Page 23 of His Virgin Angel

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“She senses danger, so that’s good,” Marshall said, grabbing his bag.

Ronald burst out laughing. “She looked ready to shit herself.”

Marshall didn’t find it in the least funny. If he could be doing anything but potentially luring that poor woman, he would. He was lying about her paper as well. She had a power of telling a story with so much emotion that it made him ache for the girl she’d been.

“Is your need for power really going to make you hurt her?”

“Remember, brother, she’s a means to an end.”

That was his secret. Ronald was his older brother. Piper was an innocent, but Ronald was family. And Ronald had the evidence of Marshall’s “indiscretion”. It was the only reason Marshall had taken this job.

“I’m heading home. Try not to kill anyone,” Marshall said.

“The night is still young. You should spend the night with me, and I’ll show you how good it can be to be a Rivers.”

“No, thank you. I remember you killing our parents, and I don’t wish to relive any of that.”

Leaving the classroom, he made his way out toward his car, needing a stiff drink, and a firm reminder of what he was doing. He’d tried to stay away from his father and brother’s business, fighting and breaking the law. All of his life he’d wanted to be a teacher, and if it wasn’t for him having a relationship with a student, he’d have been fine. Of course, Ronald knew all about his mistake, and held it over his head. There was no out for Marshall, not now, not ever.

****

Jack knocked on the door at exactly seven that night. Drake had let him know that she’d be alone, and he didn’t like the thought of her being scared.

“Just a minute,” she said, calling through the door.

Music was playing in the background, something upbeat and country.

“Jack,” she said the moment she opened the door.

“Surprise. I thought you’d like some company. Drake told me you were alone for the evening. I thought it would be good for us to catch up.”

“Sure, that would be great.” She stepped away from the door, and he took in her pajama bottoms and thin sleeved shirt. Even though she was in pajamas, she’d put a bra on as well. The black strap taunting him as he closed the door, following her into the kitchen.

“I’m making green chicken enchiladas. I like them really spicy. Is that okay?” she asked. “I take it you’d like some food?”

“Yeah, I would.”

“Excellent. When Brian’s home I leave out the chili and all the spice, and just do a lightly seasoned filling. With him gone, I can splurge. I also don’t add as much cheese. He loves cheese.”

He saw the love she had for her brother reflected in her eyes.

“Brian is really spoilt.”

“Most of the time he does deserve it. It’s only rarely that he’s a pain.”

Jack stood beside her, watching as she dipped each tortilla into the green sauce, then filled it with chicken and cheese, before wrapping them and laying them out in a dish.

“I know there’s loads here, but I’ll cook them, divide them, and freeze them.”

“Do you love being in the kitchen?”

“It’s fun. I like the homely feeling that a kitchen gives, and I love food. I couldn’t give Brian much before we moved here. We lived on cereal, and now it’s nice to be able to give him everything he needs.”

“You’re more his mother than your own was.”

“Yeah, I wanted to ask you about that,” she said. “I was wondering what happened to our mother. She didn’t contest the emancipation order, nor the paperwork for me to take over as full-time guardian to Brian.”

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