Angel stared at him, throat closing. No, no, they could find out tomorrow but not tonight! I need

money tonight! “I—I don’t understand,” he lied, doing his best to be convincing, feigning innocence.

“What do you mean—why I’m here?”

Taking a step toward him, Cole shook his head slowly, “Angel, you don’t have to be scared. Just

tell me what’s going on. I can’t believe that you would...” he swallowed hard and his eyes glazed

with tears.

If I deny it enough, maybe he’ll believe me. “I don’t know what you’re talking about,” Angel

said thickly. “I came here to dance, why else would I be here?”

“Angel, stop,” Cole choked. “We know about Wade. We know that he sent you in here to...” he

licked his lips then lowered his head, brow squeezing tighter.

We know about Wade . Angel stared at him, eyes filling. No, you don’t know about Wade. You

have no fucking idea what he is, what he’s done! But there was no lying to Cole; he was caught. And

nothing he said now would exonerate him.

“You’re better than this, Angel,” he whispered, tears in his voice as he raised his head.

Something in his wet eyes seemed to look deep into Angel—far too deep; and it unnerved him. “I

know something’s wrong. I knew it when I saw you and the boy out on the street.”

Angel backed away though Cole hadn’t advanced on him. The man was trying to make him

believe he cared, but it was just a trick. Just like Dane had tricked him. Was Cole the other man from

that stage? Was it so farfetched to be a possibility? If Dane had been there, then why not someone else

from this club as well?

“Just let me work tonight,” Angel whispered, his voice breaking. “Just one more night and you’ll

never see me again.” Tears were rising, swelling. “I promise, I’ll leave and I’ll never come back. I’ll

leave the city.” He swallowed hard and the tears broke. “I don’t ever want to set foot in this fucking

city again anyway. But, please, I need to work tonight.”

Cole’s lips tightened to a thin line as he struggled with his emotions. “Angel, I can’t let you do

that. Max is on his way back, and he wants to talk to you. But I can’t let you go back out there and...”

What he meant to say was that Max was on his way back to fire him. It was over; he wouldn’t be

making any money tonight. How the fuck was he supposed to get Maddy out of the city without any

money?

“I’m not waiting here for him,” Angel trembled. “He’s just going to kick me out anyway. So just

let me go, I’ll leave now.”

“He asked me to keep you here until he got back,” Cole said quietly.

“You’re not my fucking warden,” Angel choked. “You can’t make me stay here.”

“He doesn’t want to kick you out,” Cole said. “He just wants to talk to you. We care about you,

Angel. And if you need help—”

“No!” Angel cried. “You don’t fucking care! None of you! Why should I trust you? I trusted

Dane! And he...” Angel shook his head, tears streaking his face, “...he lied to me. He made me

believe he was a good man, but he isn’t.”

Cole stared at him, a wall of tears in his eyes. “Dane is a good man, Angel,” he whispered.

“Good men don’t rape thirteen-year-old boys!” Angel screamed at him then broke into a fit of

sobs. When his declaration failed to shock the man—Angel saw it; Cole knew what Dane had done to

him. He shook his head in disbelief. “You know?” He choked on his cries. “You know and you’re

still defending him? You can still call him a good man?”

“Angel...” Cole whispered and reached for him.

Stumbling back, Angel jerked away from him. “Don’t touch me!” he cried. “You’re a fucking

liar! You don’t care! You’re just like him! Like all the other men! No one has ever cared what they

did to me! No one ever tried to stop them!”

“Angel,” Cole choked. “Dane wasn’t the one who raped you.”

“I don’t care! ” Angel hugged himself and backed further away, crying. “He helped him! He

didn’t stop him! He...”

“Angel, I’m sorry, baby,” Cole cried softly. “But you’re wrong about me. I do care what

happened to you, and I care if something is happening to you now. Just please trust me, tell me what’s

going on.”

Angel bit his lip, chin trembling. “I quit,” he whispered unsteadily. “You can’t keep me here. I

quit.” He looked at the door but refused to meet Cole’s hurt stare. If he looked too long in his eyes, he

might start to believe him, and it was dangerous to believe in people. Maddy was the only one on this

earth he could trust. And he was the only one Angel cared about. He had to get out of there and find a

way to get some money, and then get Maddy out of that apartment and out of the city. “I’m leaving.”

Angel moved toward the door. “Get out of my way.”

“Angel, please,” Cole begged him. “Don’t go. Let us help you.”

Taking a chance, Angel shoved past the man, fully expecting Cole to grab him again. But he let

him go. Angel jerked open the door and rushed out, pushing blindly through the horde of customers,

vision blurred. When hands suddenly grabbed him out of the midst of the crowd, he tried to jerk

away, until a familiar voice stopped him.

“Angel,” Lex’s voice raised against the noise of the club. “I was hoping you would be working

tonight.” The man winced at the loudness of the music and shouting voices exploding up around the

stage. He leaned close to Angel. “Can we possibly go somewhere quieter?”

Angel nodded and grabbed his hand, walking quickly toward the club entrance.

* * *

Fuck. Cole stepped out of the office in time to see Angel latch onto a customer in an expensive

suit and lead him outside. Dammit, baby! Certain any action on his part would be futile at this point;

he nevertheless shoved his way across the floor, following the boy. Once they were out of the club,

what Angel did was no longer any of his business. But he had to at least try to stop him. He couldn’t

take the thought of the boy selling himself to the highest bidder like some fucking animal at auction.

When he broke through the pressing bodies, Cole sprinted through the dark entry way and burst

out the front door. “Did you see where Angel went?” he shouted at Trevor as the man dealt with a

flow of incoming customers. The guy shook his head. “Fuck!” Cole turned a quick circle then spotted

the limo at the far end of the parking lot—and Angel disappearing inside. “No. Dammit!” The car

pulled away, turned down the street and merged with traffic, slowly swallowed up by the city and the

night. “Fuck!”

Cole returned inside and went to the bar. Carl handed him a cold beer. “The kid took off?”

“Yeah.” Cole downed a swallow from the bottle and shook his head, raking his fingers through

his hair. “He left with a customer, too.”

“Max isn’t back yet?”

“No,” Cole sighed. “He should be soon. He went to look for Dane.” He lowered his head and

rubbed his eyes. Angel knew. Dane had to have told him after Cole had been at his apartment. That

was the cause of the broken mirror and Dane’s M.I.A. status. God only knew how Angel reacted,

standing face to face with the man and learning who he was.

Dane had surely been out of his mind when he took off from his apartment. And Angel...

I promise, I’ll leave and I’ll never come back. I’ll leave the city.

A sinking feeling in Cole’s heart warned him they might never see Angel again.

Chapter Four

The Love of Money

Rather than conduct business in the limo again, Angel was taken to Lex’s penthouse at the Pierre

Hotel on Fifth Avenue. He slipped out of his suit jacket and gave it to Angel to wear over his skimpy

leather vest, though there was nothing to hide the skintight red leather pants that squeezed his body

and left little to the imagination. Lex didn’t seem too concerned as they left the limo and passed by the

doorman who opened the way for them.

Angel followed the man to a private elevator that took them up to the 41

st

floor. When they

entered the residence, Lex informed him, “I just recently purchased this penthouse. So I’m still getting

settled in.”

Looking around, Angel felt as if he’d fallen into an episode of ‘Lifestyles of the rich and

Famous’. He couldn’t bring himself to ask the man how much he’d paid for all this, he was sure the

figure might stop his heart.

“It has sixteen rooms and three floors,” Lex said, then smiled. “I realize it’s a bit much for a

confirmed bachelor but, what can I say, I love my luxury.” He surveyed Angel’s somewhat stunned

face. “So, is it to your liking?”

I could live and die here, Angel thought, wondering what Maddy would think of this place. They

had lived in shitholes their entire lives, had rarely, if ever, even come within view of a place like

this. He knew it was crazy to think he could ever give Maddy this much, but he sure as hell meant to

give him more than they had right now.

Standing in the entryway of the luxurious penthouse, it struck Angel just how wealthy this man

truly was. What he’d paid Angel during their last encounter surely wasn’t even pocket change to Lex.

How much more would he be willing to pay out?

“Uh, yes,” Angel rasped, and then looked at Lex. “It’s very much to my liking. It’s amazing.”

Lex stared at him, a soft smile playing on his lips. “Would you like to see the bedroom?”

Angel nodded slowly, “Yes.” When he saw the bedroom, he almost fainted. Until he’d been in

Dane’s bed, Angel didn’t know the feeling of being made love to—or even just fucked—in a soft,

warm bed. And Lex’s bed was beyond any he’d ever hoped to crawl into. He thought about the ratty

old mattresses he and Maddy slept on at the apartment, worn sleeping bags for blankets. Sheets and

pillowcases had rarely graced their beds. How was it that some people had so much more than they

would ever need, and others didn’t have shit?

Angel’s throat tightened when he thought about Maddy back there at the apartment with Wade

and Byrd. The boy wasn’t safe. He had to take a chance and get as much cash out of Lex as he could.

He licked his lips slowly and swallowed hard. “What would I have to do for you to pay me five

thousand dollars?” Lex’s brows arched and Angel met his stare, unwavering. “I’ll do anything.” He

didn’t know Lex, or know what fetishes the man might be harboring, but there was very little that he

hadn’t been forced to do, or suffer through. Whatever the man wanted, he would handle it if it meant

getting the money.

“Well,” Lex peeled the jacket off Angel’s shoulders and laid it aside, then began unfastening the

vest buttons. “Why don’t we get comfortable and discuss it?”

* * *

“Sit down!” The young man hit the sofa hard, his back cracking against the exposed arm

where the cushion was torn and worn away. He winced, sucked in a sharp breath and stared up at

the man hovering over him, afraid to make any sudden moves. “Where’s the money?”

Two other men stood behind the guy, waiting to see if their ‘services’ would be required. He

was in deep shit and he knew it. He didn’t have the money. “I—I’ll get it, Vic, I swear. I just need

a little more time”

Knuckles raked his cheek bone, knocking him back hard, blinding his vision with stars and

sparkles. “I said to have it by today,” Vic panted. He was a big guy, in every sense of the word,

and though he wasn’t in the best shape, he wielded a lot of power behind his punches. “You knew

the consequences of not paying me back.”

“I know, but I’ll—I’ll get it to you, Vic.” The young man rubbed his face, tears burning from

the force of the man’s fist, his cheek already swelling.

“Sorry,” Vic told him without remorse. “But today is payday. And if you ain’t got the cash,

then,” he unfastened his pants, “I’ll have to get it other ways.”

“What? no!” The young man’s eyes widened; he’d always known he was gay, but he had never

been fucked before. He had gotten up close and dirty with the other strippers onstage, to jack up

the customers, but he hadn’t actually had sex yet. And Vic didn’t mean to take it easy with him.

“I’ll get the money,” desperation squeezed his voice as fear tightened his chest.

“Too late; time’s up.” Vic looked at the other two men. “Strip him.”

“No!” He tried to lunge away but the men caught him and held him down, yanking off his

clothes until he was naked on the old sofa. They put him on his knees and bent him over the back of

the sofa and held him as Vic stepped up behind him. “Don’t!” he choked, “I’ll get the money! I

swear, Vic!”

“What’re you fucking whining about?” Vic muttered as the rustle of his pants, the dull clink

of his belt buckle and a zipper sliding down, heralded the opening of his fly. He spit in his hand

and rubbed it on his cock. “It ain’t like you never had cock before.” His ass cheeks were spread

forcefully and a nasty glob of saliva splattered against his tight hole—then the large man’s cock

was shoving in.

He cried out as his virgin cave was stretched painfully wide. Vic’s thick fingers gouged his

hips as the man pumped his ass, grunting and panting. The young man ducked his head against his

arms and clenched his jaw against the pain, choking on his sobs. Vic wasn’t one to hold his wad

for long, and burst inside him within minutes, fucking him erratically and puffing loudly. When the

man finally backed off, rather than letting him go, he gave him over to the other two men who

commenced to fuck him with more strength, and larger cocks.

Lying face down on the stinky sofa after they had each taken their turn, his body throbbing

with pain, Vic looked at him. “This is just a portion of your payment. You still owe me plenty.”

When they left him, he slowly pulled on his clothes then stumbled to the small bathroom off

the dingy room and puked his guts out. Staring down into the vile mess, he knew that this fuck was

mild compared to what he would suffer once Vic was liquored up. The man gave a whole new

meaning to the term ‘whiskey mean’.

* * *

“What do you mean he just took off?” Max rubbed his eyes tiredly. Shit. He hadn’t meant for

Angel to feel like they were disowning him. He had wanted to talk to him, try to get to the bottom of

his fucking mess. But he had run and, according to what Cole was telling him, it was doubtful the boy

would ever come back their way. And having no fucking clue where Dane was, if he was all right, the

stress was making Max nauseous.

“I told him you weren’t going to just fire him,” Cole said, “that you wanted to talk to him. But he

refused to stay. Said he quit and ran out. Short of locking him in your office, there wasn’t a whole hell

of a lot I could do to make him stay.”

Max sighed and rested his elbows on the bar, head in his hands. “Fuck.”

“No sign of Dane?” Gabe asked with a worried tone to his voice.

“No,” Max whispered, wishing to just crawl into a corner, cover his head and bawl like a baby.

Too much shit had happened in too short a time, starting with Abel. It seemed he would barely catch

his breath before something else crashed down. When he felt this helpless, this vulnerable, the urge to

call Horatio was nearly more than he could resist. He was always the first one he longed to run to.

But he couldn’t. One word from Max and the man would be back here in a heartbeat. But it would end

in heartache, yet again. He would have to send Horatio away, and they would both die a little more.

No, it was better not to drag him back in. With him gone, Max could at least assure himself that

Horatio was doing fine without him, though in his heart he knew that would never be the case.

“No one knows where Angel lives?” Carl spoke up.

“No,” Cole said. “He wasn’t exactly open concerning the personal details of his life.” He shook

his head and murmured, “And now I guess we know why.”

Gabe cleared his throat and looked at the others. “We may not know where he lives,” he said.

“But I got his pimp’s number.”

Licking his lips slowly, Cole glanced at Max and Carl, then back to Gabe. “Do you think you can

figure out where Angel is? I mean, he will surely tell the guy he was found out. So Wade may figure

out you were just playing him.”

Shaking his head, Gabe smiled. “Nah, I don’t think so. The guy was totally convinced I wanted in

on the game. Besides, he wants to get fucked by me.” He winked at Cole. “And you know how all-

consuming that desire is, don’t ya, baby?”

Cole chuckled. “Indeed, I do,” he nodded. “Okay then, get him on the line and reel him in, find

out where Angel is. Although right now,” Cole’s face pinched. “I think I know who he’s with.” He

looked at Max. “He got in a limo with one of the customers.”

A queasy sensation coiled around Max’s gut. As they sat here talking, Angel was out selling

himself. He glanced out across the crowded club and wondered how many of these men were

propositioning his boys, and how many of his boys were taking them up on the offers.

Carl excused himself to grab another box of liquor from the back and left the bar. Max’s gaze

followed him absently then pulled back to the men sitting beside him. “This one feels bad,” he

murmured. “I mean, really bad. I didn’t think things could get worse than it had with Caleb, but...” he

shook his head. “I have this terrible feeling we’re gonna lose this one—lose Angel.” And maybe

Dane, too. He slid his fingers through his hair, throat knotting. “I feel so fucking helpless. I don’t

know what to do. I don’t even know what needs to be done, because I don’t know what the fuck is

going on.”

“Boss!” Carl appeared in the doorway that led back into the storeroom, face troubled. He

hollered over the din of the club. “You need to get back here!”

The three men exchanged a quick look then left the bar. “What is it?” Max asked uneasily,

tension already twisting tighter.

Carl led them toward the storeroom. “It’s Dane,” he said. “He must have come in through the

back.” He shook his head. “He’s a fucking mess.”

Chapter Five

Crucified Hearts

The sheets were soft and sleek, and caressed Angel’s skin like the fingers of a tentative lover.

The mattress beneath him seemed to embrace his body, conforming to his shape, comforting him,

unlike the nasty, lumpy mattresses back at the apartment where holes had worn through and, if he laid

wrong, he was stabbed by protruding springs.

The comforter was of a soft fabric that felt reminiscent of velvet and, though it was thick and

warm, it laid gently atop him. Just let me die right here, in this bed, Angel pleaded with whatever

force might be out there.

“Nice, isn’t it?” Lex brushed his lips across Angel’s ear as he moved up against him beneath the

covers, his massive hunger quite prominent. It was then that the lingering effects of Wade and Byrd’s

assault came back to the forefront of Angel’s mind; what if it was too much, trying to take in all of

Lex’s size? What if he couldn’t handle it?

It’s a little late to worry about that now. I’m here and I have to get the money. So I need to

just grit my teeth and deal with it.

“Is something wrong?” Lex murmured. His fingertips played up and down Angel’s back then

across his hip. “You’re tensing up.”

“No.” Angel swallowed and touched the man’s chest. “I’m fine.” He kissed his throat and Lex

moaned, pushing his lower body more snuggly against Angel’s crotch. Lex’s large cock squeezed

between Angel’s thighs and he slowly rocked back and forth, massaging Angel’s balls and the

underside of his stiffening erection.

“You feel so good in my bed,” Lex breathed and kissed him. “You just simply...feel good.” His

left hand was on Angel’s ass cheek, gripping firmly, drawing him closer as he continued to slide his

member between Angel’s legs.

The sensations the man was creating quickened Angel’s pulse. His fingers dug into Lex’s chest

muscles and he buried his face in his neck, kissing his skin, moaning softly as he began to roll his hips

to the man’s rhythm. He closed his eyes and let himself believe, just for now, that this was where he

belonged; in this penthouse, in this bed, and with a man like Lex. What would it feel like to be truly

loved by someone who could give you the world a few million times over, and didn’t just desire you

as a now-n-then fuck?

I didn’t want the world, I just wanted Dane.

The sudden, unwelcome thought caught his breath with emotion which he hoped Lex merely

interpreted as a reaction to his stimulating stroking. He pushed his face harder against the man’s throat

and swallowed quickly, struggling to dislodge the lump in his throat and blink back the sting in his

eyes. Dane was dead to him. He couldn’t think about him anymore. He wasn’t who Angel had thought

he was.

“Angel?” He realized Lex had stopped moving and was simply holding him. “You’re not fine.

What’s wrong?”

He resisted the concern he heard in the man’s voice. It was too easy to be pulled in. He wanted

so desperately to believe someone really cared, and that was a dangerous place to be emotionally. It

only took a moment to fall, to make that slip and trust a lie. And when that happened, all that was left

was the betrayal.

“Nothing’s wrong,” he whispered and pulled Lex into an intense kiss. The man hadn’t made any

special demands concerning the money. Maybe he wasn’t going to pay that much. Angel knew he

wasn’t worth it, and maybe Lex did, too. Just because the guy was rich didn’t mean he was one to

throw his money away.

Lex turned him onto his stomach and kissed slowly, softly down the center of his back, dragging

his palms over the rise of his butt cheeks as his lips followed. When he spread him apart and began

dropping more kisses into his crease, he hesitated, his fingertips sliding down through his cheeks

tentatively. “Angel,” he murmured with deep, unmistakable concern, “what happened to you?”

* * *

The noise of the club was distant, dull, as if coming to him from across a canyon. That’s how he

felt—trapped on a lone plateau with an immense ravine separating him from the rest of the world.

Reality had trapped him there; the reality that had stared back at him from deep within Angel’s eyes: I

hate you! You’re dead to me!

The words hadn’t hit open air, but they still screamed in Dane’s ears, exploding through his

head. Angel was gone and he wasn’t coming back. There was nothing he could do to erase the past or

re-write it. Nothing he could say that would give Angel cause to forgive him for the atrocities he’d

committed. As a kid, they had taught him in Sunday school that a person couldn’t out-sin the grace of

God, that nothing was unforgivable if one was truly repentant of their transgression. If they were

sorry. But that was a lie; there were unforgivable sins. And Dane was guilty. He would burn in hell

for what he’d done to such a perfect angel. And right now, he would welcome the hell fire—anything

to distract him from the unbearable pain ripping him apart piece by piece.

He was barely conscious of the bottle of bourbon gripped in his fist, the hard wall against his

back or the cold of the floor pressing up through the seat of his jeans. The mouth of the bottle touched

his lips and more liquor dumped down his throat. He didn’t know if his eyes were open or not, there

was just a dark haze. Maybe he was already at the gates of hell, looking in, the heat of the pit causing

his tears to burn grooves into his cheeks as they poured from his eyes and dripped off his chin.

Maybe coming to the club was a mere illusion. Was he still standing on the Brooklyn Bridge,

staring down into the black abyss that beckoned him, assured him that if he would just embrace it, all

would be forgiven? The pain would stop. He would never have to feel anything ever again. And he

wanted it. Oh god, he wanted so badly to accept the invitation, take the leap, make all the hurt go

away. Maybe if he was gone, then Angel’s nightmares would stop. If the beast was dead, what was

there to be afraid of anymore? And he’d seen the fear in Angel’s eyes. The hate hurt less than that

fear. He had hurt the boy and now he was scared of him. Scared.

As if standing outside his own body, he heard his sobs, even felt the tremors they caused. He was

breaking down, coming apart, and all he could do was stand back and watch. Nothing could stop it

now. His redemption had lain with Angel, and his Angel had judged him and found him guilty. All that

remained now was his crucifixion.

* * *

“Dane?” Cole sank to his heels before the man. Dane’s head was dropped back against the wall,

where he sat on the floor next to the shelf that housed the liquor. A bottle of bourbon leaned against

his thigh, his hand wrapped weakly around the neck. Dane’s eyes were closed, but the stream of tears

seeping down his temples and the occasional inhalation of unsteady breath followed by a sniff, let

Cole know he wasn’t asleep or passed out. He touched his arm. “Dane? It’s me. Cole. Come on,

babe. Why don’t we go someplace more comfortable and talk?”

Cole glanced at the others when Dane merely swallowed hard and turned his face away. Gabe

stepped over and, nodding at Cole, gripped the guy under his left arm as Cole took hold of his right.

“Come on, buddy,” Gabe murmured, “on your feet. Let’s get you into Max’s office.”

Cole was surprised when Dane pushed his feet up under himself and stood up, rather than

resisting them. Perhaps he wanted to, but simply lacked the strength. His eyes opened but he was

staring blankly. “I think you’ve had enough of this.” Cole took the bourbon and set it on the shelf.

“Now, you remember how to walk, right? One foot in front of the other.”

His legs were weak but held up as Cole and Gabe walked him out of the storeroom and around

the back edge of the main club, and on into Max’s office. Carl returned to the bar while Max followed

them inside and closed the door. They set Dane on the sofa and he sagged into it, eyes weighing

heavily, still excreting a steady trickle of tears.

How the fuck do we fix this? Cole wondered. Dane was totally fucked up. And after hearing his

story, Cole wasn’t surprised. How did a person come back from something like that? Where was the

redemption? Would it make any difference to Angel if he knew he hadn’t been the only victim at that

club? That he hadn’t been the only one who was raped?

“What do we do?” Gabe murmured, voicing Cole’s thoughts. “He’s a mess.”

“Just leave him in here for now,” Max said. “I’ll look after him.” His voice lowered, “Do

whatever you can to find Angel. Talk to the other guys, describe the customer he left with, maybe one

of them knows who he is. If we can get a name, maybe we can find Angel through him.”

“Okay.” Cole nodded then cast one more look at Dane. “Hang in there, babe. We’ll do our

damnedest to unfuck this fucked up situation.”

* * *

Max saw them to the door then closed it again after they went through.

“Is Angel missing?” Dane’s sudden question startled Max. He turned quickly and looked at the

man. Dane was staring at him, eyes thick with tears and not entirely focused, but he was lucid and

aware, and worried.

“Not in the official sense,” Max told him quietly. He didn’t think this was the time to be telling

the man all they had learned about Angel. He was barely hanging on as it was. “He just had an

altercation with Cole, and he left. Cole just wants to find him and apologize, and talk to him about

some things.”

“What altercation?” Dane whispered, “about what?”

He didn’t want to lie to the man, but neither did he want to push him over the edge. “We can talk

about that later.” Max walked over to him. “You should lie down and try to rest. You look like you’re

about to pass out.”

There was no objection in Dane when Max urged him down on the leather cushions. He tucked

his arm under his cheek and stared blankly at the glass coffee table and decanter of scotch. “I told

him,” he whispered thickly. “I told Angel the truth.” New tears welled and slipped out. “He will hate

me for the rest of his life.” His chin trembled, tears streaming. “I’ll always be his nightmare.” He

turned his face into his arm and cried.

Max knelt in front of the sofa and wrapped his arms around the tormented man, his lips pressed

to his shoulder. “I know its cliché, baby, but the darkest hour is just before dawn. Sometimes when it

seems redemption is the furthest away,” he kissed his hair and whispered, “that’s when it’s the

closest.”

“Not this time,” Dane shuddered. “There is no redemption, no forgiveness.” He twisted his head

a little and looked at Max, but his eyes were empty, void of life. “I was on the bridge earlier, I

wanted to jump.”

Max lowered his head and rubbed his wet eyes. “If you had,” he looked up, tears rising, “I might

have followed.” He touched Dane’s face, and then kissed his lips. “Don’t you ever leave me that

way.” He shook his head, lips trembling. “I couldn’t handle it, baby. I’ve lost too much in my life

already. I can’t take losing you, too.”

Sitting up slowly, Dane wrapped his arms around Max and hugged him tightly. He pressed his

face to Max’s neck and sobbed quietly, “You’re the only reason I didn’t jump.”

Chapter Six

Passions of the Flesh

“Angel?” Lex scooted up beside him. “What the hell happened?”

Turning his face away, Angel whispered, “It’s nothing. A customer just got a little rough. That’s

all. I’m fine.”

“That’s bullshit,” Lex said. “Rough consensual sex doesn’t leave that kind of damage. Were

you...”

“No,” Angel choked, the lie clogging his throat.

Lex touched his back. “If you need help...”

“I need money,” Angel said tightly. “So either fuck me and pay me, or I’ll go find someone else

who will.” He clamped his teeth, biting back the sobs knotting his throat. The longer he was away

from the apartment, the more his stomach twisted with tension. He used to trust Wade not to touch

Maddy; and to keep Byrd away from him as well, but that was before they started doing coke, before

Wade got a taste for boys. They were unpredictable now, and every second Maddy was alone with

them, his life was in danger.

Lex propped up on one elbow and rubbed his hands down Angel’s back. “Angel, I can’t enter

you when you’re in this condition. Do you have any idea how much I would hurt you?”

Fuck! Angel shoved back the covers; he had to get the money—tonight. “Fine,” he said thickly

and swung his legs over the edge, sitting up. “Then I’ll leave.”

“Angel,” Lex grabbed his arm gently, “you don’t have to go. We can do other stuff. I’ll still pay

you the amount you requested. I don’t care about the money.”

“Why?” Angel whispered.

“Why what?”

“Why would you pay me that much when you won’t even fuck me?”

Pulling him back down on the bed, Lex tugged the covers over Angel’s nude body then drew him

close. “I told you, I don’t care about the money. It isn’t about that. Not for me.” He kissed him. “I like

your company and your passion. I don’t meet many boys who inspire me to request their presence in

my life more than once. That’s why I brought you here this time.” He kissed him again, softly,

sensually. “So I could take my time, savor you.”

Relax, baby, just let me savor you.

Angel’s heart twisted into a sudden, tight knot, hearing Dane’s soft, passionate voice all over

again. His eyes burned and he closed them tightly, willing the tears to recede. Just get through

tonight, get the money, take Maddy and get the hell out of this city. Leave everything behind and

forget about them all.

He turned into the man’s embrace and kissed him, sliding his leg up over Lex’s hip as he pushed

his crotch against Lex’s thick cock. His sudden eagerness ignited Lex’s passion and the man engulfed

him in his arms, drawing his leg further upward to wrap around his waist as he began once more to

rock his hips and stroke his large member between Angel’s thighs.

Warm juices began to seep out, slicking their shafts, creating a nice slippery surface and

enhancing the smooth friction. Angel moaned and gouged Lex’s chest, their kiss heating up, growing

hungrier. A thick groan swelled in Lex’s throat and, by the force of his strokes, Angel felt the man’s

need to fuck him. Lex knew Angel would let him, regardless of the damage. But rather than penetrate

him, Lex suddenly slid down his body and took Angel’s throbbing cock in his mouth, sucking and

moaning, his hands sliding up and down Angel’s shaft as Lex took him into his throat again and again.

“Fuck!” Angel choked, his body exploding with ecstasy from the man’s intense action. He

clawed the slick sheets and fucked Lex’s mouth, panting hard. “Yes, fuck, oh god!”

When Angel was sure he would burst, Lex was up at his face again, kissing him hard,

desperately. “Since I can’t fuck you,” Lex gasped, grabbing at his lips hungrily. “Will you fuck me?”

Angel’s cock throbbed almost painfully, his balls tight with the need to unload. “I’ve never...”

“It’s okay,” Lex shuddered, the very surface of his skin quivering with the anticipation of taking

Angel inside him. He smiled. “It isn’t rocket science.”

Though nervous at the prospect of fucking the man, the sexual heat coursing through Angel

overrode his anxieties. As soon as Lex sensed his compliance, he retrieved a condom. Angel looked

at him doubtfully. “Will that fit me?” The man was quite large—much larger than Angel.

Lex chuckled and tore open the packet as he knelt between Angel’s legs. “I keep various sizes on

hand; for moments such as this.” He rolled the condom down over Angel’s stiff cock, and then coated

him with a clear lubricant gel, stroking him slowly and dragging Angel even closer to the brink. “Feel

good?” he murmured with a smile as he squeezed Angel’s cock while sliding his fist along the length.

“Mmm.” Angel’s lips sucked between his teeth and he lifted his hips.

“Good.” Lex leaned down and kissed his naval then straightened up again. “Ready?”

Licking his lips nervously, Angel nodded, his member pulsing in Lex’s hand.

They changed positions and Lex situated himself on hands and knees before Angel. “Don’t be

nervous,” Lex urged. “You’re not going to hurt me. Just take it slowly. And, after tonight, you just

might want to do all the fucking.”

Angel nearly went blind with ecstasy when his cock began to squeeze into Lex’s tight body. “ Oh

fuck,” A hard shudder raced through him, straight down his member and into Lex, for the man

trembled as well.

“Oh my god, Angel,” Lex gasped, his back arching somewhat, ass pushing back. “Oh fuck, baby,

yes, give me more.”

Angel’s fingers dug into Lex’s hips, his heart pounding wildly as he shoved himself in deeper.

Oh fuck, the man was tight, and so hot and soft and welcoming. He whimpered as his cock head

popped through the inner bands of Lex’s anal canal. His mouth opened a bit and he puffed erratically

as he continued his descent into the man’s cave. When Lex suddenly jerked and cried out, it startled

Angel and he hesitated, but then Lex was fucking him, thrusting urgently back onto his cock.

“Oh fuck.” Lex trembled and rocked against Angel. “Yes, oh fuck, baby, you just hit the spot.”

Knowing full well what the man was talking about, Angel held on tighter and thrust into him

harder, deeper. There was a strange sense of power to be the one doing the fucking, bringing the other

man such intense pleasure. Angel panted and moaned, casting aside his inhibitions and just taking the

man. What would it feel like to fuck Dane? The thought hit him hard and he couldn’t prevent his over

stimulated mind from imagining this was Dane on his hands and knees before him, begging him to fuck

him harder, deeper, just take all of him—love him into oblivion.

Tears slid down his cheeks and he blinked his eyes against the pain coiling around his heart. He

forced Dane out of his thoughts and focused on Lex as the man’s body curved and rocked, fucking

Angel beautifully. Lex’s hand went underneath him and began to stroke his massive cock. “ Yes,” he

gasped. “Uh! Fuck! Fuck me, Angel! Oh god! Make me cum! I’m so fucking hard! Do it to me,

baby!”

Angel was right there, the cum churning in his balls, pushing up through his shaft. He couldn’t

wait, couldn’t stop the orgasm from gripping his body. “Fuck!” he yelled. “Oh fuck, I’m gonna—

Uhh!”

Lex’s hand whipped up and down his thick cock, his back arched fiercely as Angel fucked him

with desperation. “Yes-yes-yes! Fuck! Uh-uh-uh!” Lex went rigid suddenly, a strangled wail tearing

up his throat. “Fuuuuck!”

The sound and feel of him releasing so hard and forcefully shoved Angel on over the brink and

he cried out, choking on the ecstasy and sexual anguish of his orgasm as he unloaded. He gasped hard

and fucked Lex wildly, emptying himself into the condom. His strength fled almost instantly

afterward, dropping him onto the bed beside Lex, leaving him with a strange and wonderful sense of

fulfillment.

You are now, officially, a gay man.

* * *

Seth’s body heated up beneath him, but he was in no hurry to rush things along. Horatio held the

young man in his arms and took his time just savoring their kiss, the warm slickness of their tongues

sliding around one another, playing a sensual game of tug-o-war in each other’s mouths. With each

“tug” of Seth’s tongue, Horatio’s erection swelled, lengthened. The boy’s legs slid apart, his rigid

member jumping when Horatio rubbed his hard shaft against it, firmly stroking the undersides of their

cocks together, their steadily filling sacks mushing and melding. He moaned into Seth’s mouth and

rocked his hips, putting a tad more force into it. The boy’s knees pulled up and he rubbed his inner

thighs along Horatio’s flanks, rising and falling with the rhythm of his body.

“Fuck,” Horatio shuddered into Seth’s mouth, breath puffing.

“You read my mind,” Seth whispered and smiled. “Let’s.”

Groaning, Horatio reluctantly lifted off Seth and quickly sheathed his own cock, slicking up the

surface. Seth pulled him back down then gasped sharply as Horatio’s hardness squeezed inside him.

“Shit,” Horatio whimpered and pushed in deeper; extracting a small cry from Seth, then the boy was

wrapped up around Horatio with his arms and legs, sliding his tight ass on his lubed cock.

“Fuck me, baby.” Seth shuddered and his green eyes gripped Horatio’s stare. A sudden jolt

snapped through Horatio as, for that quick moment, he saw and felt the real Max beneath him, taking

him in, begging him to love him. The sudden sharp sensation engorged his cock immensely and Seth

moaned loudly, feeling him swell and stretch his inner canal. “Yes,” He moaned louder.

A sting burned Horatio’s eyes and he latched onto the young man with renewed desperation and

need, and began to push into him with firm, calculated thrusts, wanting this sensation to last. When he

kissed Seth with a deeper level of passion, and held him as if he couldn’t bear to let him go, Seth

understood what he was feeling and whispered through their kiss, “It’s okay—let me be him.” He

kissed him softly. “Say my name, Horatio. Tell me who I am.”

Horatio shuddered and his eyes burned with tears. “Max.” He trembled and kissed Seth harder,

stroked him deeper, more urgently. “ Oh god, Max,” his throat squeezed and he choked on his

emotions, “I love you, Max, I need you.” He shoved his face against Seth’s throat and fucked him

with desperation, clinging to his body, sobs catching in his chest, his throat. “I miss you so fucking

much.”

Seth held him and kissed his head, his body moving in perfect time with Horatio’s. “I love you

too, baby; I miss you as much as you miss me.” His arms tightened and Horatio trembled inside his

embrace, hearing Max’s voice behind Seth’s words, needing them to be true.

His mouth grabbed Seth’s lips and he drank him in, his thrusts intensifying, rocking the boy

forcefully on the bed, their moans and cries pushing out around their intoxicating kiss. Seth’s fingers

pressed into his slick back muscles as the young man’s passion swelled and ebbed with an imminent

orgasm, his tense body shoving up to Horatio. Without breaking their kiss, Horatio pushed up on one

elbow, adding more force to his hips as he fucked the boy harder and reached down, taking hold of

Seth’s solid cock. He pumped him hurriedly as his own orgasm raced to the surface. Their kiss

released as they came, both shouting out with strangled cries of ecstasy. Seth coated their midsections

with white creamy cum shots as Horatio unloaded inside him.

Their bodies spent, they lay beside each other on their backs, panting hard, staring at the ceiling

of the plane’s master bedroom. Seth slid his hand into Horatio’s palm and wove their fingers together.

“I know it's true,” he whispered. “I know your Max loves you and misses you.”

Horatio turned his head slowly, warm tears seeping out. “How do you know?” he asked thickly,

his heart hurting at the young man’s words.

“Because,” Seth rolled over and kissed him softly, “If I can feel this strongly for you in just a

couple days or so, I can only imagine what you would do to a man’s heart after years of loving him.”

He traced his fingertips down Horatio’s cheek. “There’s no way in hell Max isn’t head over heels,

crazy in love with you.”

Chapter Seven

Bleeding Angels

“I think I know who you’re talking about.” Ricky wiped his face with a towel, then his neck and

chest, body drenched in sweat from his recent routine onstage. Outside the walls of the dressing

rooms, the music thumped and pounded, barely muffled. “But I don’t know his name. I never had any

private time with him.”

Cole exhaled slowly, and then pressed his lips tightly. “Shit. Okay,” he sighed. “I’ll keep asking

around.”

“About what?” Levi, a young man in his early twenties with soft black hair and minimal,

strategically placed tattoos, stepped into the dressing room wearing tight black shorts with two white

stripes that ran straight down over his bulging crotch, rippling over the curves and crevices of his

package. He winked at Ricky and smacked his bare ass lightly, “Hot show, by the way.”

“Thanks,” Ricky chuckled and Cole caught the way his eyes traveled down over Levi’s ass, the

boy’s taut cheeks pushing out the bottom of the tight shorts.

“So what’s up?” Levi’s hazel eyes jumped to Ricky’s crotch, a smirk on his lips, before shifting

to Cole’s face. Cole suspected the sexy young man might be as much of a slut as Ricky. But that was

none of his concern, or his business.

“I’m trying to find the name of a customer,” Cole said. “It’s important.” He gave the description

to Levi. “He was in a limo, dressed pretty sharp.”

Levi nodded. “It sounds like Lex. Mega-rich. Pretty cool, though.” He clucked his tongue and

grinned, “After a session with him, you’d be walking funny for days. The guy is fucking packing.”

Not really interested in the dimensions of the man’s cock, Cole asked, “Do you by any chance

know his last name? Or know of any way to get in contact with him?”

“The customers usually aren’t in the habit of handing out their last names,” Levi said. “Not sure

most of the first names are even real.”

“Yes or no?” Cole pressed, growing impatient, not with Levi, but with the need to find Angel.

“Do you know anything useful about him?”

Levi stared at him a moment, unaccustomed to Cole getting so sharp and snappy. “Uh, I think

once he mentioned something about the Pierre Hotel. Buying a penthouse there, or something.”

“Great. Thanks.” Cole stepped over quickly. “Sorry for being so sharp. You know I love your

sexy ass, baby.” He kissed his cheek and headed for the door.

Levi smirked, “Love your sexy ass too, hottie.”

Cole smiled and exited the dressing room.

* * *

“I don’t think you should go back to your apartment tonight.” Max sat forward on the sofa next to

Dane. “Come home with me, and I’ll take you back in the morning.”

An emptiness remained in the Dane’s eyes, a dullness to his voice. “I don’t ever want to go back

there,” he whispered thickly.

Max squeezed his shoulder with affection. “You know you can stay with me for as long as you

need to.”

A ghost of a smile twitched Dane’s lips but made it no further up his face. He looked at Max, and

what he saw there in those dark pools broke his heart; the man was dying inside. “Be careful,” he

murmured. “You might end up with a roommate for life.”

“And that’s a bad thing?” Max slid his arm around Dane’s shoulder and touched his head to the

man’s temple. “Fuck, baby, you could move in with me if you wanted to, I wouldn’t care.”

Dane smiled then swallowed hard and lowered his eyes. “Don’t be surprised if I show up at

your door with a suitcase.”

“I’ll be waiting for you,” Max said softly and, he realized, sincerely. He wasn’t just talking to

make the man feel better—he meant what he said; if Dane couldn’t bear staying at his apartment, he

was welcome to live at Max’s.

Leaning forward, Dane rested his elbows on his knees and rubbed his hands slowly down his

face then slid them up through his hair and held his head. “Did Cole tell you what I told him about

Angel?”

“No,” Max murmured. “You told him that in confidence. He wouldn’t say anything to anyone, not

even Gabe,without your consent.”

His eyes glazing, Dane whispered, “Can I tell you?”

Max tightened his arm around him. “You can tell me anything, babe.”

A tear pressed out onto his lower lash then dripped down his face. “You might change your mind

about me staying with you.”

“I won’t change my mind,” Max assured. “If Cole can handle it, so can I.” He cupped the back of

Dane’s head and kissed his temple. “I’ll never abandon you.”

Dane sniffed and swallowed hard, then wiped the tear from his cheek. “Can we go now?”

“To my place?”

“Yes,” Dane nodded and rubbed the back of his hand across his mouth, the glaze in his eyes

thickening. “I don’t want to be here either.”

* * *

“I like you, Angel.” Lex watched him dress then handed him a wad of crisp, fresh bills. On top of

the stack was a small card that resembled a business card but merely had a gold emblem of a rose and

a phone number. “Anytime you want to get together, give me a call.”

Angel pressed his lips tightly, nodded and took the money and the phone number.

“Are you sure you’re okay?” Lex asked quietly, again with concern. Angel knew what he was

referring to; the man clearly didn’t believe his story about rough sex. And who knows, maybe Lex

would help him if he told him the truth. But Angel had his doubts that the man was willing to get

involved in the mess Angel was in. He couldn’t take the chance of putting his trust in someone who

could just as easily stab him in the back. Everything was too precarious, especially right now. The

slightest fuck up tonight, and who knew how far Wade would go in punishing them.

“Yeah,” Angel murmured, “and thank you.” He indicated the money.

Lex cupped his face and kissed his lips. “Well worth it.” He smiled. “I’ll be sleeping well and

dreaming sweetly tonight.” He kissed him again. “All thanks to you.”

It must be nice, Angel thought without bitterness toward the man. He didn’t begrudge Lex his

wealth or his status in life. In a way, it was nice to know there were people in the world who got to

live the good life. Angel just wished he could give Maddy a little bit of that good life as well. But the

stack of cash in his hand was a start. And while Lex was sleeping in his big, soft bed, dreaming of

fucking angels, he and Maddy would be running for their lives.

“Glad I could be of service,” Angel said quietly and offered the man a smile. And at this precise

moment, it was genuine and not forced. He cast one last glance at the heavenly bed, sure he would

never slide between those sheets—or any like them—ever again, gave Lex one last kiss then walked

back out into the night. It was time to face the harsh reality of the life that had been held at bay by the

doors of Lex’s expensive penthouse. It’s funny how wealth could even pay off reality, for a while

anyway.

Angel took a cab back to the apartment, having the cabby let him off a block away. When he’d

left for work, he had searched around the dead end alley that ran along the backside of the apartment

building for a safe hiding place for the money; someplace where it wouldn’t be found and stolen.

He’d discovered a loose brick in the side of the building and dug it out. There was enough space

behind it to harbor the five thousand he now had in his possession. Looking around to be sure no one

was nearby, he grabbed an old piece of newspaper, wrapped it around the wad of cash then stuffed it

into the wall, replacing the brick and making sure it was wedged in tightly so as not to stand out from

the others.

He left the alley and entered the building, his stomach twisting painfully as he climbed the stairs.

Wade would be pissed. And at this time of night, he was surely either drunk or high—or both.

Please, God, if you really exist, please don’t let him kill me before I get Maddy out of there.

* * *

Dane was detached and couldn’t seem to reconnect with his surroundings. For the last five years

he’d been struggling to come to terms with the things he’d done. He had even prayed for just one

chance to tell the boy he was sorry, though sorry didn’t fucking cut it. But he had needed to say it, to

allow the boy to look into his eyes and see the regret and remorse, even if he couldn’t forgive him. He

just hadn’t expected that boy, and the boy of his dreams, to be one and the same. Thus forever

separating him from the love of his life. He guessed this was God’s idea of a practical joke.

I get you punishing me. I get the twisted irony, but why would you do this to Angel? You

haven’t put him through enough shit, you have to rip out his fucking heart too?!

“Why do you bother?” he whispered. No one was there to hear. He sat alone in Max’s office

while the man stepped out to speak with Cole. “Why do you waste your energy asking God why? He

doesn’t care.” Something in that reality just made everything else hurt that much more. He might have

rebelled against the religious family and community he’d grown up in, but he hadn’t stopped believing

what he’d been taught about God—until that night—the night he was forced to take a part in

destroying an innocent young boy.

He still had his moments when he talked to God, even asked him for things. But, that night, a wall

had gone up between them, and it was too high to scale and too thick to break through. He would go to

his grave with that emptiness in his soul, that void where God had once resided. And when he finally

stood before him on the other side, would he explain then his reasoning? Explain why the fuck bad

things had to happen?

A sudden image formulated in his head of the Incredible Hulk in God’s place, his huge fist

grabbing Dane and squeezing, roaring in his face, ‘Who are you to question me, puny human?’

A still, humorless laugh caught in his throat, his vision swimming. Puny human—that’s how he

felt—puny, weak and helpless to right the wrongs he’d committed. Possessing no power to heal the

wounds he’d inflicted inside Angel. Wounds that still hurt and bled, and which he’d just ripped open

wider with his confession.

He covered his face with his hands, crying quietly.

His Angel was bleeding to death, and there was nothing Dane could do to save him.

Chapter Eight

An Angel to Watch over Me

“There’s the little money-maker now.” Wade smiled with that heavy, wasted look to his eyes. He

sat on the sofa; feet propped on the coffee table and crossed at the ankles. Byrd lounged next to him,

pants open and Wade’s hand stuffed down inside, visibly working the man’s cock. Byrd shifted his

hips to give Wade more room as his glazed stare rested heavily on Angel.

In the small kitchen, Axel was at the table, smoking another joint. He must have come back after

Angel had left for work. So far, he appeared unviolated. But even so, he didn’t look at all

comfortable with the new fuck friend relationship that was developing between Wade and Byrd.

“Show me the money, honey,” Wade held out his hand, snapping his fingers, while he used the

other to get Byrd off.

Feeling sick, Angel mumbled, “There isn’t any.”

“What?” Wade sat forward, his feet hitting the floor hard as he jerked his hand from Byrd’s

pants. “What the fuck do you mean there isn’t any? You swore you’d be bringing in a shitload this

weekend.”

“I thought I would,” Angel insisted, his mind working to remember the lie he’d put together in his

head on the way home. “But Max put me behind the bar with Carl, to help serve drinks. I wasn’t able

to get any customers.”

“Why the fuck would he put you behind the bar?” Wade snapped. “And who the fuck is Max?”

“He’s my boss,” Angel fought to control the shakes. He fully expected Wade to lunge to his feet

and punch him. “He put me with Carl because of the crowd, he needed help keeping up with the drink

orders.” It wasn’t the most ingenious excuse, but it sounded viable enough. At least he hoped so.

Wade stood up slowly and Angel recoiled a little. “I might have believed you,” he spoke low but

with just enough of an edge to his voice to chill Angel’s blood, “if you hadn’t lied to me and stole

from me already.”

“Wade,” Angel’s voice shook, “I swear, I’m not lying. I—I learned my lesson last night.” His

eyes burned with unshed tears; if Wade was convinced he was lying and stealing again, Maddy

would be the one to pay for it.

“If you worked the bar,” Byrd chimed in, clearing his throat, a dry smile on his lips. “Where’re

your tips? Can’t tell me your sexy little ass didn’t get any tips.”

Fuck. Angel hadn’t thought about that. And now Wade was staring at him expectantly. “So?

Byrd’s right. If you’re telling the truth about working the bar, show me your fucking tips.”

Angel’s mind was locking up, not wanting to work. “I—I was fixing the drinks for Carl,” he

offered weakly. “He was the one serving. He got the tips.”

Snorting, Byrd shook his head. “Bullshit,” he muttered. He sat forward and leaned on his knees,

telling Wade, “The little fucker is lying to you.” He smiled coldly. “Maybe we should shake him

down, see if he’s concealing.” He popped his knuckles then wriggled his fingers. “Do a cavity search,

in case he stuffed the cash up his ass.”

When he stood, Angel stepped back, legs trembling. “Wade, I swear to God I’m not lying.”

“You swear to God?” Wade’s eyes had a hazy film over them. “There is no God. It’s just you

against the world, baby. No man upstairs to save your ass when you fucking lie to me.” Wade

grabbed him before he could react, and shoved him hard against Byrd who grabbed his arms and held

tightly.

“I’m not lying!” Angel choked and struggled against Byrd’s grip as Wade frisked him—with

extreme thoroughness—his hands shoving down inside the front of Angel’s pants, groping his

privates, then down the back, his fingers burrowing between his ass cheeks. “Stop!” Angel cried. “I

don’t have any money!”

Wade backed off after checking all down his pant legs and pulling off his shoes to check inside.

He slapped Angel’s face, causing more tears to rise up, then jabbed a finger at him. “You’re not at

that club to do fucking charity work. You come home empty-handed again tomorrow, and we take

payment out of Maddy.” He grabbed Angel’s face, Wade’s own twisting coldly. “And then we start

peddling his ass, too.” He jerked his hand away as tears streaked Angel’s cheeks.

We won’t be here tomorrow, motherfucker, Angel thought bitterly, hoping against hope that it

was true.

* * *

It was late, and showing up at the Pierre Hotel to disrupt a rich man’s sleep didn’t cause a hitch

with Cole. But he and Gabe were stopped cold in their tracks at the hotel entrance, unable to gain

admittance into the lobby, much less any further. When he failed to supply Lex’s last name, his request

to have the man paged was denied.

“Fuck it,” Cole muttered and walked back to the car, Gabe on his heels. “I’ll sit here all fucking

night and wait for him to come out then.”

“An all-night stakeout.” Gabe nodded and slid into the passenger seat as Cole took his place

behind the wheel. He leaned against the back rest and flopped his head to the side, looking at Cole.

“That’s a lot of time to kill.” He rubbed his hand on Cole’s thigh. “However will we entertain

ourselves?”

Cole smiled but retained a solemn tone when he said, “This is serious, Gabe. I have a really bad

feeling about Angel. Like we need to find him—and soon.”

“I know it’s serious,” Gabe said. “I have that same bad feeling. But I’m just saying, we can’t

question this guy until he comes out of the hotel. And I doubt that will be any sooner than morning.”

He squeezed Cole’s leg. “Making use of our time till then doesn’t mean we’re making light of the

situation.”

Gabe was right. Sitting and stressing about Angel all night wasn’t going to accomplish anything.

When there was nothing they could do, some distraction might be a relief. “Okay. So maybe it don’t

sound so bad.”

“Don’t sound so bad?” Gabe moved his hand from Cole’s thigh to his crotch, which instantly

swelled against the man’s palm. “Just a tad more enthusiasm, please.” He squeezed Cole, extracting a

deep groan. “Ah, that’s better.” His skillful fingers unfastened Cole’s pants then his hand worked

down inside. Cole’s breath caught and he lifted his hips, wriggling around to afford Gabe more room

to maneuver.

“Shit.” Cole shuddered when Gabe began to massage his cock inside his pants, his strong hand

rubbing and squeezing firmly, encouraging Cole’s erection to stiffen and elongate. His head dropped

back, eyes closing as he swallowed thickly. “Fuck, baby, you have magic hands.” He moaned and

rocked his hips slowly. “Take it out. Stroke it real good.”

Complying, Gabe tugged his cock free from its confines and squeezed his fist around the base,

sending a fierce tremor racing through Cole’s body, making him harder. Gabe’s fingers tightened

around Cole’s hot, solid flesh and he stroked him slowly, giving the head plenty of attention before

sliding back down to the base.

“Oh god.” Cole breathed and shoved his cock through Gabe’s fist. The man’s face suddenly

dropped to his lap and Cole gasped sharply when his slick tongue slid around the crown of his cock

head. Using the tip of his tongue, Gabe massaged the ultra-sensitive slit on the underside of the head,

causing Cole’s hips to buck a little. “Fuck!”

Gabe continued to tease him, licking all up and down his hard muscle until Cole was panting and

begging the man to suck him. His lips were wrapping around the head of Cole’s cock—when Gabe’s

phone went off—startling both men. Gabe tensed and froze.

When the caller became insistent, refusing to hang up, Cole whispered tightly, “You gonna get

that?” His body trembled with the need to feel Gabe’s mouth on him, but the sudden shift in the man

had Cole instantly on edge.

Gabe drew back from Cole’s lap and cleared his throat, dug out his phone and turned it off. He

tossed it on the dash. “No,” he murmured, then commenced to suck Cole’s dick.

* * *

“Are you okay?” Maddy asked quietly, fearfully when Angel entered the bedroom and closed

the door, wiping tears from his face.

Angel nodded and sat down on his bed. “Yeah.” He had gotten off lucky. Coming home with no

cash, he had anticipated a possible beating—or worse. He had half expected Wade to take payment

other ways. The desire to do just that had been present in Byrd’s eyes. But for whatever reason,

Angel had gotten by with a mere slap to the face and a verbal threat.

“Did you,” Maddy glanced at the door then leaned toward Angel and whispered real low, “did

you get the money?”

Nodding, Angel spoke as quietly, “A lot.”

“Where is it?”

“Safely hidden,” Angel told him. “When we get out of the apartment, I’ll grab it and then,” he

smiled, “we’re out of here, little brother—for good.”

Startling Angel, Maddy crawled over quickly and hugged him, holding him tightly. “I knew you

would save us,” he whispered, tears thick in his voice. Angel wrapped his arms around him, eyes

burning. “You’ve always been my guardian angel.” His embrace tightened, voice growing thicker. “I

love you.”

Angel swallowed hard and held his little brother. “I love you too, Maddy.” He choked softly and

closed his eyes tight, tears pushing out.

“Aw, isn’t that sweet?”

Angel and Maddy jumped, both looking to the door with fear. Angel hadn’t heard the door open

and now Byrd lounged in the open doorway. Did he hear us? Fear ground his guts.

Dull eyes grabbed Angel’s fearful stare. “That bit you fed Wade?” he said. “I know it's bullshit.

And Wade should, too. For a smart guy, he can be quite the dumb ass sometimes.”

“I wasn’t lying,” Angel spoke low, tightly. Maddy sat next to him, on the side furthest from Byrd.

The boy was terrified of him, and with good cause.

“Yeah,” Byrd murmured. His eyes were that of a predator surveying his prey, calculating its

every move. “We’ll see.” Angel was relieved when he stepped out of the room and closed the door,

rather than seeking other things from him.

“Do you think he heard what we were saying?” Maddy whispered, voicing Angel’s own fears.

“I don’t,” Angel looked at the door with unease. “I don’t think so.” But what if he had? Would he

be anticipating their escape attempt? Waiting for them? Angel licked his lips slowly and looked at

Maddy. “I need you to promise me something, Matthew.” He only used his given name when he had

something ultra-serious to say, and Maddy knew to listen well. “If—if something goes wrong. I want

you to get out of the apartment at all costs, with or without me.”

“Angel,” Maddy’s eyes glistened. “I’m not leaving you—”

“Listen to me,” Angel insisted. “I need you to get out. To get away from here and be safe.” He

stroked his brother’s hair and leaned closer, speaking too low for anyone outside the room to hear,

then told him where he’d put the money and how to find the specific brick it was hidden behind. “If I

don’t get out, you need to get away from the apartment building and hide. When things settle down,

you come back and you get the money,but do not come inside the building. Just take the money and get

out of the city.” Angel hesitated, sick at heart to think of his little brother out there in the world all

alone. But at least he would have a fighting chance. Inside this apartment—he didn’t. “If you have any

problems, there’s a phone number with the money. Call it. I don’t know if he would help, but he

might.”

“Who is he?” Maddy asked thickly.

“The one who gave me the money,” Angel murmured. “His name is Lex.”

Maddy stared at his hands tensely. “What about the people at the club? I thought they were your

friends?”

Tears welled up quickly and Angel’s throat knotted so tightly it hurt to swallow. “So did I,” he

whispered, wanting to cry and hating that it hurt so much. “But I was wrong.”

Chapter Nine

The Root of Evil

Avoiding the bedroom, Dane opted for the living room as the site of choice to relay his story to

Max. If he was lying in bed with the man and attempted to voice the details of the worst time in his

life, the anguish would push him into Max’s arms, and the horrid tale would be passed over in favor

of making love.

“Could I get a drink?” Dane’s throat was raw and he needed something to coat it, as well as

soothe his nerves. He sat down on the sofa across from the gas fireplace and stared at the flames.

“Sure,” Max nodded, “coffee or tea?”

Dane looked up, brow pinching. “Scotch.”

Sucking air through his teeth, Max shook his head. “I think you’ve had enough of the hard stuff for

one twenty-four hour period; probably enough for a forty-eight hour period.”

“Max...” Dane dropped his eyes.

“How about we start with coffee?” Max said. “Then, we’ll see how it goes.”

Shrugging, Dane murmured, “Whatever.” His gaze returned to the flames. Thoughts of hell fire

crept back into his head. Did damned souls really burn for eternity? No end whatsoever? The mortal

mind couldn’t begin to comprehend eternity. For human beings, everything had a beginning and an

end. They weren’t mentally equipped to truly grasp the idea of anything without end. People were

quick to say ‘I’ll love you forever’, but they really had no clue what forever was. For the first time in

his life, Dane did understand it. His pain was eternal, and he couldn’t imagine there ever being an end

to it, even in death. It was more difficult for him to comprehend how there could ever come a time

when he wasn’t tormented.

Max brought back two cups of coffee with cream and sugar mixed in. He handed one cup to

Dane. “I didn’t know what you liked in it, so I just gave you the works. If you prefer it black, I can get

you another cup.”

“This is fine,” Dane said quietly and sipped from the cup. He wasn’t a fan of coffee and longed

for a glass of scotch or a cold beer. But he would drink the coffee as Max suggested, no doubt hoping

to sober him back up completely. But Dane didn’t want to be sober. He didn’t want his mind working,

he wanted the fucking thing totally and thoroughly debilitated.

Max sat down next to him and watched the fire as well. His presence was comforting, but didn’t

make the story any easier to tell. Had it really been just that morning that he’d told Cole about it?

Fuck, it seemed like days ago, even weeks. And Angel—it felt as if he hadn’t held him for years, and

yet he had been in his bed that same day. Maybe Dane had jumped off the bridge, and this was death.

Hell. Forced to live the same day, without end, for all eternity; the day his angel stopped loving him

and flew from his life.

The words that would explain the beginning of the end of his life were having trouble finding his

lips. Max didn’t push him, just sat quietly, patiently, allowing him to figure out how to say what he

needed to say. He didn’t want to go back there. Even before he set foot onstage with Angel, he had

already been caught up in the nightmare.

“About five years ago,” Dane whispered suddenly. “Just before I came to the Phoenix, I worked

at this shitty little club in Brooklyn.” He sipped more coffee and stared at the fire. “What they did

onstage bordered on pornography, and some of it fell over into it entirely. The club owner, Vic, was a

big, mean motherfucker; he would sometimes have the boys fuck right there onstage. There was no art

to what they did, even when they were dancing.”

Max sat back against the sofa and simply nodded.

Dane cleared his throat and shifted his eyes down to his cup as he leaned on his knees. “I didn’t

fuck onstage, but some of the so-called dancing I did was a hell of a close second. I didn’t like it, and

I sure as fuck didn’t like Vic, but I was at rock bottom, needing cash just to pay rent to keep a roof

over my head and buy food. So I did what I had to do to make ends meet.” He shrugged and licked his

lips slowly. “I didn’t have many acquired skills to get a different type of job. I’d been dancing since I

was seventeen, got me a fake I.D. so the clubs would hire me. It was all I knew, really. All I was

good at.”

Though his fascination with dancing had begun as rebellion against his religious, bigoted

upbringing, it had only taken a time or two onstage for him to realize it was his passion, all he wanted

to do. When his parents had caught wind of his career choice and preference for the male gender, they

had preached hellfire and damnation to try and scare him “straight” as well as push him into a

respectable profession. But he was eighteen by then and more than ready to unbuckle the Bible Belt

and shed his façade—as well as his clothes. He would never disrespect his parents by telling them to

fuck off, but he was fairly certain his farewell had felt like it to them.

But he’d quickly realized it wasn’t easy to find a strip club where the passion of the stage could

be capitalized upon. Most he ended up working were seedy and dingy, and the owners perverted or

wanting their dancers to actually have sex with the customers. And Vic’s club had been the worst by

far. But Dane’s “career” hadn’t proven to be as lucrative as he’d imagined, and when he found

himself on the verge of making a home out of a refrigerator box in an alley, he had gone against his

better judgment and signed on with Vic.

“The guy gave me the creeps from the start,” Dane murmured sickly, recalling how Vic’s lustful

eyes had slithered all over Dane’s body and his crotch had bulged the first time Dane approached him

for a job. “He had that I’m so gonna fuck your brains out look in his eyes, and I’d wanted to run

away right then. I was,” He rubbed his mouth, “still a virgin. And I guess a little bit of a romantic at

heart because I wanted my first time to be with someone I loved. Of course, none of the guys knew I

was a virgin. I wasn’t announcing it to anyone. I mean, I was twenty-two at the time and I guess I felt

a little embarrassed that I’d never had sex yet.”

“Being a virgin isn’t anything to be embarrassed about,” Max said softly.

Dane nodded. “I know that now. But then, I was still kind of a kid. And the guys in the club

always referred to me as this hot young stud, and made jokes that I could get any ass I wanted. I was

afraid of what they would say if I told them I’d never had any ass.” He cleared his throat and exhaled

heavily. “I got plenty of propositions. And whoever I happened to be onstage with didn’t miss their

opportunity to fondle and grope my goods. Some tried to jerk me off right onstage, but though the

others had done it to each other, their crudeness made me sick.” He took a drink of his cooling coffee

but barely noticed the lack of heat as the flames of the fire became a kind of portal into the past,

dragging him through as he whispered, “When Vic heard through the grapevine that I was struggling

financially, he offered to loan me some money. Get me on my feet, as he put it. I should’ve known he

wasn’t doing it out of the kindness of his heart, as he had no heart. But like a fucking idiot...I took the

money, not realizing that, in doing so, I was selling my soul to the devil.”

* * *

“I don’t understand.” Dane stood in Vic’s dingy little office—merely a store room with a desk

and a dim lamp—and looked at the large man with uncertainty. “Why would you want to lend me

money? I haven’t even been here very long.”

Vic smiled, but it wasn’t pleasant. Rather creepy, in fact, and it made Dane’s skin prickle.

“Because I like you. You’re a good guy, and I think you’re trustworthy. I’ve a got a few thousand

that could help you get set up in a decent apartment.” He leaned forward in his chair, his thick

chest and stomach pressing against the edge of the desk. “If you’re interested, that is.”

“I am.” Dane licked his lips then sucked his tongue back in quickly when Vic’s eyes latched

onto his mouth. “But how long would I have to pay it back?”

“I’ll give you a couple months,” he said. “If you step up your game, you could make plenty

from the customers, and it wouldn’t take you long to get the money back to me.”

“And,” Dane swallowed thickly, “what happens if something comes up and I can’t get the

money back to you on time?”

The unpleasant smile on Vic’s face stretched, exposing a few teeth that were none too white.

“I’m flexible,” he said. “I’m sure we could work something out.” He stood up. “What do you say?

It’s win-win.”

Shifting anxiously, Dane nodded. “Okay.”

“Great.” Vic grinned and revealed a missing canine. “It’s a deal,” he thrust out his hand.

Dane shook it hesitantly, feeling trapped somehow inside the man’s grasp, an uneasy sensation

cooling his heart all of the sudden. Vic released him and produced a metal box from the locked

bottom drawer of his desk. He unlocked the box as well and took out a wad of cash, counting out

three thousand dollars. After replacing the box in the lower drawer again, he handed the money to

Dane. “Two months from today,” he chuckled as Dane took the cash almost tentatively. “Relax. It

isn’t like I’m going have your legs broken if you don’t pay me back right on time.”

Though the assurance should have soothed him, a dark glint in Vic’s eyes only seemed to

make it more eerie somehow. “Yeah,” Dane laughed nervously, fingering the bills before folding

them and stuffing them down in the front pocket of his jeans.

“So, go on.” Vic came out from behind his desk and clapped Dane on the back, walking him to

the door. “Get yourself some decent lodging, and don’t stress about paying me back. You’ll be

rolling in it here real quick.” His hand slid down Dane’s back, and he wanted to shrug it off, but

resisted the urge. “What with this fine ass of yours.” The man squeezed his cheeks. “Who wouldn’t

want to get at that?”

Dane left the office feeling sick in a way he’d never felt before. Though the man’s words were

friendly and assuring—Vic was anything but. What would the guy do if Dane didn’t get him the

money on time? But he told himself not to worry about it, that he would get the money back to him

and everything would be chill. Yet the only ‘chill’ was the one seeping into his bones as he walked

out of the club and began his search for a decent apartment.

* * *

“How could I take his money?” Dane’s head rested in his hands, and the distress in the young

man alerted Max that it was the acceptance of the loan that had been the root of all the evil to come.

“You needed the money.” Max leaned forward and rubbed Dane’s back. “And it was being

handed to you. Most anyone would have accepted it.”

Dane dragged his hands down over his face then cleared his throat. “After that, I tried to get as

many private customers as I could each night. I would have made more money if I’d been willing to

fuck them, but I couldn’t make myself go that far. But I passed out hand jobs and blow jobs like they

were candy. The customers would pay more if I let them come in my mouth. I didn’t like it because I

had no idea what they might be carrying, but I was anxious to get Vic his money.” He sighed and

swallowed hard. “I never puked so much in my life. After every blow job that involved swallowing

cum, I would go to the bathroom and vomit.”

Caressing his back, Max leaned closer and kissed his shoulder but said nothing. It made him sick

to think of this beautiful man catering to filthy, disgusting men in some seedy club. Max wasn’t so

foolish or naïve as to think his own boys didn’t occasionally administer extras to their customers, but

it wasn’t club policy, and the Phoenix customers were at least clean and well groomed; he wouldn’t

allow stinky, filthy patrons into his club.

Dane grew still, his body tight with tension as he spoke low, tears straining his voice, “A couple

days before my loan was due...” his hand slid over his mouth and held as he stared at the fire, the

flames flickering and reflecting in his wet eyes. His hand slipped away. “...I saw him for the first

time.”

“Who?” Max murmured.

His throat working, breaking up his syllables, Dane whispered, “Angel.”

Chapter Ten

Betrayed By Hope

Angel fought sleep as he waited for Wade, Byrd and Axel to go to bed or pass out, whichever

came first. He let Maddy rest and didn’t try to keep him awake. His own head bobbed as he leaned

against the wall and, soon after, he was in the dream.

Even from within the dream he knew he was dreaming, because this time when he was ushered

out onstage he saw Dane standing by the pole, his face unmasked, waiting for him. The other man

remained masked and held the whip, but Angel couldn’t take his eyes off Dane as he fastened Angel’s

wrists to the clasps. In this dream, he wasn’t thirteen but his current age. Tears streaked his face as he

cried softly, “Why are you doing this? I trusted you. I loved you.”

Dane just looked at him, holding him and preventing him from struggling. He cried and clutched

the pole, though the pain wasn’t as extreme in this dream as in the others. The greatest of his anguish

came from within, trickling out of his broken heart.

“Why would you hurt me like this?” He cried at Dane. “Why?”

The man’s dark eyes filled with tears and pain. His lips moved, but suddenly the club was

exploding with noise that had been muffled up to that moment, and Dane’s words were swept away.

Angel struggled to hear, and this time when the man spoke his words had a different tone, almost

pleading, “Don’t fight it.” He’ll only hurt you more. That last part wasn’t spoken aloud, but it was

there, in his voice. Angel raised his eyes, hot tears pouring out as he struggled to breathe, and he saw

the depth of pain in Dane’s eyes.

Sudden anger surged through Angel. “Don’t look at me like that!” he cried. “This is just a

dream! You didn’t care! Stop trying to trick me!”

“I’m sorry!” Dane choked and dropped to his knees, crying. “I didn’t know! I didn’t know what

they were going to do to you!”

The dream ended as suddenly as a balloon pricked by a needle, and Angel came awake with a

jolt, heart pounding, face wet. Nausea ground his guts and he closed his eyes, sobs from his dream

still lodged in his throat. “It was just a dream.” He cried quietly, hugging himself, shaking. “He didn’t

care.” Angel ducked his head and tightened his lips as his sobs intensified. When Maddy stirred in his

sleep, Angel swallowed his cries, chest hitching, and wiped at his face; it didn’t matter, Dane was

gone. Maddy was his only concern. Once they got out of this godforsaken city, Angel wouldn’t look

back. He’d just let it all fade away and start fresh.

But I have to get out first. Angel crawled off the mattress and walked quietly to the door,

pressing his ear close and listening for sound or movement out in the other rooms. All was silent. He

glanced at Maddy’s sleeping form then eased open the door a crack and peered out. The apartment

was dark and quiet. He slipped out into the short hallway and crept toward the living room. Both

Wade and Axel’s bedroom doors were closed, and silence reigned behind them. Was Byrd sleeping

on the sofa or in Wade’s room? He used to crash on the sofa when he did spend nights there, but

lately Angel suspected his and Wade’s new relationship afforded him a place in Wade’s bed. He

hoped so anyway.

The dim penetration of the city lights through the makeshift curtains allowed enough visibility for

Angel to see that the sofa was empty and the padlock on the front door hadn’t been secured.

Sometimes in his drunken or high state of mind, Wade forgot to lock it. Angel had been hoping tonight

would be one of those forgetful times, because the last thing he wanted to do was enter Wade’s

bedroom and try to get the key without waking him.

Walking quietly back to the bedroom, Angel eased the door closed then went to Maddy’s bed

and knelt down, shaking the boy gently. “Maddy,” he whispered. “Maddy, wake up. It’s time to go.”

Maddy moaned then slowly opened his eyes. “Huh?” His voice was heavy with sleep. “Angel?”

“Come on. Get up,” Angel said, drawing back the sleeping bag. The boy was fully dressed.

Angel had instructed him to go to bed clothed so they didn’t have to take the time to dress on their

way out. “We’re leaving—now.”

* * *

“Fuck, baby.” Cole groaned deeply, tightly, as Gabe rode him hard. Cole had migrated from the

driver seat to the passenger seat which was now laid down, supporting both men.

Gabe shoved his left forearm against the roof of the car and gripped the backrest by the side of

Cole’s head with his right hand and bounced on Cole’s cock, testing the stability of the seat. His

beautiful face pinched with sexual tension, his lips parted and puffing hard “Uh! Uh! Uh!”

His fingers gouging into the man’s ass cheeks, Cole drove upward, hammering his dick into

Gabe’s tight, but oh so welcoming, body. The car rocked, the seat creaking and groaning. Droplets of

sweat dripped onto Cole’s fevered skin as Gabe’s face glistened, his dark hair deepening to a shade

of black as it dampened from the man’s exertion.

“Fuck me!” Cole grunted, his muscles tightening along with his balls, his orgasm racing to the

surface.

“Ahhh!” Gabe’s jaw clenched, teeth baring and clamping, twisting his face into a snarl. He

raised and dropped down on Cole’s cock, again and again, harder, faster. The skin around his eyes

tightened, narrowing his stare as his gaze burned with fiery passion. Cole grabbed his lover’s stiff

shaft and pumped him as they fucked with a level of animal ferocity, the tension of all the recent

stressful events fueling their love making.

“Fuck! Gabe!” Cole yelled, squeezing the man’s cock, his fist snapping up and down the length,

urging the man to come with him. “Uh! Fuck! I’m gonna fucking blow!”

Both of Gabe’s hands went to the roof, flattening and straining, affording him leverage as he

fucked Cole wildly then released a strangled wail and shot his wad all over Cole’s stomach and

chest. Cole pumped him a few more strokes then let loose and grabbed his hips, fucking him

erratically, his back arching away from the seat as he pounded the man’s ass.

“Fuuck!” Cole choked on his cry and unloaded, filling Gabe’s anal canal with hot, thick cum.

“Oh my god! Fuck!” He thrust at him hurriedly, panting hard, until the orgasm ran its course and

finally released him, and he sagged back down against the passenger seat. Gabe still gripped the roof,

gasping, sweat trickling all down his muscular chest and ripped abs, and dripping off his face. Cole

grinned, eyes heavy with satisfaction, and squeezed Gabe’s hips. His skin was hot to the touch and

slick beneath Cole’s hands. “Fuck, baby,” Cole panted. “No one fucks quite like you do.”

Gabe dropped his hands and gripped the back rest on each side of Cole’s head, leaning over him,

breath uneven and puffing hard from between his lips. “You better not be doing any comparing.”

Chuckling, Cole exhaled hard and rubbed his hands down over the man’s hot, slick ass. “I don’t

need to compare. You’re the shit and I know it.”

“And don’t you ever forget it,” Gabe growled low, a dark smile on his delicious lips. He

dropped down and kissed Cole with a very masculine passion. “Because I keep my shovel handy,

and any motherfucker tries to get a piece of you, he’ll be napping with the worms, six feet under.”

Cole didn’t doubt his boyfriend’s warning and wondered if he should be unnerved by some of

the things the man said. But honestly? Gabe’s ferociously possessive ways made Cole’s heart go

crazy and turned him on like mad. In light of the man’s warning, he thought it best not to relay the

details of his deal with Faron Ryland. If Gabe asked, then he wouldn’t lie. But neither would he offer

it up.

His member remained heavy and buried inside Gabe as the man sucked his tongue hungrily,

causing Cole’s dick to twitch in Gabe’s ass. Gabe slowly rolled his hips, pushing down a little. He

pulled out of the kiss but didn’t go far, his lips trembling against Cole’s mouth. “I can’t get enough of

you.”

“I can live with that,” Cole smiled and ran his fingertips up Gabe’s wet back.

The man stared down at Cole with an unaccustomed seriousness, his eyes resonating a depth of

love that he didn’t always allow Cole to see. “I love you, Cole.” A slight film of tears glazed his

eyes. “You’re the best thing to ever come into my life. I don’t know if I’ve ever told you that. But you

are.” He went silent as he just gazed into Cole’s eyes, and there seemed to be so much more going on

behind those baby blues than he was letting on. “I don’t just love you, Cole,” he whispered. “I’m in

love with you. And nothing—nothing—will ever make me stop feeling this way.” He lowered down

against Cole and kissed him softly then buried his face in his neck, continuing to kiss his heated skin.

“Even if you left me, I would still go on loving you. I would never want anyone else.”

Cole wrapped his arms around Gabe’s body and pulled him closer. “Gabe, I would never leave

you.” He kissed his damp shoulder as a soft shudder swept through the man. “I’m in love with you,

too. And that will never change for me either.”

Gabe relaxed a bit in his arms, as if Cole’s reassuring words carried with them a deep comfort

for the man.

What’re you afraid of, baby? Why would you think I would ever leave you?

* * *

Maddy was close on Angel’s heels when they left the bedroom. Angel looked at him and held his

finger against his own lips, telling the boy to stay quiet. Maddy nodded as Angel led him down the

hall and into the living room. The unfastened padlock hung loosely from the front door and every tiny

clink as it was removed made Angel cringe. His ears began to ring as he listened hard for any

movement or voices in the bedrooms.

His mind began to press with hope that they would both make it out, but he refused to dwell on

it; hope had a way of betraying them when they believed in it too strong. But the padlock was slipped

out of its tiny rung and Angel carefully twisted the door knob, again flinching at the tiniest noise. He

eased open the door and ushered Maddy through, his heart suddenly pounding wildly and the skin on

the nape of his neck prickling in anticipation of being grabbed from behind and dragged back into

hell. But no hands caught hold of him and he closed the door quietly. Once out of the apartment, he

pushed Maddy toward the stairs. “Go,” he whispered tightly, urgently, “hurry.”

They burst out into the night air, both exhaling hard then sucking in deep breaths. Angel motioned

toward the dead end alley. “Over here,” he kept his voice low, knowing how easily sound carried up

to the apartment from the street below. Digging out the brick, he grabbed the money and unwrapped

the newspaper, revealing the stack of cash.

Maddy’s eyes widened and a grin spread across his face. “Holy shit,” he whispered.

“I knew you were lying to me, you little motherfucker.” Angel’s heart stopped cold in his chest

as his head snapped up to see Wade and Byrd standing in the mouth of the alley. A look like Angel

had never seen before darkened Wade’s eyes as the two men walked toward them, a dry smirk on

Byrd’s lips as his gaze rested heavily on Maddy, like a starving man about to devour his favorite

meal.

Chapter Eleven

Habitations of Cruelty

Seated on a stool, back to the bar, the boy’s hands were stuffed into the pockets of his

oversized hoody sweatshirt. Within the dim, smoky atmosphere of the dingy club, the boy was

nearly invisible in the black sweatshirt and dark jeans. It was only by happenstance that Dane

spotted him at all, sitting at the far corner of the bar. His head was lowered; his face was lost in

the shadows of his hood, but there was a downcast, even despairing sense about him. And he

appeared far too young to be in a place like that.

Dane approached slowly. “You shouldn’t be in here, kid.” The boy didn’t look up or respond.

Dane glanced around; was he here with someone? “This isn’t a place for kids.” When the boy

shifted his head, Dane caught a glimpse of his face and the tears sliding down his cheek. “What’s

wrong?” Dane asked gently and reached out, wiping away his tears. The kid flinched and jerked

away quick, a low whimper catching in his throat. Dane frowned. “Hey, it’s okay. I’m not gonna

hurt you.” The boy was trembling. “What’s wrong, kid? Do you need some help?”

“Hands off the merchandise.”

Startled by the sudden voice, Dane glanced around and came face to face with a guy a few

years younger than himself. Not bad looking, hair slightly long and bit of scruff on his jaw.

“Excuse me?”

“This young ass is already paid for,” the guy said dryly. “Find somewhere else to stuff your

cock.”

His frown tightening, Dane glanced at the boy. Quiet sobs shook his delicate frame. “What do

you mean—” he started, ready to lay the prick out, when Vic intervened.

“Move along,” Vic told him, “This doesn’t concern you.”

Dane just stared at the large man. “What’s going on? He’s just a kid.”

Smiling coolly, Vic told him, “Young boys are a hot commodity.” His smile slowly faded and a

dangerous look crept into his eyes. “If you know what’s good for you, you will mind your own

business. Don’t doubt for a second that our friendly little financial arrangement could turn very

ugly at any moment.”

Swallowing thickly, Dane stepped back and bumped against the boy by accident. When he

went to walk away, the boy grabbed his hand discreetly and with desperation. He could feel the

tremors surging through the kid’s hand; he was silently begging him for help. Tears welled in

Dane’s eyes and his fingers instinctively tightened around the boy’s hand. But his fear of Vic

overrode everything else and he tugged free of the kid’s grip and walked away, the boy’s broken

sobs tearing at his soul.

* * *

Dane clawed his hair, body shaking with sobs. “I didn’t do a fucking thing,” he choked. “I just

walked away. I could’ve helped him.” He shook his head, crying. “I could have stopped it, right then.

I could have saved him.” Maybe that’s what hurt the most; he had been right there, knowing Vic

would abuse and break the boy. But because of his own fucking cowardice, he had turned away, left

Angel to the mercy of merciless men.

“Dane,” Max murmured softly. “You were young, and intimidated by a dangerous man. What

could you have done?”

“I could’ve fucking tried something!” He choked. “I could’ve gone to the cops—something.” He

shuddered, shaking his head as his sobs hardened and bruised his throat. “But I didn’t do anything. I

just—I left him.”

Max cupped the back of his head and kissed his temple. “Whatever those men did to Angel, it

wasn’t your fault,” he whispered. “You didn’t bring him there. You weren’t in control of what

happened to him in that place. It didn’t involve you.”

It didn’t involve you . Dane squeezed his eyes shut and slid his hands up around the back of his

neck, gripping the nape fiercely. “It did,” he cried brokenly. “It did involve me.” He raised his head

and the flames blurred and distorted. He couldn’t look at Max as he confessed sickly, “I helped them

break him.”

* * *

The hard fist caught him in the gut the moment they were back inside the apartment. The air

exploded out of Angel’s lungs and he landed on the sofa, trying to breathe, tears streaking his face.

“Angel!” Maddy screamed.

When Angel moved, Wade punched him again, knocking him flat onto the worn cushions. “You

little fuck!” Wade’s face was down close to his, his stale breath gagging Angel as he sucked for air.

“Five thousand fucking dollars? You really thought you were going to get away with stealing that

much from me? Escape money—is that what it was?” Wade grabbed him by the shirt and slammed

him against the back of the sofa, then jammed his knee against his chest, compressing his lungs further.

“You are never getting away. Get that through your fucking head right now. This is it. This is your

life. Accept it.”

Maddy was crying, struggling in Byrd’s grip. Angel stared into Wade’s eyes, and more clearly

than ever, saw hell. And felt the truth of the man’s words. Wade’s knee ground into his chest wall

and, with each sob, more air escaped and refused to draw back in.

“You know what I told you, if you ever stole from me again?” Wade stepped back, and the

pressure of his knee released. Angel dropped sideways, gasping, crying. “I guess you don’t care

about the little brat as much as I thought you did.”

Angel felt paralyzed, his eyes wide, dripping tears as he watched Byrd grope his little brother,

terror bursting across the boy’s face. “No,” Maddy whimpered and grappled with Byrd’s hands when

the man grabbed his crotch.

“That’s it, baby.” Byrd was already breathing hard, his face flushed with the anticipation of

raping Maddy. “Struggle. It’s much more fun when you resist,” he grinned. “Gets my cock good and

hard, and ready for drilling.”

“Don’t touch him!” Angel found his breath suddenly, screaming at the man. “ You fucker! I’ll

fucking kill you!”

Wade back-handed him across the face when he tried to get up, knocking him down again. “You

won’t fucking do shit.” He looked at Byrd. “Take him to the bedroom.”

“No!” Angel lunged up again and Wade caught him midair in a quick move, his arm snaring

Angel’s neck, squeezing.

“Oh don’t worry—you get to watch.” His breath was hot against Angel’s ear. “Time to induct

little brother into the family business.”

“Angel!” Maddy screamed when Byrd dragged him toward the hallway. “Help me! Don’t let

him! Angel!” Hysterical cries exploded out of him, panic impairing his breathing, causing him to

hyperventilate.

“Maddy!” Angel clawed Wade’s arm, gouging into his skin, drawing blood. “ Let him go, you

motherfucker!”

Do something! They’re gonna fucking rape him! His mind racing erratically, Angel’s elbow

jerked back suddenly, nailing Wade in the ribs. The man grunted hard and his arm loosened. Angel

ripped free and grabbed an empty beer bottle from the coffee table and brought it around fast and with

as much force as he could muster, clocking Wade in the side of the head, dropping him. He spun back

toward Byrd and Maddy and launched the bottle at Byrd’s head, but the man saw it coming and

ducked. The bottle zipped past him and shattered against the wall.

“You little fuck!” Byrd yelled. “If you fucking hit me—”

Another bottle was sailing at him before he could finish, and this one caught him in the face,

bloodying his nose, but he stayed on his feet. “Motherfucker!” Byrd shrieked.

“Let him go!” Angel cried. Come on, motherfucker, come and get me. He grabbed up the bottles

hurriedly, throwing them at the man’s head, praying he didn’t hit Maddy. When another bottle

smacked the guy in the mouth, splitting his lip, he threw Maddy aside and lunged for Angel.

“Come on!” Angel screamed at him. “I ain’t fucking scared of you, you pansy ass

motherfucker!”

The man bowled him over, knocking him down on the sofa, punching him in the ribs and stomach.

Angel gasped but latched onto Byrd’s shirt. “Maddy! Run!”

Byrd’s eyes widened with a start and his head snapped around as Maddy scrambled for the door.

“You fuck!” Byrd tried to go for the boy but Angel held on, slinging his legs around the man’s body

and clutching his shirt. “Get off me!” he yelled, but Angel wouldn’t let go.

“Maddy, get out!”

Wade was struggling to get to his feet, still dazed. “You little fucker! Get back here!”

The front door jerked open and Maddy went through in a flash, slamming it behind him.

Go, Maddy! Run! Don’t stop! Don’t come back! Please, God, just once—be on our side.

A fist cracked him on the jaw and all went black.

* * *

I helped them break him. Max wanted to tell him to stop. He didn’t want to know the horrifying

details that made up Dane’s nightmares. But he let the man talk, and no matter what horror story

unfolded, Max would keep to his word. He would never forsake this man.

“I didn’t have the money,” Dane whispered. “I was saving every cent I could, but the payout

from the customers at that place wasn’t like at the Phoenix. I had to pay rent, lights, buy food. It didn’t

leave a lot left over to put toward the loan. Vic—he mislead me on how well I could do with the

customers, how much I could make. And when I didn’t come through with the cash...” Dane went

silent, just staring blankly at the fire.

Swallowing thickly, not really wanting to know, Max still asked quietly, “What did he do?”

Firelight reflected off the young man’s wet face as fresh tears drained out. “He raped me,” he

whispered, tone dull, distant. “And not just him.” His head turned slowly and he looked at Max. “He

didn’t do it just once.” His eyes lowered, unblinking, tears dripping. “I was a virgin the first time he

fucked me.” A broken laugh stuck in his throat. “They say you never forget your first time.” He laid

his head on Max’s shoulder. “They were right.”

Chapter Twelve

Wicked Souls

“Call that pimp bastard.” Cole was dressed and back behind the wheel, face tense. “Tell him you

want to meet with him.”

Gabe glanced anxiously at his phone which lay still on the dash, shut off and quiet. “Wouldn’t it

seem strange that I would call him the same night we talked about it? Plus, it’s getting pretty late.”

“Make something up,” Cole said, not blind to the man’s obvious reluctance to turn his phone

back on. “I’m sure you could be a convincing liar if you set your mind to it. I mean, you got him

hooked in the first place, right?” When he glanced at Gabe, the guy was staring at him, brow tight.

“What?”

“Are you pissed at me about something?” Gabe asked and shook his head. “I mean, I thought we

were pretty fine with each other just a short bit ago.”

“I’m not pissed at you.” Cole looked out the front windshield and wondered at the truth of his

words. Gabe was keeping something from him, and he had a sinking feeling it was something bad, on

some level. So yeah, it was bugging him. But he was more frustrated than he was pissed. When Gabe

didn’t reply, he looked at him again, and smiled. “Come on, babe. After the way you just fucked me,

how could I be mad at you?”

“I’m sorry.” Gabe glanced out the passenger window. “I know all this stuff with Angel is

stressful.”

“Yeah, it is.” Cole reached out and gripped the back of Gabe’s neck and drew him close, kissing

his mouth. “You and me—we’re good, right?”

Nodding, Gabe murmured, “Right.” And kissed him back.

“So,” Cole licked his lips. “You gonna call the guy? Your choice. But I’m thinking this Lex guy

isn’t going to be much help. I doubt they exchanged personal information. Maybe we’re just wasting

time waiting for him. And we know damn well our Mr. Wade knows how to contact Angel.”

Chewing his lip, Gabe looked at him. “What if we’re overreacting? About Angel, I mean. Yeah,

he’s upset about Dane dumping him and whatever else is concerning him, but maybe all the rest of this

shit—him selling himself and such—maybe he’s doing it because he wants to. A quick way to make

money.”

“No, Gabe,” Cole sighed. “You didn’t see him, out on the street or at the club. The kid is barely

keeping it together. Something is wrong. And now, because of this thing with Dane, he doesn’t trust

anyone and won’t tell us what’s going on. And it isn’t just him involved. There’s a younger boy as

well. What if they’re both under the influence of this Wade guy? What if he’s selling the younger kid

as well?”

Gabe nodded. “I see what you’re saying.” He grabbed his phone but hesitated, his thumb resting

against the power button.

“Something wrong?” Cole asked low, his gut twisting up again. He wanted to hold the man down

and grill him until he answered all Cole’s questions. But if he pushed, and Gabe wasn’t ready to talk

about it, he might just withdraw entirely.

“Uh, no,” Gabe cleared his throat and powered up the cell, then called Wade. After a moment, he

glanced at Cole. “It’s going to voice mail.”

“Leave a message. Have him call you back.”

Gabe was silent a moment then spoke into the phone, adopting a sudden sensual tone. “Hey sexy,

sorry for calling so late but I couldn’t get you out of my head.”

Cole smiled, lips tight. “That’s it,” he murmured low. “Rub some funk on it.”

Shaking his head, grinning, Gabe added, “Actually, it’s that sweet ass of yours that I can’t stop

thinking about. I was hoping we could get together real soon—talk about things—do some things.

Sound good? If so, holler back at me.” He left his number then ended the call and looked at Cole. “So

I guess we’re still left playing the waiting game.” He squeezed his cell in his palm and Cole got the

feeling he wanted to turn it off again, but couldn’t in case Wade called back.

Come on, baby, just tell me what’s going on. Talk to me.

“I guess so,” was all that reached his lips as he laid his head against the back of the seat and

stared at the roof of the car, a quiet dread burrowing into his heart. He felt Gabe’s eyes on him,

sensed him wanting to talk—but silence reigned supreme.

* * *

Nausea, brought on by stress and fear, churned Dane’s stomach as Vic motioned him into his

shabby, makeshift office. He’d been in there once or twice since Vic’s first assault, and it was

always for the same reasons; the man either wanted his cock sucked or wanted Dane bent over his

desk so he could take a piece of his ass. Vic liked it rough and enjoyed hurting the boy he was

fucking, as if it put him on a power trip.

He was surprised when Vic didn’t immediately unbuckle his pants and tell Dane to kneel, as if

the man were royalty. “I’m putting on a special stage show tomorrow night,” he said. “And you

get to be one of my stars.” He leaned against his desk. “Although I’m thoroughly enjoying your

individual payments, this will clear the rest of your debt.”

Dane wanted to feel relief, but he didn’t trust the man. If Vic was willing to wipe out the

remainder of what Dane owed him, just what the hell did he want him to do? “What kind of stage

show?”

Smiling, Vic shrugged. “More like an exhibition.” He dragged his hand slowly down his face,

stretching his full cheeks and rested his eyes on Dane. “You and Slade are going to simulate the

rape of a virgin boy.”

“What?” Dane stared at him, shocked. “Rape...”

“Calm down,” Annoyance tainted Vic’s words. “I said ‘simulate’.”

Dane felt sick. “Why would you even simulate something like that?”

“What can I say?” Vic shrugged absently. “My customers are sick bastards. Nothing turns

them on more than an innocent boy getting fucked good and hard for the first time.” His eyes went

heavy, almost dreamy, as he murmured, “The way they cry and plead is such a fucking turn on.”

Your customers aren’t the only sick bastards, Dane thought, a painful knot forming in his

stomach. “But it will only be simulated—we won’t really be expected to...” Dane was familiar with

Slade, he was two or three years older than Dane and there seemed to be no limit to how vile he

would get. Dane had seen him do things onstage that tested his belief that everyone had a soul.

Simulation or not, Dane did not want to be onstage with him.

“Of course you won’t,” Vic said dryly, but an unsettling look hovered behind his eyes.

“And I won’t owe you any more after this?”

“That’s what I said.”

Dane had wanted to get away from that club since the first time Vic fucked him in the back

room, but he was afraid to run out on a debt. He didn’t know if Vic would send people after him.

But if his loan was cleared, he could leave and never look back. “Okay,” Dane agreed uncertainly,

though he realized Vic wasn’t ‘asking’ him to go onstage, but rather telling him he was going to.

“Slade will run the show,” Vic said. “You follow his lead and do whatever he tells you to do.

No questions asked. If you fuck up my show, your debt will remain. And,” he leaned forward,

stepping away from the desk, “I won’t be none too happy with you.” He came closer and Dane

resisted the need to step back, get away from him. “And I will let every fucking customer that

shows up tomorrow night take their turn at you.”

* * *

Dane left the sofa and went to the fireplace, gripping the edge of the mantle, his head lowered.

He trembled and shoved his face against his arm. Simulation. Vic had said it would just be a

simulation. An exhibition. It wasn’t supposed to be real.

“Dane,” Max remained on the sofa, his voice thick. “What happened on that stage?”

The urge to vomit was strong. He didn’t answer Max but just stood there, shaking, tears dripping

down his face. He heard Max stand up and leave the room, then the sound of him moving around in the

kitchen. When he returned, he brought with him a bottle of scotch and two glasses.

“I think it’s time for something stronger.” He sat down again and filled the two scotch glasses

half full. “Come on, babe. Take a breather and have a drink.”

Dane sniffed then cleared his throat. He walked back to the sofa and sat down next to Max,

taking one of the glasses and swallowing half the contents.

“We don’t have to talk about this anymore tonight,” Max said softly, “if you don’t want to.”

“If I stop now,” Dane stared into his glass. “I won’t ever finish.”

Max nodded. “Okay,” he whispered. “But anytime you want to stop, just say so.”

He did want to stop now, but for reasons he didn’t really understand, he needed Max to know all

this about him. Maybe because if the man could still love and care for him after hearing his horror

story, it would give him a starting point that might one day lead to self-forgiveness.

“Do you think we could,” he looked at Max, throat tight, “finish this in the bedroom?”

“Of course,” Max murmured then stood up.

Dane stood with him, still holding his glass. He nodded at the bottle of scotch. “Bring the

booze,” he said thickly, “I’m gonna need a lot more.”

“All right,” Max complied without argument and grabbed the bottle.

In the bedroom, Max set the scotch and his own glass on the night stand, then took Dane’s glass

and placed it with the other. Without speaking, he began to peel off Dane’s clothes, and then his own

until they stood before each other in the nude. Max leaned his head against Dane’s brow and softly

caressed his body. “I want to say this again,” he whispered. “Regardless what you tell me from here

on out, I won’t forsake you.” He flattened his palms on Dane’s face and kissed him gently. “If both

our hearts didn’t already belong to others, you would be holding mine right now. And even so, you’ve

taken a piece of it.”

Dane wrapped his arms around the man and held him tightly, his own heart hurting so badly he

wanted to scream. “You have a part of mine, too,” he choked quietly.

For a moment, the horror of the past was laid aside as Max took him to bed and made love to

him, first with his hands and fingertips, then his lips and mouth. And when he came to him, entered

him, Dane clung to the man as if his very presence inside his body could cleanse him of the bad

memories, the nightmares, his sin, and make him whole again and restore his soul.

Chapter Thirteen

Cast Into Hell

Angel awoke in his and Maddy’s bedroom, having been dumped on his mattress. His jaw

throbbed and head pounded. His body hurt where Byrd had punched him repeatedly. When the events

of the night rushed to the forefront of his mind, his heartbeat quickened; did Maddy get away? He was

knocked out cold before he knew whether or not anyone chased after him, though surely they had.

They wouldn’t just let him go without trying to stop him.

Muffled, distant voices pressed weakly at the closed door, coming from the kitchen or living

room. Angel crawled off the bed, gasping and clutching his stomach as his bruised body protested

with the smallest movement.

He tried the door but it was locked from the outside somehow. There was no escaping through

the window; besides the fact that they were two stories up with no fire escape–Wade had long ago

nailed the window shut.

Angel was trapped; and soon he would suffer for his actions. But even if they killed him, he

didn’t care as long Maddy got away. He went to Maddy’s bed and lay down, tears dripping onto the

boy’s pillow. Would he ever see his little brother again? He closed his eyes and swallowed hard,

hugging Maddy’s pillow beneath his head, then frowned as his hand brushed against something hard

and cold concealed beneath the pillow. Angel pushed up on his elbows, moved the pillow aside and

stiffened.

The handgun lay solemnly on the bare mattress, like a parting gift from his little brother.

Where had Maddy gotten a gun? The market. It had to be. It was quite common for store owners

in these neighborhoods to keep a gun on hand. Maddy must’ve found it and taken it. Angel picked it up

tentatively and turned it over in his hands. It was surprisingly heavy for such a small piece. It was a

revolver, but Angel didn’t know the make, nor could he get the cylinder open to check and see if it

was loaded. They made it look so easy in movies, but he’d never handled a gun before.

Footsteps were coming down the hall. Angel’s heart pounded as he scrambled to his feet,

ignoring the pain in his body, and stood with his back to the wall, the handgun clutched in his grip and

aimed at the door. Whether or not it was loaded remained to be seen.

A low clatter of a lock being unfastened resounded through the bedroom, then the door thrust

open and Wade appeared. He stopped short, startled by the presence of the gun in Angel’s hands.

“You’re just full of surprises tonight, aren’t you, you little shit?”

“Just stay back, ” the tremor in Angel’s voice made him cringe, but he couldn’t keep it out. “Just

let me go and—and I won’t shoot anyone.” Tears rose up before he could stop them. “I just want to

leave. I won’t tell anyone anything. Just please, let me go.”

Wade shrugged and smiled, undaunted by the weapon shaking in the young man’s grip. “Well I

suppose I don’t have any choice. The one with the gun makes the rules, right?” Wade stepped back

then motioned toward the hall. “Go ahead, little angel. Fly away. You’re free.”

He was bluffing. Angel didn’t believe for a second that the man would release him so easily. But

he was out of options and had to risk it. He steadied the gun. “Move away from the door, down the

hall.”

“As you wish.” Wade held his hands half raised. He backed down the hall as Angel approached

the bedroom doorway. He glanced around quickly for Axel and Byrd but saw no sign of them. But

he’d heard more than one person speaking, so at least one of them was here.

“Where’s Axel and Byrd?”

“Axel’s in the kitchen,” Wade said casually. “Byrd ain’t here.”

“I want to see him,” Angel told him, not trusting his word in the slightest. Axel or Byrd could be

in one of the bedrooms, and grab him from behind when he passed.

“Hey dumb ass!” Wade called, keeping his eyes on Angel. “Get your ass out here!”

A scrape of chair legs against the worn tile in the kitchen attested to Axel’s presence. A moment

later, he stepped out of the kitchen and froze when he saw Angel with the gun. “What the hell’s going

on?” he asked anxiously.

“Seems our little angel got himself some insurance,” Wade grinned and winked. “You know, you

look fucking sexy with that gun in your hand.”

And you’re gonna look fucking dead if you make a wrong move, Angel thought with so much

hate for the man that he was certain he wouldn’t hesitate to pull the trigger if it came down to it. “Get

in the kitchen,” he told them, “over against the sink.”

Axel joined Wade and they did as Angel instructed. But the lack of fear, or even rage, in Wade

unnerved him. Why wasn’t he pissed that he was getting away? But he didn’t have time to ponder the

mystery, he needed to get out of there and find Maddy.

“Just stay there,” he said thickly, again afraid to hope that he could actually get free; hope had

already stabbed him in the back once tonight. He backed toward the door, keeping his eyes and the

gun trained on the two men.

“So sad to see you go,” Wade said when Angel reached the front door. “We’re sure gonna miss

you.”

Angel didn’t reply as one hand dropped away from the weapon and fumbled with the door

handle behind him.

“We’ll be sure to tell Maddy you said goodbye, and good luck with getting fucked every night.”

Angel froze, his breath suddenly surging through his nostrils. “Wh—What?”

“Oh? Did I forget to mention we caught the little runaway?” Wade’s smug grin terrified Angel.

Was he bluffing? If they had caught Maddy, where was he?

“I don’t believe you,” Angel choked, wanting to scream at the heavens and the twisted god that

resided there.

Wade shrugged, and a dark smile curved his lips. “Entirely your prerogative.”

Fuck! Fuck! Angel’s jaw clenched, tears burning, blurring his vision. Both hands gripped the gun

again. “I don’t believe you!” he cried. “You’re fucking lying!”

“Well,” Wade leaned nonchalantly against the counter. “The million dollar question is: are you

willing to bet Maddy’s life on the fact that I’m lying? ‘Cause if you walk out of here, you will never

see that little fucker again.”

God dammit! Fuck! Angel choked on a hard sob. “If you have him, then where is he? I want to

see him.”

“Do you really think we’d bring him back here?” Wade cocked an eyebrow. “What? So you two

could make another escape attempt?” He shook his head. “No, no. He’s rooming with Byrd now.”

“What?” Angel began to shake, the gun rattling in his hands. “You—you let Byrd take him?”

“What’s wrong?” Wade smiled. “Byrd has a great fondness for the boy. He wouldn’t do anything

to him that,” he winked, “he wouldn’t do to you.” He pushed away from the counter and took a couple

of steps. “Now it's up to you to decide if I’m lying, and you walk on out of here. Or I’m telling the

truth, in which case you would hand over the gun and I could take you to see Maddy.” His thumbs

hooked in the belt loops of his jeans as he stared at Angel. “What’s it gonna be, baby?”

* * *

Soft, erratic pants drifted throughout the dark bedroom. Dane’s slick back pressed against Max’s

damp, heated chest, their wet bodies melded together. Max kissed his shoulder and tightened his arms

around him. “Feel better?” he whispered.

“I do.” Dane covered his hands and released an unsteady breath. He did feel better. For the

moment, anyway. Something in the way Max made love to him, created this sense of love and

belonging, even safety. Dane both pitied and envied Horatio Kaplan. To have this man’s love so

completely must be an amazing thing to experience. And yet, to have to resist it at the same time, that

had to be hell. Dane understood that kind of hell; he experienced it whenever he thought of Angel and

realized all over again that he could never go to the young man and feel his love again.

Max didn’t pressure him to finish his story, didn’t even mention it. And for that, Dane was

grateful. He would tell him the rest of it, but he needed a moment to figure out how to put his worst

nightmare into words. He’d told Cole what had happened, the basics of it anyway, but he hadn’t gone

into the extreme details as he was doing with Max. Maybe he had been afraid Cole would turn away

from him if he told him the in-depth version. But he’d said enough for the man to understand why he

could never be with Angel, had exposed his sins—and Cole had remained, without hitch. Dane

wasn’t oblivious to the fact that he had a hell of a lot of great friends. And it broke his heart that

Angel distrusted such good men, because of him.

Intertwining his and Max’s fingers, Dane knew he had to finish the story now, or never. He

swallowed thickly and whispered, “I didn’t know what to expect when I walked out on that stage. I

didn’t trust Vic, or Slade. Everything that had been done on the stage since I’d worked there had been

real. So I didn’t know why, all of the sudden, they were going to put on a fake show. But,” he let his

head sink into the soft pillow, “I just wanted out, to be free of Vic, and that horrid place. I felt like I

was losing myself. Having to do those things to Vic, and let him fuck me the way he did, I sensed no

decency about myself anymore. I just felt dirty and worthless. I knew if I stayed there much longer, I

would never feel anything more than that.”

Max kissed his shoulder again and let his lips linger, his heart thumping against Dane’s back.

“When I went out onstage,” his voice shook, but there was no way to calm it, “Slade was waiting

for me. The man made me uneasy to begin with, but to see him dressed in the leather, holding the whip

and his face covered by a black mask—he reminded me of an executioner. But then, I was dressed the

same way. We were executioners,” he whispered, “Angel’s.”

Warm tears absorbed into the pillow and Max hugged him closer as that horrifying night pulled

him back in.

Chapter Fourteen

Lies & Deceit

This isn’t fucking fair! The injustice of life ripped at Angel’s heart, his mind. How could he

know if Wade was lying or not? He would say they had Maddy even if they didn’t. But what if he

called the man’s bluff, and he wasn‘t bluffing? Fuck, Maddy, what do I do? The door was right there;

he could get away and never have to set foot in this apartment—this hell—ever again.

If I run and they really do have Maddy, I know what they will do to him.

“Well?” Wade raised his brow. “Gotta make a decision sometime. If you hand over the gun, I’ll

take you to Maddy. I’m not pissed, I get it—you want out. It’s understandable.” He shook his head

slowly. “But it’s just not gonna happen, Angel. This is the hand life dealt you, and the sooner you

accept it, the easier it will become.” A smile corked his lips. “Are we really that bad to you?”

Was he fucking serious?

“We could’ve been selling Maddy all this time as well, but we didn’t. So we can’t be all bad,

now can we?”

“Yes!” Angel choked, clutching the gun. “You are!”

“Ah, that hurts.” Wade held out his hand for the weapon but didn’t make any advances. “Come

on, bro. You know you’re not going anywhere. You’re too good of a brother to leave Maddy behind.”

God! Why can’t you cut us a fucking break? Why? Just one fucking time!

“Maddy’s really scared,” Wade told him quietly. “You know he doesn’t like Byrd and is afraid

of him. So how about we get going and check on him? I don’t know how long Byrd will keep his

hands—or his cock—to himself if no one is there to monitor him. He’s got a real itch for your little

bro.”

“Shut up!” Angel cried. “I don’t believe you—I don’t. You don’t have Maddy!”

Wade shrugged and held up his hands again. “Okay. Believe what you want. There’s the door.

Adios, amigo.” He stepped back to the counter and lounged against the edge. Angel shifted his

frightened eyes to Axel, but the man just stood unmoving, staring at the floor.

I knew you would save us.

Tears burned hot in Angel’s eyes. No, this couldn’t be happening.

You’ve always been my guardian angel.

The gun trembled as sobs caught in Angel’s throat. Maddy.

I love you. The boy’s soft voice sifted through his mind, his declaration of love for his protective

big brother breaking Angel. “Okay,” he cried and lowered the gun. It hung loosely in his right hand,

suddenly weighing a ton. His fingers weakened and the weapon dropped to the floor with a dull

thump. Angel hugged himself and cried harder. “Let me see him, please.”

Wade smiled and walked over. “Smart move.” He picked up the gun then slapped Angel hard in

the face, knocking him down. “You ever point a gun at me again, boy, and I swear you won’t live to

tell about it.”

“Take me to Maddy.” Angel choked and grabbed the coffee table, pulling himself into a sitting

position. “You said you would take me to him.”

Fingering the gun, Wade glanced down at him. “Uh, no.” He snapped open the cylinder. “I don’t

think I will.” He snorted and shook his head. “The fucker wasn’t even loaded.” He cocked an

eyebrow at angel. “Did you know you were threatening me with an empty gun?” He snickered.

“You’ve got balls, I give you that.”

Of course Angel hadn’t known the gun was empty. But none of that mattered anymore. He

crawled to his feet. “You said you would.” Angel wiped his face, more tears streaking down his

cheeks. His jaw still hurt from Byrd’s punch earlier, and now his face stung from Wade’s slap.

“After all this?” Wade looked at him sharply, motioning with the gun. “You really expect to get

what you want?”

“Wade,” Angel trembled, “please.” It made him sick to beg the man, but if Maddy really was

with Byrd, he needed to get to him as soon as possible.

“I think,” Wade snapped the cylinder closed and stuffed the gun in the rear waistband of his

jeans. “That Maddy and Byrd need some alone time. And you,” Wade’s hand snatched out and

grabbed Angel by the arm. “You need to go back to your cage, take a time-out and think about what

you’ve done.”

“No!” Angel cried when Wade shoved him toward the hall without releasing him. “Wade! You

have to take me to him! You can’t leave him with Byrd! You can’t! Please!”

Wade thrust him into the bedroom and Angel stumbled, falling onto his mattress, crying. “I’ll take

you when—and if—I fucking get around to it.” He stabbed a stiff finger at him. “But you pull any

more shit, I will call Byrd and tell him to get a couple friends and fuck Maddy over real good.” His

face hardened suddenly. “Are you hearing me?”

Shaking, Angel nodded. “Yes,” he whispered.

“Good,” Wade said more calmly, then stepped back and slammed the door, locking it and

trapping Angel inside once more.

* * *

Both men tensed when Gabe’s cell went off the second time. Another hesitation caused Gabe to

pause before answering, but then relaxed a fraction when he said, “It’s Wade.”

“Put it on speaker,” Cole told him.

Gabe nodded, answered the call then hit the speaker button. “Hey,” Gabe said pleasantly.

“Wasn’t sure if you were still interested.”

“Oh fuck, yeah.”

“Sorry about the late call,” Gabe offered.

“Don’t worry about it. I don’t sleep much at night. And I was dealing with an issue anyway.”

“An issue?” Gabe glanced at Cole. “Things get straightened out?”

“Oh yeah, you know boys, they don’t always behave. Like to cause trouble from time to time.”

Cole frowned, his gut tightening—boys. A quick flash of Angel and the younger boy snapped

through his head. Were those the boys he was talking about?

“Yeah, well,” Gabe replied with a sexy, playful tone. “I know I tend to misbehave now and then.

Of course, I’ve never heard any complaints.” He smiled at Cole.

“I bet you haven’t.”

“So, these bad boys of yours,” Gabe said. “What’s the problem? They in need of a good

spanking?” He chuckled low. “If you ever want help with reprimanding, I don’t mind slapping an ass

or two.”

Wade groaned. “Fuck, I wouldn’t mind you slapping my ass. I can be a bad boy, too.”

“Oh, I saw that right off,” Gabe murmured. “So tell me, have you been a bad boy tonight?” he

was probing, and Wade was clueless, totally caught up in the flirting.

“Maybe. Why? You wanna come over now and—spank my ass?”

“Actually I would like to do a lot more to that ass than just spank it.” He licked his lips, and then

added, “But you know, I kind of have a thing for threesomes, or even foursomes. Throw a couple hot

young boys in there, and we got us a party.” He swallowed thickly and looked at Cole, then asked,

“You know of any sexy young boys who can suck cock real good? Get us nice and bricked before we

go at each other?”

“Well, that depends on how young you’re talking. I got a sweet, sexy little eighteen-year-old

who’s done it all, a real cutie.”

“Yeah?” Gabe maintained his light, interested tone, but his face was growing tight with tension.

“What’s he look like? I have my preferences; hair color, body type, all that. I mean, I’ll fuck anything,

but I get extra hard when they’re to my specific liking.”

Nice move, Cole thought. Get a description. At least they would have an idea if the boy Wade

was pitching was their Angel.

“Oh, he’s a fucking sexy little thing. Light brown hair, lean little body, great ass. And a dirty

mouth that can suck your brains out through your dick.”

“Mmm,” Gabe moaned. “Getting hard already. This sexy little thing got a name?”

“Oh I think you’ll find it downright—heavenly.”

“Yeah?” Gabe was having more difficulty keeping the tension from his voice, as the man’s

statement alone told them what they needed to know. “And what is that?”

“Angel.”

The muscles in Gabe’s face flexed as his jaw clenched, but he kept his cool, sensual tone. “I like

it,” he said. “We have an Angel down at the club by that description—hot little ass I’ve been wanting

to tap since he started working there. Wouldn’t by any chance be one and the same would it?”

Cole tensed up; they had to be careful or Wade might start to get suspicious. But considering that

both Gabe and Angel worked at the club, wouldn’t it make more sense that Gabe mentions it? Angel

was a name that was hard to overlook. Even if all the dancers at the club didn’t know him personally,

they would have seen him and known him by name.

“Indeed it is. And if you’ve been wanting in that ass, well now’s your chance. I think I’m in

the mood to party.”

“Is he game?” Gabe asked. “Do you think he’s up for taking multiple cocks?”

Wade chuckled low, and when he spoke, both his words and tone inspired Cole to reach through

the phone and wring his fucking neck.

“Doesn’t really matter what he wants. I call the shots. He fucks who I tell him to fuck.”

His jaw squeezing, forcibly holding back his rage, Gabe managed to stay in character. “Well

great.” He looked at Cole and fury burned behind his eyes, seeming to transform the soft baby blue to

sizzling sapphire. “When can we all get together?”

“Maybe I could call you tomorrow? Set up a time and place to meet?”

“That’d be great,” Gabe told him. “I’ll be waiting.”

“All right then. I look forward to it.”

“Hey, hold up.” Gabe caught him before he ended the call. “You said your boys weren’t

behaving. You got more than one? The more the merrier, I say.”

“Well, one of them isn’t right here with me at the moment.”

Gabe lowered his voice until it was dripping with sensuality. “So tell me about him. Is he young

like your Angel?”

“Younger. Haven’t put him into play just yet, but I’m seriously thinking it’s about time.”

“How much younger?” Gabe murmured. “Sometimes the really young ones just drive me wild.

Especially if it’s their first time fucking.”

The man looked a little green around gills at the topic of conversation.

“Going on sixteen, and developing quite nicely. In fact, he’s Angel’s younger brother. So,

well, if brothers make you hot...”

“Oh yes,” Gabe forced a groan into his voice. “Brothers fucking get me going.”

“Well maybe tomorrow we can talk about getting them together for a little fuck-fest.”

“Sounds good.”

“All right. Talk to you then.” The line went dead.

Gabe stared at his phone, eyes glossing over. He snapped it closed, his chest beginning to heave

as his breath quickened. “Fuck!” he yelled suddenly and threw the phone hard against the dash.

“Motherfucker!”

“Easy, babe,” Cole gripped his shoulder.

“He’s been making Angel do these things?” he said thickly.

“Looks that way,” Cole murmured and stroked his fingers through the hair at the back of his neck.

“That boy Dane and I saw him with, that had to have been his little brother.”

Gabe swallowed hard and shook his head. “And he wants to start...” His throat worked. “Start

selling him too?”

“That isn’t going to happen,” Cole said. “We’ll get to them.” He leaned over and kissed him

softly. “You did a damn good job playing your part.”

“Yeah,” Gabe whispered, then looked at Cole. “But I think I need to puke now.”

Chapter Fifteen

Vile Men

Max hugged Dane and kissed his hair. “That’s a lot of baggage to be carrying around with you,”

he said softly, tears in his voice. “You were a victim as well, Dane. Vic assaulted you, too. You were

terrified of him.”

“I should have helped him,” Dane trembled. “I should have...” He broke again and Max held him

tighter.

“Baby, I know it hurts. And that you blame yourself. But what happened that night was not your

fault.” He pushed his brow to the back of Dane’s head. “You didn’t put Angel on that stage. You

didn’t even know he was going to be a boy so young. Or that everything would happen for real.”

Dane shook his head, sobbing. “I was there,” he choked. “Right there—and I didn’t do a

fucking thing to help him.” He pushed back the covers and sat up, trying to breathe. His chest felt

compressed, lungs tight. “I don’t know what to do.” He shoved his hands through his hair. “I don’t

think I can live like this, with this pain.” A rush of sobs burst out of him. “God, it hurts so fucking

bad, Max.” He swallowed hard, lips tight as his chin trembled. “I love him, Max. And I miss him so

much when he’s not here. But I can’t face him again. He knows it was me.” He squeezed fists of hair.

“He knows what I am, and he hates me. Whatever he felt for me before, it’s gone.” His head sang low

and he cried harder. “And it isn’t coming back.”

Sitting up in bed, Max wrapped him in his arms again and kissed his shoulder. But he said

nothing. What was the man supposed to say? There wasn’t anything.

“I can’t go back to the Phoenix,” he whispered. “I can’t—not with Angel there.”

Max tensed then drew back. “Dane,” he paused briefly, almost hesitantly, then continued slowly,

“There’s something I need to tell you—about Angel.”

He hadn’t thought it possible that he could feel more tension than was already present, but

Dane’s stomach managed to tighten up even more at the tone in Max’s voice. “What?”

Clearing his throat, Max said quietly, “Earlier today, Carl discovered a fisher in the club. He

was soliciting customers.”

Dane turned and looked at him. “In the Phoenix?”

“Yeah,” Max nodded, then proceeded to tell him how they had baited the man and gotten the

name of the boy he had planted in the club.

Staring at him uncertainly, a cold dread pinching his intestines, Dane murmured, “What does this

have to do with Angel?”

“Dane...” Max licked his lips slowly and just looked at him.

“No...” Dane shook his head and stood up. “No, Angel wasn’t the one. It—it couldn’t be him.”

Sighing, Max lowered his gaze. “It is, Dane.”

“You found that out today?” Dane stared at him. “And what did you do? Did you just kick him

out?” Tears rose up as all he could see was Angel’s face as he’d run from Dane’s apartment. The boy

had been in despair. Then to go back to the club and get fired.

“No, I didn’t,” Max said. “I didn’t even get the chance to talk to him. Cole tried to get him to

wait for me, but he said he quit and ran out.”

Dane sat down slowly and cradled his head in his hands. Angel had been crying when Dane and

Cole had seen him out on the street with the younger boy. And he’d been in emotional distress when

he’d come to Dane’s apartment, and so much worse when he’d left.

“I wasn’t going to just send him away,” Max told him sincerely. “I wanted to talk to him. Cole

had told me about the two of you seeing Angel today, and how upset he was. I know something is

wrong, and I wanted to try and get him to talk about it, tell us what was going on.”

The things that had happened to Angel on that stage—had that set him on the path to prostitution?

Or...

“What did he look like?”

“Who?” Max asked.

“The fisher.”

Max frowned thoughtfully. “Uh, not bad looking. Dark hair, cut pretty short. Some neatly trimmed

beard stubble. Maybe six feet tall, not sure. He was sitting at the bar when I saw him.”

Was it possible he could be the same guy from that shitty club five years ago? The one who had

been peddling Angel to Vic? If he was the same man, had he been selling Angel all these years? He

suddenly wanted to throw up, his stomach pinched so hard.

“What is it, Dane?”

Dane’s brow tightened. “What if he’s the same man from that club?” He looked at Max. “What if

Angel never got away from him?”

* * *

Emptiness consumed him; if Byrd raped Maddy, he would lose his little brother forever. He

wasn’t equipped to come back from that. If he lost Maddy, Angel would die. The very thought of Byrd

touching Maddy made him want to curl into ball and cry himself into oblivion. He lay on Maddy’s

bed again, hugging his pillow, sick with the images that haunted his mind of what might be happening

to the boy. Warm tears dripped onto the pillow. “I’m sorry, Maddy. I tried to save you.”

He stared blankly at the milk crate between the mattresses, his body and mind numb. There were

no more options. He was trapped and at the mercy of Wade. And the man wouldn’t take any chances,

wouldn’t give Angel any opportunities to get away. Tears welled and a steady stream trickled onto

the pillow. “Why won’t you help us?” he whispered to God, on the off chance he did exist. “Why

don’t you care about us?” He hugged the pillow tighter and cried. Why don’t you give a damn?

Why don’t you call for help? The thought hit him so hard and suddenly, he swore it came straight

from God himself. His heart pounded, brow pinching in confusion, and then he remembered.

Angel grabbed the milk crate, slid it away from the wall and stared at the disposable cellphone

he’d bought for Maddy. It was still there, still plugged in and charged. He picked it up and tugged the

charge cord free. The only number he had was to the club. He’d lost Lex’s number when Wade and

Byrd had caught them in the alley and taken the money.

The front door of the apartment opened then closed moments later, and a myriad of muffled

voices drifted down the hall from the kitchen. Angel’s pulse quickened and he stuffed the phone and

the charge cord under Maddy’s mattress then pushed the crate back against the wall.

Footsteps thumped dully in the hallway and Angel pressed his back to the wall. It had to be past

midnight, who had come in this late? The door unlocked then swung open, and Wade stood in the

doorway, lips twisted in a smirk. “Why don’t you come join our little party?” he said. “That stash of

cash bought us a nice supply of shit.”

Angel just stared at him; how many guys were out there? “Wade, can’t I just stay in here?”

“Our friends want to meet you,” he told Angel. “It would be rude if you didn’t make an

appearance.” His stare hardened. “Now get your ass out there.”

Crawling slowly to his feet, Angel walked to the door. He said nothing as Wade ushered him

down the short hall and into the kitchen. Two men he’d never seen before sat at the table with Axel—

and Byrd. Angel looked quickly to wade. “You said Maddy was with Byrd? Where is he?”

“No worries,” Byrd spoke up. “A couple of my buddies are looking after him. And no need to

fear, they’re almost as nice as me.”

Angel struggled against the tears fighting to rise up; he didn’t want to cry in front of these men.

But his fear for Maddy’s safety just shot up a thousand notches. He looked at Wade again. “Please

bring him back here. We won’t try to run again. Please, just let him be with me.”

Wade sighed and took a seat at the table. “And I’m just supposed to take your word for it—that

you won’t run again? Let’s recap the evening. First,” He snapped up one finger. “You ignored me

when I told you not to steal from me again. Second,” Another finger went up. “You don’t just steal a

few hundred dollars, but five thousand. Third, you try to run away with Maddy. Fourth, you go postal

on our asses and nail us with beer bottles.” He looked at Byrd. “I mean, look at his face. You did

that.”

The guy sported a split, swollen lip and his nose was bruised and swelling as well, the

discoloration webbing up between his eyes. Angel wasn’t sorry.

“Yeah, you little fuck.” Byrd stroked his thumb back and forth across his cut lip. “You still owe

me for this.”

Wade snorted and turned his attention back to Angel and continued popping up fingers. “Fifth,

you pull a fucking gun on me.” He shook his head. “Now tell me—why should I trust you?”

Angel didn’t reply. Of course Wade didn’t trust him; he knew Angel was getting desperate, and

was willing to take risks just to get Maddy out of there.

“By the way,” He nodded toward the two new men. “This is Tim and Jude. They’ve been quite

eager to meet you.”

“Meat you, is right,” Byrd snorted.

Tim looked like a soldier with his crew cut and green t-shirt stretched over his muscular chest.

Jude had slightly longer hair and wore a black leather jacket. His lip was pierced and sported a small

metal ring. Full black eyebrows resided above dark eyes that surveyed Angel with lust. Both men

looked about the same age as Wade, though Tim could have been closer to Byrd’s age.

“Well, say hello,” Wade instructed him. “Show some hospitality.”

Swallowing thickly, Angel mumbled, “Hello.”

“No,” Wade shook his head and stood up. He grabbed Angel’s arm and shoved him around to the

other side of the table toward the two men. “Greet them properly—do it for Maddy.” Wade stared at

him and Angel knew what the man wanted of him.

Licking his lips slowly, Angel approached Jude as the guy turned toward him, lounging back in

the chair, a smile quirking the corner of his mouth. Angel straddled his lap and ran his fingers through

the guy’s dark hair, grinding his crotch and rubbing their bodies together. “It’s really good to meet

you,” he murmured, then licked the lip ring before stuffing his tongue in the man’s mouth.

Jude groaned hard and grabbed Angel’s ass with both hands, pushing his bulging cock into

Angel’s crotch. He pulled out of the kiss and bit Angel’s neck, hard enough to hurt, then shoved his

fingers down the back of Angel’s pants, groping his ass cheeks and probing his crack.

Chuckling, Wade said, “Didn’t I tell you? Hot little fucker, ain’t he?”

Tim rubbed his crotch as he watched Angel and Jude. “I want a turn.”

“In a minute,” Jude panted, sucking Angel’s neck and shoving his hands deeper down his pants.

Ignoring him, Tim stood up, hand still cupping his crotch, massaging vigorously. He stepped

closer and grabbed a fistful of Angel’s hair, tilted his head back and kissed him hard then ran his

thumb across Angel’s lips. “How wide can you open this mouth?” His voice rasped with lust as he

unfastened his pants.

Chapter Sixteen

Sacrificial Lamb

The Phoenix was still in full swing when Cole and Gabe returned. With a direct line to Wade

and, in turn, Angel, any information they might have been able to get out of Lex now seemed

inconsequential.

Male bodies packed the club and a myriad of various colognes scented the air, not all of them

working well together. The two men worked their way across the crowded floor to the bar, which

was packed as well. Cole stepped around to the entrance that led back behind the bar and motioned

Carl over. “Did Max leave already?” His voice rose, battling the noise of the club.

Carl nodded.

Cole turned around to speak to Gabe but he was no longer at his side. He scoured the sea of

shifting bodies then caught a glimpse of his boyfriend walking through the doorway to the storeroom

and back entrance of the club, phone pressed against his ear. Cole hadn’t heard Gabe’s phone go off,

but then he couldn’t hear a fucking thing above the ruckus of music and shouting men.

These secretive phone calls were really starting to trouble Cole. But even more upsetting was

the fact that Gabe refused to talk to him about whatever was going on, and would even lie to his face

if Cole asked him straight out. He thought about following him, even eavesdropping on the man, but he

wanted to trust Gabe, and spying on him wasn’t exactly an act of trust. When he’s ready, he’ll talk to

me about it. And Cole really wanted to believe that. But more and more, Gabe seemed bent only on

hiding things from him.

The man’s sudden declaration of love, coated heavily in emotion, when they’d made out in the

car had been unexpected and unsettling in a way. Rather than leaving Cole with a fluffy, glowing

feeling, Gabe’s words had left behind a quiet dread that Cole didn’t quite understand, and wasn’t sure

he wanted to.

Rather than capitalize on the horde of tight crotches and loose wallets, Cole went into Max’s

office and closed the door, slightly muffling the chaos. The exterior chaos anyway. He was worried

as fuck about Angel and unable to do a damn thing about it just yet. And Gabe...

He dropped on the sofa, his brow tight, eyes distant as he absently slid his thumb across his

lower lip. Though he didn’t want to think about it, he began to imagine what his life would be like

without Gabe in it. The man had quickly become a necessity to him, to his happiness. Maybe he had

fallen in love with Gabe right from the start, but had been afraid to admit it because he thought Gabe

didn’t want commitment or anything real. If he lost him now, it would create a void in his life that he

wasn’t sure he could ever fill again. Or even want to try.

Stop thinking like that. Gabe isn’t going anywhere. Everything is good between the two of us.

He just declared his true love for me.

He didn’t know for sure how long he had been sitting there, battling his unsettling thoughts,

before Gabe entered the office and closed the door. “You all right?”

“Yeah.” Cole cleared his throat, startled at the tightness as well as the slight wetness to his eyes.

He sat forward and leaned on his knees. “Where, uh, where did you disappear to?”

Gabe shrugged. “Had to take a piss. And the restroom was packed.”

Nodding silently, Cole lowered his gaze to the floor, evading the man’s stare. He didn’t want to

know that Gabe could look him in the eye, without a hitch, and lie to his face. Had Cole not known

something was going on with Gabe, he would have believed him without question. Which made him

wonder: how many other things that he so easily believed were lies as well?

What about Gabe’s profession of love? How true was that?

Gabe sat down next to him, his warm thigh touching Cole’s leg. “We should call Max.” Gabe

opened his phone and Cole stared at it. “Let him and Dane know what’s going on with Angel, the

situation he’s in.” His face tightened. “I should have tried to get the guy’s fucking address.” His voice

dropped as he punched the speed dial button for Max. “God only knows what hell those boys are

going through right now.”

* * *

By the time Max’s cell vibrated on the night stand, he and Dane had abandoned the glasses and

were now sharing the bottle of scotch. “It’s Gabe.” He handed the bottle to Dane and answered the

call. “Hey, did you find out anything?”

He listened as Gabe relayed their failed attempt to get in to see Lex, and then his phone

conversation with Wade.

“So,” Max sat forward a bit more. “You know where Angel is?”

Dane stared at him, eyes tight, worried.

When Gabe told him the things Wade had said about Angel, Max’s guts pinched painfully; the

boy was being forced into this lifestyle? He glanced at Dane. The man was right, Angel had never

gotten away from his previous handler.

“Wait there,” Max said. “We’re coming back to the club. I want to know everything that fucker

told you.”

“What’s going on?” Dane asked when Max closed his phone, his voice strained. “What about

Angel?”

The blankets shoved back and Max left the bed, his lovely nude body still lightly glossed with

sweat. He began to dress. “We need to go back to the club. Gabe talked to Wade. The fisher. He has

Angel with him.”

Dane got out of bed and pulled on his pants. “What do you mean—with him? Do they live at the

same place?”

“It’s my impression,” Max slipped on his shirt and began to fasten the buttons as he looked at

Dane, “that Angel isn’t there of his own free will. I think you were right—he never got free.”

“Well, where is he?” Fear pinched his face. “Do they know how to find him?”

“I don’t think so. Not yet.”

Dane sat down again and tugged on his shoes. His whole body was rigid with tension. “Do you

think,” he glanced at Max, “this guy knows Angel was found out?”

Max had wondered about that as well. “I hope not,” he murmured. “Something tells me, he

wouldn’t be very happy about it and would likely blame Angel.”

His breath coming quicker, harder, Dane rose to his feet, eyes burning with tears and fury.

“When I get my hands on that motherfucker, he’ll wish he was never born.”

* * *

With the taste of Tim’s cock in his mouth, Angel wasn’t entirely resistant when Jude tipped the

bottle of whiskey to Angel’s lips. But the liquor was nearly as bad as the aftertaste of cock, and he

suffered a fit of coughs as the liquid burned down his throat. The men laughed, all except Axel, who

had migrated to the sofa in the other room and sat silently, sucking on a joint and staring at the old

television set, the picture scraggy with snow. He made no move to rejoin the small group when Byrd

dumped some white powder onto the table and began setting up lines.

Angel was held tightly behind Jude’s arm which secured him to his lap, the guy’s chest pressed

against his back. His cock was hard as steel and straining against his pants, digging up against

Angel’s ass. Jude sucked his finger then dabbed it into the white powder and licked it off. “That’s

some good shit.” He dipped his finger in again and touched it to Angel’s lips.

“No,” Angel whispered and turned his face away.

Laughing, Jude gripped him tighter and stuffed his finger between his lips. “Suck it, baby.”

Angel sucked his finger, swallowing the dissolving powder, and then coughed again at the

unpleasant taste.

“Tasty, huh?” Jude wriggled his finger around inside Angel’s mouth. “ Fuck. Feels damn good in

there. How ‘bout you give me a little of what you gave Tim?” He shoved Angel down onto the floor

between his legs and opened his pants. He pulled out his cock and stroked it a couple of times then

grabbed Angel’s hair with his free hand and directed Angel’s mouth to his stiff cock head. Clear juice

bubbled at the tip. “Come on, baby, show me what you can do.”

Angle closed his eyes and took the guy’s member in his mouth. Jude groaned hard then snapped

his hips forward, driving his dick into Angel’s throat. He gagged and drew back a little, but Jude kept

a hold of his head and began to slide his cock in and out. “Oh fuck,” He gasped, then he leaned

forward a little and Angel heard him snorting a line off the table top as he fucked Angel’s mouth. He

sniffed loudly, coughed, then leaned back in his chair and grabbed Angel’s head with both hands, hips

rocking eagerly. He dropped his head over the back of the chair and laughed low. “ Fuck. Yes. Suck

it, baby. Shit.”

“Hey,” Tim smacked Jude’s arm, “who the fuck gave you the right to hog the little whore?”

“What’re you talking about?” Jude scowled. “You already got your fucking cock sucked. It’s my

turn.”

Tim sat back. “Fine. But I get to fuck him first.”

“Whatever,” Jude groaned, breath panting as he shoved himself harder into Angel’s throat,

rocking the chair and causing the metal legs to screech and scrape against the old tile. When he

unloaded, he shot a thick wad into Angel’s mouth on a backstroke. It was too much for Angel to

swallow without gagging and puking. He twisted away and spit it on the floor, gasping, tears running

down his cheeks.

His face was flushed and his throat hurt from both Jude and Tim forcing their thick, hard cocks

into his mouth. Tim dragged him to his feet and bent him over the table roughly, then yanked down his

pants and squeezed his ass cheeks, leaning over Angel’s back. “This is one sweet, sexy ass,” he

panted in his ear and ground his crotch against him, then reached down between them and worked

open his own pants, freeing his massive erection.

Angel flattened his palms against the table, eyes clamped shut, and teeth clenched to hold back

his sobs as Tim spit on his cock then forced himself inside Angel’s unwilling body. Angel cried out

and clawed the table, and the man drove himself in deeper.

“Fuck!” Tim gasped sharply then squeezed Angel’s hips, fingers gouging, and fucked him with

vigor, shaking the table. Loud pants and grunts burst up his throat, his pelvis slapping Angel’s ass

harder and faster as his need intensified. “Fuuuck!” Tim threw back his head and shouted, slamming

his cock in with more force.

Byrd grabbed the bottle of whiskey when it almost spilled. “Hey!” He growled. “You’re

knocking shit over.”

“Just a little more...” Tim grunted. His thrusts slowed somewhat but the force behind them

increased as he began to dig into Angel hard and deep. “Oh fuck, fuuuck, here it comes,” his pace

quickened again suddenly, fucking Angel wildly and erratically, shoving him hard against the table

over and over. “Ahhhh!!” He unloaded and fucked through his orgasm, then dropped back down in his

chair, panting. He rubbed a quick hand over his face and laughed. “Whew! What a fuck.” He slapped

Angel’s ass as he lay on the table a moment, tears dripping off his face.

He slowly pushed himself up, his stomach hurting from being slammed against the edge of the

table. “My turn now,” Byrd clamped onto his wrist and dragged him into his lap. “But first,” he held

Angel with one arm as he leaned around him and did a line, wiped his nose, then held up the straw

pipe to Angel. “Come on, baby, give it a go. It’ll get your cock hard and you’ll enjoy all this so much

more.”

“No,” Angel choked.

“Suit yourself.” Byrd did another line and leaned back, letting his body absorb the drug. “Hey?”

He nuzzled Angel’s neck. “You ever been—double stuffed?”

“Ah–haha!” Tim laughed. “Baby, you ain’t been fucked until you been fucked by two cocks at the

same time.”

“How about,” Byrd reached around and took hold of Angel’s cock, stroking him slowly. “Wade

and I break you in, and then our friends here take a double shot of their own?”

“Oh, fuck yeah,” Jude groaned, grinning.

“No,” Angel whimpered and strained against Byrd’s arm, sobs breaking in his throat. He was

suddenly face down on the table again, Byrd’s hand gripping the back of his neck hard, grinding his

cheek into the hard surface.

“Don’t argue with me,” Byrd hissed. He yanked open his pants and rammed his cock into Angel

without even a saliva coating. Angel screamed, and then choked on his cries as Byrd held him by the

back of the neck and fucked him hard, rough. “Don’t...ever...talk...back...to...me.” Each word was

delivered with a hard thrust of cock, ripping away Angel’s breath. “Got it?”

“Yes,” Angel cried.

Rather than continuing until he came, Byrd backed off and sat down again. He squeezed Angel’s

ass and rubbed his thumb through his crack, probing his sore hole. “Oh baby, such a tight little hole,”

he chuckled. “No worries, we’ll make it bigger.”

When Byrd and Wade took Angel to the sofa, Axel scooted away and stood up, a sick look on his

face. “What’s wrong, little brother?” Wade smirked. “We’ll share. Dip your wick, you’ll love it.”

Axel backed away. “You’re a sick bastard, Wade.” He glanced at Byrd. “Both of you.”

“Ah, fuck off,” Byrd sneered and dropped down on the sofa, his cock still hanging loose and

stiff. He grabbed Angel’s hips. “Come on, baby, climb on.”

Angel glanced at Axel but the guy quickly averted his eyes. Byrd pulled him down on his cock

and Angel choked on a sob. Byrd spread his ass cheeks painfully wide and nodded at Wade. “Your

turn.”

When Wade situated himself and began to shove his cock in with Byrd’s, Angel screamed and

pushed against Byrd’s chest. “Stop!”

“You can take it,” Byrd panted.

“No!” Angel cried, shoving harder as Wade pushed in deeper, tearing flesh. “Stop! It hurts!”

“It’s supposed to hurt, you little fucker,” Byrd snarled and grinned.

“Don’t!” Angel gagged on his cries, struggling against the intrusion.

“Hold still!” Wade hissed. “Or I swear to God we’ll bring Maddy over here and give him a

double dose. You hear me?”

Shaking, Angel nodded and tried to hold still, sobs bursting out of him.

Axel’s fists clenched at his sides, his face tight, brow pinched hard. “They’re lying, Angel!” he

cried suddenly, startling everyone. “They don’t have Maddy!”

Angel stared at him, heart pounding, breath breaking.

Axel’s jaw clenched, tears welling. “Maddy got away!”

Chapter Seventeen

Weeping and Gnashing of Teeth

“I want that motherfucker!” Dane stabbed a finger at Gabe. “You call him back! Find out where

he’s keeping Angel!”

“Dane,” Gabe started, but the man wouldn’t listen.

“You fucking call him!” Tears burned his eyes, blurring his vision. “God dammit, Gabe! Do it!”

“It’s the middle of the night,” Gabe said, staying calm. “We’ve already agreed to meet

tomorrow. If I push too hard, he’ll get suspicious and he’ll drop contact with me. Then we might

never find Angel and his little brother.” When he touched his arm, Dane jerked away and walked to

other side of Max’s office, his back to the men. His left hand gripped his hip, his right covering his

eyes as he fought to swallow a rush of sobs.

For the last five years, Angel has been under this man’s control? Forced to...

This is my fault! I could have stopped it back then! But I did nothing!

“Dane?” Cole was at his side, hand on his shoulder. “Look, babe, we’re gonna find him. We’re

gonna get him out of that shit.”

Dane’s throat hurt as he resisted the tears. “I know that he,” he swallowed hard, “will always

hate me. I will always be a monster to him. But...” His chin trembled and the tears pushed out despite

his struggle to hold them back. “But I didn’t do anything to save him then. I just let them...” He

lowered his hand and looked at Cole, the man’s face swimming. “I have to save him now. I know it

won’t change anything between us, but he’ll be safe, his brother will be safe. And maybe—maybe

they can come back from all this and make a good life for themselves.” He bit his lip as more tears

rose and spilled over. “Maybe someday he’ll meet someone who is worthy to be loved by him.”

His throat working with emotion, Cole squeezed his shoulder. “You are worthy to be loved by

him,” he said quietly. “You’re a good man, Dane. You were a good man then. You and Angel were

both victims.”

What little composure he was holding onto—broke. “I have to find him, Cole,” he choked. “I

have to. He can hate me for the rest of his life, but I need him to be safe while he’s doing it.”

“I know,” Cole murmured. “Like I said, we’ll find him.”

Dane turned around slowly and looked at Gabe. “I’m sorry.” He licked his lips slowly, tears

pooling. “I didn’t mean to...”

“No apologies necessary,” Gabe said softly and stepped over, hugging him tightly. “I

understand.” Dane hugged him back and they held each other for a long moment. “It’s gonna be okay,”

Gabe whispered.

It wouldn’t be, though, not for him and Angel.

* * *

Maddy got away. For that moment, Angel blocked out everything else; they didn’t have Maddy .

Wade had lied. He had used Angel’s love for Maddy to trap him again.

Wade jumped up, stuffing himself back in his pants. “You motherfucker!” he shrieked at Axel.

“What the fuck are you doing?” Wade lunged at him and punched him hard in the face, knocking him

to the floor. “Why’d you go and fucking tell him that?” He kicked Axel in the stomach. The younger

man gasped and cried out as Wade kicked him again. “ What the fuck? Are you trying to help him

now? Huh?” He dropped down and straddled Axel’s body, punching him in the face again. “ You

wanna be on his side now? Well fine!” Wade jumped up and dragged Axel to his feet.

Angel was shoved aside as Byrd stood up. “Let me have him.”

“No,” Axel whimpered and struggled against Wade’s grip as he shoved him toward Byrd.

“You wanna be with Angel? Then you get what he gets.”

“Let go!” Axel cried when Byrd grabbed him.

Angel was standing free as Wade and Byrd focused on Axel. They blocked the way between him

and the door. Had he thought he could make it, he would’ve run—he didn’t care that he was naked.

But there was no way he could get around them. He backed away and then ran down the hall toward

the bedroom, heart pounding, scared out of his mind, but not nearly as scared as when he’d thought

Maddy was being held somewhere by friends of Byrd.

He burst into the bedroom and closed the door, though there was no lock to keep the others out.

Grabbing his mattress, he dragged it over and dropped it against the door, knowing it wouldn’t do

much to stop them from getting in, but maybe it would slow them down for a minute.

Tears streaked his face, but they weren’t all bad tears. Maddy was free. They hadn’t caught him.

He choked on a sobbing laugh and hurriedly dug out the phone from under Maddy’s mattress. His

hands shook as he speed dialed the club.

“Where the fuck is he?” Wade’s voice rose out in the living room as he realized Angel was no

longer there. Footsteps thumped in the hall.

“Answer dammit!” He cried as the line on the other end continued to ring. “Come on!” The

phone picked up and an instant barrage of loud music and shouting voices forced through the line.

“Hello.” Carl’s voice rose to be heard over the noise.

“Carl!” Angel cried as Wade’s fist hit the bedroom door. “Get Cole! I need help—” Wade

shoved the door in, knocking over the mattress and forging his way inside. “Help me!” Wade slapped

the phone out of his hand then threw him down on the mattress.

“Who you calling? Huh?” He slapped Angel hard. “Where the fuck did you get the phone? You

deceitful little fuck!” He hit him again and Angel cried out, the look in Wade’s drug hazed eyes telling

him he might not make it till morning.

Wade’s leverage was gone and he knew it; which made the man more dangerous than ever.

* * *

“I know it’s hard,” Max said. “But all we can do right now is wait. Tomorrow Gabe can contact

Wade and—”

The office door burst open, startling the four men. “Boss!” Ricky’s eyes were wide with alarm.

“Carl needs you—now!”

“What’s wrong?” Max asked, not waiting for an answer as he moved toward the door. The

others followed as Ricky hurried back toward the bar, shoving through the crowd. Usually by now the

crowds were thinning out and it would be nearing closing time. But tonight Max had extended club

hours.

Carl was on the phone, the receiver pressed tightly to his ear, his other hand covering his open

ear. When he saw Max, he motioned him back behind the bar. “It’s Angel!” he shouted, fear in his

eyes. “He’s in trouble!”

“He’s on the phone?” Max frowned hard.

“I...” Carl shook his head. “I don’t know! He was, but then there was shouting in the background!

I think he dropped the phone!”

“Is the line still open?” Max asked loudly and grabbed the receiver, shoving it against his ear.

He did his best to block out the noise of the club and listen.

“I’m through with you, you little fuck!” A male voice in the background. Then the sound of

someone being hit and crying out. Angel.

“Get off me!” That was Angel’s voice, no mistaking. The boy was crying, terror in his voice.

“Shut the fuck up!” Another slap. “When I’m done fucking you—then the others can have you!

They can fuck you to death for all I care!”

Angel’s screams were suddenly muffled as if his face had been covered or shoved down against

something. Max could hear the other man’s ragged breathing, then grunting and panting—and the

unmistakable sound of a creaking mattress.

He was raping Angel.

“Fuck!” Max cried, tears rising quick as he listened to Angel’s muffled cries and pleas as the

man fucked him relentlessly.

“What is it?” Cole yelled. “Max!”

Fuck! He looked at Carl. “Did he say anything?” He asked loudly, desperately. “Did he say

where he was?”

“No,” Carl shook his head. “He didn’t get a chance!”

“Who?” Dane hollered across the bar, and Max met his eyes, his own tears a thick wall, ready

to crumble. The phone was still against his ear, and he could hear Angel being assaulted as he stared

at Dane. You can’t let him hear this . But the look of horror Max could feel resonating from his eyes

clearly alerted Dane to who they were talking about.

The man vaulted over the bar top and ripped the phone from Max’s hand. “Dane, no!” But he

already had the receiver shoved to his ear.

His eyes filled as the same horror in Max shadowed Dane’s face as well and he screamed into

the phone, “Angel!”

Cole and Gabe exchanged looks of alarm and rushed behind the bar. “What’s going on?”

Tears streaked Max’s face and he shook his head, choking on a sob. “It’s Angel...”

“Angel!” Dane was losing it fast. He gripped the phone in his fist, knuckles whitening. “You

motherfucker! I’ll fucking kill you! Goddamn you! I’ll rip your fucking balls off! Fuck!” He

suddenly threw the receiver hard and screamed, clawing his hair. Rage and terror took him over and

he wailed, choking on his cries, shaking his head, eyes clamped shut. “Fuck! God! Angel!”

Carl clued Gabe and Cole in on what was happening at the other end of that call as Max grabbed

Dane. The man dropped to his knees, crying, screaming. Oh god, what do we do? How the fuck do we

find Angel before it’s too late?

* * *

The cabby spotted the teen boy just seconds before the kid waved him to the curb. When the boy

gripped the passenger door and looked through the window, he saw the kid’s face was streaked with

tears, and desperation widened his eyes. Leaning over, the cabby rolled down the window. He hadn’t

yet evolved to electric windows and locks, and that was fine with him.

“What wrong, kid?” His southern drawl usually caught the New Yorkers by surprise, but this kid

was oblivious as he clutched the half open window.

“C-Can you tell me how to...” he choked on his cries. “How to get to the Phoenix club? Please, I

need to find it.”

“You do know that’s a gay strip club, right, kid?”

“I know!” He cried. “Just, please...”

The cabby motioned toward the back seat. “Hop in, I’ll take you.”

The boy hesitated. “I-I don’t have any money.”

“Don’t worry about it,” he said. “The fare is on me. Climb in.”

Nodding, the kid quickly slid into the back seat. His arms went around his waist and he stared at

the floor, eyes wide, dripping tears. Sobs broke up his throat and he hugged himself tighter, trembling.

“You got friends at the club?”

The boy shook his head but didn’t say anything.

“Okay,” The cabby murmured. “Well, don’t worry. I’ll get you there right quick. It isn’t too far

from here.”

The boy just continued to stare at the floor, tears rolling down his cheeks, body shaking.

Chapter Eighteen

Vengeance Is Mine

The blaring noise of the club was suddenly a dull, distant roar in Dane’s ears. His mind was

coming apart; he could feel it. Piece by piece, breaking away, disintegrating. The surface of his skin

was numb and he barely felt the hands gripping his arms, guiding him back across the crowded floor

to Max’s office. The door closing behind him ripped him back to reality and all the noise came

rushing back in on him. But above the clamor of the club—Angel’s cries deafened it all.

And the sounds of that motherfucker raping him. It propelled him back to that stage as Slade

assaulted him, the same sounds bursting up his throat, off his lips. And the same cries surging out of

Angel.

Dane jerked away from the hands holding onto him and he twisted around, a strangled cry

exploding forth. His fist hit the wall hard enough to crack the plaster. “Fuck!” He punched it again,

pain and rage fueling his fist.

“Dane!” Cole grabbed at him and he fought him off, crying, screaming, pummeling the wall until

his fist went through. Tears thickened the man’s voice. “Dane, stop!”

“Motherfucker!” he screamed at the top of his lungs and tried to throw another punch, but both

Cole and Gabe were now holding him back, not without effort. “I’ll kill you!”

“Dane!” Max was suddenly in front of him, gripping his head, tears in his eyes. “Baby, stop!” He

choked, his own pain reflecting in his voice, his eyes. “Stop, please!”

“I can’t!” Dane cried, needing to hit something, break something, anything but stop and think

about what Angel was going through right now. But no matter what he did, how hard he hit the wall,

he couldn’t shut out his cries. Dane clamped his hands over his ears and clawed his scalp, dropping

onto the sofa. “God! Fuck!”

“What the hell are we gonna do?” Desperation squeezed Cole’s voice. “Fuck, Max, what do we

do?”

Dane knew Max didn’t have the answer. No one did.

Angel was in hell, and they had no hope of saving him.

God, if you don’t throw us a fucking miracle right now and bring our Angel back to us, I will

walk away from you and never look back, never believe in you again.

* * *

The boy was out of the cab and racing for the entrance of the club before the cabby even got the

car turned off.

“Whoa!” The man at the door caught the kid, halting him. “You can’t come in here, kid.”

“Let me go!” The boy cried. “I have to get in there!”

“I’m sorry. No minors allowed.”

The boy shoved back away from him, crying. “My brother needs help, god dammit!” he yelled at

the guy. “They’re gonna hurt him!”

The cabby left the cab and approached the door man. “Look, man. The kid isn’t here for the

entertainment. Look at him.” The boy was shaking, sobbing. “He asked to come here specifically.”

The man looked at the kid. “You said your brother is in trouble?”

“Yes,” the boy choked.

“Why did you come here?”

“He—he worked here, I don’t know where else to go.”

The man frowned with concern. “What’s your brother’s name?”

The boy coughed then wiped his face. “Angel.”

“Shit,” The guy whispered then gripped the boy’s shoulder. “Come on. I’ll take you to Max. He

owns the club.”

The cabby watched them enter the club, pondered the notion of returning to his car, then

reconsidered and followed them inside.

* * *

Cole was barely keeping it together and on the verge of punching the wall himself. As much as

this was killing him, it was so much worse for Dane. Not only was the man in love with Angel, but he

had heard the boy’s assault over the phone. Cole had been spared that much at least, and he was

thankful.

On the sofa, Max sat with Dane, trying to calm him. But the love of his life was being put through

hell this very second—and the worst kind of hell. There was nothing anyone could say to ease that

kind of pain.

Cole wanted to throw up and the tears burned consistently in his eyes; this was tearing them all

up. Gabe leaned against the edge of Max’s desk, eyes downcast, wet. He wasn’t one to just sit back

and do nothing. He was a man of action and it was breaking him down that he had to just stand there

and do nothing while their boy was being brutally abused.

“Hey,” Cole murmured and touched Gabe’s face. He didn’t know what else to say; what else

could he say? That everything would be okay? That they would find Angel and rescue him? They

were all empty words that carried no weight. There were no more options. Gabe had even tried

calling Wade, on the chance the man would answer, but the call had gone straight to voice mail.

“I can’t deal with this.” Gabe swallowed hard, tears thickening. “How the fuck...” He shook his

head, his eyes shifting to Dane who was crying openly, clutching his hair so tightly that Cole didn’t

know how it remained intact. “How the fuck are we supposed to handle this?”

Shaking his head slowly, Cole whispered, “I don’t know, babe.”

Gabe stared at Dane. “If that was happening to you,” he said quietly, a tear slipping free. “I

would lose my fucking mind.” He turned his gaze to Cole and any doubts Cole might have had about

the sincerity of the man’s love for him vanished instantly. “If I couldn’t get to you—I would want to

be dead.”

“Gabe,” Cole wrapped his arms around him and held him tightly as Gabe clung to him, tremors

running through his body, his breath uneven.

“God, Cole.” His arms squeezed tighter and tears wet his voice. “We have to do something. We

have to.”

A knock on the office door drew their attention. Gabe cleared his throat and stepped back out of

Cole’s arm. Cole went to the door and opened it, finding Trevor on the other side—with Angel’s

little brother.

Cole stared at the boy’s tear-streaked face and distraught eyes, and wondered if he was

hallucinating. Trevor spoke and brought him to reality. “This kid says he’s Angel’s brother. And...”

The boy rushed forward suddenly and wrapped his arms around Cole, breaking into a fit of sobs.

“Please help him,” he cried, shaking. “Please, they’re gonna hurt him, they’re gonna...” Rape him. The

kid couldn’t seem to speak the words aloud.

Cole gripped his shoulders and drew him back. “Where is he, Maddy?”

“At the apartment,” he choked. “Wade, he’s going to...” His face crumpled and hard sobs shook

him.

Cole pulled him into his arms. There was no way in hell he would tell the boy that Angel was

already being hurt. “Where is the apartment, Maddy?”

The boy pulled it together long enough to give them the address.

Dane didn’t wait for anything else and was out the door, bursting past Trevor, shoving customers

out of his way.

“Shit,” Cole looked at Gabe. “Come on!” He hesitated a brief moment as he looked at Max.

“The boy can stay with me,” Max said. “Go!”

Cole nodded then he and Gabe took off in pursuit of Dane. They had no idea how many people

were at the apartment; he didn’t want Dane busting in there alone. Although in his current state of

mind, Cole was doubtful an entire army could bring the man down.

* * *

“Do you need any help?” The southern drawl, barely audible above the commotion inside the

club, halted Gabe. Cole slowed but he waved him on; they needed to catch up to Dane, and quick.

Gabe looked at the cowboy; that’s how most knew him and referred to him. Beyond that, all

anyone knew of his real name was that he was occasionally called Clint. No last name that Gabe was

aware of; though he was sure he had been given one at birth. “What’re you doing here?” They had all

agreed that it wouldn’t be a good idea for the cowboy to come around the club, at least not for a long

while.

“I brought the kid,” he said, “in my cab. What’s going on? If you need assistance...”

“I think we got it covered.” Gabe told him, working toward the entrance. “But stand by until we

know the situation.”

The man nodded. Though he remained stationary as Gabe ran out of the club, he knew he would

tail them to the apartment, but not interfere unless called in. “Hey!” The guy called after him. “Sorry

to hear about Nathan Sanitini.”

Gabe froze for a moment; he didn’t have time for this right now. “Yeah,” he mumbled then raced

out of the club.

He found Cole outside—with Dane. It was sheer luck, or perhaps divine intervention, that

Dane’s car wasn’t at the club, or else they wouldn’t have caught him in time. But they didn’t waste

time conversing as they piled into Cole’s car and left the club in a hurry.

Dane was a barely contained keg of fury waiting to explode. He didn’t say a word as Cole

maneuvered skillfully through traffic toward their destination. But the pain and rage was brewing,

boiling inside the man. And when it released, God help anyone who took part in hurting his Angel.

* * *

They can fuck you to death for all I care.

A panicked cry forced up Angel’s throat as his face was shoved into the pillow. He couldn’t

breathe! Fingernails cut into his neck as he was gripped from behind, held in place while a heavy

body slammed against him, pounding him with a thick, hard cock. The agony of being dry fucked

exploded through his insides and he screamed into the pillow, fighting to breathe.

The bedroom resonated with the echoing groans of the mattress mixed with the man’s grunts and

pants and profanity. He didn’t know who was fucking him now, if it was still Wade or Byrd or one of

the others. His mind was in a haze of pain. He heard voices in the bedroom, shouts as if his assaulter

were being urged on and told to hurry and blow his wad, because the next one in line was eager for

his turn.

Angel heard cries and screams, sounding far away, though surely coming from within the

apartment. They were raping Axel, too.

Blackness began to swarm him as his air flow was impeded and he gagged on his cries, his

insides burning from the raw, torn flesh of his anal canal. The man on top of him panted harder,

fucking him like a mad man, pounding him into the mattress. He tried to scream but mere whimpers

slipped out as his strength fled him and he ceased to fight.

Just let me die, please, God. Maddy’s safe, that’s all that matters. Thank you for saving him,

you don’t have to save me, too, just let me die...

He was fading into darkness when God answered his prayer and everything seemed to stop; the

weight of his assaulter was suddenly gone, the painful grip on his neck gone. He felt buoyant, like he

was floating. Maybe he was a real angel now, flying away to heaven.

Then he dropped. Falling out of the sky as all the sounds, and noise and commotion rushed in on

him from all around; shouting, screaming, swearing. Stuff was breaking and people were fighting.

Angel couldn’t move, couldn’t even open his eyes. He wasn’t even sure how many of them had

taken their turn at him. Was that what they were fighting about, who got to fuck him next?

Tears welled and seeped out from beneath his lashes, rolling down onto Maddy’s pillow. He

willed his breath to leave him, for life to release him before the dispute was settled and the next man

came at him.

I can’t take anymore. Please, God, just take me away, please.

Chapter Nineteen

Fire of Forgiveness

There was no courtesy of a knock when Dane had gone through the door, his strong shoulder

slamming it open to the shock and surprise of the men inside. The sickening scene fueled his rage as

two men had a third, younger man shoved over the back of an old ratty sofa, fucking him roughly.

Images of the past exploded through Dane’s head. Images of Vic and his men raping him on the

sofa in the back room of the dingy strip club. The man he laid hands on first looked like a soldier and

he slammed him down on the coffee table. “Where is he!” he screamed. The man made an attempt to

swing on him, but Dane dodged his fist then nailed him in the jaw.

Cole and Gabe were on his heels, grabbing the other guy off their victim. Dane abandoned the

soldier when he heard the sounds coming from down the hall and ran for the bedroom. The door gave

way easily when he smashed through. He was nearly paralyzed by the horrifying vision of the man on

top of Angel, fucking him mercilessly. But fury overrode the shock and he lunged forward as the guy

twisted around toward him, eyes wide and startled. “Who the fuck are you—”

His words fragmented when Dane ripped him off Angel and threw him against the wall,

releasing everything he’d been holding onto for the past five years. The man’s face blurred and

distorted before him, but he still recognized him as the one who had sold Angel to Vic.

“Motherfucker!” Dane’s fists pummeled his ribs, stomach, face. The man didn’t have a chance to

fight back before he was on the floor, Dane on top of him, beating his face to a bloody mess. “I’ll

fucking kill you, motherfucker!” The fighting in the living room was muffled in his ears as his fists

smashed the man’s jaw, nose, mouth, every inch of his fucking face. “You sick fuck!”

Through all the noise and upheaval, it was the soft whimper that made it through, halting Dane’s

attack. The man lay unmoving beneath him and Dane abandoned his carcass, scrambling to the

mattress. Angel lay still, even the whimper had died away. His tender body was bruised, the back of

his neck gouged and cut by the bastard’s fingernails digging into him.

“Baby...” Dane choked and carefully drew him into his arms. Still the boy didn’t respond.

“Angel? Baby, come on...” He brushed his damp hair out of his beautiful face, now flushed and wet

with tears. He hugged him and buried his face in his neck. “I’m sorry, baby! I’m so sorry! Don’t give

up now. Come on, baby, you’re safe now.” His arms tightened and his body strained with the force of

his grief. He laid Angel onto the pillow and stroked his face, tears dripping down on the boy’s

cheeks. “It’s over, Angel.” He cried softly, shaking. “Come on, baby. The nightmare is over, it’s time

to wake up.” He laid his head on Angel’s chest and cried harder. “It’s time to wake up.”

When hands touched his shoulder sometime later and Cole spoke low, gently, “The paramedics

are on the way,” Dane didn’t move, didn’t open his eyes, but just held Angel, ear pressed to his chest,

the faint, unsteady beat of his heart the only thing keeping Dane alive.

* * *

Cole and Max sat on each side of Maddy in the hospital waiting room. The same waiting room

that, not so long ago, Cole had been in with Abel, waiting for the dire news of Savannah’s condition.

He was beginning to hate how familiar this fucking hospital was becoming to him and those he cared

about.

On his other side, Gabe sat forward, staring at the floor. Dane paced the waiting room, unable to

sit still, fingers laced behind his neck, tears walling up in his eyes but somehow holding.

Maddy watched Dane as he sat tensely in the cushioned chair, worried for Angel. Cole squeezed

his shoulder. “He’s going to be okay,” he said softly. “They’re just examining him, running some tests.

But he’ll be okay.”

Nodding slowly, Maddy lowered his head and lowered his eyes. “He said you guys weren’t his

friends.” The boy’s voice trembled, and then he looked up at Cole. “But I knew he was wrong, when I

saw you on the street. I knew you were his friends.”

“We are.” Cole smiled, and then glanced at Dane who had stopped pacing and was looking at

Maddy. “We love Angel.”

“What’s gonna happen to us now?” Maddy whispered. “We won’t...” his chin trembled, “we

won’t ever have to go back there, will we?”

“No,” Cole assured quickly, “not ever. Everyone involved with Angel’s assault was arrested.

With Angel being eighteen, and your only family, you’ll be able to stay with him.”

Maddy relaxed a little, but remained anxious. “Where will we live? Wade took all our money.

We were—we were going to leave the city, go to the West Coast. Try to run far enough away so

Wade couldn’t find us.” Tears slid down his cheeks and he started to cry. “Angel let them do things to

him so they wouldn’t do it to me. He tried to pretend that he could handle it, that he wasn’t being

hurt,” He broke down and Cole hugged him. “But I heard him crying at night. He always thought I was

asleep, he didn’t want me to hear him, or know how much they hurt him.”

“It’s over now,” Cole murmured and stroked his hair. “No one is ever going to hurt him again.

He’s safe. You’re safe.” He kissed his hair. “Don’t worry about where you will live. We’ll make sure

you and Angel have a place to stay until Angel’s back on his feet and working again.”

Cole glanced up to see Dane disappear through the heavy double doors that led into the hospital

emergency area. His heart broke for the man. Angel was safe, but there was still an ocean of hurt,

remorse and anger separating him from the boy he loved.

* * *

I’m so sorry, please forgive me.

Whether the words were drifting up from the past, or lingering here in the present, Angel didn’t

know. His eyes opened slowly and he found himself staring at a white ceiling, the scent of clean in

the air. It wasn’t a scent he was too familiar with, having lived in dank, dingy apartments most of his

life.

Forgive me. The words caused a sting in his eyes, the sorrow and remorse behind them

squeezing his heart. His eyes shifted and moved around the hospital room. The overhead lights were

off and a small, oblong fluorescent lamp glowed above the head of his bed. He could feel a distant

pain in his body, no doubt warded off by medication. When he turned his gaze to the window, dawn

was just beginning to press at the glass, lighten the edges of the New York sky.

A scuff of shoes on the tile floor tugged Angel’s attention to the cushioned arm chair in the

corner, set back in the dim shadows. A figure slumped to the side, cheek resting precariously on a

fist, propped up by an elbow that wavered now and then in the man’s slumber. It didn’t look at all

like a comfortable way to sleep.

Enough light touched the man’s face to reveal the dampness, and the occasional fresh tear that

slipped free from beneath his lashes, trickling slowly down his cheek. Angel watched Dane sleep, his

eyes surveying the man from head to toe. His loose hand rested limply across his leg and sported

vicious bruises and scrapes across knuckles that were swollen.

Angel tried to remember how he had gotten here from the apartment, but it was a blank. The last

thing he remembered was the soothing sensation of flying free from his assaulter, and then the sounds

of men fighting. He had thought it was just the guys in the apartment fighting over whose turn it was to

rape him next. Angel’s eyes settled on Dane’s mangled hand, then crept up to his face again. His

short, black hair was messed as if he’d just crawled out of bed, but was surely the cause was having

fingers shoved through it relentlessly. Angel remembered how those short, soft strands felt sliding

between his fingers, before he’d discovered who the man was to him.

And who is he to me now?

That was a question he couldn’t answer just yet, and looked away. He thought about Maddy and

where he might be. He needed to find him. The streets weren’t safe either.

Angel scooted up a little, wanting to leave the bed and go look for his little brother. His body

hurt, but he’d dealt with this kind of pain before and lived through it without lying in a hospital bed.

He pushed back the blankets then gasped sharply when he went to swing his legs off the edge of the

bed, his body screaming at him to lie down and not move.

Dane’s head jerked up and he was on his feet, eyes heavy with exhaustion. “Don’t,” he said

thickly and held out his hand. “You need to stay in bed, rest.” He took a couple of steps toward him

then stopped, as if he wasn’t allowed any closer. His eyes darted here and there, having trouble

meeting Angel’s stare.

“I need to find my brother,” Angel whispered, the weariness in his own voice betraying the lack

of strength in his body.

“Maddy is here,” Dane spoke low, “just outside.” He lowered his head and walked to the door.

“I’ll let him know you’re awake,” he murmured. “But, you need to rest.”

Angel stared at his back; the man’s strong shoulders slumped with the weight of his emotional

burdens. I’m so sorry, please forgive me . Dane opened the door, resembling a mountain about to

crumble down.

His chin trembled and tears rose too quickly to fight; he was here, alive, because of this man’s

love for him. “I forgive you,” his voice reached barely above a whisper and shook with emotion,

freezing Dane in place, his hand on the door knob. “On that stage, you whispered to me. I thought I

hadn’t heard you, but I did.” He bit his lip, tears streaming. “And I do,” he choked, crying softly. “I

forgive you.”

Dane slowly drew the door open wider. “I had no right to ask that,” he whispered then left the

room.

* * *

“Dane?” Mild alarm chilled Cole when Dane came down to the cafeteria. They had taken Maddy

down to try and get him to eat something, keep him occupied until Angel woke up. Dane had refused

to leave him.

Cole left the table and walked over to him just in case he had bad news. He didn’t want Maddy

hearing it just yet. Dane looked lost, though not quite as much as he had just after he’d told Angel the

truth, and his heart had shattered. Now, he just seemed almost like a child who had gotten separated

from his parents, confused, scared.

“Dane, what’s wrong?” Cole asked anxiously. “Is Angel okay?”

Licking his lips slowly, he nodded. “He’s awake,” he rasped. “He wants to see Maddy.”

Maddy looked up. “He’s awake?”

Dane nodded again but didn’t speak. Had Angel told him to go away, never come back around

him? Cole was having a hard time reading the man, though he didn’t seem in such total despair as

those words from Angel would have cast him into. Cole looked at Gabe and Max. “Could you take

Maddy to Angel’s room? He glanced at Dane. “I want to talk to Dane a minute.”

“Yeah.” The two men stood up and Max rested his hand on Maddy’s shoulder and smiled at the

boy. “Come on; let’s go reprimand that brother of yours for scaring us half to death.”

Maddy’s lips tightened as he smiled and nodded.

“I’ll be up to see him in a short bit,” Cole said to Gabe, then kissed him.

“Alright.”

He watched the two men walk Maddy out of the cafeteria then disappear into the corridor, before

turning his attention to Dane. “How about we step out and get some air?”

Dane nodded silently, his eyes distant, wet.

A mere haze of the previous night’s shadows lingered when they emerged from the hospital

entrance. They walked to Cole’s car, then sat on the hood watching the sun slowly rise.

Dane rested his elbows on his knees and stared at the horizon. “This feels like the first new day

after a really long night.”

“It was a long night,” Cole murmured.

Shaking his head, Dane lowered his eyes. “No, that’s not what I mean.” He looked at Cole, eyes

shimmering. “It’s like I went to sleep that night five years ago and fell into a nightmare that I couldn’t

awaken from.” His gaze shifted back to the sky. “I didn’t know that Angel and I were having the same

nightmare all this time.” He swallowed hard, his throat working. He rubbed his eyes.

“Maybe,” Cole said quietly. “You had to find each other within the nightmare, before either of

you could wake up.”

“Maybe so,” Dane whispered.

Cole stared at him then rubbed his hand over his mouth slowly. “Did Angel say anything to you?”

Pinching the bridge of his nose, Dane ducked his head and nodded.

“What did he say?” Cole asked cautiously.

Dane trembled, emotion cracking his words. “He said, ‘I forgive you.’”

His pulse quickening, Cole said, “That’s incredible.” He touched Dane’s shoulder; shouldn’t the

man be jumping for joy? “So what’s wrong?”

Dane slid off the hood and stood staring at the ground blankly. “What do I do with that?” He

raised his eyes slowly and they were filled with tears. He shook his head, face pinching in anguish.

“What do I do with forgiveness that I don’t deserve, Cole?” He covered his eyes, a sob sticking in his

throat. “I thought nothing could hurt worse than what I already felt.” He sucked in a sharp, broken

breath. “But this hurts even more. To hear him say he forgives me, after what I’ve done. I don’t know

how to handle it.” Sobs shook him. “Fuck. I didn’t know it could hurt so much to be—forgiven.”

His throat tight, Cole offered, “Maybe the hurt is there to help us understand what an amazing gift

it is we’re receiving.”

“When I was young,” Dane said thickly, “I used to go to church, and I would see people at the

altar up front, crying before God, like their hearts were breaking. And I didn’t understand it, I didn’t

know why people cried in church, and then walked out afterward with this glow in their eyes. Like

every worry and fear and burden had been lifted.” Tears rolled down his face and his chin trembled

as he whispered, “I think I understand now.”

* * *

“I was so scared,” Angel whispered and hugged Maddy tightly. Max and Gabe had stepped out

to let him talk to Maddy alone. “Wade—he said they caught you.” He drew back and looked at the

boy, vision blurring. “I thought I might never see you again.”

“I thought I wouldn’t ever see you again, either.” Maddy’s chin quivered, tears pooling. “I had to

get help. I didn’t know anywhere else to go but the club.”

“No, Maddy, you were right to go there,” Angel murmured. “You saved my life.”

Maddy stared at him, eyes filled and ready to spill over. “You were wrong, Angel.”

“About what?”

“About them not being your friends,” he whispered. “When I told them where you were, they got

to you as fast as they could. They didn’t even hesitate.”

Angel nodded slowly. “I know I was wrong.”

“Why did you think they weren’t your friends?”

Lowering his eyes, Angel said quietly, “It was a misunderstanding. I thought that one of them was

a bad guy.” He looked up, “But I was wrong.”

Licking his lips, Maddy asked uncertainly, “Are we still gonna leave?”

Leave. After everything Maddy had been through, Angel would do anything for him, take him

anywhere he wanted to go, as soon as they had the money. Even if it meant leaving the club behind,

and everyone in it. “Do you want to leave?”

“Do you?” Maddy asked softly.

That was the question, wasn’t it? Suddenly the city didn’t feel so awful, so threatening. “I don’t

know.”

Maddy shrugged. “Maybe we could stay for a while. Cole said they would make sure we had a

place to live until we got back on our feet.”

How had he ever thought these men weren’t his friends? Angel smiled. “Well, we won’t make

any rash decisions.” He looked at Maddy thoughtfully, and then asked quietly, “Do you know what

happened to Axel?”

Maddy frowned. “No. Why?”

“Maddy, Axel was the one who told me Wade was lying about you. And I think they hurt him

really bad for telling me.”

“Why would he tell you that?” Maddy’s frown deepened. “He hates us.”

Angel shook his head slowly. “Maybe, in some ways, Axel was a victim, too. You saw the way

Wade and Byrd treated him.” He met his little brother’s eyes. “Maybe he treated us the way he did

because he couldn’t lash out at them. People do that sometimes. They bully others because they,

themselves, are being bullied.”

The boy’s face pinched and he picked at the blanket. “I still don’t like him.”

Angel laughed softly, “You don’t have to.” But as far as Angel was concerned, he didn’t know

how he felt about the guy. He had literally risked his life by telling Angel about Maddy. And he had to

have known what they would do to him. Maybe there was hope for the man, where he saw none for

Wade or Byrd.

Chapter Twenty

Ashes of Love

The metal door knob was a ball of ice in his palm, though he was sweating. His heart thumped

against his ribs hard enough to impair his breathing. Dane stared at the door; he was actually scared

to open it. He hadn’t gone back to Angel’s room earlier, after Cole had joined Gabe and Max in

visiting with the young man. No one asked him why he was staying away, though Cole understood his

need to get a handle on everything. He’d gone home without talking to Angel again that day, and he

felt like shit for doing so. But the boy’s forgiveness scared the hell out of him.

Maybe it was his fear that Angel had said it in gratitude for Dane saving him. If that were it, then

everything from the past would eventually rise up again, the bitterness and hurt would begin to fester,

and one day Angel might wake up and run away from him for good.

He wanted to believe that Angel’s gift came from a much deeper place, that it was real and

lasting. But what if he grabbed onto that belief, only to have it ripped away?

Angel had been released from the hospital after two days and had gone back to work at the club

helping Carl at the bar, working as a stock boy, or whatever odds and end stuff Max needed done. He

didn’t go back to dancing and no one was surprised nor did anyone try to push him to do so.

Having a couple of spare rooms, Max took in Angel and Maddy without hesitation. He said it

was nice to come home and actually have it feel like a home. He and Maddy bonded quickly, which

Dane suspected left the man with regret that he had never had the chance to be a father. But maybe in a

way, he was being given that chance now; Maddy sure as hell had never had a decent father figure.

Over the course of the two weeks following Angel’s return to the club, Dane had made sparse

appearances, though not to dance. He helped Max with the behind-the-scenes workings of the club,

but felt no passion to go back out on the floor or stage. His and Angel’s exchanges were minimal,

which he took the blame for. The boy was ready to go forward, and yet he found himself holding back

yet again. It felt as if they had rewound everything back to the start again.

But this time around, Dane wasn’t fighting his feelings for Angel. He loved him, he was fully

aware of this, and every second that Angel wasn’t nearby hurt like crazy. But, where Angel had

somehow come to terms with their past, Dane was still struggling. But his time spent at the club, and

thus close to Angel, was growing longer each time, though they still didn’t exchange more than casual

words, usually in passing. But the looks that passed between them were beginning to linger, and fill

with longing. The desire to hold Angel again was quickly becoming unbearable. And finally, Dane

had cracked, and he asked Angel to have dinner with him at his place, so they could talk about things.

Now here they were; Dane gripping the door handle, terrified to open that door, both literally

and figuratively, and Angel on the other side, surely as nervous and scared as Dane.

Suck it up, grow a pair and open the damn door. “Be rude about it, why don’t you,” he

mumbled, took a deep breath and opened the door.

Angel stood anxiously, hands shoved in his pockets. His wind-swept hair, that Dane had had at

least a thousand dreams of running his fingers through again, was slightly more controlled. He wore a

simple, black button-down shirt with black jeans and a tiny smudge of black eyeliner that did

wonders to bring out his beautiful eyes. Behind those eyes, Dane found a quiet peace and joy that

hadn’t been there when he first met the young man.

“Can I, uh, come in?” Angel asked quietly when Dane just stood there staring at him.

“Oh, of course,” Dane stepped back quickly, nearly tripping on his own feet, feeling like an

idiot. “Sorry.” He closed the door after Angel entered.

Glancing around, Angel murmured, “Nice place.”

Dane chuckled. “You say that like you’ve never seen it before.”

Smiling softly, Angel looked at him. “Maybe I’m seeing it all over again with—fresh eyes.”

“I hope so,” Dane couldn’t stop staring at him, his heart racing, “because before, it was a real

mess.”

Angel gazed back. “I don’t see any mess now.”

An ache tightened Dane’s jaw and crept up through his face, burning his eyes. “Angel,” he

whispered, but the boy was in his arms before he could continue, his soft lips stealing away whatever

might come after his name. Dane pulled him deeply into his embrace, squeezing his warm, inviting

body against his own, the boy’s kiss drawing him in, drowning him with sweet asphyxiation.

Angel remained latched onto his mouth as his fingers trembled, popping loose the buttons of

Dane’s shirt.

“What about dinner?” Dane gasped as the young man continued to steal kisses from his lips.

“Aren’t you hungry?”

Angel moaned and slipped his hands inside Dane’s shirt. “Starving.” Dane shed his shirt then

worked hurriedly at Angel’s, discarding it quickly. His hands slid over the boy’s rump and he lifted

him up, Angel’s legs snaking around his waist. Angel shoved his fingers through Dane’s hair and

kissed all over his face. “Take me to heaven.” His eyes sparkled as he glanced at the stairs. “I

believe the stairway is right over there.”

“I remember,” Dane groaned.

* * *

This time when Angel felt himself falling, it was reminiscent of soaring rather than plummeting.

His back touched Dane’s bed and he knew he was home. Though Dane was eager to make love to

him, he was tender in removing the remainder of Angel’s clothes before getting rid of his own. His

hands slid up Angel’s legs, causing shivers to run through his body and his skin to prickle with delight

and anticipation. Behind those dark eyes there lingered a remnant of pain, but it was healing, fading.

Angel longed for the day when it was gone altogether, when the man finally came to that place where

he could forgive himself. And he would get there, Angel would see to that.

“I love you,” Dane whispered, his warm lips grazing Angel’s mouth, gliding across his jaw to

linger on his ear. “You’re my angel.”

“I am,” Angel moaned. Dane rubbed his lips down Angel’s neck, his lips and tongue and teeth

playing with his sensitive skin. “I love you, too.”

Dane rose up and looked down at him. “Say that again,” he smiled.

“I love you.”

His smile stretched slowly across his lips which touched down on Angel’s mouth. “ Show me.”

His hungry body pushed against Angel’s, his arousal rubbing against Angel wonderfully.

“As you wish.” Angel pushed him over on his back, rolling with him and laid on top of him. He

took his time licking, kissing, sucking and tasting every inch of the man’s chest and stomach, slowly

sliding down across his stiff erection.

“Oh god,” Dane shuddered when Angel took him in hand, stroking firmly as he continued to taste

everything down below. The man flinched hard when his full balls were suddenly engulfed in Angel’s

hot mouth. “Ah fuck!”

Angel moaned slowly, allowing the vibration to shiver through his sack as he massaged with his

tongue.

“Fuck, baby!” Dane grabbed his head, lifted his hips, pushing his cock through Angel’s fist.

A slick coating of saliva laced the man’s balls when they slipped out of Angel’s mouth and he

blew gently across the surface. Dane whimpered, thrusting at his hand. A funny, pleasant tickle zipped

through Angel’s loins as Dane slowly guided his mouth up to his hard muscle, then let the boy take it

from there, not forcing—merely begging.

Angel dragged his wet tongue slowly up the underside of the man’s thick cock, letting the tip of

his tongue press into his flesh as he went. Dane bit back a cry, and then choked on it, when Angel

wrapped his lips around the crown and sucked with a firm pressure, using his tongue to massage the

plump tip.

“Oh my god!” Dane cried and gripped angel’s scalp. “Fuck, baby! Yes, oh god, you feel so

good.”

Sucking hard then popping the head out from between his lips, Angel licked up and down his

shaft. “You taste good, baby.”

Dane trembled beneath his touch, stomach muscles quivering and jerking. His body arched

suddenly as his cock plunged into Angel’s throat without warning. “Fuck!” Angel stroked and pumped

him as the man moved with him, whimpering and moaning, then swearing and shouting. “Oh fuck,

baby, I need you now.”

Angel was lifted up as Dane sat forward, settling Angel in his lap. “Make love to me,” Angel

whimpered, his arms hugging the man’s head, pulling him into a deep, passionate kiss.

When Dane started to leave the bed to retrieve a condom, Angel shook his head. “No,” he

choked softly, eyes stinging. “You don’t have to.”

“Are you sure?”

Angel nodded and pressed his head to Dane’s brow. “I only asked before,” his throat tightened,

“because of the ones who had—been with me. I was scared of passing something to you.” He kissed

his lips. “But they checked me, at the hospital. I’m clean. And,” he traced his fingertips down Dane’s

face. “I want to be with you, without anything between us.”

“I want that, too,” Dane whispered, then smiled and set him down on the bed. “But we do still

want the lubricant.” His smile faltered when he added, “Especially after what you’ve been through.

You might still be a little tender.” A spark of anger and pain flashed behind his eyes as he left the

bed, and then returned with the tube of lubricant. “I don’t want you feeling anything but pure pleasure,

baby.”

When he was well coated, he lifted Angel back onto his lap and entered him slowly. Pleasure

was, indeed, all Angel experienced as the man filled him up, sinking in deeply, finding his sensitive

button. Angel sucked in a sharp breath and hugged the man’s head again, his body tensing as Dane

pushed up inside just a little more. “Fuck.”

“Don’t think I’m a sissy,” Dane panted. “If I start to cry at how good it feels to be inside you.”

Angel laughed softly, his throat already knotting with emotion. “I think I’ll beat you to it.” He

kissed him then slowly began to roll his hips in a sensual circular motion, lifting and sinking, stroking

the full length of his hard cock.

“Oh my god,” Dane choked and squeezed his ass. “Ah fuck, yes, ride me, baby.”

Their need and desire for one another escalated quickly until they were clinging, panting,

gasping, fucking each other in sheer desperation and raw hunger. Dane flipped them over, pinning

Angel to the bed, encasing him in his arms and holding on tightly as he drove himself into Angel

uninhibitedly.

“Uuh!” Angel clawed his back and shoved his hips up to the man’s hard thrusts, body arching,

rocking and curving against Dane’s. “Yes, baby! Oh god! Fuck me! Harder!”

Dane squeezed him tighter in his arms, buried his face in his neck and fucked him harder—as

requested. The bed moved with them, the soft mattress providing just the right amount of give and

bounce as Dane quickly ushered Angel toward heaven.

“Uuh! Fuck!” Dane cried. “Oh god, baby! I can’t wait! I can’t hold it!” He loosened one arm and

reached between them, grabbing Angel’s leaking cock, and whipped his fist up and down his pulsing

shaft until Angel screamed and came; coating them both with warm cum. Dane released him and

clutched the bed, shoving himself into his lover urgently. A strangled cry forced up his throat and his

back arched, hips driving him in hard and deep as he unloaded. His face twisted with sweet sexual

agony and he pumped Angel erratically, finishing himself off, and then collapsed down against

Angel’s hot, damp body, panting hard.

Angel combed his fingers through Dane’s damp, heated strands. “Promise me,” Angel

whispered, “Promise me we’ll do that every night.”

Groaning, Dane raised his head, eyes heavy with exhaustion. “I promise.” He scooted up and

supported himself on his elbows, his fingertips playing with the damp tips of Angel’s hair as he

kissed him softly, drawing it out. “Mmm,” he moaned as their lips slowly parted but still touched with

the slightest movement. He combed clinging strands from Angel’s brow and gazed into his eyes. “Are

we going to be okay, Angel?” He asked quietly, sincerely. “Is everything between us really going to

be okay?”

Angel touched his face, caressed his lips then kissed them warmly. “Baby,” he murmured through

another sweet, loving kiss. “Everything is going to be—heavenly.”

EPILOGUE

“Go home, Horatio.” Seth kissed him and wrapped his arms around his neck. “Go see Max.”

Saying goodbye to Seth was hurting more than he’d anticipated. He’d grown accustomed to

the boy and his friends. On some level, it felt as if he were being forced to let go of Max all over

again. “I can’t, Seth.”

“Yes, you can.” The young man stroked his hair. “I know you think you’re doing him a favor

by staying away, but I think you’re wrong.” They touched brows and Seth whispered, “You love

him—he loves you.”

Horatio closed his eyes, wishing it were that simple. “Sometimes that isn’t enough.”

“It is always enough,” Seth said softly, then kissed him again and stepped back out of his

arms. He smiled, but there was a sadness to it; he didn’t really want to say goodbye either. They

could have remained in contact, saw each other periodically, but they both knew the danger in

that. “I’m going to miss you, Horatio. A lot.”

“I’ll miss you, too.” He leaned in and kissed Seth once more. “And not just because of who

you remind me of. You’re an amazing young man, all in your own right.”

Seth squeezed his hands. “Go to him.”

The limo idled on the street outside the house. Horatio opened his phone and typed out a

message: I’m in the city. I really want to see you tonight. I miss you, Max. But I promised I

wouldn’t come back. Tell me what you want me to do. I can’t make these choices on my own.

He hesitated, and then sent the text. He waited, his head resting against the tinted window, staring

at the dark house. Maybe he was asleep. There were no lights on in the front, but Max’s bedroom was

in the back, and he had always been a night owl.

Horatio closed his eyes and thought about Seth. The boy was still so young, and to him love was

a simple, beautiful wonder that was to be pursued at all costs and never cast aside. Maybe a part of

Horatio still believed the same; was that why he was here, parked outside Max’s house, waiting,

hoping for a reply to a text that shouldn’t have been sent?

Seth’s vision of love was a wonderful thing, but it was just fantasy. Max didn’t need him here as

Seth insisted he must. This wasn’t some sappy romantic movie where everything happened as it

should, and hearts were reunited. Max wasn’t going to invite him in. He wasn’t going to text back and

tell him to stay, that he missed him, too, and wanted to be with him tonight.

“You need to stop this,” he whispered, his throat growing tight. “You need to leave him alone.”

Max’s house shimmered and swam as he reached for the intercom. “Driver—”

The porch light blinked on just seconds before his phone lit up and vibrated in his hand. His

heart stepped up, knocking at his ribs, as he read Max’s reply.

Try to be quiet when you come in, Maddy is asleep. I’ll explain about that.

* * *

“What do you say we knock off early?” Gabe pushed Cole against the dressing room wall. “Go

home, get naked, do all kinds of nasty things to each other.” He dragged his tongue up the side of

Cole’s neck as the man’s crotch swelled with agreement.

“Sounds kind of icky and dirty,” Cole smirked, then flicked an eyebrow. “Let’s do it.”

Gabe moaned and rubbed his body against Cole. “Not sure I can wait till we get home.” His

hand snaked down inside Cole’s pants. “Mmm. Mind if I blow you during the drive to the apartment?”

Chuckling low, Cole grinned. “I insist.” He grabbed Gabe’s face and kissed him hard. “Let me

grab my jacket and I’ll meet you at the bar.”

“Be quick about it.” Gabe smacked his butt. “I got something long and hard with your name on

it.”

Cole groaned. “In that case, just call me Flash.” He left the dressing room and Gabe walked out

to the bar.

“Want a beer?” Carl asked.

“No,” Gabe shook his head. “Just waiting on Cole.” He glanced out across the floor. The place

wasn’t overly packed tonight. He watched Levi playing up to a customer, and when he spotted Gabe,

he nodded then spoke to the customer and walked over to the bar.

“Hey, there you are,” Levi said. “Someone came in a few minutes ago, requesting some booth

time with you specifically.”

“One of the regulars?”

“No,” Levi shook his head. “I’ve never seen him before. But he knew your name. Maybe

someone recommended you. You are a favorite.” He winked.

Gabe smiled then glanced around. “Well, I was getting ready to take off early.”

“Okay. But he seemed quite eager,” Levi smiled, “Looked like he could afford you, too.”

Sighing, Gabe shrugged. “Well, fuck. I can always use the cash.” He turned to Carl. “When Cole

comes out, let him know I’m with a customer and I’ll be right back.”

Carl saluted him. “Yes, sir.”

“The first booth,” Levi said when Gabe stepped off the stool.

Nodding, Gabe crossed over to the private cubicles and passed through the thick curtain into the

booth, then turned to close it behind him.

“It’s good to see you again, Gabriel.”

Gabe froze, his fingers on the curtain. He turned slowly and stared at the man lounging

comfortably in the leather chair. His black hair was cut really short and he slowly traced his thumb

and index finger along the path of the pencil thin black mustache that drained down into a crisp, neatly

trimmed goatee. His expensive suit was as Italian as he was.

“A man could take offense at having his phone calls ignored.”

Gabe swallowed thickly; what the hell was he doing here? “Quint,” Gabe licked his lips slowly,

anxiously. “What...are you doing here?”

The man smiled and flicked one hand absently. “Why ask questions you know the answers to,

Gabriel?” His hands rubbed slowly down his thighs as his dark eyes crept up Gabe’s body. “I’m here

to—collect.”

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Born and raised in scenic Coos County, Oregon, CJ enjoys the small town atmosphere and down-to-earth country folk who

populate the area. She is a single mother and lives with her 18-year-old daughter, 1 horse, 4 dogs and 6 cats deep in the country

woodlands which gives her plenty of time to write.

She is a Christian and a strong supporter of the LGBT community and favors gay erotic romance when it comes to writing. She

hopes that her stories of love and acceptance will help further compassion and understanding for LGBT people who she feels is greatly

misunderstood and persecuted – in a large party by the Christian community.

Most of all, she is hopeful that her stories will bring comfort to those who have been told that God hates them because they are

different. It is her strong belief that God loves everyone and His love covers all.

Connect with CJ online:

Facebook.com/AuthorCJBishop