“I’m going with him. It’s the right thing to do.” Frank crossed his arms over his chest.
Angel knew that look. He wasn’t going to win this argument, especially with his dad and brother on Frank’s side.
“See.” Robert waved a hand at Frank.
“I see nothing, Dad. Frank did a real brave thing. He deserves to be rewarded for that, not taken in like some…like—”
“A common criminal?” Frank finished for him. “That’s what I am, Angel. This doesn’t change my past. I need to clear that up before we can really be together. In your heart you know that.” Frank put his hand on Angel’s chest.
Angel covered it with his own.
“I don’t like it. You’ll need protection.” Angel was shaking his head.
“I’ll be in the Alliance’s hands,” Frank assured him.
“But I can’t help you when I’ve retired.” Angel wasn’t above pleading. Not in this instance.
“What?” His father stood.
“Fuck no. Are you out of your mind?” Alphonse yelled, pounding his hand on the table.
Frank smiled at him and winked. Fucker. He’d let himself forget they had an audience. One that would not be happy with his news.
Angel turned back to the table. “I’m done with the Alliance. I’ve put in my time undercover. That’s been blown, if Chuck can be believed. Everyone knows me as Mr Angel. Once word gets out I’m really Alliance things might get dicey. With Frank testifying, even more so. We need to get away from the Alliance. The best way to do that is if I quit.”
“You don’t have to quit,” James finally joined the conversation.
Frank was happy someone had spoken up about quitting, even if it was that loud mouth that could have got them killed. He might have to forgive him now, damn it. It wouldn’t be right for Angel to leave the Alliance. It wasn’t just a job—it was his family.
“How’s that, James?” Angel raised an eyebrow.
He was so fucking cocky and thought he knew everything, but he didn’t. Frank knew deep down that he’d have to leave. He didn’t want to, but he had to if he was really going to change his life around.
“Do what Alphonse is doing.” James pointed to his lover.
“And just what is it Alphonse is doing?” Angel was glaring now.
“That’s right, you don’t know. I’m going to have a travelling office on the Reward. We could probably set the same up for you on the Avenger, but we might have to expand it somehow so you can conduct meetings if you have to. There is too much corruption going on and we need to be on top of it more. What better way than going to these outposts and checking in on things. You and Frank would be more of a moving target and it would be nice to have two of us out there looking for some good men to fill in some spots that have been vacated recently. Things need restructuring and that’s all there is to it. Help me, Ang.” Alphonse didn’t look away from his brother.
“I do know of someone I want to fill one of those spots. Archer Tok. He needs some Alliance training, but he’d be ready in a matter of months. Maybe he should be the one—” Angel was trying to wiggle out of it and Frank figured it was probably because of him and he wouldn’t have it.
“Stop, Angel, just stop and listen to your brother. It’s a good idea.” Frank tapped his fingers on Angel’s chest.
“What about you? Do you want to spend all your time on a ship?” Angel gripped his hand hard.
“Right now I just want to get my past settled. After that, I don’t have any plans. Well, I take that back. I need to call my mom and sister before they freak, then I’m good to go wherever you are. Don’t be so stubborn.”
It wouldn’t be a sacrifice to follow Angel around. He’d just have to find something he could do to help. He was trained as a right-hand man, after all. Only this time it could be for a good organisation instead of for a crime boss. It couldn’t be all that different.
“I like this boy.” Robert nodded.
“His name is Frank. Say it with me, Dad.” Angel smirked.
Frank reached over and slapped his head.
“Show some respect. He’s your father and your boss.”
“Yep, I might even like him better than you.” Robert winked at him.
“We’ve never been formally introduced, sir. I’m Frank Morgan.” He held out his hand.
“Robert Carter, and my other son, Alphonse Carter, and his partner, James Rodrick.”
Frank shook hands all around and let the tension finally leave his body. He could do this. More so, he wanted to.
“I still don’t like the fact that we’d be in the line of fire. I want to laze around a pleasure planet and enjoy life. I hardly know what that feels like.” Angel shrugged.
“So take a vacation like a normal person while we refit the Avenger. Problem solved.” Alphonse seemed to have an answer for everything.
“Frank still isn’t going with Dad,” Angel insisted.
“Angel—”
“No, Frank. I’ll take you.”
“Why don’t you both come with me? We’ll have to tow the Avenger in anyway. It isn’t up to the travel.” Robert was still standing but edging his way out of the room.
“What ship did you bring?” Angel frowned at his dad.
“The flagship—the Allora.”
Angel sighed. “All right. Tok will be joining us and maybe a couple others who want to explore. I’ll need to talk to Voit first.”
“I already have a list, Ang. Got it while you were…ah…busy.” Alphonse smirked.
“We’ll leave you now.” James took Alphonse and led him away.
They were finally alone.
“This is good, Angel. We both know it.”
“I still don’t know, Frank. But we have time. The trial won’t happen right away and we can take that vacation. As for the Alliance—”
“What’s there to think about? It’s more than a job, it’s your family.”
“You have no idea.”
“I probably don’t, at least not yet, but just think of all the stuff we have to find out about each other.”
“Yeah, like a sister and your mom?”
“Hey, I have a mom. Most people do.” Frank laughed.
“You know what I mean.”
“I do. And you can meet them. Soon. They’ll be happy I’m away from Vincent and will love you for that alone.” Frank pulled Angel closer and leaned against the counter. He spread his legs a bit so Angel could stand in the cradle of his thighs.
He wanted more moments like this and if things went his way they’d have them.
“How about we stop by whatever planet they’re on.”
“It’ll be out of our way.”
“So.”
“If your dad doesn’t mind, sure. It’ll probably make up for not calling. Maybe.”
Now Angel laughed.
“Right. There will be much yelling, I’m sure.”
Frank smiled. The moment was perfect. Finally things were going his way and he wouldn’t change a thing. Not even how he’d got to where he was because if he did that, he might not have met Angel and he was beginning to see Angel was the best thing to ever have happened to him.
He had a future and he wasn’t going to ruin it. Today was going to be the start of the rest of his life. He closed his eyes and kissed Angel. Yep—complete.
Epilogue
“I’m happy you waited a few months before you left for the Alliance.” Voit looked over at Tok.
They were having a beer in the local cantina. A goodbye. They’d been together for years and it hurt to think he wouldn’t have Tok around. But it was a good thing. Tok needed to explore and see there was better for him out there. Voit would never see him as more than a friend. It saddened him, really. Tok was a great man and he could wish he had feelings for him all he wanted but it wasn’t happening.
“I wanted to get a few things settled first with my dad. Who knows when I’ll be back. It’s a big galaxy out there.”
“Well, y
ou’d better come back. Don’t be a stranger.” Voit slapped him on the back.
“I won’t. They’ll be assigning me to the Allora for my training. I’ll be working with Commandant Carter.”
“Angel did say something about that. A good thing in my mind. I think they said that was the flagship of the Alliance. It’s pretty big. When it was here it didn’t leave orbit and the Commandant had to shuttle down.”
“Yeah.” Tok looked over at him and took a sip of his beer. He set it down. “You could ask me to stay.”
There it was, what Voit had been dreading.
“No, I can’t.” He shook his head then took a sip of his beer.
“You could and you know I wouldn’t leave you.” Tok laid a hand on Voit’s arm.
“You’re meant for bigger things, Archer Tok. I’m not part of your future, but I’ll always be here in your past. Don’t be afraid to come back, but know…that you need to expand your horizons. You’re my friend. The best I’ll ever have, but we aren’t supposed to be a couple.”
Tok removed his hand and sighed. “I thought you might say that. I won’t say it doesn’t hurt, Voit, but you’re right, if I stay here I’ll always want what I can’t have. Out there—who knows.” Tok shrugged.
“Whatever happens, don’t settle. That’s all I ask.”
“You really have no say in the matter anymore, Voit. That might sound rude, but it’s true.”
“I’ll always have a say, Tok. I’m your friend first and foremost. Don’t you forget it because if someone hurts you out there I’ll find them and put the hurt down.”
Tok grinned like Voit knew he would. His teeth were so very white in his dark purple face. Tok was a big man and could take care of himself, but it was the principle of the matter. He still loved Tok, just not in the way he needed to. He would miss that smile, though. It reminded him of when they were younger and getting into trouble.
“I leave in the morning. A shuttle is coming to get me and two of the other men. They are dropping off an Alliance officer too. He’s going to help you scout out a few things and find a good place for an outpost.”
“I know all this, Tok. What are you avoiding?”
“Saying goodbye. Earth has been my only home. I know nothing of my homeland or how things will be once I get on the Allora. I’m fuckin’ purple, Voit. I think people will notice.”
“So what if you are. There are other species out there. Who knows what you’ll find. Did Angel or Frank seem put off? Or Angel’s family? No, they didn’t. All Angel saw was a loyal man. Nothing else matters.”
“You’re right, but I’m scared, okay, and I’m man enough to admit it.”
“I’d be worried if you weren’t nervous, Tok.”
“Could you—just once—call me Archer? We might not see each other for a long time, Voit.”
It had become a habit for him after they’d tried being intimate. It helped him build up a wall that Tok couldn’t climb.
“Sure, Arch…anything you want. Ah…” Voit looked over at Tok. “Well, within reason.” Voit laughed.
Tok gave him a sad grin and tilted his beer bottle at Voit before taking another sip.
“I’m packed and ready to go. Dad is settled.”
“Don’t worry, I’ll check in on him. So…you’re nervous, what about excited?”
“Yeah, a little. Angel said that he and Frank would be there when I reached the ship so that’ll be nice. At least I’ll know someone.”
“Good. Good.” Voit was running out of things to say.
He took another drink and looked around. The place was deserted. They’d had a big party earlier for the guys leaving—sending them off in a big way. It was the least they could do. Next they’d get ready for the Alliance invasion. He still wondered about his ancestors and why they’d fled all those years ago, but that was something they’d never written about in the history books. He’d always be left to wonder. And it wasn’t a bad thing. From what he’d seen of the Alliance it was trying its best to be a force of good even through the corruption.
He wondered what the agent assigned to the planet would look like. But that would be enough of that, for tonight anyway. He was here with Tok.
“I should get to bed. The shuttle will be here early and we have a long way to go tomorrow.” Tok stood and gave him a tight hug.
“I do love you, Arch. Just not the way you deserve. Find yourself out there for me, okay?” Voit hugged him back just as tight.
Tok gave him a nod and left the building.
Voit stared after him for a long time, lost in thought before giving a deep sigh and finishing off his now warm beer.
He should go too, but he really didn’t want to. He hated the fact that he couldn’t ask Tok to stay, but he wasn’t selfish. No matter how bad he wanted to be. How did one go about forgetting the best friend he’d ever had? He didn’t know, but he hoped Tok had a better time at it. That’s all he could really do, wish him the best. Tok was dying a bit each day here on Earth.
Sappy time over. He’d had too much beer and he needed to get to bed and start on his own future. Who knew what it would bring, but he was ready for the challenge.
* * * *
“We should leave,” Angel said reluctantly.
He really didn’t want to leave the pleasure planet they’d been on for the last few weeks.
“Don’t wanna,” Frank groaned.
The trial was over, not that they really needed to do much. Frank had given his information over and that had been that. Chuck was on a prison planet as well as a few ex-Alliance members. Angel tried to feel sorry for them, but he really couldn’t. They’d brought it on themselves.
“I promised Archer we’d help get him settled.” He caressed Frank’s sweaty back.
They were lying in the sun for some reason he didn’t know. Frank had said it would be relaxing, but whatever. He’d rather be inside doing some naughty things to his lover. He wondered if he could lure him away from the beach.
“Oh, Archer is it now.” Frank opened one eye and glared at him.
“What, you jealous?” Angel winked.
Frank snorted and closed his eyes.
“What, you could totally be jealous that he’s after all of this.” Angel rubbed a hand down his body.
Frank shot off his lounger and pulled Angel back to their room.
“This is why I have nothing to worry about.”
Frank tugged his skimpy shorts down and threw them aside. He pushed Angel onto the bed and crawled up his body until Frank’s hard dick was right in his face.
Now this was what Angel was talking about. He opened his mouth wide and waited for Frank to begin fucking his face. He hummed at the taste. Frank was like warm sunshine.
“You like that, don’t you? I’m going to fuck you, Angel. Nobody else but me. Then later you’re going to ride my ass so hard, I’ll feel it all the way to the Allora. Jealous—oh, fuck—do that again.”
Angel managed to laugh around Frank’s cock until Frank thrust a bit too far and choked Angel. He gagged and Frank pulled out.
“Shit, damn it. I’m sorry.”
He still laughed and pushed Frank down onto the bed, straddling his hips. “Now, what was it you were saying? You’re going to fuck me—what if I want to make love to you first?”
“Angel—” Frank began to squirm underneath him.
“Yes, Frank?” Angel continued to touch any skin within reach. He rubbed his ass against Frank’s dick but didn’t attempt to touch it any other way.
“I want—” Frank was panting now.
“What do you want, Frank?”
Angel reached back and grasped Frank’s cock, giving it a squeeze and running his thumb over the head.
“I need you, Angel.”
“Need me to do what, Frank? Talk to me or I won’t know.”
Frank bucked in Angel’s hands and almost unseated him. Angel gripped his thighs tighter around Frank’s hips. He wasn’t going anywhere.
“Let me in,
Angel. Please.”
“Since you asked so nicely.” Angel leaned over to the side table where they’d left the lube that morning.
He put some on his fingers and played with his hole. Not that he needed it, but he loved how it felt. Frank joined in, his thumb right alongside Angel’s finger. Frank hit his gland and he couldn’t wait. He might want to, but he’d been craving this since they’d got to the beach earlier.
Angel pulled Frank’s hand away and reached for his dick. He sat down on it, hissing as Frank’s balls hit his ass.
“Move, Ang—fuck, move.”
He rocked back and forth. Angel loved the noises that left Frank’s mouth when they made love. It had him so hard he thought he’d burst without touching himself.
Frank didn’t let him ride for long. Without losing contact he turned them both over until he had Angel’s legs up on his shoulders. Angel grasped his hips and held on for the ride, meeting Frank thrust for thrust.
Then Frank slowed to a stop and just looked at Angel. He blinked up, almost shocked by the shift in mood. Frank took Angel’s hands and interlaced their fingers, gripping them tight. He pulled out until only the tip rested inside Angel’s hole then slid back in over and over—but slow, oh so fucking slow. He was killing Angel one stroke at a time, but he loved every second of it.
Frank licked Angel’s lips before he kissed his forehead. Then Frank kissed his cheeks as well as his chin before nuzzling into Angel’s neck. Every touch was given to Angel in love and he felt it in his very soul.
His orgasm was a slow-heated build, Frank thrust and thrust, riding through each shudder of Angel’s body.
The only sound in the room was the light slap of bodies and their moans as they both came. Angel never even touched his cock. Just the friction from their bodies and the pumping of Frank’s shaft had him coming harder than he ever had in his life.
Frank collapsed on Angel’s chest and neither moved for a few minutes. Angel even fell asleep for a bit.
* * * *
When he opened his eyes, Frank was looking down on him.
“You know I love you, right?”
Angel propped himself up on the headboard. “Yes. I love you too.”
Avenger Page 9
