by Kahlen Aymes
“Look, I’m not all that thrilled about seeing you either, but this is for a good cause. So grow up already.”
Ally’s eyes widened, and she bit her lip trying to suppress a giggle. Sebastian and the boys didn’t feel the need and laughed out loud. Vivid color flooded the other woman’s face, and Kyle visibly stiffened.
“Look, Crystal! Your face matches your hair!” Owen said, as he strapped on his guitar. He smiled and winked at Angel. “Awesome!”
“Don’t worry; I’m not here to steal your boyfriend.”
“As if you could…” Crystal began.
“Oh, sure I could,” Angel stated matter-of-factly, still laughing as she took a seat on the bench next to one of the keyboards and ran her hands over the keys. Her eyes shot up to lock with Crystal’s.
“He left you for me!”
“Hmmm. That’s not the way I remember it. Kyle, is that the way you remember it?” Her words were soft and distracted, clearly communicating that she didn’t give a shit one way or the other. Of their own accord, Angel’s fingers began playing one of the songs she loved from the Adele’s latest album.
“Just because you can’t face it, doesn’t make it the truth. Right, baby?” she cooed and wrapped her scantily clad self around Kyle. His focus was on the woman at the piano, her thick auburn hair tied up in a knot and her face devoid of make-up. She could still make his heart speed up.
“Isn’t this fun?” Angel asked Ally with a wry huff, wrinkling her nose playfully. “I bet you’re so glad you decided to join.” The electric piano filled the empty space with the melodic strains. “Crystal, as enjoyable as it may be for you, this childish bullshit is not on my agenda. I’m here to work up a set list for the benefit, so can we get started?” Angel stopped playing and looked at Kyle. “Are you still doing any of our old stuff?”
“Quite a bit, but we should add in some new songs,” Kyle said.
“I want to do something from Britney Spears,” Crystal interjected.
“Ugh,” Angel rolled her eyes again. “Really?”
“Why? She’s a huge superstar!” Crystal protested.
“So is Barney the dinosaur, but you won’t see us doing his top ten songs for tots,” Angel said, unable to stop the start of giggle. This was too much fun. “We need songs with meat in them.”
“Lady Gaga!” Crystal was obviously unaffected by Angel’s snarky response.
Angel pounded out the first five bars of Poker Face and Crystal perked up. Sebastian added a light dusting on a cymbal and started singing “Ma, Ma, Ma, Ma,” clearly buying into Angel’s humor.
Crystal’s expression changed to a frown when Angel banged her hands against the keys in a loud clang, startling the other woman.
“Not that kind of meat,” Angel said sweetly, twisting her mouth into a sly smile.
“What’s that supposed to mean?”
Sure, this airhead is so mentally challenged, she doesn’t get it.
“It means, if you want me to sing about dick, okay, but I won’t call it a disco stick or vertical stick or any other fucking kind of stick,” Angel deadpanned with a bored look on her beautiful face. “Understand?” Her left eyebrow shot up. “Now, can we move on?”
The boys burst out laughing, even Kyle couldn’t keep the deep rumbles from bursting free. Allison put a hand over her mouth and tried her best to hide her amusement, but the shaking of her shoulders and sparkle in her eyes gave her away.
“Classic Angel!” Jay laughed. “I’d shut the hell up if I were you, Crystal. You can’t keep up; trust me.”
“Fuck you, Jay,” Crystal huffed.
“No, thanks,” he retorted.
Angel couldn’t keep the laugh from erupting. “Well, this is entertaining anyway.”
Crystal stomped to the opposite end of the warehouse and perched on one of the speakers as the others discussed the music.
“Kyle, I thought it would be fun if we let Ally sit in. She plays cello, and with that thingy you have for your guitar, we can do some cool stuff. I was thinking an Evanescence cover or two. It could be cool.”
“It’s called an E-bow,” Ally put in. “That thing for the guitar that makes it sound like a violin. Right?” Her eyes shot to Kyle.
“Yeah.” He nodded with a smile. “It could be cool.”
Ally’s face lit up with excitement. “Really?” Maybe this guy wasn’t so bad after all. He certainly looked tough enough. She took note of the tattoos that covered his arms, especially the one on his left shoulder.
“Sure.”
“Now there are two of them?” Crystal whined. “What about me?”
“What about you?” Kyle asked. “You’re still part of the band, babe.”
“Yes,” Angel agreed. “I’m only here for one gig, and I don’t want to upset the entire balance of the band.” No matter how much she disliked the blonde woman, she didn’t intend to misrepresent her intentions.
“I was hoping we’d get Angel behind the mic. Isn’t that the point?” Sebastian asked. His deep baritone voice matched his huge form.
Kyle nodded. “Fans ask about you all the time. It would be nice to have the old version of Archangel, at least for this one gig. Maybe more.”
Angel could see the jealousy burning in Crystal’s expression and couldn’t help a small bit of smugness at her discomfort but chose to ignore the last part of Kyle’s comment.
“I think we should do a mix: songs you’re doing currently, some of our old stuff, and brand new material. Don’t you think that would be best, Kyle?”
“I agree. We’re gonna promote the fact you’ll be with us that evening, so hopefully we can boost the numbers of attendees.”
“This is going to be so exciting!” Ally exclaimed.
“Joy.” Crystal’s face contorted in barely concealed disgust.
*****
Angel was satisfied with the result of the session. They’d spent three hours arranging the harmonies and practicing, and she and Kyle got right back into their groove on their old numbers. Crystal came around about halfway through, though she was still pouty, she did participate, and overall, the sound was solid. It was three weeks until the benefit, and there would be only four more practices. Ally was excited about playing with them, and they’d come up with several songs that could incorporate her cello or violin.
The evening air was getting colder and the breezes coming off Lake Michigan were chilly. Angel shivered and turned on the heater in her rental, and when she did, a stale, unused smell flooded the passenger compartment.
“I hate this stupid car,” Angel grumbled.
“Why don’t you get a new one?” Ally asked as she studied Angel with knowing eyes.
“This is a rental. My Lexus is in the shop.”
“What’s wrong with it?” Allison wondered if Angel would tell her the same story that Alex had.
“Oh, some vandals took a crow bar to it.” Angel didn’t elaborate, and Ally didn’t need to ask.
“That’s strange. My brother had his car beat up a few weeks ago, too.”
“Yeah, that is weird.” Angel shrugged.
“I had a great time. Thanks for inviting me!”
Angel smiled as she merged onto the interstate that would take them back downtown. “Oh, my pleasure. I wasn’t sure what we were going to walk into. Kyle was nicer than I expected him to be.”
“Really? I mean he was a jerk when we first met, but with your history, I expected today to go well. That Crystal is a bitch, though.”
“She’s always rubbed me the wrong way. Especially after she rubbed Kyle the right way, if you know what I mean.”
“She’s a little trashy-looking, and the rest of the guys don’t seem to have much time for her,” Ally said offhandedly. “Oh! I guess I shouldn’t have said that out loud.”
“No, it’s okay. They blame her for me leaving. Kyle’s affair with her was a big part of it, but honestly, it was time I moved on. I wanted to go to grad school, and I knew a full-time job and the band
would be too much for me to handle in addition to a full-course load. I had to prioritize. Kyle was angry and unable to accept my decision, so I suppose he tried to get back at me.”
“I saw his tattoo. He must have loved you very much.”
Angel shrugged again, feeling like it was a lifetime ago. “It’s all history now.”
“Are you dating anyone?” Ally probed. “You’re quite a stunning woman, Angel. I can’t imagine you being single.”
Angel’s eyes stayed on the interstate and the red lights of the cars driving in front of her. “Not at the moment.”
“There isn’t anyone?”
Angel bristled. “Mmm… I was seeing someone for a while but not anymore.”
“Oh, I’m sorry. Am I being too nosey if I ask what happened?”
“Nothing really. I work with women everyday who piss and moan about how one man or another used them, broke their heart, and left them with a mess to clean up. I see it all the time, and it just opens my eyes a little wider than most. I don’t want to end up like them. I worried it wasn’t going anywhere beyond the bedroom, so I ended it.”
“My husband is a saint. He puts up with all my chattering and shopping sprees without one complaint! And I’m always doing some charity thing, so I’m gone all the time.”
“You’re one of the lucky ones, Ally. Hold on to him.”
“Tell me about the man you were seeing. What was wrong with him?”
Angel drew in a deep breath, her mind flooding with images and memories. “Not much, other than he’s a little obstinate, sometimes. He thinks he can do whatever he damn well pleases and have whatever he wants when he wants it. He’s too beautiful.”
“Is he a womanizer?”
“At first glance, you’d think he would be, but…” Angel shook her head. “No, he’s not. He’s really quite wonderful.”
“Then what?” Ally asked hesitantly. “I don’t get it.”
“He’s a heartbreaker. Alex isn’t the type of man for happily ever after. When we met, he was quite upfront about his requirements in a relationship—which was sex without strings. I’d just taken a call from his current girlfriend, who was miserable. And I can’t believe that his ideals will change overnight.”
“Yes, I can see why you’d think that way.”
“What?”
“Oh, nothing. Is there any way you’d get back together? Has he tried?”
Angel nodded after a short hesitation. Talking about Alex made her heart hurt and her need for him intensify. That, and always wondering if or when Mark Swanson would strike again, wore on her. She was tired. “I think his reluctance to accept it was due to the fact it wasn’t his decision, and he never loses. He’s very powerful in business and has been in his relationships. It’s very difficult for him to let go of control in anything.”
Angel pulled into her office parking lot to drop Ally off, her eyes scanning the parking lot for other cars, and was relieved to find it vacant.
“I’m sure it will work out, honey.”
Angel felt the need to change the subject. “I can’t wait to hear how we sound when you play with us.”
“My brothers will be so jealous! We used to play Rock Band when we were small. My mother thought rock music screwed up our minds, so we had to sneak away to the fort my brothers built in the woods behind our house. The neighborhood kids would all gather to watch us. It was a blast!”
“It sounds like it!” A small nudge of envy rose inside Angel as she compared the situation to her own childhood sans siblings. “Do you have the schedule for the practices?”
Allison leaned over and gave Angel a hug before she exited the car. “Yes! I’ll be there with bells on!”
Angel was glad when Ally was safely in her car and on her way, and she had a moment of relief as she made her way back to her apartment and pulled into the underground garage. The worst part of her day was the time it took to get from her car to her apartment, which was when she felt most vulnerable.
The garage was dark and quiet, but a car had pulled in just seconds behind her. She didn’t recognize the large, black SUV, and after the experience with the van, she wasn’t willing to take the chance. A large man dressed all in black jumped out of the passenger door and purposely made his way toward her.
Her earlier calm left in a mad rush, and her heart started to pound. She had a better chance fighting if she started out on her feet, so she reached into her purse for the mace she kept there and jumped out of the car. Her eyes were blazing as the man approached.
“Dr. Hemming? I’m Cole Avery. Alex’s brother. My associate and I are here to protect you.”
“Anyone could say that.” She took a fighting stance, the mace still firmly ensconced in her right hand. “Prove it.”
“How? Alex is public property. Everyone in Chicago’s heard of him.” He folded his arms across his chest. “I assure you, I’m his brother.”
Angel’s eyes roamed over the tall, dark-haired man. The shadows in the garage prevented her from seeing his face clearly, but there was something familiar about the angle of his jaw.
“Why didn’t he let me know in advance?”
“He doesn’t know I’m talking to you because he’s in England on business. We’re trying to catch that bastard in the act, and I told Alex it would be better if you knew what we were doing. He’s brilliant, but in this, his judgment is clouded.”
“How’d he take that?”
“Not well. He’s pissed, but what can he do from across the pond? Take away my birthday?” Cole asked with a smirk.
“I’d hate to be you when he gets back. Can I see your ID?”
Cole reached into his back pocket for his wallet. “Of course.”
“How long have you been following me?”
“A few weeks. The two guys that saved you from the abduction attempt work for Avery Corp.”
Angel relaxed slightly when she’d seen his driver’s license, but anger boiled beneath the surface. “Alex should have mentioned it.”
“Alex doesn’t discuss things: he gives orders. Besides, he knew you’d be angry, and I’m not sure he’d know how to deal with that.” The phone began ringing from his pocket. “That’s him now. I’m going to take it, okay?”
He waited for her nod and then reached for the phone, turning it so Angel could see Alex’s name flashing on the screen. “Hey. Yeah, I got her. She’s at her apartment. Okay. Bancroft and I are on it. Get some sleep. It has to be four in the morning over there, dickhead.”
Angel smiled as Cole hung up the phone and used his right arm to usher Angel to walk in front of him toward the elevator. “Would you feel more comfortable if I accompanied you to your door?” Cole took out his own keycard and swiped the access on the elevator. Angel’s brow creased.
“I still don’t know if I can trust you.”
“Fair enough.” He handed her a piece of paper with his phone number on it. “If you see me or a shorter dude that looks like one of the Men in Black, don’t panic. We’ll keep a low profile, so try not to watch for us. Alex’s main concern was that our cover would be blown. I’d appreciate it if you didn’t mention this conversation to him, Dr. Hemming. I like this job.”
Angel’s mind was reeling with questions, but she did feel relief that she now knew at least part of the puzzle. As she stepped into the elevator, Cole’s phone began to ring again.
“I guess he doesn’t like being called a dickhead.” Cole laughed as the elevator doors closed.
9
Impasse’
Alex paced back and forth in his office on the 23rd floor that housed the elegant European headquarters of Avery Corporation. He was impatient and hadn’t slept more than two hours the night before. The goddamned contracts weren’t signed as he’d hoped, and the general manager of the branch was at the mahogany conference table reprimanding her assistant in a stern voice. Her attempt to transfer the blame only pissed him off.
His mouth thinned into a firm line. “Miss Morrison, would you ex
cuse us, please?” His voice was cold and calm, but the underlying tone brokered no defiance. Alex didn’t look at the chubby young woman as she left, his gaze never leaving the horizon of the London skyline over Canary Wharf, the lights of the buildings a stark contrast to the dark night. The blurry reflections in the Thames were pretty but vaguely registered in his consciousness.
Normally, Alex loved the history and beauty of London, but his focus wasn’t where it needed to be. Preoccupation with the events in Chicago made him impatient for his work here to be completed.
The sleek woman in the Stella McCartney suit and black patent leather pumps eyed Alex warily. Her blue eyes narrowed and the red-tipped fingers moved up to smooth back the sides of the fiery hair that was neatly pulled back in a tight chignon. Her pursed lips were coated in a glossy shade that matched her nails.
“Alex, relax. The deal will go through. It’s just delayed a little. What’s another day or two?”
He ignored her obvious skirting of the issue as his hand ran through his thick shock of hair. “Not only does it cost us money, it’s a waste of time that I can’t spare right now, Helen.”
The woman sighed and turned, crossing her legs. The casual way she leaned back in her chair, as he continued to pace, caused his temper to flare. He stopped and waited for her response, the stern expression on his handsome face clearly communicating his annoyance.
“Well, the lawyers didn’t get the contracts finished in time, and when they finally did, I rejected the counter-offer and sent it back for revisions.” She took in the broad shoulders beneath the tailored fine white linen of his shirt, the way his body tapered in at his waist, and then the grey wool that was tailored over that sumptuous ass. Alex had always been coldly professional, but that didn’t stop Helen from wishing for the day when he’d show some interest in her womanly charms.
Alex shoved his hands into his pockets and stared out the window. He turned as a scowl settled on his handsome features. “I’m not interested in excuses. You knew when I’d be here and what I expected to accomplish within that timeframe!” he said sternly. “The offer was enough to get the deal done. The money we piss away on minuscule bullshit does little to help the bottom line,” Alex said with barely concealed disgust. He quickly shoved a copy of the other company’s dossier into his expensive Italian leather briefcase before closing it with two loud snaps. He was impeccable as always, despite his sour mood, but he was exhausted.
