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Daniel heard the slight gasp from Elijah before the young man ducked his head, avoiding everyone’s gaze. Locke moved alongside him, murmuring consolation. Some history Daniel wasn’t privy to, he mused, between whoever Nate was and Elijah. As long as it didn’t affect the present situation, he couldn’t bother to give a single fuck.
He would, however, spend some time thinking about the strapping, blond, bartending angel. Later.
“So,” Daniel said, interrupting Judah’s celebration, “do you think you can help?”
“Of course,” Ari, Judah, and Gabriel chorused.
Ari rounded on Gabriel. “Not you.”
Gabriel rolled his eyes. “Yes, me. I’ve been practicing. Leo says I’m progressing well.”
“Key word, my love, is progressing.” Ari closed the distance between them, peering into Gabriel’s eyes as he laid his hands on his husband’s chest.
“You can’t sweet talk me out of this. And, let me remind you, there are women and children present.” Gabriel grinned wickedly at Ari.
“Don’t you mind me, Ari,” Mary sing-songed with obvious delight. “Go on with your sweet-talking. I’ll just eavesdrop.”
Daniel admired her sass. Besides, eavesdropping sounded like fun, and he hadn’t had any of that lately. Scratch that—in forever. Except it wasn’t just Mary; he admired all these men, whether human or angel. They were willing to put themselves in danger in order to help him.
“We having a party, Mary?” The older gray-haired man entered from the back of the shop. This time his shirt was covered with tiny menorahs and Jewish stars. “Did you all forget to invite me again?”
“Never, my dear Joseph, never.” Mary went to him, blocking him from seeing Daniel, but it was too late.
“What’s he doing here?” Joe puffed out his chest. “You want me to throw him out, Mare?”
“The boys are on it. No need to worry. Besides, Daniel’s had a change of heart.”
Joe peered around her. “That true?”
“It is, sir,” Daniel answered. “Theo’s arranged for these men to help me.”
Joe looked around the shop, meeting each man’s gaze. Finally, he nodded and asked, “Anybody need a cut?”
Locke grabbed Judah’s hand and pulled him through the crowd. “Yeah, Joe, Jay’s getting shaggy.”
“But I thought you said you liked it long so you could—”
Locke slapped his hand over Jay’s mouth. “Just keep the top longer. Joe can trim the sides and back.”
Jay’s eyes sparkled with understanding… Understanding that every gay man and angel in attendance got. Elijah mimed zipping his lips shut when Locke glared at him.
Hands landed hard on Daniel’s shoulders, freaking him out. He squeaked and his face flushed heatedly.
“Sorry,” Ari apologized, “didn’t mean to startle you. I just wanted to tell you to meet us at Leo’s place tonight. Tribunal Academy. You know it?”
“I do.” Tribunal Academy was a locally owned dojo that Daniel actively avoided. There were way too many cops going in and out of that place for a guy like him to hang around. Not that that had stopped him from peering in the windows whenever he passed, giving him a view of the variety of martial arts classes given. All ages went there: from tiny tot exercise classes to adult kickboxing, to experienced officers looking to hone their skills.
Daniel had once paused outside the large glass windows, watching Ari lead a class of gangly Girl Scouts through simple self-defense, admiring not only Ari’s sculpted body but how the young teens persisted in learning the series of moves to protect themselves… just in case. They were serious when they needed to be, but the broad smiles that bloomed across their faces when Ari complimented them stuck with Daniel long afterward.
There was another reason he also avoided the dojo. It was the place where he’d seen the angels take on and destroy the demon March had become. The area exuded “good,” an anathema for a villain like him.
“Come anytime after sunset.” Ari grabbed an envelope out of his back pocket and gave it to Daniel.
“What’s this?” He flipped open the flap and gawked at the stack of bills inside.
“He provides for services rendered,” Jay said, settling into Joe’s chair. “Go see your boss and try to find out what his schedule is for this week. Anything you learn will be valuable, even if you don’t think it is. Give me your phone and I’ll put my number in.”
“Okay.” Daniel handed over his cell and then slipped the cash-filled envelope into his pocket. Once he got his phone back, he said, “I’ll go now and see you tonight. I can’t stay long, though. Troy has a job for me. I’m collecting entrance fees for his underground fight club.”
