Page 76 of Angel

My bottom lip trembles and my heart flutters. “You had no right. How fucking dare you? This was my story to tell, not yours!”

His emotionless glare makes my chest ache, as if all the understanding, everything he ever felt for me, was turned off like a switch. “You’re going to get yourself fucking killed. They need to know.”

“Oh, so now you’re back to giving a shit about me.” I finish changing as he stares my way.

“Of course, I care about you, Angel. That’s not what this is about.”

“Right, I know exactly what this is about. I get it.” I stalk to the bathroom, slamming the door behind me and slouching over the counter. I hardly recognize the girl in the mirror anymore. How did everything get so screwed up? If I would have stayed in Ohio, maybe none of this would have even happened. I should have just told them in the first place. “Way to go, Angel. You have successfully made everything worse.”

I do what I need to do and follow Venom out, down the road, and on our way back home. With every part of my body sore, tired, and achy, I trudge on. Because I have to.

Every so often, I glance over to see him wince from the pain in his arm. And the twinge of sadness in my chest resurfaces. Because I know that’s it. This is it. And as much as I tell myself I don’t care…

I know that’s a lie.

TWENTY-SIX

Angel

We made it back to Ohio without stopping. Neither one of us wanted to spend another night together, already knowing how this was going to end. I’m exhausted. Both physically and emotionally. It’s late, almost midnight, but my club is still awake.

Venom stops at the end of the lot, and my chest tightens. “I’m gonna head back to my club. Got a lot of shit to work out.”

I straddle my ride and fight the urge to dismount, run to him, and beg and plead for him to stay. But it’s not what’s supposed to happen with us. We aren’t meant to be anything.

I give him a nod, and then he rides off. And just like that, he’s gone. I swallow back the tears waiting to pour out. I’m stronger than that. I won’t cry for a man. But if this is what heartbreak’s like, then I wish I’d never let myself feel so much for him. It’s as if nothing ever happened between us. For what it’s worth, I do wish him the best. I hope he chases away the hurt, sadness, and pain deep inside, because he is a good man beneath it all.

I get off my bike. My legs are sore, stiff. My body is screaming at me. And my face, my skull… they feel like they got hit with a sledge hammer. I stop dead in my tracks, connecting eyes with the one person I knew would hate me right now. I disappointed the only man who was ever a father to me. And with how he’s glaring in my direction, I know I can never come back from this.

The blood rushes to my feet as we stare at one another, the way a disappointed father would his daughter. He crosses his arms over his chest, and I take a deep breath, walking toward him and stopping only when I’m close enough to see the speck of dirt on his shoe.

“My office. Now.” His voice is low, but stern. I would rather have him yell, scream, scold me—at least I’d know what he’s feeling. Right now, I don’t have any clue.

I take the walk of shame, because, well, everyone already knows. I can tell by the looks being thrown my way. I see Tequila, and she watches me. I recognize the hurt, her sadness over all the secrets, the lies, the betrayal. My brothers share the same expressions, but it doesn’t matter. I’m out of this club. Chain is going to make sure of that.

I sit down and hear the door click behind me. The air around us is tense, heavy, and Chain’s blank stare from across his desk cuts me like a knife. “Did you go to the hospital?”

I shake my head. “No, I don’t need one.”

“Of course, you don’t.” He clears his throat, groaning with irritation. “I don’t even want to say it. I can’t even say it. Because if I do, it’ll make my insides bleed with rage.”

I nibble on my bottom lip to stop myself from crying. Am I weak now? After everything, am I just weak? “I didn’t know it was him…” I swallow. It’s either that, or release the contents of my stomach. “All this time, I didn’t know.” I shake my head, and my eyes burn with unshed tears.

Chain leans forward. “What the fuck are you doing being a pros—fuck! I don’t give a damn about Victor Galiente right now. I want to know why. Just tell me why?” He pounds a hand down, his strong, large fist slamming against the veneer top. The disgust seeps out of him.

“I’m not proud of myself. The woman I’ve become. I’m exactly what my father told me I was… a whore.” I dig my nails into my palm, trying to stop the emotions from taking over. But it’s getting more difficult. “I was never someone who deserved anything more than this. So, I thought—”

“I want you to listen to me, girl, and listen good. Your father was a drunk. A piece of shit, who didn’t care about anything positive in his life. He fed off the abuse he gave you. He wanted it, because, for some sick fucking reason, he needed you to share in his misery.” He pauses, and I wipe a tear from my cheek. “You were the only thing he had going for him. His daughter was the only thing that made sense, which is why he wanted you to suffer. So, you see, Angel, you aren’t the nothing you keep telling yourself you are. Your father is.”

I wipe another tear, and then another. They’re flowing uncontrollably, and I’m unable to keep up. I rip the patch off my leather and set it down on the desk.

“What the fuck are you doing?”

“I figured I’m out. I won’t be allowed to stay anymore. Not after everything, after finding out who I am, who I work for…” I go to leave, letting my tears hit the floor.

“Stop right there. I don’t think you’ve been listening to a damn thing I’ve said.” Chain gets up and hooks a hand around my arm. “You’re not out. I—we—don’t want you out.” He turns me around, but I don’t dare meet his eyes. “Angel, my daughter, look at me.” My daughter. The flood gates open and more tears fall. My lip trembles and my shoulders shudder. He brushes a piece of hair off my cheek. “We are your family; we will always be your family. I’m not going to just give up on you. Haven’t you figured that out by now?” My body sags, and suddenly, I’m being pulled into his chest. His arms close in around me, and I let go. Just like with Venom, I let go. But this is different; there are no romantic feelings. Just a father and his daughter. “We’ll figure this out. We’re a fucking team, and whatever problems you have from now on, you’ll bring ‘em to me. Do you understand?”

He doesn’t know I plan on going after Victor myself, even if I die trying. I refuse to put anyone else in harm’s way. This is my battle, my fight, and I will win. I have to win.

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