by Kahlen Aymes
“A repeat performance?” she asked stiffly.
“Ah. Well, whatever. Did you enjoy that as much as I did?” His voice slithered through the phone and wrapped around her.
Her back stiffened and her hand clenched around the phone until her fingers hurt. “Yeah. It was a barrel of laughs. Sick motherfuckers like you fascinate me. If I were a man, my dick would be hard.”
She was chilled by the low chuckle that followed. “Come now, Angel, play nice. I know where it hurts, so remember that.”
“You’re not taking into account that I’m a cold bitch and I have a purpose here. It doesn’t matter what you do, my agenda will not change.”
“I love your defiance, but we both know the tests show nothing.”
“Your crystal ball needs adjusting.” Anger flooded her until she thought she’d burst, and she knew this was the time to push his buttons. When he called her office, he gave her the opportunity to engage his rage without initiating contact. “I’ll do what needs to be done.”
“As will I. Accidents befall important men all the time.”
A chill ran over her skin like lightning. “Well, you might have a point, but you’ll come up empty.”
“I know you’re involved with Alex Avery.”
“Not involved, exactly. I was fucking him. We had an arrangement, but it’s over. I got bored.”
“I’m not convinced, but maybe you need a real man.”
She rolled her eyes in disgust. “Well, let me know if you run into one. Until then, I’ll just concentrate on putting your sorry ass behind bars. Have a nice day.”
Somehow, Angel had ended up on the far side of her office to stare out of the window and didn’t notice that she’d inadvertently knocked her latte over with the cord from the phone. The tan liquid was dripping down the side of her desk, and the reports she was working on were ruined.
“Oh, crap!” she moaned, returning the phone to its cradle and pulling tissues from the dispenser near the corner of her desk; she began to frantically mop up the mess.
“Mr. Gant is here.”
“Thank you, Liz. Send him in.” She glanced up as she threw the tissues away. He looked anxious as he entered her office. “Hi, Kenneth.”
Kenneth deposited himself in one of the sleek black leather chairs opposite hers. “Angel, I wanted to let you know that I got word the victim is refusing to testify. Apparently, Swanson offered his wife a huge settlement and a quickie divorce to keep it all hush-hush.”
“But—it’s a criminal matter. It still goes to trial, right? Regardless of what she wants, it isn’t up to her.”
“Well, yeah, technically, I could push it. But if the victim is called as a hostile witness and then refuses to talk, she’ll be charged with perjury and contempt of court. Frankly, Angel, it’s a huge waste of taxpayer money to take something to trial that we’ll probably lose. And, don’t you think that poor kid’s been through enough?”
Angel tugged at a tendril that had fallen free from her chignon to softly frame her face. She sighed heavily. “It’s better than knowing that fucker got away with what he did to her! He’ll just do it to someone else! Creeps like Mark Swanson don’t stop because they almost got caught. He’ll just feel empowered, like he can get away with anything!”
“Angel, there’s not a whole hell of a lot I can do. It’s my job to take cases to court that I can win, and I don’t think I’ll win this.”
“That bastard!” she breathed. “I’ve never hated anyone so much in my life. Maybe, if I talk to the girl again?” Her face felt like it was on fire even as the color drained from away and desperation clung to her soul. After all of the torment that he’d caused, he would get off scot-free? Her heart fell and she felt like she would vomit, her hands shaking to the point where she had to steady them by smoothing out her navy skirt.
“It’s doubtful it will help. You can’t win ’em all, Angel. I know how much this means to you, but you have to let it go.”
“Can’t you stall for a little while? Give me some time to crack this asshole on my own?”
“It’s too dangerous, Angel.” Kenneth shook his head. “And I’ve already stalled so you could repeat the tests.”
“He’s threatened me and had his thugs break into Alex’s house. I have to get him on something, for God’s sake!”
“You don’t have to do anything! Stay out of it! He’ll screw up on his own; trust me. We just have to wait him out.”
Her upper teeth gnawed on her lower lip, and Kenneth knew that look well.
“Angel! It’s not worth it.”
“Ken, there’s nothing you can say to change my mind. It’s personal now. He’s invaded my life and threatened people I care about.”
“What will your boyfriend think of you chasing rapists around? You’re too smart to put yourself in such a dangerous position!” Kenneth argued.
“Alex is no one’s boyfriend!” Angel admonished. “Even if he were, I wouldn’t ask his permission. You know me better than that. But, it’s moot.” She paused, unsure how much she should say. “I’m not seeing him anymore.” She concentrated on keeping her voice steady despite the ache the words caused. The burning behind her eyes resulted in tears welling up. She blinked rapidly and turned away so Kenneth wouldn’t see, absently digging around in her desk drawer.
Kenneth’s tone softened. “Avery’s reputation is what it is, but I never expected him to be through with you so soon.”
Her cheeks burned at the implication, but she had no desire to give the wrong impression either. “Naturally, you assume it’s up to him.” She scowled, anger a welcome distraction from the ache in her throat. “That just pisses me off! This is my decision and it has nothing to do with Alex. He’s been… really wonderful.”
There was a long pause as Kenneth digested the information. “I’m not sure if I’m relieved you’re not with the guy or frustrated because I’m not the reason why. I hoped after this affair burned out, you’d want to try again.”
Angel’s face crumpled. “Kenneth, I can’t.” Her voice broke slightly. “I’m not leaving Alex because I don’t want to be with him. Swanson has threatened to hurt him and I can’t risk that.”
“Oh, I see.” He sighed. “If you feel this strongly, just tell him what’s going on and agree not to see each other until this is over.”
She shook her head adamantly. “I wish it were that easy. My conscience won’t let me abandon what’s right, and Alex isn’t the type to wait in the wings. God knows what he’d do. He’s not as invincible as he thinks he is, and I don’t want him hurt.”
“Don’t you think ending the relationship will hurt him?”
“His ego may be bruised, and I expect he’ll be madder than hell, but better that than the alternative. If anything happened to him, I’d never forgive myself.” She closed her eyes against the sting.
“Did you ever consider that even if you stop seeing Avery, Swanson might not believe you’re done with him?”
“I’m not a moron,” Angel almost spat out.
Kenneth sat still as stone and studied her absolute resolve until she shifted in her seat.
“Look, I have a full load of patients today, and I need to get my shit together.”
He stood reluctantly and came around the desk, pulling her up by her hand and hugging her gently. “I’m here if you need me. Don’t do anything stupid. I’ll stall this thing as long as I can.”
“Thank you.”
After Kenneth left, Angel sank back into her chair and let her head fall onto her arms on the top of her desk. Her shoulders shook in an effort to hold it together. The loss and regret overwhelmed her. She knew that she’d have to be stronger than ever when she faced Alex. He was a predator who was used to winning, and he wouldn’t play fair. He’d pull out every weapon in his arsenal to prove just how much power he held over her. Power her heart already acknowledged without hesitation.
She felt physically ill when she considered the scene she’d have to get through, what
she would need to do to convince Alex she wanted him out of her life. She grabbed the black wastebasket from under her desk and vomited up the latte and what little breakfast she’d had earlier. The convulsions continued until dry heaves racked her slight form. When they finally subsided, she sat back and grabbed a tissue from her sideboard next to her desk, wiping at her mouth and then at the tears clinging to her lashes. Angel picked up the phone and buzzed Liz.
“Yes?”
“I can’t see patients today. I’m ill. Please call and reschedule my appointments.”
“Are you okay? Do you need anything?”
“No, thank you. I just need to go home.”
“Okay, Angel. I’ll take care of everything.”
“Thank you.”
Angel stood on shaky legs and pulled both of her phones from her purse. Of course, there was a message from Alex.
Hey, babe, it’s me. I thought I’d take you out to dinner. I’ll have Mrs. Dane make reservations wherever you’d like. Meetings this morning but I’ll touch base over lunch. Talk to you soon.
How easy it would be to allow things to continue as they had been. Every second with him had been magical. She loved the thrill of thinking about him and knowing that every night she could be wrapped in his arms if that was what she wanted. Except, she wouldn’t be.
Suddenly, she was desperate to put it off for one more day. She pushed his phone aside and picked up the other phone, quickly dialing her best friend.
“Hey, stranger!”
“Hi, Becca. Can you meet me tonight? Just you?”
Becca heard the weariness in Angel’s voice; the stuffiness of her nose was a clear sign she’d been crying.
“I think so. I’ll ask Mom to watch Jilly. Are you okay?”
“Oh, sure.” Angel forced an enthusiastic tone she didn’t feel. “I just miss you.”
“Okay! Where and what time?”
“My place? It doesn’t matter when. I’m going home early.”
“Sure. Should I bring anything?”
“No, I’ll stop and pick some stuff up on my way home.”
“Is Alex out of town? I didn’t think you’d ever come up for air!” Becca laughed happily.
Angel was not willing to disclose anything until she saw Becca in person; she needed time to get her game face on. “So, around six?”
“What’s wrong, Angel?” Becca asked, the somber tone of her friend giving her mood away.
“I’ll tell you tonight. I promise.” She brushed the remnant tears from under her eyes and gathered her purse.
“Okay. See you then.”
“Thanks.”
Angel leaned back in her high-backed leather chair and closed her eyes. She cleared her throat. It was now or never. “Fuck my life.”
*****
“Is she home?” Alex asked as the door shut heavily behind him.
Cole’s eyes roamed over his brother’s unusual appearance. He was without a jacket or tie, shirt untucked, sleeves rolled halfway up his forearms, and the dark shadow of a day and a half’s worth of beard covering his jaw.
“Yes. Since early afternoon.” Cole was in the process of moving into Angel’s building and overseeing the installation of the new security system after Avery’s purchase was final. “She passed me in the hall but seemed distracted. I don’t think she even noticed.”
Angel hadn’t answered his request for dinner, and he’d been unable to reach her all day. So he ended up in the room that was supposed to be Cole’s living room but now looked more like a security office with several monitors that wired into cameras placed around the entire building.
Alex, hands on hips, looked closely at the screens. “Where the fuck is Bancroft? He was supposed to be watching her, wasn’t he?” Tension filled him, tightening the muscles of his arms and shoulders with a painful burn.
“Downtown, digging around to find out how much weight Swanson’s mob connections afford him. It doesn’t look like the organization gives a fuck about the guy. He’s basically a joke. It doesn’t help him that the girl is Marvin Standish’s niece.” Anyone connected in Chicago, knew that the Standish family was heavy into the mob, even though they had legitimate business fronts as well. The man attended some of the same events as Alex did and his wife ran in some of the same circles as the wives of other Chicago businessmen. His kids played in the same sports leagues. Most people knew but it wasn’t exactly a topic of conversation. “I’m surprised he’s still breathing, to be honest, but then his sister Carol is married to one of them. I doubt his sister’s husband is significant, so I doubt they will protect him or retaliate, but we should still be careful, Alex.”
“I’m paying him to watch her!”
Cole frowned as he glanced toward his brother. “Alex, are you listening? This is great news! No one is going to save this dude’s ass by pouring money into his business. Three of his locations are already closed. It’s happening just the way you planned.”
Two hands ran through his thick mop of dark hair as he inhaled deeply. “Bancroft should’ve been doing his fucking job!” The tenor of his words bounced off the walls and echoed around the empty apartment.
“Alex!” Cole said sharply. “She’s safe, for Christ’s sake!”
“Until that fucker is locked up or so broke he can’t afford to take a cab across the street, I want someone watching her around the clock! Is that clear, Cole?” He leaned down, looking closely at the monitor that was trained on the hallway in front of Angel’s apartment. Cole turned and stared at his profile, watching the muscle twitch in Alex’s jaw. “I said, is that clear?” His voice was menacingly low.
“Alex, I know I’m just a hired hand, but I’m still your older brother. Remember that.” Cole got up and went into the kitchen, pulling two beers from the refrigerator.
Alex waved the proffered can away and Cole’s brows rose.
“You need a drink. Take it.” He offered it again and Alex reluctantly took it.
“Only one, Cole. You can’t protect her if you’re drunk.” His voice was softer now.
“Aren’t you on your way over there? I figure I can get some sleep as long as she’s with you.”
“I don’t know.” Alex opened the can and downed half of the contents in one long pull.
“Since when? You always architect every move you make.”
“I’ve uh…” he paused. “It’s the Angel affect, I guess.” The corner of his mouth quirked slightly. “Sorry about before. The guy’s slime, and he openly threatened her.”
“He threatened you both. Don’t forget that.”
Alex shrugged and sank to the floor, leaning his back against a wall, his legs out in front of him as he finished the beer. “He’s not interested in me, but I need to take care of Angel… she doesn’t make it easy. But you’re right. I shouldn’t take it out on you. Bancroft, on the other hand, will hear about it.”
Cole sat back down in front of the monitors and adjusted something in front of him. “She had a visitor earlier, a woman. Pretty, with long blonde hair.”
“That would be her best friend, Becca. Is she still there?” Alex pulled out his phone, longing to see that Angel had returned his message. He frowned at the blank screen. “What the hell is going on?” he murmured under his breath.
“No, she left around 10:30. She’s gorgeous, too, Alex.”
“Don’t get any ideas.” The last thing Alex needed was Cole to become distracted; plus, he wasn’t convinced his brother was up to a woman with a kid and he didn’t want either Becca or Jillian to become fallout. He might be changing his ways, but Alex wasn’t confident it would stick just yet.
Cole smiled. “Are you going to call her?”
Alex shook his head and rose to his feet. “I’m going over. I’ll check in with you in the morning.”
When he found himself in front of Angel’s door, his ears strained to hear something from inside. Was she asleep already? His mind cranked through the possibilities about her lack of contact. His hand connected w
ith the wood in four loud raps. “Angel?” he called.
The door opened and Angel appeared in a pair of navy blue sweatshorts and a white tank top. Her eyes were red and swollen, her hair falling down around her face in a rumpled mess from the topknot.
His eyes swept over her face and then the soft curves of her body, as relief washed over him. “Why didn’t you answer my calls? Are you okay? I was worried.” He walked toward her, taking for granted that she’d allow him in, sliding his arms around her waist and kissing her on the temple.
Angel closed her eyes briefly, letting herself inhale his scent before she forced herself to stiffen in his arms. “I’m fine.”
“Then why didn’t you answer my calls?” he questioned again.
“You’re not my father or my boss, so it’s really none of your concern,” she said softly, forced sarcasm lacing her tone. Her heart was screaming. She hated herself for what she was about to do, when all she wanted was to melt into his arms and never leave.
Alex moved back to look into her face, a frown settling on his handsome face. “What’s your problem? Don’t I deserve a little respect?” He walked past her and into the apartment without waiting for an invitation.
“By all means, do come in.”
He turned toward her, thought still hovering in the entryway. His head cocked to the side, his expression perplexed. “What the hell is going on?”
“Nothing!” she said harshly. “I’m a grown woman. I don’t need to report in to you or anyone else!”
“Stop acting like a spoiled child, Angel. It doesn’t suit you,” Alex said blandly, the anger he’d managed to quash earlier rising anew. “This has turned out to be one, great fucking day.”
“So sorry if I’ve inconvenienced you, but since you’re not my husband, or even my boyfriend, stop with the inquisition.” She went into the kitchen and picked up a half-full bottle of white wine, refilling her glass without offering one to him. She turned her back to him looking out of the window, the burn in her throat threatening to choke her. Her heart thudded abnormally, her pulse pounding abnormally hard in her neck as her eyes blurred. “We fucked, that’s all. There really is no point in continuing something that was doomed from the start.”
