Page 21 of Ghost's Angel

His intense gaze flusters me and for a second, I’m unable to coherently form words. “I…it’s…she…”

“Answer the question, angel. Has she done this to you before?”

It’s then that I realize that Ghost may be pissed—livid, actually—but not at me. I hesitate, not wanting to cause trouble. “It’s nothing I can't handle."

"That's not what I asked." His voice carries a dangerous edge. "Tell me the truth, angel. Has Krystal been harassing you?"

I shrug and study the floor. “I don't want to be a troublemaker.” "Look at me." He waits until I meet his gaze. "Either you tell me what's been going on, or I go down there and toss every single club whore out on her ass right now."

"What?" I blink in shock. "But...they live here. You'd really kick them all out?"

"In a heartbeat." There's no hesitation in his voice.

I let out a slow breath. “She…she made fun of my clothes and shoes and…” I swallow the lump in my throat. “It’s not a big deal. I can’t really afford to be fashionable and I’ve dealt with mean girls like her all my life.”

“What else,” he demands, his face a stony mask.

“Um…I was wearing your shirt and…” my face heats and I wish I could backtrack and not finish the sentence, but there’s no way Ghost will let me get out of this. “She told me all of the women here have worn that shirt, that I’m nothing special.”

To my surprise, he throws back his head and barks a laugh. “First, angel, not only are you special, you are the only woman who has ever worn one of my shirts, and the only woman who ever will.”

My eyes widen at that confession, but he’s not done.

“Second." He pulls out a credit card and holds it out to me. "I haven’t had a chance to give you this, but now is as good a time as any. I want you to go shopping. Buy whatever you want—clothes, shoes, jewelry, whatever makes you feel good. No limit."

I stare at the black card like it might bite me. "Ghost, I can't?—"

"You can and you will." His tone brooks no argument. "But you don't leave the compound without at least two prospects guarding you. Things are...heating up and I need to know you're safe."

The card feels heavy in my hand, weighted with implications I'm not ready to face. Here he is, offering me the world, while I’m planning to leave before I become an even bigger nuisance.

“And lastly, if you ever get into another altercation and don't tell me about it, I'll turn that pretty ass of yours red."

Heat floods my cheeks at his words, and a shiver that has nothing to do with fear runs down my spine. Ghost notices, his lips curving into a knowing smirk.

“Now,” he pulls me close, “tell me how the doctor’s appointment went.”

Oh, great. Here we go.

"Fine," I lie, hating myself for it. "Just preliminary stuff like I thought. Information gathering."

He studies my face for a long moment, and I force myself to hold his gaze. If he sees the truth, well, I can’t bare to watch the passion in his eyes turn to irritation and annoyance when he realizes I’m more trouble than I’m worth. Or worse—the desire could turn to pity. I couldn’t bear that.

As he holds me, I memorize everything about this moment—the strength of his arms, the steady beat of his heart against my cheek, his spicy leather scent.

I love him. I’m in love with a big, bad, biker who treats me like I'm precious. And that's exactly why I have to leave. It will hurt—God, it will hurt worse than anything, but I have to let him go before I become an anchor that drags him down with me.

I can do this. I can be strong one last time.

For him.

Chapter 14

Ghost

“You have two hours." My voice cuts through the common room like a reaper’s scythe. "Pack your shit and get out."

Krystal stares at me like I've lost my mind. Her ridiculously over-plumped lips open and close several times before she finds her voice.

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