Page 64 of Angel

I divert my attention from him, still ignoring the man we’re here to see, as I connect my gaze with Angel’s. We share a silent moment filled with heated tension.

And there’s only so much more I can handle.

TWENTY-ONE

Angel

I’m not sure why watching Venom manhandle this prick for me is turning me on so badly. I could have taken care of this dude fine without him. But… knowing I have him by my side makes me feel… secure. And safe.

His eyes lock with mine, and it’s like my body sizzles with desire. I don’t even notice the other man who stepped into the hall. All I see is Venom. He has two sides: the face of Deacon, and the face of Venom. Right now, it’s Venom. But I can accept both.

We break our heated stare and enter the next room with the two Orlando club members. All four of us stand there, and I smile when the prospect rubs his neck from the vise grip Venom had on him moments ago.

“Your club has female patch members now?” If the guy bothered to read my jacket, he would know it doesn’t say: Skulls.

“Let’s just get this done and over with, shall we?” Venom steps partially in front of me, shielding me with half his body, and it relaxes me. Something I’m not used to.

The President of this Orlando club snaps his fingers at the prospect. “Bring it to me.” Venom digs out the baggy and hands it over. The prospect gives it to his President, and we watch as he inhales it. I’m so glad my club isn’t into any of this. “Smells as sweet as candy.” He snarls, then dips his white-powdered fingertip onto his tongue. “It even tastes like it too.” His mouth morphs into a satisfied smile. He unlocks the safe behind him, pulling out a brown paper bag full of cash. Venom doesn’t even count it. He wants to get the hell out of here as much as I do.

“And tell your boss I look forward to doing future business with him,” he adds. As we both turn to leave, he calls out, “Oh, and one more thing.” So close. “As an apology for my prospect touching your woman, have a drink on me before you go.”

His woman? He clearly has the wrong idea.

“That’s okay. We’ll pass,” Venom practically growls, but doesn’t correct him as he slips his hand in mine and pulls me out the door. My heart flutters at his touch, and heat fills my cheeks.

I’ve never had another man hold my hand before, and it’s kind of nice. He doesn’t let me go until we’re outside of the club, and the hot, humid, Floridian air hits our faces.

We climb onto our bikes, and Venom makes a phone call to Scorpion, letting him know about the trade. I glance around the parking lot, but I don’t see anyone suspicious. No creepy Mercedes tucked away in any of the shadows. Still… I can’t wait to get out of here.

“Ready?” he asks, slipping his phone into his pocket.

My gaze burns a hole through him. “You didn’t have to do that back there. Defend me like that. I could have taken care of him myself.”

His Harley rumbles as he searches for an answer, but he doesn’t seem to find one. “Come on, let’s get out of here.” He pulls out first, both boots resting on his bike pegs with immense power.

“What are you doing?” I stare at Venom while he sits silently on his bike. We’re back at the motel, in the parking lot, his face tense, and he hasn’t moved.

He clears his throat, while gripping his handlebars. “Get on.”

I straighten, and my mouth parts in shock. “I’m sorry… what?”

He sucks in a breath. “Angel… get on my bike.” I haven’t blinked. I’ve never been on the back of someone else’s ride before. I’ve always had my own. For bikers, it’s a huge deal. You don’t let just anyone on the back of your Harley.

But he’s a magnet, and I’m drawn to him. I pause before placing my hand on his stone shoulder and swinging a leg over. I take a deep breath, then scoot up to him, pressing myself against his back. He turns slightly to the side, with strands of dark hair flopping down and brushing against his face. Apparently I took too long, because he snags my hands and wraps them around his strong waist.

Being flush against Venom’s back, with my arms around him ever so tightly, is something unimaginable. If someone were to ask me if I thought this would ever happen—that we’d be like this—I would have called them fucking crazy. But here I am, on the back of Venom’s Harley. And I’m pressed against him, while holding on for dear life. And I think… I don’t think I ever want to let go.

“Have you ever had a woman on your bike before?”

“No.” That’s all he says before he takes off and out of the parking lot.

I close my eyes as the wind strikes my face and whips my hair back. I’m holding on to Venom’s midsection as my hands rest on the grooved muscles beneath his leather. I want to feel more of them, run my hands over each ripple.

I yell up to him when we come to a red light. “Where are we going?”

“You’ll see.” Excitement rips through me, and I can’t stop grinning. I try. I really do. But it’s not possible for this smile to fade. He makes one more turn, then we travel under the banner I thought I would never see: Walt Disney World, the most magical place on Earth.

He’s taking me to Disney World? My heart swells and turns to liquid. Every single part of me warms with an unknown sensation, and I actually like it.

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