Page 52 of Ruthless Angel

I still couldn’t speak. Saying nothing, I went to the kitchen with Cash and Blaze on my heels. Clover sat at the dining room table with a glass of water and a sandwich on a plate.

When she glanced up at us, her blue eyes shone with unshed tears. She sprang off her chair, throwing herself into Blaze’s arms first. I hung back, waiting my turn. All I wanted was to hold her. To smell her. To feel her.

I didn’t expect to be her first choice. I’d assumed Blaze was her favorite. That was fine with me. Wasn’t it? Watching him hug her tight and stroke her hair made me crazy. Not because I didn’t want to share her. Because I’d thought I might never see her again. Nothing made me happier than this moment.

“God, you feel so good, Rainbow. I’m so thankful you’re okay.” Blaze kissed her before pressing his forehead to hers. “We were so fucking worried about you.”

She went to Cash next, letting him fold her into his thick arms. “It feels so good to touch you, Sunshine. We’re never letting you go again.”

Clover let out a shaky sigh as he kissed the top of her head. When she finally turned to me, I thought I might pass out. I opened my arms to her, holding my breath as she pressed herself against me.

She wasn’t wearing her usual attire. Instead she wore a plain blue dress and barely there makeup. Nothing like the Clover I knew. I didn’t care about any of that when I felt her body against mine.

I held her so tight, I feared that I might break her. She pressed her face to my chest and let out a little sob. Stroking her hair, I rested my cheek on the top of her head.

“You’re okay now, Angel. I’ll die before I let anything happen to you again.” I meant every word. I’d have rather had Brady kill me than take her. Part of me was dying to know what he’d done to her. She wasn’t ready to talk about that yet. I felt it.

“I’m sorry,” Clover sobbed against my chest. “I shouldn’t have taken off that night. This is all my fault.”

“No, it isn’t,” I said, my tone hardening. “Do not blame yourself. This is Brady’s fault. We won’t stop until he’d dead. I promise.”

I was vaguely aware of Raina nodding in agreement. Having the mob help look for Brady would guarantee his death. He wouldn’t be able to avoid us for much longer.

Clover shook in my arms. She fisted my t-shirt in her smaller hands, holding on for dear life.

I’d never felt needed before. Never felt so wanted. Never felt so fucking head over heels in love.

CHAPTER TWENTY-FIVE

CLOVER

“Are you sure you want to go? You can stay with me for as long as you need to.” Raina wrapped an arm around my shoulders, pulling me close. “We can even stay here at my dad’s house if you prefer.”

“Fuck that. She’s coming home with us. That’s where she belongs.” A subtle twitch in Daire’s jaw gave away how close to the edge he walked. He’d barely stopped touching me since he’d arrived.

Raina’s eyes narrowed. “It’s not really up to you, Daire. Back off and let Clover make her own decisions.”

Fatigue shone in Daire’s eyes. A certain exhaustion shared by Cash and Blaze. They looked like they hadn’t slept in days.

I wasn’t feeling so great myself. Whatever drugs Brady had used on me had left me shaky and queasy. All I wanted was to sink into a hot bath and sleep.

“It’s okay, Raina,” I said, trying to keep them from boiling over at each other. “I want to go with the guys. I need to. I’m sure you understand.”

Her gaze flicked to the Gods who’d shown up not long after the Angels. They sat around the table, talking quietly amongst themselves.

“Yeah, I do. I understand.” She pulled me into a tight hug that threatened to crush the breath from my lungs. “I want youto call me if you need to talk. Day or night. Any hour. Okay? And I’m coming to see you as soon as you’re up for it.”

I definitely needed to talk to my best friend about the hell I’d gone through. Later. I wasn’t ready for that yet.

“Got it. Any time. I promise.” I hugged her back, overwhelmed by the emotion that filled me. For a while there, I’d thought I might not see her again. Or my Angels. “Tell your dad that I’m forever grateful. I don’t know how I’ll ever show him how much I appreciate his help. He’s got one heck of a gift basket coming.”

I tried for a smile that didn’t reach my eyes. Desmond had dropped me off at the house and then gone back to the hotel. He wanted a closer look at those running the auction. His anger at the whole situation had been palpable. The mafia was involved in a lot of criminal activity. Not human trafficking though. Not Desmond. He wanted to make it stop.

“Dad was happy to help. He would do anything for you, girl.” Raina walked us to the door, hugging me again before letting me leave. “Take care of yourself, all right? Lots of self-care. Make these guys serve you like the goddess you are.” To the Angels she said, “I mean it. Take care of her. Don’t make me cut your dicks off and feed them to you.”

“Raina,” I admonished with a small laugh.

“No worries,” Blaze said, solemn and serious. “We’ll worship the very ground she walks on. I swear it.”

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