Page 15 of Hidden Desires
He held his breath as he watched the sleek, shiny steel sail through the air.
“Bingo!” his father shouted, throwing his arms up in celebration when his blade hit its mark.
The four-inch blade stood firmly in the wood, like a mighty badge of honor confirming his skills in front of his father.
He never felt so proud. How many thirteen-year-olds could say that they were an expert blade thrower?
“That’s my boy!” his father praised, rubbing the hair on his head as he celebrated.
“Looking good, boy. One day, you will surpass your father and become the new Demon Blade Thrower,” Theon Winter, the owner and ringleader of this thirty-person circus, announced.
Receiving praise from one of the owners was a huge deal.
“Well, he’s still got a lot to learn and needs to work on that weak throwing arm, but maybe one day. Perhaps,” his father added, not seeming too pleased with the thought of being replaced by his son.
He felt his cheeks blush. He hated when his father was pissed at him.
“Bruce? You ready for the show?” Theon asked, nodding over his shoulder at the giant circus tent that had been erected.
“Of course I am,” his father snapped before turning to his son. “Keep outta trouble while your pops is off performing.” His father slapped him on the back before turning and following his boss back to the main tent.
Shaking off the memory, Blade let the tiny knife slide across his fingers, not watching as the blade flipped against his knuckles. It was all muscle memory at this point. It was a trick he had learned from his father many lifetimes ago.
Inside the restaurant, Ace and his date, a blue-collar-looking man who had to be at least in his thirties, were cutting into their food and seemingly chatting about nothing.
To be honest, Ace looked bored.
He probably is. You should go in there and save him from a boring-ass date,his pain-in-the-ass inner voice suggested.
Blade snorted.
Yeah, that’s the quickest way to get a kick in the balls from Ace. No. It was better and safer for his balls if he stayed outside and… watched.
He was there for protection, not interrupting boring dates and saving friends’ younger brothers from lame-ass convos.
No. That wasdefinitelynot his job.
One long-as-fuck hour later, Ace and his date finally emerged from the restaurant together. They were headed back to Mr. Boring’s car when the man stopped by Ace’s door.
Probably to open it for him.
How gentlemanly of him.
He watched as the man’s body got close to Ace’s.
Blade felt the vein in his forehead begin to pulse.
What was this guy doing?
What do you think, Sherlock? What do most horny men do when out on a date?
Fuck. No.
Blade’s hands curled into fists as he watched Mr. Boring lean in for a kiss.
Ace turned his face away, rejecting his kiss and appearing to catch the man off guard.
Oh.
