Page 22 of Ruthless Angel

“I don’t think this is the right time to dwell on that.” Cash spoke up from the back seat, trying to smooth things over. “Let’s focus on what needs to happen tonight. Clover will stay safe and we’ll bring Blaze back.”

When we arrived at Raina’s house, there was some discussion about who would go where. Havoc and Raina had arranged for some of her dad’s mob guys to accompany them. That made me feel a little better about watching them walk out the door. However, I couldn’t shake the worry that plagued me.

I’d lost one of my Angels already. I didn’t want to lose anyone else.

“Be careful out there.” Raina kissed all three of her Gods as they prepared to head out. “Don’t do anything reckless.”

They all took their moment with her, making me insanely jealous of the deep connection they’d formed. I didn’t know what I’d been missing with Zane. Not until everything went to shit.

Cash pressed a soft kiss to my forehead, smoothing my hair back. “We’ll bring him home, Sunshine. I promise.”

As they left the house, Daire barely acknowledged me. Maybe it was easier for him that way. He paused at the front door. Turning back, he pulled me into his arms and kissed me with a possessiveness that screamed ownership. It left me quaking in his grasp.

“Be a good girl,” he murmured against my lips. “We’ll see you soon.”

The door closed behind them. Raina and I were alone in the suddenly silent house.

She turned to me with an incredulous expression. “Goddamn, girl. Daire is head over heels for you. I didn’t think he had the ability to love.”

I gaped at her. “What? Love? No, Daire doesn’t love me. I don’t think he loves anyone. Maybe Blaze and Cash, but even that’s a stretch.”

“Are you joking or just blind?” Raina asked, leading me into the kitchen. Opening the freezer, she pulled out a chilled bottle of vodka. “I saw the way he kissed you. That was an ownership kiss, Clover. He wants you to be his.”

She poured vodka and Sprite into two glasses, handing one to me. I accepted it gratefully. I needed this right now.

“Yeah, that was kind of the deal. They get to keep me.” I’d told her about the twisted deal the Angels had struck with me.

Raina sipped from her drink and laughed. “Wow, you’re really oblivious, huh? That man has no intention of letting you go. He’s falling for you.”

“You’re crazy. He’s not the type. Besides, he told me about an old girlfriend that cheated on him. He seems pretty averse to getting that involved again. I think she scarred him.” My first sip of the drink Raina had made was like a slap in the face. So strong. Good though. I took another sip, hoping to wash away the nerves that gripped me.

“Maybe.” Raina considered my claim with a head tilt as she appraised me. “It may have started off as a sex thing but it’s changed. He feels something for you.”

In an effort to change the subject, I said, “We need a way to pass the time. The waiting is going to kill me.”

“There’s a party tonight at the Saints’ house. It’s not all that far from here. Want to check it out?” Raina pulled out her phone, ready to order us an Uber.

“Do you think we should?” The thought of leaving made me uneasy. “Maybe we should stay put. What if they come backsooner than we expect? I don’t want to set them off when they’re already so tightly wound.”

Raina stared at me in horror. “Do you hear yourself? They don’t own you, Clover. I mean, maybe they do in the bedroom, but that’s where it ends. We can do whatever the hell we want. When they push, you push back even harder. Got it?”

Gnawing my lip piercing, I considered. She was right about that. I could do whatever the hell I wanted. Sitting here waiting for an update would drive me nuts. Might as well try to pass the time and take my mind off things.

“Okay, let’s go party. I don’t want to drink too much though.”

“No problem. You don’t have to. I’ll drink enough for the both of us.” Raina tapped around on her phone, ordering us a ride.

Twenty minutes later we stood in the Saints’ backyard with Lyra and Briar. The two of them looked like polar opposites. Lyra was preppy and trendy in butt hugging blue jeans and an off the shoulder white top while Briar was gothed out in a witchy black dress, knee high boots, and several leather and spiked accessories. Once Raina and I joined them, the variation continued. Raina in her rocker chick attire and me in my rainbow colors. We looked like a fun group.

“Oh good, you two came,” Lyra greeted us. “I was hoping you would. Jet won’t be too thrilled though.”

She nodded to where her stepbrother stood several feet away. He was engaged in conversation with his two best friends. They immediately took notice of us.

Raina fired a daring glare in their direction. “Jet can eat a fat bag of dicks. You’re not his possession, Lyra. Tell him to take a flying leap.”

“I have,” Lyra muttered, sipping from a hard lemonade. “It doesn’t work. If anything, it only encourages him.”

Jet was rumored to be a cult leader. The stories surrounding him and his friends were crazy. I doubted most of them were true. Although the rumors about the Gods and the Angels had proven to be true. A group called the Demons couldn’t be up to any good.

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