Page 34 of Pitiful Lies

I smile at her irritation. Anna has gotten super bossy since she’s been married to Nico Fury. It suits her.

My bestie needed a little backbone, and that man seems to have provided her with more than enough.

I wait and pour myself a mug of steaming ambition, but before I can dial her number, I see her name flashing on the screen. It’s a video call and I grimace, but I accept it.

“Giselle Vega, you have some serious explaining to do!”

“Oh my God, did you just I Love Lucy me?” I ask, and she holds her angry stare one more second before we both start giggling.

“Angel called Nico last night. He told him about the explosion. Now, don’t freak out when you leave, but you have a security detail now just in case,” she says, and I’m shaking my head.

“Security detail? In case of what?”

“Well, you’re like my sister, Sisi. And well, Nico and the guys have enemies. If anyone knows our connection, they might come after you as collateral damage,” she whispers, and I can hear the apology in her tone.

“Anyway, I wanted you to know you can use the condo for however long you need. Now that we moved. I mean, I know it’s being renovated, but at least you will have your own space,” she offers, and I have to admit my parents’ place is packed.

Their apartment was always small. But with my room gone and Resa staying with her boyfriend while our parents are in Florida, I do feel cramped.

“I will definitely consider that, Anna. Thanks,” I say. “But as for the security, I think that’s jumping the gun. I don’t need?—”

But before I can finish there is a knock at the door.

“Hang on,” I tell her just as I hear the sound of a baby crying.

“Oh, I’ll call you back. Junior wants his breakfast,” she says and hangs up before I can reply.

We’ve been talking for weeks since I’ve been away, but I know it’s not the same as being in person. I missed so much of my best friend’s new life and role as a mom.

How many of Nico Jr.’s milestones did I hear about after the fact? I’ve never even seen Anna’s new home.

I suck.

I feel so guilty that my eyes tear up. They’re just spilling down my cheeks when I pull the door open.

“Morning—what the fuck happened? Is someone here?” Angel says, pushing his way inside.

He thrusts a bag at me and takes a pistol from the back of his pants, looking around like some real live action movie hero with his gun in his hands. He checks the room with military precision, and I am too stunned to say anything.

“Little Doll?” he questions, coming back towards me and tucking the gun away.

“What? Oh! Nothing. No one is here. I was just?—”

I shake my head, feeling a little silly. But he doesn’t seem to care. He just steps right into my space and cradles my cheeks with his big hands.

Hands that were just holding a deadly weapon.

“You okay?” he whispers and his thumb pulls on my lower lip.

Icy blue eyes stare into mine, and I sway on my feet. It’s like I’m being pulled towards him by some invisible force. Even more amazing, I think Angel might feel it, too.

“Koukla,” he whispers, bending his head.

Then he kisses me, and it is the best I’ve felt all morning. Instead of pushing him away like I know I should, I lean into it. Into him.

Holy Christ.

He feels so good. Strong and warm. Like the September sun kissed his skin.

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