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“If you say so. Anyway, I got the cash box for you so you can just go ahead and get behind the table.”
“Thanks.”
Jay shadowed Daniel, taking up a discrete position along the wall behind the table where he silently watched over the process. After a while, and having forgotten that Jay was even there, he jolted when the former angel appeared beside him when Sabre came over.
“You missed seeing your man. He was late, and I had to send him straight back to the locker room. The first fight’s going to start soon, so if you want to head back there…?”
“You’ll take over here again?” Daniel asked, his heart kicking up a beat at the thought of seeing Theo.
“Yeah, yeah. No problem.”
Before Daniel got too far, though, Sabre stopped him. “Is Theo well enough to fight tonight? He looked pretty banged up when he came in.”
“I know,” Daniel lied. “He says he’s fine.” He heaved a sigh and added, “I hate these fights, but I couldn’t change his mind.”
“If you’re sure…”
While Daniel appreciated Sabre’s concern, pulling Theo from the upcoming bout would cause more problems than would help. “It’s good. You’ve got this?” He tapped the cash box.
“Yeah. No problem.” Sabre glanced uneasily at Jay, even though he had more weight and muscle than the spirit-turned-flesh angel. “Take your friend.”
As Sabre rounded the table, Daniel led Jay toward the locker room. Walt stood at the entrance to the hallway, staring at one of the close-circuit TVs showing the match that had just started. One peek was enough to have Daniel’s stomach sliding uneasily, bile rising in his throat. With a slight nod, he ducked past the trainer.
“He’s in the weight room,” Walt shouted above the rising chaos of cheers, his gaze never leaving the screen. “Be quick. This is going to be all over in a minute.” Walt’s slightly maniacal grin did nothing to calm the angry hornets dive-bombing Daniel’s stomach.
He hurried on, assuming Jay would follow. After shoving his way into the weight room, he saw Theo jogging slowly on the treadmill and blew out a sharp breath. Fuck, he was nervous, and not for himself. He’d been attracted to the angel almost from the moment he first laid eyes on him a year ago, but in just a few days, Daniel had also come to care strongly for him, as well. Theo had somehow wormed his way into Daniel’s heart.
“There you are!”
Daniel jumped, startled by Troy’s explosion into the room behind him. He grabbed Jay’s arm and moved them both out of his boss’ way.
“Looking good, Theo. Looking good,” Mr. Troy shouted, sounding like an Italian movie mobster. Or was it a Jersey mobster? They were in Atlantic City, after all. Home of Nucky Johnson and only an hour from the historic Philadelphia mob scene. Troy cackled as he slapped Theo’s shoulder repeatedly and faked a series of punches toward his gut.
Daniel nearly laughed, seeing Theo discretely roll his eyes as he shut off the treadmill and stepped off. Right? Could his boss be any more cheesy?
“Nothing a hot shower, a good night’s sleep, and some drugs to help the swelling couldn’t fix,” Theo commented, sliding out of Troy’s range.
“Or a good fuck,” Troy smirked, side-eyeing Daniel.
Gross.Daniel nearly shuddered. It was by sheer will alone that he held still.
Theo growled possessively, moving to stand in front of Daniel as he glared at Troy, who only laughed.
“You gonna win again tonight for me?” Troy’s eyes seemed to brighten before dimming back to his normal muddy-coal color.
Daniel sucked in a quick breath.Damn…If he hadn’t believed Troy was a demon before, he sure as shit did now.
Theo puffed out his chest, playing up the tough guy routine. “I hope so, sir. I’m feeling good. Ready to go.” He hopped from foot to foot and shook out his arms. Daniel covered his smile at how thick Theo was laying it on for Troy’s benefit.
“Excellent.” Troy slapped Theo hard on the shoulder. “Win for me, and you’ll be handsomely compensated. You get my meaning.” He peered at Theo through squinted eyelids.
“I got it.” Theo tapped his nose before spinning away. He ducked his head and hopped back on the treadmill. Daniel was thankful for the slow pace Theo put on. The machine would remain quiet enough for him to hear Daniel’s conversation with his demonic boss.
“I can’t believe you held out on me, Danny-boy.” He grasped Daniel’s forearm hard enough that he winced. “Who’s this? You got another guy in the wings who wants to fight?”
“No, sir. I only just met Jay.”
“Really? And where was that? You hustling on the side?” Troy pushed his face closer to Daniel, who tried to lean back, his attempt thwarted by the sudden presence of two of Troy’s goons. A glance around revealed a third man shoving Jay toward the wall, keeping them apart.
