Page 12 of Gargoyle Vigilante

Amir raked his fingers through his tangled hair. “Sure. But those had to do with whether the original interpretation meant great beings in size or if it referred to immense bravery.” Amir snorted. “I’ve been running around Los Angeles in a terrified panic all night. I was cowering behind a dumpster when you guys rescued me. I doubt I’ll be winning any awards for heroism.”

Dante brushed his knuckles across Amir’s cheek. “I don’t think you’re giving yourself proper credit. Why didn’t you simply run away? You could’ve left the ring behind, or given it to the Rogues? Instead, you did everything you could to protect it, including risking your life. You’re Nephilim, all right.”

“But…” Amir shook his head. “That would mean my family…that my parents and everyone before them… I’m sorry. It doesn’t seem possible to me.”

Dante nodded. “It’s confusing, I know. The angel gene remains dormant in most humans due to it being diluted over time. But clearly, it was activated in you. I don’t know of your uncle, but perhaps he had it as well—which was why he trusted you with the ring.”

Amir considered Dante’s remark about Khaled. He thought back to several instances when his uncle made cryptic remarks telling him that he’d understand all one day or that there were many secret societies that most humans were unaware of.

As his memories unfolded, his gut tightened. What had once seemed like odd coincidences or unusual events now seemed to carry more meaning. The robed man he was sure he’d seen Khaled speaking to in the stockroom late one night, but then seemed to vanish when he entered the room. The strange singing, like the voices of a distant choir, permeating through his walls late at night. He’d assumed they were reoccurring dreams, but now he wasn’t so sure.

Amir stole a glance at Dante, noticing for the first time how handsome his human form was. The sheer masculinity of his square face, combined with the solid muscles that screamed virility, made him want to climb Dante like a tree. He was easily six and a half feet tall, maybe more, and his smoldering, silvery gray eyes only served to enhance his potent sexuality. The mere thought of tangling his fingers in his short, tousled brown hair while Dante drove into him like a jackhammer sent a delightful shiver through his body.

“Do you need to lie down? Your face is very flushed.” Dante’s brow creased. “You should try to get some rest. I thought I—that we were going to lose you there for a sec.”

“No, I’m fine.” He shook his head. “Well, notfine, but I don’t need to lie down. I have a zillion more questions, plus…” Amir fanned himself before wiping away the sweat on his nape and dragging the back of his hand across his forehead. “Why do you guys keep it so hot in here? I mean, seriously, I feel like I’m about to jump out of my skin.”

Dante’s eyes hooded, and he licked his lips. “Being together might’ve triggered your heat.”

Amir blinked several times as that tasty morsel of information sunk in. “Oh, that’s a thing with fated mates?”

Dante gave him a crooked smile. “A very big thing, actually.”

The bastard had the nerve to adjust his package right in front of him. He acted as if Amir wasn’t going to notice him putting that meaty paw on his crotch when they were sitting less than two feet from each other. Amir cleared his throat, but now the heat in his face was from embarrassment. Dante had clearly caught him looking.

“So I see. Is that…is that why I’m so turned on?” He held up his hands, palms out. “Not that I’m suggesting anything. I’ve never had a boyfriend before.” Amir huffed. “Actually, I’ve never hadanythingbefore.” His cheeks heated. “Pretend I didn’t say that.”

“There’s nothing to be ashamed of.” The timbre of Dante’s already deep voice lowered more. “I’ll take good care of you, I’ll…” He abruptly shook his head then leaned back. “Sorry. I’m a selfish prick, there’s no argument with that. But even I’m aware that this isn’t a good idea right now, not after you were attacked. Not to mention how shocking this all must be for you.”

Amir shrugged.“But, I told you already, there’s nothing wrong with me physically. Actually, I feel pretty great. Thanks to you guys saving me.” Peering up at Dante, he met his piercing gaze. “Thank you.” His bottom lip trembled, and he held in a sob. “I was so damn scared, completely terrified. I wasn’t going to give them the relic, no matter what, but I know for sure I wouldn’t have survived if you guys hadn’t come along in time.”

Dante caressed his cheek again, the touch only serving to increase the aching need in his core, the raging heat coursing through him that he was powerless to stop. His cock was so hard, his body so turned on, it wouldn’t matter if he let Dante take him or not. He was going to come anyway.

“I hope you believe what I said, that I’ll protect you no matter what.”

Amir grabbed Dante’s hand, holding it against his cheek. All he wanted to do was jump on Dante’s lap, rip off his clothes, and let this magnificent beast of a man do whatever he wished to him.

Yet that part of him that always longed for a man to desire him had pictured a situation that didn’t involve demons, angels, and gargoyles battling over the fate of the world. Dinner and a movie, holding hands in the park—or even making out in his little room above the shop—that was what he’d fantasized about. No way did Dante truly care about him. They’d known each other for what—an hour?

Amir let go of Dante and pulled away. “I’m just a means to an end to you, aren’t I? If you weren’t being forced to be with me, I bet there’s a bunch of other gargoyles, or even angels for all I know, that you’d prefer being with.”

Dante groaned. “That’s not the case at all. I’m not that great at explaining stuff—especially when it revolves around emotions and relationships.” He scratched at the stubble on his chin. “I need to be honest with you about some stuff. I’ve never pursued the love thing, not ever My encounters have all been hook-ups, usually one and done. So, I’m also a bit blindsided by all of this. I had no idea that this would be the night I’d meet my fated mate.”

Amir swallowed past a lump in his throat, not sure why this mattered so much. “Are you disappointed?”

Dante sucked in a sharp breath. “No! Of course not. You’re absolutely wonderful. If I’d met you at a bar or one of my other hangouts, I would’ve been all over you. Perhaps that’s why we’re fated? We have such incredible chemistry?”

Dante reached for him, and Amir allowed the gargoyle to take him into his arms, melting into his embrace.As Dante’s lipsbrushed against his forehead in a gentle kiss, his mind reeled from the implications of all that was happening.

But his body didn’t seem to give a damn about anything other than relieving the excruciating yearning that had taken over. Dante’s lips trailed down his neck, leaving a path of fire on his skin, and Amir couldn’t bring himself to care about anything else.

Dante pulled back slightly and locked eyes with him, desire and need reflected in his gaze. Comfort replaced anxiety over giving himself to this mysterious creature.

“Yeah, chemistry.”

Amir pressed his face against Dante’s strong chest, and he was enfolded in his large, strong arms. Perhaps the Divine Spark knew what it was he’d always dreamed of, and this mythical being who had come to life was his destiny. Who was he to argue with the Almighty?

“I think you’re right,” Amir whispered against his chest, the thump of Dante’s heart beating loud and strong.

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