Chapter Three

He had never felt this vulnerable in his life—neither as an angel nor as a human.

“This kind of beauty,” murmured Jake, his tall, broad frame looming over Aiden’s slender form, “…can’t be human.”

The mechanic smelled like grease—and something else. Something charged. Intense. It felt like every fiber of his being was focused on Aiden.

This wasn’t the kind of danger Aiden had felt when running to avoid capture.

This was different.

A part of him wanted to stay. To face it. To see what would happen.

After ten years of being invisible, this man—Jake Anderson, the mechanic at Headlight Garage—was seeing him. Thoroughly.

Aiden wasn’t stupid. He knew exactly what Jake was thinking. But his own problem was far more complicated than just running away.

Even if he wanted to run, Jake had him caged against the hood of a black car.

“Don’t you want to tell me your name?”

Jake’s voice was low and husky, with a hint of tenderness—like he could see the fear and uncertainty in Aiden’s golden eyes.

“Adrian,” Aiden whispered, his voice trembling slightly. He liked the name. It was close enough to his own to feel familiar.

“Adrian,” Jake repeated, testing it on his tongue. “A beautiful name… for a beautiful angel.”

Aiden’s breath caught. How could he…

“What?” Jake chuckled. “Not used to compliments?”

So this was that kind of compliment. Hypothetically angelic. How ironic.

Aiden exhaled, relieved.

“Ah… that’s really kind of you,” he managed. “You’ll be even kinder if you don’t turn me in to the police.”

Jake shook his head, gently gripping Aiden’s elbow.

“No, I won’t. I wouldn’t let a pretty boy like you end up in prison.”

He smirked, leaning closer. His tone shifted—less tender now.

“I’m not a monster,” he whispered, his breath fanning Aiden’s face. “I just… like you.”

His hand slid up to Aiden’s cheek.

“Does this scare you?”

Aiden flinched under his touch. He could feel the rising desire in Jake—but despite all his past fantasies, Aiden felt no pull toward him. Jake’s chest rose and fell with restraint, but Aiden’s racing heart was driven by pure fear.

“I can make you feel better than jerking off to those porn magazines.”

Jake’s lips were practically brushing his cheek now.

Hearing those words from someone else made everything sound dirty. Aiden felt a rush of shame—about everything he’d done since the fall.

His fingers still clung to the stolen magazines, damp with sweat.

After finally accepting his new body, his penis had caught his attention. He’d known human biology, but never understood human desire.

It was sin.

But he’d been too curious to care.

He had explored his body, and when he brought himself to his first orgasm…

It was chaotic.

Exhilarating.

Frustratingly good.

He was human now.

And being human was his punishment.

So why not enjoy the punishment?

He wanted to feel desired.

To share that beautiful, chaotic moment with someone special.

To bring them pleasure.

To be pleasured.

He imagined that special someone staring at him, murmuring sweet nothings, wanting him.

Of course he would let his desires and heart take control. He would make them his.

Happily ever after.

But there was no one.

Just a few magazines—his only window into human sensation.

And now, look what stealing them had brought him.

He had sworn never to return to that store after Jake saw him the first time.

But he couldn’t keep his vow.

And now here he was.

Looking like a clumsy, foolish boy caught red-handed by a dangerous man—for the second time.

Oh, sweet heavens...

Orion was even more dangerous than this lustful mechanic.

What was Aiden supposed to tell him?

“Don’t think too much,” Jake murmured, his breath tickling Aiden’s ear. “Just let me take care of you, Adrian.”

Take care of him? That was definitely not going to happen.

“S-sorry... I don’t want...”

Aiden trailed off, gasping as Jake gripped his crotch.

“You were saying?” Jake mocked, his hand beginning to massage him through his pants.

Unbelievable.

Aiden punched him, trying to push him away, but Jake was confident—convinced that if he kept going, Aiden would give in.

Aiden’s face flushed red, his breathing quick and uneven.

“Let go of me!!!” he shouted.

“Shhh... you don’t want anyone to find you like this, do you?” Jake whispered. “They’d ask questions. You’d draw attention. That’s not what a fugitive thief wants... right?”

Jake’s hand slid under Aiden’s pants.

Aiden couldn’t think straight anymore.

He just wanted one thing now... to come.

His body trembled to the bone.

He closed his eyes.

“You’re even more beautiful when you’re lost in pleasure.”

Jake whispered before claiming Aiden’s mouth hungrily.

Aiden didn’t like his mouth, but he was already too wasted to protest.

Then—Jake growled. Froze. His eyes widened.

Pain.

Sharp and sudden.

He turned his head, and Aiden caught a glimpse of Orion.

Orion’s eyes gleamed red.

His usual pale skin now flushed with fury.

Everything happened too fast.

Orion lunged, pushing Jake away from Aiden.

Jake, now bleeding from his back, cursed and collapsed.

Orion raised the bloodied knife he always carried.

He was seeing red.

Nothing else mattered.

This man can’t exist after touching my brother.

Aiden reacted instinctively, grabbing Orion’s arm.

“No!” he shouted.

“Let go of me, Aiden.” Orion growled.

“Orion, please!! I’m begging you! Stop!”

Orion tore his arm free from Aiden’s trembling grip and aimed for Jake’s heart.

“I told Him you’re monsters!” Orion shouted at Jake, who lay frozen in shock, too stunned to move.

“I told Him you don’t deserve to be taken care of. You can’t even control yourselves. You’re the shame of the universe. You don’t deserve His blessings!!!”

Orion’s voice trembled—not just with rage, but with grief.

Aiden was frozen.

Shaken to his core.

“He cast me out. All of us. Because of you beasts!!”

Tears streamed down Orion’s face.

He lowered the knife.

Pierced Jake’s heart.

Silenced him forever.

This time, Aiden didn’t stop him.

He wasn’t even breathing.

He watched Orion drag gasoline barrels across the garage.

Watched him pour fuel over Jake’s body and the surrounding floor.