Page 33 of Wicked Angel

I found Gaven in my father’s office. The door was open, but I still knocked softly on the rich wood and waited for an answer.

“Come in,” my father called out. I pushed the door wider and stepped inside. Gaven’s ever-vigilant gaze found mine, his lips tipping up slightly.

“You called for me,” I said coolly. Try as I might, I couldn’t stop the downward turn of my eyes as I looked him over. He was dressed pristinely today. No suit coat but a dark button-down and slacks. His sleeves were rolled up to his elbows, revealing thick forearms that reminded me of the things he’d done to me. I shivered and yanked my attention away.

“Yes, I did.” My father lifted a brow as he looked back at me. “There will be no more running away, Evangeline,” he stated. “Gaven will be going with you to your fitting.”

I nodded. Just as I’d anticipated. “I understand, Dad. I know you’re upset, but I promise I’ll be good.”

He narrowed his gaze on me—as did Gaven, though I ignored him. After a moment, though, he merely nodded and then waved a hand as if dismissing both of us.

“Keep me updated on the Bertellis,” Gaven said, glancing at my father as he spoke. “They will likely still be upset by the marriage, but with things this close, there’s no stopping it now.”

My father scowled as if reminded of something awful. I stood by, silent and patient, but still listening in.Could the Bertellis be the family that had tried to kill me that day on the street?

“They will be dealt with,” my father sneered. “You keep her safe.”

Gaven nodded and stood from his chair. “Angel.” I looked up as he approached and didn’t shy away as he stopped at my side or when he took my hand. “Shall we?”

If he was surprised by my lack of hesitancy, he didn’t show it. In fact, he didn’t say a word as he led me out into the hallway, down the corridor to the staircase, and into the foyer. We were met by a small battalion of guards who lined our sides, front and back, as we left the mansion and got into a town car.

“You’re being quite good today, darling,” Gaven commented as he released my hand and the car moved forward.

Folding my hands into my lap, I turned and met his gaze. “Yes, I am,” I said.

“It makes a man think you’re planning something.”

“I am,” I agreed.

His gaze lit up and then narrowed. “Oh?” He arched a brow. “Do tell.”

I inhaled sharply. “As it stands,” I began, “you want something from me.”

“I want a lot of things from you, darling,” Gaven replied with a cruel twist of his lips. “But do go on.”

“What if I stopped fighting it?” I said.

“Yes?” His head tipped in curiosity.

Heart thudding wildly in my chest, I pressed on, taking it as an opportunity. “If I can’t get out of this marriage, then I want some freedoms.”

“What kind offreedoms?”

“College,” I said. “I want to go.”

“No.” Gaven’s word was followed by a head turn as he glanced out the window.

I bit down on my lower lip, but I wasn’t going to stop there. “Yes,” I snapped. “It doesn’t have to be in person. I can take classes online and you can get what you want.”

“What is it, exactly, that you’re offering, Angel?” Gaven asked, looking back at me. “I’ve already got your hand in marriage.”

“You might have my father’s agreement,” I said. “But you don’t havemine.”

“I don’t need it.”

I gritted my teeth at that statement. “You think that only because you don’t know how stubborn I can truly be,” I replied.

His lips twitched. He hummed deep in his throat for a moment before speaking. “What's flitting through that head of yours?”

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