Angel and the Assassin

doing here?” He pointed at the door.
    “He‟s meeting us.”
    Looking as if he had walked into a lion‟s den, Conran stood at the pub door.
    Kael waved him over. He hurried to their table and sat down. “When you told me to
    meet you here, you didn‟t say this was a gay pub, Saunders.”
    “It‟s a gay pub,” Kael said as though Conran were stupid. “Everyone in London
    knows that. What‟s wrong with you?”
    “Yes, that‟s fine for you, but in my position it could cause difficulties being seen
    walking in here.”
    “Still got a rod up your arse, Conran? But no, that was my dick, wasn‟t it?
    What have you got for me?”
    Conran looked quickly around to see if anyone had heard, but he was far too
    ordinary to draw much attention. From his briefcase he pulled a large manila
    envelope, removing a maroon passport and some papers. “This is everything he
    needs.” He passed them to Kael. “He‟s good to stay in the country now.”
    Kael thumbed open the passport to the photo page. “Where did you get the
    picture? It‟s adorable.”
    “We can get our hands on anything when we need to,” Conran said.
    “This is your British passport.” He handed it to Angel to look at. “What about
    the big boys at Legoland?” Kael asked, referring to the nickname given to the
    building at Vauxhall Cross.
    “They won‟t touch him. They know what you‟re like, and they accepted that he
    saw nothing and you wanted him for amusement.” Angel looked at Kael, then at
    Conran, biting his lip. Kael wanted slap Conran. “Aside from that, they don‟t want
    to lose you. You‟re too good at what you do.”
    “What about the Bosnians?”
    Conran glanced at Angel, saying quietly, “It‟s under way. Another day or two
    and it will all be over. You have all you need. Don‟t compromise yourself anymore.
    What about that video?”
    “No one has seen it, and no one will as long as Angel is safe.”
    The waiter walked over, and Kael put his hand on Conran‟s thigh. “Do you
    want a drink, love?” he asked loudly.
    Conran froze, his cheeks growing rapidly pink. “No, I have to go.” He got up,
    shaking Kael‟s hand off his leg, and walked out without looking back. Kael laughed

    Angel and the Assassin
    157

    as he watched him go. He loved embarrassing Conran. He held his hand out for the
    passport, and Angel gave it back. “Come on, boy; you are officially safe. Let‟s go and
    buy you some more clothes. And I found a shop on the Internet that makes Irlen
    lenses. We‟re going there first.”

    * * *
    It was after dark when they arrived home. Kael was relieved and happy that

    Angel had citizenship and that he was deemed by SIS not to be a risk. The boy had
    been marginally enthusiastic about his new clothes, but he really enjoyed trying on
    leather hats and was very happy with his leather rebel cap. “Take your hat off in
    the house, boy,” Kael said when Angel entered the kitchen still wearing the cap.
    “Yes, Sir.”
    Kael took a bottle of water and drank half of it. “What‟s the matter with you?
    You should be ecstatic; everything is falling into place.”
    “I‟m okay, Sir.”
    “Is it what Conran said? That I brought you home for my amusement?”
    “Why would that bother me, Sir? I‟m a slave. That‟s what I‟m for, right?” He
    took an apple from the fridge and bit into it.
    “Even slaves have feelings.”
    “Is it true, Sir; did you?”
    I love you more with every day that passes.
    “You‟re here because I want you here,” Kael said.
    “What happens when you don‟t want me anymore, Sir?”
    “You‟ve got all your papers, and I have an assurance that you‟re safe. You just
    need to wait another couple of days.”
    Why the hell did I say that?
    “Can I go and visit my mom?”
    “I already said I‟d give you the money if you want to go so badly. There‟s
    money in the drawer in the bedside table. I always leave cash in there at the back.
    But do not go anywhere without telling me first.”
    “You‟d worry about me?” He sounded skeptical.
    “Yes, I would. Are you hungry? An apple‟s not much food.”
    “No, Sir, I‟m fine. I‟m going to lie down if that‟s okay.”
    “Go ahead.”
    In the living room Kael stood at the sideboard and poured a whiskey, downed
    it, and poured another. I should go in there and tell him I love him . He drank the
    second whiskey in one mouthful and poured a third. He’s an annoying teenager with
    stupid habits, but I love him. I want him to