Page 16 of Lips of an Angel

Ryder eyed me skeptically. “Raleigh, where are you going?”

I looked away. If I didn’t, he’d see right through me. “It’s best if I don’t tell you.”

“Are you doing something stupid? Because we made a pact that we’d tell each other if bail money was necessary.”

A smile tugged at the corners of my mouth. We’d been drunk off our asses when we made that pact. I didn’t think he’d remember it the next morning. “No bail money. I’m going to meet someone.”

Ryder crooked a brow, waiting for me to continue.

“Sorry, that’s all you’re going to get. The less you know about this situation, the better.”

He fell quiet then, worrying his bottom lip. I expected some classic Ryder quip, but something in my tone must’ve sobered him. Instead, he scrubbed the back of his neck. “You’ll call me if you need help, right?”

This time, my smile was genuine. “Of course I will. I really appreciate you covering for me.”

I took our empty mugs to the sink, then Ryder walked me to the front door. “Does Angel know where you’re going?”

Something tugged at my chest. I ignored it. Keeping Angel in the dark was safer for him. “I told him I had something to take care of.” It was the truth. I just hadn’t told himwhere. “I should be back before the end of the night. This won’t take long at all.”

So, of course, my flight toLAX was delayed by four hours. I’d originally planned my meeting for lunch, but it had to be pushed to post-dinner drinks instead.

I sat in a cushy bar in Beverly Hills, taking in my surroundings. The dim lighting created an expensive ambience, not that the place needed it. Reminiscent of an old school gentleman’s club, it was safe to say that I felt ridiculously out of place. More than one person turned their heads. I wasn’t accustomed to feeling self-conscious, but damn, this place wasn’t my scene at all.

Dark wooden panels lined the walls and premium leather chairs sat around a roaring fireplace. I sat patiently despite the heat and stares. Well, sort of. My leg bounced under the table, the leather in my chair squeaking. Behind the antique-looking railing, a young male bartender mixed drinks, the ice in the shaker nearly overpowering the hushed conversations around me.

A sudden voice behind me made me jump. “Are you getting ideas for renovations?”

I looked over my shoulder. Darren stood there, and after my heart stopped trying to pound its way out of my chest, I smiled at him. “Yeah, you know, I think if this place had blood dripping down the walls it would really draw a crowd.”

He offered his hand and I shook it, and I declined another drink when he ordered his. “I have to be honest,” he said, taking the chair across from me, “I was surprised to get your call.”

“I won’t take too much of your time.” I removed the envelope that had been burning a hole in my pocket all day. “I wanted to give you this.”

Darren took the bundle and peered inside, eyes widening in shock. “Raleigh, I can’t accept?—”

“Please,” I begged, lowering my voice.

His eyes turned skeptical. “Where did you get this?”

“Savings.” I lied. “I couldn’t sit by and let you have nothing. I can’t take back what she did, but I’m finally in a place in my life where I can do this. For you, your son, and my conscience. You guys shouldn’t be left with nothing. Please take it. Start over.”

After a long wait, Darren finally folded the envelope and tucked it in his jacket as the server returned with his drink. “I don’t know what to say.”

“You don’t have to say anything.”

I steeled myself. I’d thought long and hard over my next decision, and I’d arrived at a conclusion: Kali didn’t deserve anything from me. If I testified that she spoiled me with the stolen money, they’d take everything I owned as evidence. Even the bar and my apartment could be in jeopardy, but Angel and I had a backup plan if things fell apart. From the sound of it, Darren didn’t. I didn’t blame him. How in the hell did youplanfor the love of your life to go to prison for fraud?

I gave him a banal smile. “Lucky for us that I always paid for my own dates, huh? As far as I can recall, I don’t think Kali ever spent a dime on me.” I raised a hand to stop Darren when he tried to cut me off. “I’m not doing it for her. I’m not even doing it to save myself. I’m doing it for the family she left behind.”

He’d likely be too proud to admit it, but Darren’s eyes glittered with unshed tears. “I don’t know how to thank you.”

I shrugged and got to my feet, drawing more attention. “Just take care of that boy of yours. And in a few years, if he ever wants a job, you know where to find me.”

Darren laughed. “Take care of yourself, Raleigh.”

Chapter 7

ANGEL

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