“They’re close by.”
“Then we’ll walk.” I escorted her to the door. “It’s the least Reid and I can do.”
At the mention of Reid’s name, she seemed to relax.
I was thankful for any excuse to linger by her side, even if it meant using my son to accomplish that goal.
Angel eagerly ran for the door and wrenched it open.
The moment we left my office, I looked for Reid. He sat on a table, beating a pot and pan with his maraca. Rasheed sang the lyrics of a popular reggae song to the off-tempo beat.
I cleared my throat.
His singing faltered. “Boss.”
“Nice rendition,” Angel said, grinning at him.
I scowled. What had Rasheed done to earn that sweet smile? I was the one who’d taken care of her injuries and all I’d received were glares and mistrust.
“You know that song?” Rasheed asked in an earnest, friendly voice.
“I love that song.”
Reid banged his maraca against the table.
Rasheed laughed. “Guess he likes it too.”
I strode forward and held my arms out to Reid. He came willingly. I turned to Rasheed. “We’re going for a walk. Angel needs to return to her friends.”
“It was nice meeting you.” Angel batted her eyelashes. “Sorry about earlier.”
A sloppy grin on his face, Rasheed laughed. “No problem.”
I stepped between them, my voice a hard bark. “Let’s get going.”
“Bye.” Angel waved.
I held the door open and followed her into the warm sunshine.
San Pedro bustled with life. The setting sun cast a blood red tinge on the sand. Coconut trees towered overhead. In the far distance, steel pan music danced in the air. The music sounded like a gathering of fairies, delicate and bright.
Reid babbled happily, pointing to a stray dog that was sniffing garbage outside a nearby restaurant. “Doggie?”
“Yes. Doggie.” I patted his back and glanced over at Angel. She was watching Reid with a thoughtful expression.
I debated drawing her into a conversation when, from the corner of my eye, I saw something hurtling toward us. Acting on instinct, I gripped Reid tighter and grabbed Angel by the shoulders. I pulled her toward me, accepting the impact of her body as it slammed into my chest. Together, we spun off the sidewalk and toward one of the shops.
My knee hit a plastic chair situated around the outdoor patio. The legs scraped the concrete and moaned pathetically.
A gust of wind flew past me. A biker pedaling at top speed. If Angel had been in that spot for one more second…
“What was that?” Angel asked, dark hair in her frantic eyes.
“I don’t know.” Whipping my head back, I glared at the cyclist. Fury swept through my chest. I kept Angel against me and studied the man who’d almost knocked her down.
Instead of using his sense and biking away, the assailant skidded to a stop.
“What the hell?” I murmured.