Uriel nodded and pulled out his cellphone and paused when he saw a text from Azazel to Blue.
Why did you leave so quickly? I wanted to ask you out to dinner.
Uriel thought about how to respond to the text, but Kristoph came back to the room. "Dad, I'm ready."
Putting his phone back in his pocket, Uriel held on to his son's hand. "Let's go."
* * *
A week later,Azazel walked intoThe New Fusion Vineand was taken to the private dining area and saw that only Blue Lennox had arrived so far. He had hoped that the entire crew could make the dinner party, but other obligations got in the way. Azazel noticed that the host was about to alert Blue of his presence, but he stopped her. He wanted to observe the man for a minute or two before letting his presence be known, since Blue’s head was down, looking at his cellphone.
The information he’d gotten on Blue Lennox covered little on his personal life, focusing more on his extensive entertainment resume. Blue was a scrappy little kid who grew up in foster care and made something of himself with the talent he was born with.
Earlier that week, during their banter, he hadn’t had the time to take in the man’s handsome appearance. His short black curly hair framed his face, enhancing his bright blue eyes, but he still felt that something was off about the man. According to the report Blue Lennox was a beta, but whenever he was next to the other man, he didn't appear to be one.
Azazel noticed the way Blue furrowed his eyebrows as he concentrated on whatever he was reading on his cellphone, and it reminded him of Uriel whenever he became focused on an interesting topic. The black shirt he wore framed his chest and arms nicely. But Azazel couldn’t help but wonder how he’d look in white instead of black.
Closing his eyes, Azazel realized what he was thinking and couldn’t help but feel ashamed of himself. It proved that he wasn’t ready to enter any kind of relationship if he was trying to see Uriel in Blue Lennox.
They were not the same—one he thought he knew and the other he’d never had a decent conversation with. He opened his eyes and was about to make his presence known when Blue’s cellphone rang and a smile bloomed on his lips.
“Hello, my cherub.”
Azazel’s eyes widened when he heard the man answer the phone speaking fluent Latin and called the other person “winged child”. It piqued his interest. Nothing he read told him that Blue Lennox knew how to speak different languages or had a companion or child. He needed to have someone do an investigation. He had a gut feeling that something wasn't right, and he needed answers.
Azazel stood by the door for a couple more seconds as he listened to Blue talk in Latin and decided it was time to make his presence known. He cleared his throat and watched as Blue looked in his direction but did not show any surprise.
“Hey, I have to go now,” Blue said, and smiled before hanging up. “Mister CEO.”
“I have a name.” Azazel unbuttoned his jacket and sat down in front of Blue.
“Yes, I know.”
“Then since you know, use it.” Azazel looked at the com-pad sitting next to him and ordered a drink.
“Is that an order?” Blue asked.
“What?” He looked away from the com-pad and faced Blue, wondering why the man was intent on being a thorn in his side.
“Calling you by your name, is it an order?”
Blue leaned closer, and the light in the private box suddenly dimmed, giving it a romantic feeling. The soft, subtle look in Blue’s eyes made him forget what they were talking about.
“Let me properly apologize for my attitude last week and the other morning a couple of months ago. I shouldn’t have spoken to you the way I did. That morning I was having a bad day, and you got the brunt of it.”
“I accept your apology for both times,” Azazel said. “We all have bad days. How’s your friend? Did you get him home okay?”
“He’s not exactly happy with me. I forgot we had a meeting with Jason Dagon that day. But then I couldn’t stay for the meeting since something more important came up. I think Jason is a bit upset with me.”
“Oh,” Azazel said. Dagon was one of the angels who had followed him from the heavenly realms and had been faithful to his cause.
Just as with Gadriel, Dagon had a knack for business and was serious when it came to investing. Over the years Dagon had embedded himself in the human realm and gotten the degrees needed to invest and run a company. Unlike the angels in the heavenly realm, Azazel did not keep taps in those he trusted. And those who were loyal to him, Azazel liked to reward, which was why he created Abandon Entertainment.
“If you want, I can talk to Jason on your behalf,” Azezel said.
Blue smiled, and it lit up his face. “I appreciate that, but I can do it myself.”
“Suit yourself, but if you need my help in anything, let me know.”
