“Yeah, but I won’t go until you give me a hug. I won’t be able to see you for a couple of days,” Uriel said pitifully. For the next week, Uriel had to take on the Blue persona by attending a couple of parties, training, and a few other things to keep up appearances.
“Fine…fine…after you shower, I’ll give you one. Not before. You smell terrible.”
Uriel huffed. “What a mean kid you are.”
“I’m a mean, clean-smelling kid,” Kristoph countered.
Uriel turned to leave but moved quickly and grabbed Kristoph, hugging him tightly and placing loud smacking kisses all over his face. Kristoph screamed in horror, but Uriel noticed his arms tightened around his waist. Uriel reached down and tickled his son’s side, causing him to squeal with laughter. Hearing Kristoph’s laughter brought joy to his heart, making him forget his frustration with Azazel.
They played around for a few more minutes before Uriel stopped and chuckled at the vengeful promise coming from his son.
“I’m going to get you back, just you wait and see, Uriel DeVine.”
“You’ve been watching too much anime, cherub.” Uriel laughed and ran up the stairs to his room and got ready for the day.
When he got out of the shower, he noticed there was a message on his cellphone screen. Glancing at it, he recognized Azazel’s private number and debated reading the message, but decided against it. He’d made a promise that he wouldn’t get involved with Azazel until after the case was over. However, he addedThe Bastard Azazelto his contacts, not shying away from his feelings.
“Hey, Dad, I’m leaving for school now.” Kristoph came into his room to say bye.
“Okay, be good while I’m gone and don’t play any pranks and have the teacher call me.”
“I’ve been good since I started school.”
“I get the feeling you’re just biding your time until you show your true colors. Remember, you have to think about your image if you’re going to be an actor.”
Although the kid could be serious, he also had a playful nature and enjoyed playing pranks, not only on his friends but on teachers as well. Uriel couldn’t count the number of times the principal had called him or Orion to the school for something mischievous his son had done. They left the punishment up to Uriel and didn’t put the infraction in his record since Kristoph was a straight A student.
“I know,” Kristoph said. “Don’t forget You’re meeting with a couple of the producers this week.”
“I didn’t forget.” Throwing his phone down, Uriel leaned down and kissed his son on the forehead, then wished him a good day and headed for his walk-in closet.
* * *
Kristoph watchedhis dad enter the closet and picked up his cellphone. Even though it wasn't his usual phone, Kristoph knew his dad’s usual code, and he unlocked the phone and searched for the name and number he’d seen while talking to Uriel. Kristoph sent the number to his cellphone then logged out of his dad’s phone, throwing it back on the bed. He’d been debating over the past few weeks how to approach his father and brother without his dad and uncle knowing about it.
Kristoph didn’t know why his dad had Azazel’s number on his phone, but he could only assume it was for work since he was the owner of Valleywood Entertainment and was keeping track of him.
Uriel had never shied away from informing Kristoph of who his body-double client was, in case something happened. But he also swore him to a secret oath and Kristoph couldn’t reveal it to anyone. His dad hadn't told him who he was doubling for this time around, and Kristoph could only assume it was some high profile celebrity. Looking back at the closet, Kristoph hoped his dad wouldn’t be angry with him when he found out what his son was planning.
* * *
Azazel stared at his cellphone,wondering how to reach Blue. He had been sending texts and calling him over the past couple of days that went ignored. After some thought the other night, Azazel decided to invite Uriel—or Blue—to lunch and have a serious discussion.
He could wait until they started shooting the series, but since Azazel was certain that Uriel was Blue Lennox, he wanted to see him and confirm his suspicions. To think his lover was so close to him all those times they met hurt him to the core.
No wonder I kept comparing them. He must think I'm a fool for not recognizing him sooner.
Azazel knew that Blue Lennox was real, but he wanted to know why Uriel was pretending to be the man. He also wanted to know why he left him thirty years ago. He’d been busy all day with meetings at city hall, putting his words into action.
He hated to admit it, but Uriel was right—he and Loki were not living up to their promises. So he called a meeting of all the department heads and discussed the changes he wanted. He didn’t need to run things by Loki because he knew he would agree no matter what Azazel did. After his morning meetings he was back at the studio and was dealing with paperwork. Azazel set his phone down on his desk when there was a knock at his office door.
“Come in.”
Tanner walked in with a stack of papers and set them down on his desk. “Sorry to bother you, sir, but, there's someone here with a request to see you, but they didn’t make an appointment.”
“Well, too bad. Tell them to come back when they have an appointment.”
“I tried that, sir, but he refused to leave. He said you’ll want to talk to him when you find out who he is.”
