Broken Bond: Between Vices and Virtues (BL)
Chapter 167: Family [3]

Chapter 167: Family [3]

The sound of the doorbell pulled Azrael back to the present. He sighed and massaged his temples as he stood and walked to the entrance. Opening the door, he was greeted by an apologetic look of his loyal bodyguard.

Roy immediately spoke in a sorry voice, "I already took Owen Mills and Elise Chen from Sandro. I locked them up and took their phones away. I apologize for being late, sir. I should have come sooner."

Azrael just nodded, dismissing his bodyguard’s overly response when he should be the one to blame. He trusted the security in that place too much, so he dismissed his men and asked them to assist Sandro in his job.

Roy bowed his head, his old visage looked worn out, but his eyes were still filled with vigor. He furtively peeked in behind his boss, hoping to check in and see if everything was okay.

"And Sandro?" Azrael asked, noticing the older alpha’s intent, he slightly moved out of the way.

Roy answered, glancing around the space he could only see from the entrance, "Luis called him, so he immediately went back to his office. He also told me he had other findings he wanted to report, but he left in a hurry, so I couldn’t hear it. I’m sorry about what happened, sir."

"No. Not your fault. I want results as soon as possible. If I could, I’ll handle it by myself, but right now, being with my family, and making them safe and secure is my priority. Especially after what happened. I’ll call Sandro and just ask him about it," Azrael sighed. "I want you to move here. Send four of your men and occupy the next unit. I want them to constantly watch Knox and Knoa. And until I don’t visit that madwoman and his lackey, don’t let them out."

"But what about the consequences of Elise’s disappearance, sir?" Roy inquired. He was never one to question his master about his orders, but Elise is a public figure, and the building, and maybe even other people, saw her enter the building.

It could have even been seen in the camera on that corridor that she met Knoa Arden and his boss, so if she disappeared from that point, the two would be the primary suspects.

Azrael’s face changed. His eyes darkened just remembering that bitch. He angrily spat, "Make sure to delete the footage of that woman entering this building. The public will know that she’s sick and that she’ll be taking a hiatus from all her projects. Also, delete everything about that bastard as well. I don’t want any additional problems with this. Do you understand?"

"Yes, sir," Roy answered obediently.

Azrael dismissed the guy, but before he could close the door, he added deviously, "And Roy, I don’t care if you don’t treat those two right. Feed them or not, it’s up to you. Report only to me if something happens. Continue aiding Sandro, discreetly."

"Understood, sir."

Before Azrael went back to his room, he stayed in the foyer and called Diva.

He explained what happened and was ready to threaten his friend if ever she refused to cooperate, but he was relieved that the woman took his side, no matter how twisted his plans.

"Of course! Is that all you need?" Diva shouted from the other line. She even sprung up in her seat when she heard the story.

"That woman is getting out of hand! It makes me feel guilty that I even beg you not to throw her in jail! Ugh, goodness. I wanted to yank her hair and slap her left and right! Either way, I already arranged the necessary documents and prepared for the termination. I convinced some of the brand directors to replace her with our next star, one that isn’t problematic and insane. The entertainment is already brandishing her as irresponsible and too arrogant so we only need time to let her reputation rot. The brands will surely agree with my offers if she loses her shine. Don’t worry."

Azrael somberly replied, "I know you can do it."

"Ugh, dude. I’m not ready for this major change in you. I’m having goosebumps hearing you speak gratefully and reliably to me! But anyway, how are they? Are my brother-in-law and nephew, okay?"

Azrael chuckled. He didn’t expect hearing a friend call Knox and Knoa like that would sound like music in his ears. "They are. Nothing to worry. Just deal with it properly. I don’t care about how much money I have to spend."

"I get it, Mr. Del Valle," Diva responded half-jokingly. She then sighed and whispered, "But don’t kill her."

Azrael nodded after a while of silence. His eyes darted to the hallway leading to the bedrooms, and he found a shadow on the floor. But even when Knox wasn’t eavesdropping, his answer would still be the same.

"I know. I will soon marry an angel, so I have to rinse my wings and stay out of sins."

Diva rolled her eyes as the call ended; a smile formed on her face.

As Azrael put his hand down, he walked inside and returned to the living room. The quietness of the room somehow left him with a weird feeling. It was as though he was never used to his house being that silent.

He lived alone for more than half of his life, and in those years, he rarely entertained someone in his home, let alone welcomed them. The silence he grew up with was his comfort, a consolation that his home could give every time he felt exhausted in life.

But now, that silence felt like a dreadful warning, a foreboding, just like the day he felt when he found his son and Knoa lying on the floor motionless. Azrael could never imagine he’d be that weak, fearing even the quietness and emptiness of the space.

He likes it rowdy, Knoa jumping and playing around, while Knox flips eggs in the kitchen over running water and sizzling pans. It was a dream, a simple family, harmonious and complete.

Kox finally emerged from the corner. The exhaustion in his face was gone, and what greeted Azrael was a serious yet bashful face. He approached Azrael, wrapped his arms around his waist, and looked up, "Let’s meet father...tomorrow."

Azrael’s hands landed on Knox’s head, one caressing his light-brown hair while the other checked his temperature. He gently mumbled, "How are you feeling? Did you sleep well? Are you sure about tomorrow? You don’t have to push yourself."

"I’m not. I think I already know what to do. I just wanted to meet him...and thank him one last time. Also, there’s something I wanted to ask Althea," Knox answered.

His stomach grumbled, interrupting Azrael from his next words. They both looked down and laughed. Azreal even teased, "I don’t think I’ve ever heard anyone’s stomach grumble like that. Never even think that’s possible."

Knox rolled his eyes at Azrael as he pulled away. He could smell the aroma of the food on the table. He smiled, rubbing his stomach, and walked away, leaving the words of command and timid reply, "Get Knoa and let’s eat. Also...even angels could get that hungry sometimes."

A delightful laugh echoed in the hallway, disappearing when the bedroom door opened and the laughter’s owner entered.