Page 95 of The Silencer

“Yep, he was your tutor?”

“Yes, and let me tell you, he was the reason for my sexual awakening.”

Casey sighs and then plugs his ears. “I really don’t need to hear this.”

Angel swats at him playfully. “You’re just jealous it wasn’t you who sparked the desire. It’s mainly because you weren’t with us then. But Kingston was. I spent hours ogling that man. He’s hot, isn’t he? And that accent. Gah.”

I grin at my friend and nod. “Yeah, he’s a hottie.”

Angel beams like the sun and then leans toward me. “Don’t let my dad hear you say that. He’ll blow a gasket. He’s already growly enough.”

“Yeah, I know,” I mutter, and my ass twinges slightly. “He’s already proven how much he disapproves of me smiling at anyone but him.”

Angel’s cheeks flush and he turns away from me, getting back to gardening. He pulls on some gloves and kneels down, working on a small patch, pulling weeds and plucking dead flowers from the blooms.

I can’t believe he’s going to be married to someone who doesn’t love him.

My frown deepens, and I huff loudly.

“What?” Angel asks, peering up at me. “What’s wrong?”

“Nothing,” I say, not wanting to wreck his afternoon. Although, mine surely has been. No matter how much Anthony tries to placate me and fuck me into submission, I can’t get over this. I just can’t.

It makes me rage just thinking about it.

Angel puts down his shovel and places his hands on his worn jeans. “I know what this is about, Tatum, and like I’ve said before, I’m fine. I am. My dad has already told me about it. We’re going to have a ceremony here in a few days.”

My mouth falls open as he pushes himself to his feet and makes his way up to me.

“That soon?” I rasp out.

“Yes.”

“Why didn’t anyone tell me?” I ask, my body warming in frustration, my stomach clenching uneasily.

“Because I knew how upset you’d be,” he says, grasping my forearms lightly. “And I’m happy. I know you don’t believe it, but I am. I’m excited for this new chapter in my life.”

“But you don’t even know him!” I nearly shout, and Angel shakes his head, his cheeks flushing.

“But I do. Kind of. We’ve been…” he lowers his voice. “Speaking.”

“Is that who you’ve been talking to?”

“Yeah.”

My eyes widen, and I let him continue. “It’s a bit of a secret. My dad can’t ever know, but we’ve been chatting. Me and Mikhail. He’s…” He clutches me a little tighter. “He’s beautiful.”

I don’t believe it. How can I? He doesn’t know the man. They haven’t even met. So what if he’s been speaking to him on the phone? That means nothing. Right?

“I know what you’re thinking, but my dad has spoken to me about this arrangement and I’ve told him it’s okay, that we can go ahead with it. I really am happy about it.”

“But…but what about finishing school?”

“I’m online. I’ll be fine. I can finish out the year strong.”

“Will this guy let you continue on with your studies? I know you want to get your master’s.”

He lets out a little laugh. “Of course. He’s not archaic. He’s kind and sweet. He wants me just as much as I want him.”

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