"Have you been here all night, Hun," Vaggie asked as she found Charlie on the deck of the clinic? Her voice was relieved, but Charlie could hear the concern in her girlfriend's voice. How could she expect the female moth demon to be otherwise, after all she had been away for hours with no word. The only confirmation as to her girlfriend's whereabouts had been a call from Dr. Abaddon informing her that she was at the clinic. Not a call from Charlie saying where she was, or even how long she intended to be there, or even when she planned to return.

"Sorry to worry you Vaggie," Charlie said, though she sounded rather distracted. "I was seeing how Angel was doing, and I just felt I couldn't leave him. I've been using my time here to think about the hotel."

"Such as," Vaggie asked in concern as she joined the blond girl.

"When I was speaking with Angel earlier," Charlie explained. "He didn't say this whole redemption project was a bad idea, at least he didn't phrase it that way. What he did suggest is that I'm approaching this too quickly, I'm so eager to get this project underway to prove that redemption is possible that I don't have anything to show that I even have a plan for it."

"He isn't wrong," Vaggie admitted. "That's why I told you we should find a test subject so we can at least have some idea that it is possible to get into Heaven. And that...well that led us to Angel."

"That's just it, Vaggie," Charlie said in frustration. "I have no idea what I am even doing. I had this belief that Heaven is a place where people like Cherri or Angel, or even you, can be at peace. But is that really what Heaven is like, or am I offering a hopeful fantasy that really doesn't exist? I mean if Heaven can send Exterminators every year to deal with the population through mass slaughter. And do this without even giving souls an opportunity to even show they are good people to show they have at least some potential at changing for the better, what does that even say about them? Maybe…maybe this whole thing was a big mistake, and no one really believes that they can change."

"So, you're…" Vaggie asked? "You're giving up on this?"

"I don't think I have a choice," Charlie said as she wiped away tears that welled in her eyes. "I have no one from Heaven to seek out and inquire about options as far as alternatives to the Cleanse or even an understanding as to why sinners have to. I mean what I said when I was at that broadcast months ago. I can't just stand by and watch as my subjects…my people are slaughtered and subjected to such violence. But...after everything that's happened recently, I wonder if I even cared about my subjects as much as I believed."

"Come, let me show you something," Vaggie encouraged. Charlie followed after her lover and found herself being led to Angel's room at the clinic. The Spider was still in a deep slumber with no signs of waking up. Cherri was vigilantly sitting at her companion's bedside. She held one his hands in one of hers while her other hand lightly ran along the side of his face. As though sensing a caring presence close by Angel leaned his head closer to the palm of her hand as though showing he was aware of her.

"What am I supposed to be seeing," Charlie asked? She knew the two demons were as close as siblings, so this wasn't anything new.

"Those two," Vaggie said.

"Yeah," Charlie answered, not yet getting the hint. "They're friends and have known each other for years."

"Do you know how many demons are that close," Vaggie inquired?

"Um…" Charlie said as she racked her brain. "There is you and me, and there is my mom and dad…"

"I wasn't meaning as far as relationships," Vaggie clarified. "How many have had partnerships that have lasted as long as theirs has?"

"Well…" Charlie started to say. "No one I know of. I know of some Overlords and members of the Ars Goetia that have close alliances, but those are all business and politics."

"Exactly," Vaggie explained. "Among the sinners, friendships exist but, in many cases, they are fleeting...often founded on mutual need and little else. Betrayals and partnerships are based on usefulness and self-interest, but in the end no one really matters overall. The V's for instance present their allegiance as a family, but all of them have no qualms about leaving one of their own to be erased if situations get dire for them." Vaggie turned her attention back to the room. Angel was showing signs that he was beginning to stir.

"Those two have something that is completely rare," Vaggie continued. "Remember what Cherri told us about how they originally met. Angel made the choice to allow Cherri to hide with him, no one forced him to make that decision, in most cases someone else would have left her to whatever without even a second thought. The two of them matter to each other enough to know that whatever is happening to one, affects both. You remember how hurt Cherri was when Angel shied away from her after Val…after he finally returned to the hotel." Charlie nodded in understanding as she was beginning to grasp what Vaggie was indicating. The two demons didn't maintain their companionship based on how useful the other was or what could be gained from them. They had grown to rely on one another for who they were individually without the need to conform to the others' standards. They understood each other's personal needs and were there to provide what they could to help shoulder the burden, without taking full responsibility for it themselves. While both were strong and formidable on their own, they were even more of a force when partnered together.

Angel was awake now and had pulled Cherri into a tender, brotherly embrace. Cherri snuggled against him, glad to see her best friend as more of himself again. Even Charlie couldn't help but feel tears well in her eyes at the sight of the two of them. The two girls smiled at one another and turned to leave the two friends to their reunion.


Dr. Abaddon was intrigued about how quickly Angel had recovered since the night that Charlie had chosen to visit him. It was certainly a lot faster than he had expected, though he had a subtle hint that he wasn't entirely surprised by the result. He still requested that Angel stay for a couple of days at the clinic for observation. Cherri, Charlie, and Vaggie had been instructed on how to administer the benzodiazepine injections. Due to his health improvements, he was on a more moderate dosage than before. The Doctor didn't believe seizures would be a problem at this stage there would still be issue with the anxiety and agitation. Since the injections didn't have the soporific effect, they had before, Angel was free to move around the clinic grounds. Cherri had brought his cigarettes with her as well as a change of clothes during a recent visit so didn't feel like he had to live in the ratty gray top and flannel trousers that he had been wearing the past few days. Having the chance to take a shower and get dressed actually felt like well Heaven having been off and on asleep since being carted off the clinic a few days ago.

"I'll be glad when you stop smoking these," Vaggie said, she looked over the pack critically when Angel returned from the shower. "It's not the smoking that bothers me, but these cigarettes smell like something died a month ago."

"Couldn' agree more," Angel responded. "It's a brand that is only sold at the studio, and Val insists everyone who works there use 'em. Guess I can toss 'em since I'm not walkin' through those doors again."

"I brought breakfast for everyone," Tetra said as she sidled in with a plate heaping with french toast. "Have as much as you like."

"Thanks Tetra," Charlie answered as she began to serve up and dole out plates of egg battered bread to the rest of her companions.

"Fat Nuggets is going to be so happy to see you," Cherri said as she spread butter and jam on her french toast, "He's been curled up on your bed at the cabin since you've been gone."

"How did you wind up with a pig as a pet anyway," Vaggie asked?

"What can I say, I have a thing for animals," Angel said as he continued to enjoy his french toast. "And when I found him I kinda felt a connection to him."

"What kinda connection," Charlie asked. Angel put down the fork he was holding and looked out the window contemplatively for a moment as though trying to figure out how to phrase it or what to reveal.

"I guess you can say neither of us were wanted," Angel said after a moment. He returned to his food, but he was pushing the pieces of food around in the syrup more than he was enjoying the meal. Charlie wanted to object or ask further but felt best not to. It seemed to be a painful subject that he should reveal at his own pace. Cherri put her plate down and stood up, walking to Angel's side. She made no immediate moves as she waited to have Angel's attention. It was a moment before Angel looked up at her. Cherri said no words, she only placed an empathetic hand on his shoulder. Angel's eyes looked pained momentarily like he was about to cry, before looking away from her. One arm crossed over his chest to clutch his other arm. An action that made him appear rather vulnerable. Nothing further was said as everyone returned to the meal, but there was an uncomfortable cloud hanging in the air around them.


Angel breathed in a pull off smoke and let it out as he took in the surrounding area. Cherri had wanted to stay longer, but he had insisted that he needed some time to himself. Abaddon had informed Charlie that when she returned to Pentagram City, Angel would be allowed to remain at the compound to continue his medical treatment. However, since the main cabin and the grounds were exclusive to the Royal family, he would have to take up residence in one of the cabins at the security barraks. Angel was okay with this, particularly since Cherri would stay with him.

As much as he did prefer the urban sprawl of the city, this place did have a quiet serenity that just wasn't there in bustling places like New York or Pentagram. Charlie at least was trying to be considerate of what sort of situation they were dealing with and how to handle it. Despite knowing that he had been ordered to terminate Angel's employment, Valentino certainly was not going to just let his prized performer go without protest. If there was a way to discredit Charlie's authority or get Angel back in his clutches, he'd do it. Already there was news of Demon's protesting the hotel, demanding that Charlie stop forcing this redemption nonsense, along with accusations of brainwashing, abduction, and false imprisonment. Reporters from Channel 666 News and the Pentagram Post were demanding to get Charlie's comments about the situation. Alastor would scare them away but given Overlords like Vox and how convincing he could be…they'd just be back again.

In the city both Cherri and he would be confined to the hotel, something neither of them were all that thrilled about. While it was for their protection and they understood that, neither Angel nor Cherri was all that fond of being placed on lockdown. And even if they were permitted to go out to the local "Starfucks" Coffee" for a Pistachio Latte, they would have to be chaperoned by someone like Alastor to be on the safe side. Cherri had made it quite clear she would sooner blow-up Alastor's radio tower over letting that creepy Overlord be their escort.

While the Morningstar's mountain compound was as secure as the President's private 'Shangri La' back when he was alive. It wasn't the impregnable sanctuary that Charlie liked to believe it to be. It did have security systems online and soldiers who constantly patrolled the place for intruders and trespassers. But Vox did market many of the security systems used in Hell as one of the many business ventures he had under his name brand conglomerate. Also, the TV demon did live by the mindset that anyone could be bought for the right price. So, all it would take is one disgruntled member of the security force to clear access for someone like Vox or Valentino to collect him. While Vox with some help from Velvet could pinpoint the general location of the compound, it was still a good distance from Pentagram City. The ride to get here was overnight, so the V's would have to go well out of their way…at least by car. Though Vox also did have helicopters and private jets to get to and from the various parts of the Pride Ring as needed. Those could be implemented to gather cargo...or prisoners.

"Ah Angel," Dr. Abaddon interrupted Angel's thoughts as he stepped out onto the deck for a smoke. "Looking forward to returning to your companions tomorrow."

"Yeah," Angel said. "Not that I expected to be spending the majority of the first week here feeling gross."

"I'm glad I could be of some help," Dr. Abaddon replied as he lit his cigarette. "I'm a personal doctor of the Morningstar family, so my services are limited to them and occasionally one of their guests. You are the first and only sinner I've had to treat…I do admit when I learned I was going to be tending to you of all people, you weren't what I expected."

"You was expectin' a foul-mouthed nymphomaniac who likes being thrown at anything with a dick," Angel jibed. "That's more of a stage persona, but it's the sort of person the rest of Hell expects me to be in general. It gets kinda old if you really think about it, playin' a role to fit what someone else wants you to be. Never really knowing who you could be because your Pop's is all 'Do this or your outta the family', and your boss is telling you to 'Screw that guy or I'll make you wish you had'. "

"I can imagine what that must be like," Abaddon commented. "Playing a character for so long, you can't tell the difference between that and reality."

"It's not all bad," Angel sighed. "At times the lie is easier to cling to than the truth… the better parts of the lie anyway. It stops you from focusing on the stuff you wish wasn't happening."

"You have a family here in Hell," Abaddon asked? The locust demon raised an eye-ridge at the Spider demon. It wasn't unheard of for members of a family to arrive in Hell, but it was rare for a family to find one another and coexist as they had before death. Due to when a person died and what sort of person they were. Most demons would have been incorporated into a community within Hell or erased by the time other family members arrive. The worlds that stood in judgement over each soul would damn a spouse to Hell, while their significant other experienced the joys of Heaven. Siblings were torn apart, friendships were cleaved, lovers were separated, families were destroyed. Even when they did find each other, there was still an 'each to their own' mentality. Friendships were just opportune partnerships, a brother or a sister could leave their siblings to be erased out of self-preservation, a lover could turn on their mate once they were no longer necessary.

"Most of them are in Hell," Angel said. "Everything I've done was to get away from them, and yet I can never truly do that. Being with Valentino was not much different to being in the life…back before I…. It's just similar shit, different people. I'm just doing jobs I don't want to do for people I'd give anything to get away from."

"Such as," Abaddon inquired calmy?

"Pops for sure," Angel sighed. "He's a fucker I wouldn't be sorry to see leave existence. Some of my uncles...they were completely loyal to the family. Didn't matter to them what they were doing, it was just business. The rest of 'em...they weren't good people, but I don't think they understood what they agreed to when they joined up, and when they did, they were too far into it to back out. Even in Hell, I don't believe they felt they had a choice about being in the family. The whole you're in it for life thing. And what is Hell, but a second life...you're just in it until yah get erased."

"Are there any members of your family," Abaddon asked? "Ones that you would save if you felt you could." Angel didn't immediately respond. Instead, he took a drag on his cigarette as though saying this was a question he didn't wish to respond to.

"If you don't have anyone you feel is possible..." Abaddon started to point out.

"I'd say my brother," Angel responded. "Though that is a big 'if'. Mio Fratello has never been what you would call a brotherly sort of person. And he certainly isn't going to be on any 'likely to be redeemed' list. He's had his good moments, but he's never been what you would consider a good guy so to speak. He's always been moody, difficult, easy to piss off...and Hell knows what happens if yah get on his nerves. Regardless, he is still my big brother. You are probably thinkin' that it sounds like I hate him, but I actually don't, I just hate the person Pops made him into."

"I understand that mindset..." Abaddon stated.

"What about you," Angel asked? "I've met most of the Hellborn species from all the other rings...and I have entertained a number of the Goetial Demons. You don't seem to be a sinner, but there is certainly something about you that is different. Kinda in the same way Charlie is different."

"You are rather perceptive," Abaddon gave an intrigued smile. "Even Charlotte herself hasn't noticed that I am not a demon. I'm actually associated with the...other place I guess you can call it, but this world...everything you see here has always been my domain ever since I first came into existence. This world has been created for me to watch over...so I suppose you can classify me not so much as a demon...but as a Hellborn Angel."


*1928*

A pair of sage-green eyes watched the younger man, across the room. All he knew about the boy was that he was that he was Enzo's younger brother...Anthony. Normally the younger Ragno boy didn't accompany his brother or any other made guys in the family when they were out on the town. This was understandable since he wasn't old enough to even be considered as part of the Ragno Crime Family, he looked like he was about fifteen-years old if anyone were to guess. He had shortish golden-brown hair that artfully framed his cherubic face. He hadn't quite shed the childish frame to his facial features, including the two sets of blotchy freckles that appeared on his olive-toned skin. The younger man's eyes fascinated him the most, they were a rich shade of light goldish brown that brought caramel or butterscotch to mind.

Every made guy in the Ragno Crime Family was enjoying themselves at the "The Pinnacle Club". Everyone except Anthony, he looked rather uncomfortable with where he was and why. Normally he'd remain at home while all the guys went out. But Don Henrico was hosting a meeting with the heads of some other families over territory disputes. Since Anthony was seen as an outsider, he had the understanding that it was better not to know about what his father and older brother were involved in. Enzo had been told to bring him along with them since the boy ran the risk of intentionally overhearing something he wasn't supposed to if he remained at the house.

He was just getting up to see if the younger man was open to letting him join him. Only for Anthony to stand up and start for the door, this seemed to catch Enzo's attention as well as the other man put down the bar drink he had been enjoying went after the younger man. He followed after the brothers he stood at a distance. It had been raining when he had arrived at the club, and the rain was coming down in buckets even now. Anthony was standing under club's awning looking out at the rain as though this was just another thing to make him feel miserable.

"Anthony," Enzo demanded. "Where are you going? The meeting at the house will be a while, just come back inside, I'll call Pops in an hour to see when he can head home."

"I'm not comfortable with places like this," Anthony responded.

"You're just bein' shy," Enzo answered trying to put his brother more at ease. "You don't become a man by doing what you see as comfortable. What yah need to do is get out and take risks, discover experiences. For instance, the boys have a bet going on you becomin' a man tonight. Hey, it'll be your first time and it's unnerving at first. But once you've had your first woman, you just don't get enough of it." Anthony looked uneasily at the man who stood a greeter beside the door. He regarded the man though trying to be certain he wasn't listening in to what they were saying. The golden boy then moved to the edge of the awning and beckoned his brother to follow. The rain drowned out the words the younger man had said. But the look of shock that passed over Enzo's face, followed by anger, and ending in disgust told him everything. The dark-haired man expressed his displeasure by slugging his younger brother in the face.

"Fuckin' walk home in the rain for all I care," Enzo growled as he turned and stormed back into the club. "Maybe that can help yah get your head on straight." Anthony didn't watch Enzo's departure. Instead, he just stood with his back to his brother, one hand had gone to where Enzo had punched him before his arm fell to his side and his shoulder slumped as though defeated. Turning towards falling rain the younger man looked towards the door of the club, before he stepped out into the wet.

Grabbing an umbrella from the container that had been placed by the door to hold them for guests, he also walked out into the rainy night. He didn't know who owned this umbrella nor did he care. It may as well be considered a necessary sacrifice considering he had arrived by cab that evening. He followed Anthony at a distance in order to not startle the younger man. Whatever conflict was going on between Anthony and Enzo wasn't his issue, but something made him feel he would be more at ease if he had an idea of where Anthony was going. So far there didn't seem to be any real destination or specific direction that he was heading. It was late so there weren't any places in the area that could accommodate a teenager in this area, and those that did only wanted trouble. From what he could see Anthony was soaked though and bedraggled as he stopped at a street corner to assess his surroundings. He ran a hand over his cherubic face as though trying to fruitlessly wipe away the rain that had already his golden-brown hair plastered to his scalp, or he was using that as an excuse to wipe away something else.

"It's a wet one tonight isn't it," He said as he walked up an held the umbrella over the younger boy's head. The golden-haired boy jumped at the unexpected voice, but he seemed to calm as he registered who had spoken to him.

"Yeah..." The younger man said uneasily. "You're Celani, right?"

"Luca Celani, yes," He replied. "And you're Anthony, Enzo's younger brother." Anthony's eyes hooded as he glanced away obviously distressed.

"Yeah," Anthony said. "For what little that is worth."

"I couldn't help notice you and your brother had some sort of disagreement," Luca commented.

"I uh..." Anthony went ridged at the statement, a sign that suggested to chestnut haired main that his speculations were correct. "You didn't hear what was said did you?"

"No," Luca remarked as he pulled the younger man away from the curb, so they were standing under the awning of a soda fountain. The shop was closed for the night, but even if it was open, he didn't think it would be the best place at this time. "Given Enzo's reaction to what you were telling him, I could make a few guesses. Are you worried that your brother would report you?"

"Nah..." Anthony said, though he still looked uneasy. "I think Pops had been suspectin' things for a while. He's always been sayin' I ain't normal and that I disgrace the family. Enzo won't rat me out, he's got a bad attitude but he ain't a snitch. Beside he wouldn't need to say anything, cause him just showing up at home without me will only confirm things. You ain't planning on sayin' anything are yah, I mean I'm not part of whatever Pops and Enzo are involved in and I don't wanna be. But I know that if it got out, he's got a... well someone like me in his family..."

"What you are ain't my business," Luca said. "If you were in the buisness, yeah...I couldn't just hide that. But just between you and me...I ain't entirely into girls if you get my meanin'. So, I can understand why you'd want this quiet. Were you headed somewheres?"

"I guess home," Anthony sighed. "The meetin' would be long over by then. I could probably come up with something convincing to tell Pops if he's still awake"

"Isn't Don Henrico's home all the way across town," Luca pointed out. "You'd catch pnumonia if you try to walk in this."

"It'll be an improvement as far as Pops is concerned," Anthony said as he started to walk away again. "Give him one less problem to worry about."

"Hang on," Luca suggested. "I'll get yah a cab, there is a spare room at my apartment. You can stay there for the night, and something could be worked out in the mornin."

"I uh," Anthony said uneasily.

"Trust me," Luca insisted. "It ain't a problem."


The taxi ride to Luca's apartment was quiet with very little talking. Anthony shivered with cold and as his wet clothing stuck to his body.

"You sure I don't need to take him to a hospital," The driver asked. "He seems to be a little young to be wondering around on his own this time of night. I don't need passengers getting influenza in my cab."

"He's alright," Luca stated as he put an arm around Anthony's shoulders hoping to help ease the chill the boy was feeling with his own body heat.

"Here's the place," the taxi driver responded as he pulled in front of an art deco styled apartment building.

"Thanks," Luca responded. "How much do I owe yah."

"About fifteen-cents," The cabby replied.

"Here's a dollar..." Luca said as he pulled out a dollar bill from his wallet. "Keep the change and have a good night." Climbing out of the cab with Anthony close behind him, he ushered the younger man into the building.

"Oh Mr. Celani," The dark-skined front deskman said looking up at the two men who entered the building.

"Evenin, Hurshel," Celani responded. "I need a sign in for my guest here."

"Here's the sign sheet," Hurshel responded as he put a clipboard on the desk. Luca immediately handed it in to Anthony to sign the visitor's log. "Not that it's my business, but since he's a minor...does anyone from his folks know he's here?"

"Not yet," Luca explained. "His older brother is one of my work collogues, and I'll drop a line to his family once I get upstairs. I just need to make sure he's somewhere warm and dry first."

"Understood," Hershal concluded. "Have a good night."

"Come on," Luca said as he guided Anthony towards the elevator. "Mamma will take care of you."


The elevator dinged as they arrived on the selected floor. Luca led the soaking wet boy down the hallway, before stopping at one door and unlocking it.

"Luca, sei a casa, (Luca, are you home,)" A woman's voice called in Italian from the kitchen.

"Sì, mamma, (Yes, Mom,)" Luca also responded in Italian. "Sono a casa... Ho un compagno con me. "(I'm home...I have a companion with me)" A woman roughtly in her mid-forties appeared in the doorway to the kitchen. Much like her son, she had chestnut brown hair tough hers was streaked through with gray. She was dressed entirely in black, a sign that she was a widow. Her eyes immediately landed on the rain-soaked boy

"Oh, povero bambino, devi congelare, (Oh, you poor child, you must be freezing) The older woman said in Italian as she rushed forward and taking Anthony's face in her hands and preceded to cluck over him like a mother hen. "Il bagno è proprio in fondo al corridoio a destra, fai una doccia calda per riscaldarti. Luca, procuragli qualcosa da indossare. Mi assicurerò che le tue cose siano lavate e asciutte domani. (The bath is just down the hall to the right, take a hot shower to warm yourself. Luca, get something for him to wear. I'll make sure your things are laundered and dry tomorrow.)

"Si, Mamma," Luca said as he walked away towards his room, while his mother bustled the younger man towards the shower. Going through his bureau drawers he pulled out a pair of pajamas that looked like they could fit Anthony's scrawnier frame. He had noticed how uncomfortable Anthony had been with being fussed at by Mrs. Celani. He had heard that Don Henrico was a widower due to his wife dying of the Spanish Flu. So, this must have been the young man's first experience with an Italian mother in about ten years. It was understandable that he would be uneasy with the attention. Leaving his room stopped by the bathing room door.

"Anthony," Luca called. "I have some dry things for you to wear. I'll leave them outside for when you are ready." The boy didn't respond but Luca had the feeling he understood.

"Normalmente non porti a casa gli amici dal lavoro, (You normally don't bring home friends from work,)" Mrs. Celani commented in Italian as she browned slices Italian sausage in an iron skillet on the stove. A pot of minestrone soup bubbled on a back burner.

"Anthony è il figlio minore del mio datore di lavoro. (Anthony is the younger son of my employer.)" Luca explained in his mother's native language. "Quando ero al club questa sera, ho visto suo fratello litigare con lui prima che gli venisse detto di tornare a casa sotto la pioggia. Non mi sentivo a mio agio nel lasciare che Anthony attraversasse la città, quindi ho sentito che questo era il posto migliore per portarlo per ora. (When I was at the club this evening, I saw his brother get into argument with him before he was told to just walk home in the rain. I didn't feel right about letting Anthony walk across town, so I felt this was the best place to bring him for now.)

"Quando dici il tuo datore di lavoro, intendi l'uomo che ci ha dato questo appartamento, (When you say employer, you are talking about the man who gave us this apartment,)" Mama Celani asked?

"Si, Mamma, (Yes, Mamma)" Luca explained though there was a sort of bitterness in his voice. He breathed in as though he wanted to say more but held his tongue. Don Henrico had arranged this as a favor for him and his mother, his exchange in this bargain was to become a member of the Ragno crime family. This was the sort of thing his father warned him about before he died, the 'friends' can be kind and offer favors...but those favors come at great cost. If you can't repay the debt they demand of you, they come down on you hard. This apartment was promised to him and his mother by the Ragno family, everything arranged. The price he had to give for is his life in service to organized crime. As much as he wanted to tell his mother what sort of people, he worked for...the sort of things they were expecting him to do. He had pledged his oath that he wouldn't speak about the life or his involvement. A life he wished he could escape from at first opportunity.

There was also the matter he was bi. His mother didn't know this, and she certainly wouldn't have approved of him any sort of attraction or even potential interests in other men. It was something he certainly held as a secret shame as he brought home girls that only ended up being one-night stands at best. Mama Celani always found something to fault with them, such as: being too loose, too American, possessed a skull is as empty as a flowerpot, hips are too narrow so not suitable for bearing children. And he himself had never felt interested or satisfied by any of these women either. But Anthony, there was something different about the younger man.

When his father had been alive, he had described finding the person who felt right for you was like you were struck with a thunder bolt. You just feel a sudden jolt and everything changes. That was how Luca felt about Anthony, that something about the boy made him feel something he never felt before and he knew his world would never be the same.

*end flashback*


Six sage-green eyes opened as Lucas Strike sat up in bed. This was the first time in years that he dreamed about Anthony or at least the younger man he had once known and loved so long ago. Perhaps it was due to the announcement that Angel Dust was part of the Princess's Hotel project, and even this news that he was supposedly retiring from the porn business. While he was dubious about the hotel and its mission, he didn't believe the Princess was tricking people into believing them impossible. Yet, the news about Angel Dust retiring...that was more questionable. Valentino was not the sort of demon who would just let his merchandise leave his clutches easily. Given then protestors he had seen gathering at the Hotel demanding Angel be allowed to return to the studio, the Moth Overlord was using this as a stage for his drama. By using this as a means to undermine the hotel and destroy any chance of the Princesses desires to see demons redeemed. Supposedly the Princess had left the city taking Angel Dust with her. Something that brought to mind a time long ago when he had given Angel shelter at the Celani Vineyards. He could only hope that when the Princess returned to the city to deal with this mess, that Anthony didn't return with her.