The Princess Groom
Ch.9: Past Sins
As with any alarm, 7:30 that next morning saw me jolt awake, having been awoken by the jazz tune on my phone. I smiled, closing my eyes. Considering the idea of sharing my love of jazz with Alastor at some point, I got to work.
Fifteen minutes later, I was freshly dressed in a Detroit Tigers jersey and white shorts. As I opened my door, I chuckled to see Charlie awaiting me, her hand raised in a knocking motion. "Come to wake me?" I smiled.
Charlie giggled. "Angel's waiting for you."
As we walked downstairs, a thought occurred. "Vaggie's joke from last night. Did it bother you?"
Charlie blushed. "I... a bit, yeah. I am kinda curious though. You would wanna...uhhh..."
"Gallop on a stary night with you Charlie?" I supplied. I closed my eyes, smiling. "Yes. Just don't pressure me, okay? That's all I want" I said quietly. I did not have to say anything further.
In the lobby, Angel was waiting. "Aw shucks, there's nothing on the TV- Ooh! A crime show" he grinned, flipping it on. Vaggie rolled her eyes, grabbing the remote, and turned it on a gardening show. The two bickered as me and Charlie walked in. I smirked and walked over, grabbing the remote, now resting on the couch's left arm, and laughed. "Vaggie, you will watch the news, and like it" I declared, turning it to Channel 5. Vaggie pouted.
"Ready to go, Angel?" Angel smiled, hopping up. "Sure am. Place is just a walk away, unless you want Razzle and Dazzle to drive us." Razzle and Dazzle were Charlie's bodyguards. They did not say much but were pretty friendly.
As I heard him say this, the news reported it was 64 degrees out. I chuckled, checking my pockets. "Let's walk, Mr. Dust."
"David, mind if I ask ya something?"
Angel and I were two blocks away from our destination- a grand casino, shaped like a pentagram. Angel had explained that we were gonna have breakfast there and check in with his sis.
"Go ahead" I replied. Angel looked uncomfortable, but finally released a deep breath. "Do you remember when you were abused?"
I quickly shook my head no. "No. Why did you wanna know?"
Angel shrugged. "I guess...I..."
Getting the sense that the spider demon was holding back, I stopped him. "What are you not saying?"
Angel frowned. "Forty-five years, David. I had to deal with that. The fucker took advantage of me! Of my addictions. Yeah, I got a bad acid addiction! I like to drink. To party. Does that make me a bad guy?" Angel blinked, his eyes welling with tears. It was clear to me that he had not told many of this evil.
"No" I said firmly, taking his hand and squeezing it. "Not even close. Is that what Charlie meant when she told me you were under contract?"
Angel nodded. "Yeah. Pricks name is Valentino. He's one of the big guys down here. One night" he said as we began to walk again, "I told Alastor what was going on. Valentino released me from my deal at once, after Alastor talked to him" he said shivering. "Dunno what he said, but it had to be bad."
I smiled. "I bet. Say.. you wanted to say you weren't alone. That you knew what I was going through. I will say this- I have had family with their issues. I don't like to touch the bottle that much because of it. It gives Valentino no excuse to do what he did to you. Does the Man in Black know?"
Angel went to respond, only to stop shortly, seeing who was walking our way. He looked as if he had seen a ghost.
Indeed, it was Valentino.
Valentino was flocked by several distinguished looking ladies, no doubt looking to earn his favor. Angel shook. We were at a cross walk. Would it be better to turn and walk to the other side? The issue, of course, was that traffic was flowing on that part of the road.
Valentino came over. "Oh dear, give me some room" he said to the lady on his arm, crossing over to stand in front of us. "Hmmm" he observed. "Angel does like the kind intellectuals. Maybe you need time with an overlord?" he proposed, smiling at me.
"Meow! Looks like we could show him a thing or two" one of the ladies popped up.
"Indeed" Valentino said, extending his hand. He was stunned, as was Angel Dust, at what I did next. Rearing my left fist back, I connected it with his face. Valentino spiraled back, comically falling on a group of his ladies behind him. I walked over, staring him down.
"I would consider that my answer, pig" I spat. "Hurt Angel again, and I will make sure to ruin your life. Don't forget- I have connections."
My words no more, me and a still stunned Angel turned to the now stopped traffic and crossed the street.
As the seconds ticked by, I quickly grew terrified that Angel was mad. He had not said a word, and he had let go of my hand.
"Angel?" I asked. "Did I do something wrong?" I questioned, our feet now hitting the campus of the casino.
Angel then suddenly laughed, reaching down, and picking me up. I saw then that he had a big smile on his face.
"That was fucking awesome, David! Thank you thank you thank you!" he cheered, giving me a big hug. He then set me down, spinning around, and beginning to moonwalk backwards to the casinos front entrance.
What a charmer, am I right?
