Page 1 of His Virgin Angel

Prologue

Jack Sosa sat outside of an apartment block where the woman he was supposed to marry had just been caught screwing his enemy. Running a hand down his face, he waited for the rage inside him to dissipate. He was alone, which in itself was a miracle. Usually he was surrounded by guards, but they were inside dealing with the mess that he’d created.

No one made him look a fool, and that was what Beverly had tried to do. He would have married her, and she’d have been a perfect choice to keep in place. She liked his money, his connections, and the fear he created. She reminded him of another person who’d tried to make him look like a fool—Ronald, an enemy of his that always tried to fight for turf. Most of the time, Ronald lost, but on occasion they lost people on either side. Death was something that Jack was used to. He took life so often that he was numb to it, just like he was numb to the dead bodies upstairs. There was never going to be a nine to five life for him.

That life, and any other life, was gone. Staring down at his hands, Jack wondered if anyone would ever realize the damage he could cause. He didn’t need any other kind of weapon. His hands were all he needed. It was a good job that Ronald had never come near him. The bastard would be dead.

Getting dirty had never been a problem for Jack like it was for most.

Beverly and her little lover boy had taken their last breaths.

Out of the corner of his eye Jack saw movement, and he turned in time to see a chubby young girl walking down the street. She wore pants rather than a skirt, and Jack had seen plenty of girls wearing short skirts. What also surprised him was this girl was walking and reading at the same time. There was no one around as she walked. Jack couldn’t help but watch as she seemed completely oblivious to the dangers that surrounded her. Anyone could pounce, kidnap her, and take her away from this life. Didn’t she have any self-awareness?

She passed, and suddenly the girl stopped and turned toward him. The first thing that struck Jack was the depth of her brown eyes, and the concern shining inside them.

“Are you okay?” she asked, moving toward him.

“What the hell are you doing?” he asked. The girl frowned. She couldn’t be a day older than fourteen. She didn’t even have makeup on. Looking around the streets he saw no one was paying them any attention. “Do you just go around talking to random strangers?”

“No. You looked kind of sad, and I don’t like the thought of seeing you sad.” She put her book away, shoving it into her backpack, and zipping it up. She further annoyed the hell out of him by taking a seat beside him. Where was this girl’s fear? He could have attacked her by now. Pushed her around the darkened alley, and raped her, yet she sat down as if there was not a single care in the world.

“You don’t even know me.”

She smiled. “So? I think if everyone took the time to have five minutes away from their life, everyone would be a whole lot happier. I’m Piper.”

He stared at her hand, amazed. This girl was offering him her hand when moments ago he’d killed people with his own.

Unable to hold back, he placed his hand within hers. “Jack.”

“Hey, Jack.”

Her smile was beautiful, and so pure. He’d not seen innocence like that in so long, and especially in a teenager. Weren’t they all running around, screwing and taking drugs?

“Why do you feel sad?” she asked.

Jack couldn’t find it in his heart to push her away. “My girlfriend cheated on me with another man.”

“That sucks.”

“Why don’t you have any friends?”

“Because I’m fat and weird.” She shrugged. “I get told it all the time. My mom thinks I’m a loser because I like books.”

“Your mother’s a bitch.”

“It’s fine. I don’t care. I’m used to it. Here, I’m so sorry about your girlfriend. Mom’s boyfriends cheat on her a lot as well.” She handed him the book. “When I read it, it makes me feel happy. Like maybe one day there will be that special someone who’ll accept me for me.” Piper handed him the book. “I better get home. I’ve got to take care of my younger brother.”

Before Jack could say anything more, she was gone.

Staring at the book in his he saw it was a British classic, Jane Eyre. He remembered reading it in school. The book was well worn. He saw it had been read many times. Opening the book again, he saw her name on the front of the page, Piper Johnson.

He found it strange that she would give a total stranger a book, especially a book she clearly loved with all of her heart.

Jack was pulled out of his thoughts by the van pulling up against the curb. His own personal cleanup crew.

Shoving the book into his jacket pocket, he finished what he’d started, and that was disposing of Beverly’s body. By the time he made it home, the book was forgotten, and he tossed his jacket at his house keeper.

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