Page 43 of Damned By His Angel

“Let me guess, she said he was too sweet to be me.” London rolls her lips over her teeth and nods, trying to hide her smile. I sigh and make my way back to Beth. She still remains at Bill’s side, I need to deal with this first before I can help the others. I ignore Beth’s cries as I close Bill’s eyes for the last time. I’ve done this hundreds of times but this time, I actually feel something other than peace and numbness. “Beth, I need to move him to the chiller,” I say out of courtesy. I don’t wait for an answer as I retrieve the other gurney, ignoring all the others and focusing on my task.

As I reach for Bill to move him, Chaos, Kacey and Royal all come forward and help without saying a word, I know everyone can tell that Bill and Beth are important to me. I fix the white sheet and then pull the red throw blanket over him, stopping just beneath his chin.

“I’m going to live with the guilt of this for the rest of my life, old man. Thank you for saving my angel’s mother, you are a true hero,” I say quietly. “I don’t know how I’ll find my fight anymore, I’m tired and just want to live in peace but this life doesn’t offer that.” Bitterness coats my words but I feel no remorse for the others hearing them, they all know that much like Meelz I didn't want or choose this life, I was forced into it and have been trapped since Aida died.

“You don’t have to live with shit! You just need to find a reason to fight, find something that gives you the strength you need for change and I promise you, boy, it will be the most frightening and exhilarating feeling in this world.” I stare at Beth in utter shock. Her husband said something similar to me once, her voice is firm and unyielding. “That man there,” she says, pointing to Bill. “He fought for me. When my daddy said he was no good, he fought. He proved everybody wrong and showed them he was good enough. The stupid fool didn’t realize the only person he had to prove anything to was me. That girl will be your strength. That baby will be the second chance you both need. Don’t you dare let my Bill’s sacrifice be for nothing, you go on now and get that angel back.”

Determination flows through me at her words. I give her a subtle nod as the doors swing open. I look back to see King, Gage, Vincent and Taylan enter with Destiny at his side. The Re Della Strada has arrived. I grip the gurney, preparing to place Bill in the chiller until I return, but King grips my arm, drawing my attention to him. He releases me as he stands by Bill’s side and pulls a dagger with a solid gold handle from his side and lays it atop Bill’s chest.

“Your bravery today is unmatched, you saved the life of a woman you didn’t even know and in doing so, you have earned the respect of my family which in turn extends to your wife. I cannot offer you anything in the afterlife but what I can give you is peace of mind. That blade has served me well over the years and it will remain with you in the next life so you may protect yourself until your beloved finds you again. Your wife will have the protection of the Murdoch mafia, Memento Mori, Re Della Strada and The Godfathers Of The Night. Rest easy, Wild Bill.” My mouth pops open in awe at King’s words.

“To Wild Bill!” Vincent calls out. Every person in the room mimics his call, and a lump forms in my throat when everyone forms a line on either side, drawing a path to the chiller for Bill—showing their respect for the man that saved one of their own, but what they don’t know is this man also saved me. Artemis leads Beth over to me. I shift so she is at her husband's head. Art and I grip the sides of the gurney and slowly walk toward the chiller. Each person places a closed fist over their hearts and bow their heads. To see Royal and Bishop as the Don’s of each of their families bow their heads in respect for my… friend has me fighting back my own tears.

I help Beth secure Bill in the chiller, then wrap my arm around her shoulders, pulling her into my side and placing a kiss on the top of her head.

“You have been thanked for saving Allison but I have something else to thank you for.” Artemis cuts a glance to me as he continues to speak. “Thank you for bringing my brother back to me, Bill.” I stare at my twin in surprise. “He was lost for a long time but now he is found, thanks to you.” My phone's shrill ring pierces the air, shattering the moment. I release Beth and pull it from my back pocket, nearly dropping the fucking thing when I see Amelia’s name. I answer and bring it to my ear as I exit the chiller, garnering everyone’s attention.

“Angel?” King is in front of me in the next second, mouthing to put it on speaker. I do as he says and wait to hear her voice.

“Cronos?” My shoulders deflate at the sound of her voice, King shudders as if relieved to know his daughter is alive. She sounds a bit dazed but I try not to focus on that.

“I’m here, baby, are you hurt? Where are you?—”

“I can’t do this with you anymore.” My brows slant as I stare down at the phone confused.

“What?” I rasp out.

“I want a real family and I can’t have that with you. Colson showing up and… proving to me that he does love me showed me I need to be with my real family.” The slight hitch in her voice is a clear sign she is being coerced into saying this shit. so I play along.

“Is that so?” I growl. I shut down all my emotions and force those fuckers to stay buried so I can keep a clear head.

“Y-yeah. Don’t try to find me, go chase my niece and see if she will finally notice you, maybe take her to the place where I first met the Devil and see if she falls for you there.”

King shifts as if to grab the phone, I strike out with my free hand and grip his throat. The others rush in but don’t make a sound. I shake my head at him urging him to keep his fucking mouth shut so I can figure this shit out. I release him as I speak, not caring about the fact he pulls his gun and presses it against my chest. Artemis pulls his own gun and aims it at King forcing the others to all draw their guns, I roll my eyes.

Idiots!

“Angel, I warned you not to fuck with me and what I would do if you ever tried to leave, didn’t I?”

“Your threats mean nothing, Aida isn’t your baby!” I suck in a sharp inhale but not for the reason everyone else thinks.

“Okay, baby, you want to run off into the sunset and live in that big old castle with that little bitch who is living on borrowed time?”

“Aida and I will be happy with Colson, tell my family not to try to track me down.” I hear her hiss and worry gnaws at me but I remain calm, not wanting to alert the fucker who I know is beside her listening to her every word. “Go after London, take her from your brother and maybe then you will stop being a weak ass bitch.” The call ends, and chaos erupts.

“You son of a bitch!” King roars as he punches me across the jaw.

“Touch my brother again and you’ll be next in the chiller!” Artemis roars as he cuts in front of me and aims his gun at King.

“Think carefully, dipshit, you pull that trigger and I can’t save you,” Royal warns. London ignores everyone as she stands in front of Artemis, putting herself in the line of fire of everyone.

“Drop your fucking guns!” Bishop yells. They may all be pissed but no one will risk hurting the princess or inciting Bishop and Royal’s wrath if they hurt her.

“Art, I swear I never did anything with Nos, you know I love your brother but—” Before London can continue I cut in.

“She used your name to tell me where she is going.” All their gazes swing to me.

“What?” Chaos snaps.

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