A.F. Henley

Doren was born with a powerful gift -- a gift he's managed to use to put him well on his way to becoming a star. But there is more to that gift than just musical talent, and as careful as Doren is to hide that fact, there are some who know of the power behind the sound, and all the ways they could abuse it.<br><br>August's goal in life is simple: make an impact in the music industry. An opportunity to work as the personal assistant to Doren seems to be exactly the kind of break he needs to accomplish that goal.<br><br>But all too often in life, simple becomes just another complication, especially when there are people whose goal is even simpler: destroy and dominate.

The Gift

Doren wrapped his arm around August’s shoulder. “You can’t miss what you never knew.”


And that, August was sure, was bullshit. He was no posterchild for family love and sharing, by any means, but he loved his family, nonetheless. They were still a port in the storm. At the end of the day, if everything got screwed up so bad that he had nowhere left to turn, he could always go home. It must be awful not to have that option.


“You had no one? Not a long-term foster family or anything?”


Doren shrugged again, flippant, but buried his face in August’s neck. “No. I never stayed long. There was always something.”


His voice was warm on August’s throat and August stroked Doren’s hair while he chuckled. “Really? But you’re such a loveable guy!”


“I know!” Doren agreed. “But it’s okay. Because now I have you.”


“Yes,” August said with as much sincerity as he could manage. “You do.”


Chapter 66