Page 63 of Hidden Desires
“Are you sure you want to do this? No judgment if you change your mind and say no.” Blade wanted to give the boy onelast chance to opt out of this crazy adventure. The last thing he wanted was to force someone to do something that they really didn’t want to do.
“Are you kidding me? I’ve always wanted to go zip-lining, but could never find anyone to go with.”
Blade, of course, knew this.
Ace had mentioned it a few years back, when the crew was hanging out at a carnival. Blade didn’t offer to go with him at the time, as the construction of the zip line looked a little suspect. He had spent his youth traveling with the circus, so he knew solid construction when he saw it. And that rushed slapstick of a construction had Blade so worried that he actually stopped a police officer to voice his concerns. The ride was closed down twenty minutes later.
“I know. I’ve been dying to check this ride out since we got to Vegas. Figured you’d want to give it a go as well.”
Stepping forward, they both took a breath while the operators fastened them into their harnesses.
“You know, my brother is going to kill you when he finds out about this,” Ace shouted at Blade from where he was standing, all harnessed, with a shit-eating grin plastered on his face.
Facing Marcus’s wrath was worth it if it brought this much joy to Ace’s face. He never wanted to see Ace without this much joy in his eyes ever again.
The man was gorgeous when he gleamed with excitement and smiled.
The operators helped them into position, locking them in and raising the cord until they were both side by side and in position.
“It’s worth the risk,” Blade called back, just as both of their straps were released.
Ace let out a high-pitched scream as they both began their flight across Fremont Street.
The flight was exhilarating.
Wind rushed against their faces as their bodies sailed high above hundreds of laughing people, some staring up, some minding their business.
“Woo-hoo! This is amazing!” Ace shouted as he stole a glance over at Blade.
Blade couldn’t stop smiling. Getting to experience this with Ace and seeing the pure joy and excitement on his face made all the threats of violence coming his way totally worth it.
Gliding across the open air gave him a sense of peace and tranquility. It was the type of peace that he often experienced when throwing his knives.
Was it the freedom? Or lack of control? Or perhaps it was the smoothness of the flight that had Blade’s mind relaxed and taking in the endorphins.
Or perhaps it was a smiling twenty-five-year-old with golden-brown skin and an ass that wouldn’t give up.
Flying next to Ace, Blade knew the answer to his question. It was only when he was with Ace that he truly felt at peace. He might appear all cheery in public, but most of that was an act, trying to fill a void left by a father who turned his back on him and abandoned him.
Parents were supposed to protect their kids. Love them unconditionally, no matter who they choose to love.
But for Blade, that privilege was denied him. He was cast aside and left in the gutters to die.
It was only through Marcus saving his ass that he was able to discover the true meaning of family.
Families were not born into. They were created through love, respect, and compassion.
Most are fortunate to receive that from the families they are born into, but others must discover those qualities in the people they encounter along their journey through life.
The Shadow Vipers were that family.
“Wow, that was amazing!” Ace exclaimed, waiting impatiently as the worker helped him out of his harness. “I can’t believe we flew over all those people. That feeling of soaring through the air is something I will never forget.”
“I’m glad you enjoyed. Zip-lining is something that I’ve always wanted to do with you.”
Ace looked up at him with a look he had never quite experienced before.
Was it love? Adoration?
