ANGEL: When Angels Cry by CJ Bishop Read Free Book Online Page A

Angel dance that way. He
didn’t know why–they all did to some degree. They were strippers,
for fuck’s sake. Their dance wasn’t supposed to be clean .
    So why–when Caleb had performed–had Dane
merely found it exciting and hot? But when Angel began to dance
with the same moves…he wanted to drag him off the stage and hide
him away?
    He thought about Cole’s words, his suggestion
for Dane to teach Angel a more sensual style of dancing. He wanted
to, he couldn’t deny that anymore. But that something was still there, holding
him back. He didn’t understand what it was, but felt like he should
know. Yet when he reached for it, tried to analyze it–it evaded his
touch and hid in the shadows of his mind. Sometimes it felt ominous
and filled his heart with an irrational fear. Other times, it
formulated an ache so fierce and painful he wanted to cry and
scream. And still, he didn’t understand it. Didn’t know from where
it stemmed.
    Or why it flared up each and every time Angel
looked in his eyes.
    It almost felt as if…he didn’t believe he deserved to
be loved by the boy.
    The back door clicked and opened, then closed
again. Dane glanced towards the rear entryway. Quiet footsteps
walked down the narrow hall then Max appeared in the doorway,
clearly startled to see Dane at the bar.
    “You’re here awful early.” Max came over to
the bar.
    Dane twisted back around and set the beer
bottle on the bar top. “Actually,” he murmured. “I’m here awful late .”
    Frowning, Max took the stool next to him.
“You’ve been here all night?” Dane nodded. Max shook his head.
“Why?”
    “Didn’t feel like going home.” He licked his
lips and let out a slow breath, then looked at the older man. “Ever
feel that way? Like there’s nothing to go home to?”
    Dragging his hand over his mouth, Max nodded
slowly and whispered, “Every damn night.”
    Dane twisted the bottle on the bar, eyes
blank. “Do you think I should give Angel dance lessons?” he
asked quietly, distantly.
    Max sighed and stood up, slid his arm across
Dane’s shoulder and kissed his cheek. “I think you should listen to
your heart.” He murmured, then walked away towards his office.
    Twisting his head around, Dane watched him
go. Maybe you
should take your own advice, boss.

     

Chapter Seven
    In The Shadows of Hell
     
    He couldn’t decide if the mild shock on Max’s
face was a good shock or a bad one. “Horatio.”
    Horatio closed the office door behind him. He
had said he would try to comply with Max’s wishes, and stay away.
But he’d also told him he wasn’t making any promises. And what Max
truly wished for wasn’t the things he spoke aloud.
    “I thought you were…overseas.” Max remained
seated behind his desk as if it served as a barrier to keep Horatio
at bay. His eyes were evasive and rarely met Horatio’s gaze for
more than seconds at a time.
    “I was.” Horatio sat down on the sofa and
poured himself a drink. “And now I’m back.”
    “Why are you… here? ” Max asked anxiously.
    Shrugging, Horatio sipped the drink. “Just
thought I’d check in and see how things were going with your
boy.”
    Max frowned, momentarily puzzled, then
nodded. “Caleb? Things…seem to be going well.” He finally stood up
and came out from behind the desk. “And, again, thank you for your
help.”
    Clearing his throat, Horatio nodded absently.
“My pleasure.” He murmured and touched the glass to his lips again.
“It’s nice to be of some use now and then, have a purpose, even if
it’s only temporary.”
    “What’re talking about?” Max walked over as
Horatio poured him a drink and handed it to him. “You do a lot of
good, for a lot of people. You contribute to numerous important charities. And
you’re generous with your money. That’s actually a rare
quality.”
    Horatio glanced up as Max remained standing.
“I could help you more.” He said quietly, then smiled, “Buy you a
nice big house, stock it with