Angel

Part One

*WARNING: HOMOPHOBIC LANGUAGE*

It's funny how destiny works sometimes. One minute, you're living a quiet, peaceful existence and working in a convenience store and the next, you're being pursued by a detective and a gangster. Well...maybe that doesn't happen to just anyone, but it happened to me and my life will never be the same.

I actually enjoyed working the night shift. I knew my boss, Mr. Ronaldo had the position available for a long time so he was super grateful when I hired on. It worked fine for me...I was always a bit of a night owl. Now he could spend the evenings with his lovely wife and I didn't have to interact with a ton of customers...win, win.

Mr. Ronaldo's convenience store wasn't exactly in the best part of town...i.e. dangerous. But I grew up in a place similar to this so I wasn't worried. I think Mr. Ronaldo may have been like an ex-hitman or something too because nobody dared steal from him or cause trouble in his store. One look from the steely-eyed man was all it took to make any would-be hooligans think twice. Since Mr. Ronaldo was gone in the evenings there was the occasional thug that decided to try their luck, but I wasn't worried. As well as thugs, gangsters, and junkies that frequented this fine establishment, there were also cops. Guess it came with the territory.

Usually any wannabe thugs that decided tonight would be the night to test their limits they were still considerate enough to finish up their business in a relatively quick manner. A verbal thrashing was their usual go-to. I would patiently listen to their rant...maybe it was sort of a therapy session for them? Then they would be on their way and I wouldn't have to deal with them again the rest of the night. But tonight...tonight was different.

He was big and burly with muscles for days. His dark hair was shaved close to his head and he was covered in tattoos. Typical thug. But I guess this was "bash the twink" night and I was personally invited. It started as soon as he walked through the door, the little bell jingled above signaling his entrance. I smiled politely and he sneered back. After he grabbed a six-pack of beer from the freezer in the back, he stomped over to the counter where I stood waiting by the register.
"Good evening, sir," I greeted him, "will this be all tonight?"
"It's the only thing I have up there, ain't it, genius," he sneered harshly, "fucking dumbass." I guess I shouldn't be surprised he didn't come in for some friendly banter. I mentally centered myself and forced back a sigh. I punched in his purchase.
"That will be $8.76," I said looking up at him, "cash or credit?" He leaned against the counter, gnawing aggressively on the toothpick stuck between his lips. Maybe he was trying to quit smoking?
"You one of those pretty boys," he drawled sharply, his eyes narrowing, "a fag?" Well, that was just rude. I know I'm not big or manly, but c'mon. I mean...technically he's not wrong. I'm strictly dickly, but there's nicer ways to ask a person's sexual orientation. I forced a smile, hoping I wasn't just baring my teeth.
"$8.76, sir." I stated.
"You suck cock?" He demanded glaring at me. I wasn't sure if he was just curious or propositioning me. I finally sighed, giving him my 'I'm so over this' look.
"Sir, I still have a lot of cleaning to do," I said dully, "and as much as I'm enjoying this witty conversation, I would appreciate it if you could just pay for your purchase and be on your way so we both can get on with our lives." He glanced over at the bucket of water that I had been using to mop the floors before he came in.
"So you like cleaning, girly boy?" He spat out. I didn't think cleaning was necessarily gender specific. I mean people in all walks of life generally liked things to be clean. He stalked over to the bucket, stared down at it for a few seconds, before kicking it over, spilling semi-dirty water all over the scuffed linoleum floor.
"Oops." He scoffed, smirking at me. What he was currently doing wasn't extreme enough for me to call Mr. Ronaldo or the police, but I could see things escalating quickly the longer he stayed. I sighed again at his childish antics.
"Sir, I'm going to have to ask you to leave." I said frowning. He folded his arms tightly across his chest, looking like a petulant, overgrown three-year old.
"I'm a paying customer." He stated.
"You haven't paid for anything yet, asshole!" I declared. Maybe I should have kept the name calling out of our conversation, but honestly he started it. He stomped over to me and grabbed the front of my shirt, balling it up in his fist and got right in my face.
"What did you call me, fag?!" He snarled, spittle misting my face. The bell jingled over the door and my gaze slid over from the thug threatening my life to the new customer that had entered.
"Tsk...already causing trouble, Julian," he said shaking his head, "I heard you just got out yesterday...be a shame if you were locked up again." The thug, Julian, quickly released his grip on my shirt, making me stumble back a little, and whirled around to face the man. He couldn't have been much older than thirty, but there was a different look in his eyes that made him seem much older. Julian had a wild, unhinged look about him, but this guy...he wasn't someone you wanted to fuck around with. I mean, you would definitely want to be fucked by him, but not fuck with him. His hair was dark brown, cut shorter on the sides and back and longer on top that was slicked back in place. It was just begging to have somebody's fingers threading through it until it was all mused up (somebody being me). He was handsome and rugged with his masculine features and stubbled jawline. Nothing about him was soft or yielding except his lips. They were full, pink, and plump. Oh, I bet my right arm he was a mighty fine kisser! He was sexy and even the way he walked...reminded me of a jungle cat. While I was busy drooling over tall, dark, and handsome, I noticed Julian trying to discreetly reach towards the small of his back. He was probably thinking about pulling a knife or a gun. The man smirked coldly at him and casually slid a hand onto his right hip, pushing his navy blue blazer aside to reveal the brown leather holster attached to his belt. He shook his head slowly. Julian scoffed, stuffing a hand down his front pocket. I opened my mouth to...I don't know...yell out a warning, maybe or plead for my future husband's life? Instead of the weapon I was expecting, Julian pulled some cash out and tossed it onto the counter before grabbing his beer and stalking out. I watched him leave before looking down and sighing deeply. Fucker only gave me five bucks! My knight in shining armor glanced at the mess on the floor then looked to me, pinning me in place with his intense gaze.
"You ok?" He asked. I nodded, frowning.
"Peachy." I replied dully. He snickered softly.
"You need help cleaning this up?" He asked motioning to the floor.
"No, I'm good, thanks," I replied simply, "he actually helped me out, believe it or not." He nodded and headed towards the coffee machines in the back. While he was back there, I grabbed the little "warning wet floor" sign and placed it over the puddle. I would get some old rags from the back to soak up the water when the newcomer left. After he got his coffee, he headed back towards the counter.
"Will this be all, sir?" I asked giving him my best professional smile. He nodded, giving me a lazy lopsided grin that sent my heart into overdrive.
"$1.36." I said after ringing up his purchase. He handed me a five and I handed him his change. He stood there, silently staring at me.
"You're awfully calm for someone who was just threatened by a known felon?" He said quietly.
"Oh, well, I didn't know him," I replied simply, "we just met tonight." He kept staring at me, his eyes narrowing slightly.
"You just move here?" He asked.
"Yes," I replied excitedly, "last month...for school." His right eyebrow quirked up.
"You're in college?" He asked incredulously. I know I look like a high schooler, but it can't be helped.
"I'm actually twenty-one so I'm starting a little late," I said and then shrugged, "extenuating circumstances." He nodded and looked at me like I was the most interesting thing he's seen tonight. He finally reached into his pocket and held a business card out towards me. I took it, holding it between both my hands while I read it: Det. Adrian Maddox, ACPD. Then there were two phone numbers, one with an extension. Oh, he was a detective!
"In case you run into anymore...trouble" his eyes flicked down to my nametage, "Milo...give me a call right away, ok," Adrian said, "I'm usually in the area." This was my first time seeing him...I would have definitely remembered if I had seen him before.
"Thank you, Detective Maddox." I said brightly, quickly slipping his card into my back pocket. He nodded, sending a quick wink my way that set off a stampede of butterflies in my stomach.
"You have a safe rest of your night, kid." Adrian said before grabbing his coffee and leaving. I watched him until he slid behind the wheel of a nondescript silver sedan and disappeared down the road. I took a few seconds to collect myself before getting back to work.