Page 72 of Day Shift

I managed a small smile. “Oh, that’s really close to where I live.”

Conan grinned. “Yeah, we know. The laptop gave us your overnight location. We figured as much.”

I laughed. “Of course you would know. But tonight, I just want to crash. Alone time is what I need so that I can sort out some of the chaos zinging around in my head. How about I call you when I’m ready to talk more?”

He nodded and stepped away, his shoulders and arms tensing. It was obvious he didn’t want to let me go alone, but he resisted the urge to say more.

Lucian stopped me as I headed for the elevator. “Come by the club in the morning. We’ll update you on everything that’s happened since you left.”

“I’ll let you know,” I said over my shoulder. I walked through the reception area and pushed the elevator button.

As I stepped outside, I took a deep breath of the cool night air, trying to clear my head. I spotted Slade standing by the entrance and patted him on the side of the arm. “Take care of that jaw. Sorry for those guys forcing their way in like that. If I’d had any idea they might show up, I would’ve given you a heads-up.”

“No worries, Ana. I’d do anything for you. Let’s catch up tomorrow, yeah?”

“Sounds good.” I smiled as he raised his hand.

A cab pulled forward. He opened the door, and I slid into the backseat, giving Slade a grateful nod before the cab drove off into the bustle of traffic.

Chapter thirty-three

The elevator doors closed behind Angel with a dull thud. Soon the soft whir of its descent faded away. Returning to the table, I slumped back into my chair and stretched out my legs. Allowing her to leave on her own, to let her sort out her thoughts in peace, was the right decision. She needed space to calm her chaotic thoughts, and I had to respect that.

I glanced around the office at the men who’d been in Angel’s life long before me, regretting making a scene downstairs earlier when I’d seen Lucian kissing her. I’d acted like a jealous high school punk. Not my finest moment. Brawling with a guy she was close to, someone she worked with, had been idiotic.

Lachlan poured me another shot, and I downed it immediately, letting the burn of the alcohol fuel my frustration. I was mad at myself for losing control and letting my emotions dictate my actions. I could only hope I hadn’t ruined things with Angel and that my impulsive display hadn’t pushed her away. There was no explanation for why I cared so much, but I just did.

Lost in my thoughts, I stared into the empty glass. The truth was, my feelings for Angel ran deeper than I had suspected, and I was only now able to admit that to myself. She was Pandora’s box, and I was the one forbidden to open it, tempted by what I couldn’t resist. She was an enchantment, calling to me, whispering promises that would unlock my heart and hand over the power to break me. There was danger involved, yes, but being prudent and safe was for the cautious. And I was a reckless man.

I ran my hand over my freshly buzzed hair, the stubble prickly under my palm. Angel was different from anyone I’d ever met. She wasn’t just a woman I needed to protect; she was a woman who stirred something profound inside of me, something I couldn’t ignore even if I wanted to. And God, did I want her.

Rising from the table, I walked over to Lucian, who was staring out at the bar below. I extended my hand. “Look, man, I’m sorry for being a dick earlier. I guess I’m on edge and short-fused. I just want to keep Angel safe, and I have no idea how to protect her from the fucking mafia.”

Lucian grasped my hand tightly and shook it. “Think nothing of it, man. I wouldn’t have respected you if you’d been a pussy and not stood up for Ana. She’s important to all of us.” He turned to the others. “All right, guys, we need to get back to work. The club doesn’t run itself.”

Lachlan, Julian, and Gabriel nodded, heading off to their tasks.

I turned to Braxton. “Time to leave.”

We left the club and headed to our hotel. After we’d checked in and settled into our room, I decided to take a shower to relax. The hot water didn’t do much to ease my restlessness though. My mind kept drifting back to Angel.

As I toweled off, I paced the room. I had nothing better to do than let my mind gnaw on everything I’d learned today. Finally, I turned to Braxton. “I’m going to take Angel some food. She’s probably too wound up to eat.”

Braxton nodded. I decided I would look up the little Italian place Angel had told me she liked to order from. I would order some carbonara since that was her favorite. I grabbed my phone, searched the area, and found what had to be the restaurant. Pocketing my phone, I headed out of the hotel. Instead of getting a cab, I decided to walk; I needed the fresh air and the time to think.

As I strolled through the Chelsea neighborhood, I thought about Angel’s life before the wreck. New York City was a far cry from Tacoma. Would she ever consider moving? Probably not, with her family ties and her job at the club keeping her bound here.

Soon, I entered the cozy Italian restaurant and approached the back counter, where a teenage boy stood. He glanced up at me, eyes widening, and leaned his head back as I neared the counter, clearly intimidated by my size.

“Hey, by chance, do you know Anastasia Genovese?” I asked, trying to sound friendly.

The kid hesitated. “Uh, yeah, I know her. Why?”

“I’m bringing her dinner and wanted to ensure I had the right place. She loves the carbonara here, right?”

“I haven’t seen her in a while,” he said. The boy was all kinds of flustered. This had to be the one Anastasia had told me about.

I smiled. “Yeah, she’s been out of town and just got back late last night. I thought I’d surprise her and bring her favorite dinner. I want to make sure she gets what she loves. She mentioned how there was this nice guy—Elliot, I think his name was—who would deliver it to her and how he always gave her a little something extra. Is that you?”

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