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“That’s if Daniel falls in love with me,” Thelial muttered, worried that John might refuse him, and this idea was one of the best he’d ever had. “I think I have a surefire way for him to do it. Troian is making Daniel work this fight club of his. I figured I could pose as a potential fighter and maybe get us more information on the night demon and his organization. He took over Marchosias’ company, so we really need to dismantle it this time entirely.”
“You think if you pose as a potential contender, Troian will take the bait, and you’ll have to fight?”
“Sure, he’ll want proof that I can handle myself in the ring.” Thelial lifted his fists and bounced on his toesa-laMohammed Ali.
“True.” John snickered and swiped at Thelial’s hands. “Heavens, no. Your forms all wrong.” He heaved a huge, dramatic, put-upon sigh. “Come on. You can show me what you know, and I’ll give you some pointers.”
On the Third Night of Chanukah
Monday: Sunset
Daniel
The steady stream of spectators kept Daniel busy at the entrance to the underground arena. He checked off the VIPs on lists and had them escorted to special seating. General patrons paid their entrance fees before others herded them to the betting pools to find out who was fighting who and what the odds were. Money exchanged hands. Lots and lots of money. All cash. Not a single credit transaction that could potentially lead the police or Feds to find them.
As the first of the fight times approached, Daniel found a little breathing room as the entering line of gamblers and MMA enthusiasts dwindled. Of course, his thoughts drifted right to Theo and how he might try to sneak away to find him. He assumed the angel would be working at Club Haven again, but—he glanced at his watch—how long would Theo wait before giving up on him and going home?
The presence of a new person loomed over him and without looking, he said, “Covers fifty, and there’s a one hundred dollar minimum bet.”
“Daniel…”
Hearing his name, he snapped his head up, and Daniel stared into Theo’s sky-blue gaze. “What…? How…? I mean…” Daniel groaned and planted his face in his hands at his ridiculous blundering.
Theo chuckled, shoving his fingers into the pockets of his blue jeans. “Let me help you out there. What am I doing here, and how did I find you?”
“Yes! That.”
“It’s where you are, and I had a little…” Theo leaned closer to whisper in Daniel’s ear, his warm breath eliciting a tiny shiver. “...divine help.” He straightened, and when he stepped back, Daniel immediately missed his close proximity. “I figured I could help.”
“How? Not like I’m doing much at the moment. Just collecting money and directing people where to go.”
Theo glanced from the money box to the crowd, then crossed his arms. In the tight black T-shirt, he seemed larger, more menacing. Anybody would think he was one of Troy’s goons. He nearly blurted out that he didn’t need Theo’s protection when Mr. Troy approached.
“Dan. Danny. You did good tonight. Thanks for your help.” Troy’s gaze swept past him to take in all six-feet-plus of Theo. “Who are you? You’re not one of mine.”
“I’m a friend of Daniel’s. Theo.” The angel extended his hand to Mr. Troy, and Daniel froze when they shook. He then felt decidedly stupid when Troy didn’t suddenly explode into a cloud of fiery ash. Hello? Angel and possibly demon? Seemed plausible to him, but then again, it took a half dozen angels to take down Mr. March and whatever the hell he turned into.
“Theo.” Troy raked a critical eye from the top of Theo’s head down his broad shoulders and chest, those capable sword-wielding hands, the thick thighs encased in denim. “Stop looking!” he wanted to scream. He’s mine! “You look like a fighter. Does this interest you?” Troy waved a hand over his shoulder in the vague direction of the elevated steel cage.
“I’ve had some experience with MMA, but actually using it... I hadn’t given it much thought. I could be persuaded.”
Oh fuck, no. Daniel stared at Theo. Was this his idea of helping? Getting in the ring and getting the shit kicked out of him?
“Excellent. I can always use new blood. Walk with me. Let’s talk.”
Daniel ground his teeth. He couldn’t just blurt out a big fat, “No!” Not unless he wanted another beat down. Whatever Mr. Troy wanted, Mr. Troy got, by whatever means possible. Money, women, power.
“You’re worried about your friend.”
“Hell, yes.” Daniel glared at Sabre, the big guy having silently appeared behind him, then craned his neck to keep tabs on Theo. With the angel’s greater height, Daniel could track him by his blond hair.
Sabre sighed. Daniel froze. What the hell? When did Sabre care about anything other than himself, Bull, and appeasing Mr. Troy? Though, honestly, he’d noticed the big guy had been nicer to him since Troy had Bull use him for a punching bag.
Losing sight of Theo as he rounded the cage, Daniel turned to Troy’s muscle. “What?”
“You’re right to be worried.”
Frustrated, Daniel ran a hand through his hair, messing it up but not caring at that moment. Regardless of Sabre’s concern for Theo, he still worked for Troy. “And you care why?”
