My Demons (The Angel Trilogy #2)

by Kimberly Blalock

  I turn and look down at the asshole Drake on the floor. That bastard had that shit coming for a long time.

  “Did I miss something, Evan?” my father asks while adjusting his cufflinks. “Was this really necessary?” he continues.

  “Yea it was. If you don’t like my actions, you should’ve considered that before you turned me into a trained killer, Thomas,” I sneer.

  “Really Evan, I thought we’ve previously discussed you calling me that? I prefer it if you would call me Dad I’d even settle for, Sir.” Is he serious? He’s no father, never has been.

  “Yeah, ok Dad,” I answer

  “Boys get this mess cleaned up, I’m late.” He’s so cold.

  Drake was his favorite and yet he shows no emotion with regards to his death. I’ve wondered what Thomas would do if I died or if he thinks I’ve died.

  That does give me a few ideas.

  “Martin, you and Corey stay behind and get this mess figured out. Aiden will see me to my next appointment.” Thomas demands of the two and then speaks to Aiden, his right-hand bitch.

  “Yes sir,” Martin and Corey say in unison.

  “Sir.” Aiden the next douchebag to go gestures for Thomas to exit the door.

  Thomas nods his head turning toward the door. He stops and spins to his side glaring at me and then showing a slight smile on his evil face. “Evan, you have a very lovely woman there. It would, ah… be a shame if she had to go away don’t you think?” Aiden places my father’s suit jacket on. “You would be wise to consider what we’ve discussed, and I’ll be expecting your call accepting my offer no later than ten p.m. D.C. time tomorrow…” he pauses taking a deep breath. “As always Evan this was a pleasant visit,” he says and then walks out of the door.

  This is the part where my mind wanders away and in my thoughts I rip Thomas’ fucking throat out leaving his blood to drip from my hands.

  And I will… Soon! He thinks he can threaten Abby with no repercussions? Wrong. End of.

  “Get this scum and get the fuck out,” I say to the idiots standing before me in their ridiculously overpriced suits.

  They just look at each other taking off their suit jackets to roll up their sleeves. Corey takes his cell from his jacket pocket and dials a number. I don’t need to hear who he’s calling because I already know. The cleanup crew.

  I’ve used them many times. And this is where I once again need to be honest with Abby. I was definitely leaving this little secret to discuss at some other time. It’s one of those dirty secrets that you don’t ever want someone like Abby to know.

  She makes me want to be a better man. A better man I am not, but… one day perhaps.

  I head toward the hall to search for Abby. I run my hands through my hair.

  This shit is so fucked up! She deserves so much better than this. Than me…

  I head toward the bedroom glancing out of the glass wall that follows me down the hallway. It’s a bright, beautiful day. “Hmm,” I shake my head.

  “Abby?” I call when I don’t see her.

  I continue through the double doors to the bathroom, but no Abby. “Abby?” I growl as I swing open the closet doors next, finding her in the fetal position in the corner. “Angel what are you doing?” I kneel down and pick her up to cradle in my arms.

  “I wanted to kill him. I still want to kill him,” she sobs into my chest.

  “Me too… me too.” I kiss her gently on top of her head. She has no idea how badly I want to make Thomas pay for what he’s done to my mom, her, and every other fucked up thing that he’s been behind in one way or another.

  I lay her tiny body on the large bed and position myself over hers. It’s not sexual I just want to shelter her, protect her, and love her. “He’s gonna pay, Abby, I promise you he’ll pay,” I whisper as I pull her body into mine.

  “Evan, I wanted to shoot him. I’ve never wanted something so badly in my life. I could see his blood. I could smell it. I just don’t understand how he’s able to get away with something like that? Who is he that he can do that and not pay for it?” She wipes her nose.

  She’s been crying and that breaks my fucking heart.

  “He’s a very bad man with a very powerful source behind his madness. A source I can’t get to Abby.”

  He is, and they are… very bad, evil really. You’ve probably heard rumors about a group that control and run things in the world, ‘The Haves.’ I don’t know very much about them because they don’t technically exist, but I know they do.

  My father wants me to be just like him. He wants me to follow his leadership so I can join him in this so-called ‘group.’ Of course, he hasn’t actually said that, but I’m his only son and this is something that he would love. His son, a cruel man, just like him. But I’m not a cruel man, I have a soul. One that’s going to burn in the flames of hell for what I’ve already done in this life, but a soul nonetheless.

  “Who are they?”

  “Abby, I don’t want to lie to you so please don’t ask me.” I swore I’d never lie to her and I won’t.

  “Evan, you’re scaring me.”

  “Good, you should be scared, you should run the fuck outta here and never look back.” I’ll never let her go, but she should run. She should.

  I close my eyes tight.

  He’s threatening her now. He knows what she is to me. He could tell. I wish to God I would’ve thought to kick her damn shoes behind something because that’s how he knew she was there.

  His little surprise visits come when I haven’t checked in with him regarding the latest job he’s endowed me with. I actually meant to call him, but I knew he would request that I fly out to D.C. so I opted to just forget that he existed.

  I can’t leave her alone right now, not with some crazy fuck running around hitting her with their car. We have no idea who hit her that day.

  In my heart, I know that it was definitely a purposeful hit. But again, I have no proof.

  “What time is it, Evan?” she asks.

  I thought she’d fallen asleep. “Four-forty,” I answer as I twist a loose strand of her hair around my finger.

  “I need to go.” She takes a deep breath sitting up on the bed. “My parents are having company tonight, and it’s a ‘formal’ dinner night. She throws up air quotes. “Would you like to join me, and I don’t know… maybe save me from death by boredom?”

  There’s actually nothing I’d love more, but I need to deal with a few things. “Rain check?” I ask with a smile on my lips.

  “Of course… no, I totally understand. I just assumed you didn’t have plans.” She shakes her head.

  Fuck…

  “I’m sorry I have a few work related things to deal with or I’d be the first one there…” I pause. I’m holding her chin up with my right hand and I’m staring at her lips, eyes, back to her lips again as her tongue sweeps across her bottom lip. “I… ugh.” Damn! She’s pure perfection to me. I couldn’t want her any more than I do right now. I want to take her body into my hands and lick, suck, and devour every single inch of softness.

  “I… I have to go.” She fidgets wiggling her body loose from my hold.

  I don’t want her to go. I want her with me twenty-four-seven, but I know that’s not possible. Damn it!

  “Can I see you soon?” I ask.

  “Um yea, I’ll be around. Lord knows I can’t work because of this stupid brain damage thing…” she pauses. “I can’t leave.” She makes a revelation. “Amy brought me. I can’t drive yet. Brain damage.” She taps her temple.

  “I can take you home.”

  “Really? I can just call Amy and have her swing this way.”

  “No problem, I’d be honored,” I say resting my hand on my heart.

  “Shall we?” I gesture for the bedroom door.

  I need to make sure the idiots are gone. “Hey, stay here for just a second.” I walk down the long hallway not hearing anything. We’ve been in my room for about an hour, so that should’ve been plenty of time for them
to have cleared out.

  I enter the living room through the dining area and it’s like they were never here.

  “Angel, it’s good.” I wave her to follow. “So who’s coming to this dinner party?” I picture a bunch of doctors gawking at the miracle in front of them. My miracle, my Abby.

  She shrugs. “I think Dr. Carlson and a few other people.”

  “That young doctor that took care of you in the hospital?” Oh, no. That dude definitely wants Abby of that I am sure.

  “Mhmmm.” She nods.

  “Maybe I can get out of work. Does the offer still stand?”

  “Absolutely, that would be awesome.” She smiles.

  Ahh, her smile turns me to mush, no getting around it. I’m head-over-heels for this girl. She’s the one, the only one for me.

  Chapter Eleven

  Evan

  The fact that Abby’s agreed to let me drive her home, the fact that she’s asked me to dinner in the first place is huge, fucking huge and gives me a lot of hope.

  I love watching her sitting there on the other side of my truck, so much so my heart’s pounding in my chest. I know that this girl’s the light my soul craves. If I’m ever to get out of the darkness, it’ll only be because of this girl.

  She’s staring out the window with her hands in her lap and leg crossed, which she can easily do since the truck’s so big.

  I wonder what she’s thinking about at this very moment.

  Fire in The Water by Feist is playing and it’s giving me chills which is so fucked up, but this is some emotional shit.

  “What are you thinking over there?”

  She turns her head in my direction as she flips her hair over her shoulder. I want to run my hands through her hair. She has a loose tendril and I lean over tucking it behind her ear and her cheeks turn red.

  “What was your question?” she asks with her eyes flash that she was in a different place and time.

  “I asked what you were thinking.”

  As soon as I repeat the question her phone rings in her bag and she reaches for it. “Sorry.” She offers a smile. “Hello.” Silence. “I can’t talk right now, would it be all right if I called you back later?” Silence fills the Hummer. “Bye.” She doesn’t say anything else.

  “I don’t mind if you talk,” I offer.

  “I appreciate that, but I’m not in the mood to talk anyway, so you’re kinda my excuse. I hope you don’t mind.” Her hands grip the bag in her lap. Something’s bothering her, but I don’t know what.

  “I’ll always be your excuse.” I want to reach over the console to touch her hand.

  “I’m gonna get changed for dinner.” She smiles as we pull into the huge circle drive. “By the way you look great in a suit.” She licks her bottom lip and I can tell she has no idea she’s just done that.

  Hope…

  “Thank you.” Maybe hope is a possibility, maybe she does want to be with me?

  I park the Hummer and we head toward the front of the house when Abby’s mom Alison opens the front door.

  “Abigale? Guests?”

  “Mom,” she whispers in embarrassment.

  “Don’t worry Evan, I’m thrilled you’re here. How have you been? Oh, and you look exceptional in your suit.” She smiles. “Seriously, how are you doing?” She takes me by the arm asking with curiosity burning in her eyes. “Abby get going, our guests will be here shortly.” She waves her away.

  Abby rolls her eyes as she ascends the stairs to her room.

  “Evan, nice surprise son, how are you?” Alfred roars to my left, but I’m watching Abby. Her hair flows down her back and her body dances in a sexy as sin rhythm up the stairs. She must know I’m staring because she turns and smiles as she continues up the stairs.

  “Al,” Alison huffs and I hold back a laugh.

  “Yes dear.” He smiles at his bride.

  “Hey, how are you?” I respond. I really respect this man.

  “Honestly, Alison’s keeping me busy lately. How about a drink?”

  “Umm…” I really need to keep myself level-headed, especially since the visit from my dad hadn’t ended as peacefully as I would’ve liked. Yeah, he tries to threaten and intimidate me all the time, but his attitude this visit was different, strange almost.

  “Trust me you’re going to need it,” he insists, lifting the bourbon toward me.

  “Yes sir.” I accept the honey colored drink.

  I think he’s right.

  “Hey,” Abby whispers as she walks through the glass doors that lead to the large deck her parents and I are standing on.

  “Hey,” I answer, probably because my mouth’s on the floor and I can’t get anything else out.

  Her eyes meet mine and I can see that she’s lost in thought, deep progressive thought and I wish that it was me in her thoughts, in her arms, and life, but tonight’s probably just a brief entrance to an exit that I’m sure is yet to come.

  She’s standing before me in a royal blue dress that hugs her tight and while I don’t mind that it fits her like a glove; I know who’s going to be here later and I don’t want that shark seeing my angel like this.

  She’s pulled her hair up tonight and her neck is bare and ready for my kisses. God, I need to pull my thoughts together because I need to touch her before I kill someone.

  “Are you deaf?”

  “Huh?”

  “Geez Evan you’ve got it bad,” Amy laughs to my left. I didn’t even know she was here. I must’ve really been lost in Abby.

  “Yeah,” I whisper back not even sure if Amy hears me.

  “Understatement cowboy.” I guess she did.

  “Ha, I’m damn sure I’m nobody’s cowboy.”

  “What’s up, bro?” Dom reaches out to shake my hand.

  “Just enjoying the scenery,” I answer.

  “Ok inside, inside, our guests are here.” Alison clears her throat. “On your best behavior.” She waves to all of us. And then winks at Abby.

  She loves that girl, she’s such a great mom.

  Alfred reaches his arm around me as we walk in. “You going to be all right?”

  “Yes sir,”

  “Just don’t have a pissing contest during dinner, eh.” Alfred pats my back.

  “Will do. I mean will not do. You know… what I… mean,” I stutter.

  I’ve never been nervous before, but I want to impress her parents, because one day, I’m going to ask this man a very important question and I want him to say that he trusts me enough to say, ‘yes.’

  Abby slows her steps as I approach from behind and her hand glides across my arm. The chills that attack immediately send a gasp from my lips that I bite back and clear my throat as I down the last of the bourbon in my glass.

  I needed that!

  I look down at the most important person to me in this world seeing something in her eyes, but I don’t know what it is. I don’t think she knows either.

  I wonder how attraction and love can be in every cell of someone’s body, so much so it affects them to the core of everything that makes them who they are.

  I used to think that I possibly would never find love and if I did they wouldn’t want me. I don’t think that I’ve ever considered myself worthy of love. Maybe that’s why I never thought it was possible to begin with.

  When I saw Abby for the first time, at the accident that took her sister, something happened to me. The minute I touched her as I pulled her away from her sister the electricity hit me in a way I still can’t explain.

  Then I saw her again on the arm of the man I consider my arch enemy. I drop my head at that memory and squeeze the glass in my hand so hard that it breaks into three large pieces cutting my hand. I clamp my jaw for a second because it surprises me. I ignore it because I don’t want to explain this shit, ‘cause, after all, how would I explain it?

  I raise my head to investigate if anyone’s noticed and no one has. Abby’s talking to Amy and everyone else has already walked inside. I’ll just excuse myself
to the bathroom.

  I enter through the doors. “Hey, where’s the bathroom in this place?” I ask Dom.

  He shifts his body and looks down at my right hand.

  Damn it!

  “Bro, you all right?” he whispers.

  “Uh yeah dude, I’m cool. Bathroom?” I ask in a rush, the blood’s dripping on the floor.

  “Yeah, through the dining room to the hallway and then like the third door to your left.” He holds his jaw as he remembers.”

  “Thanks, man.”

  “No problem.” I don’t even turn to see what everyone’s doing, I just head off in the direction he’s said to go.

  What the hell am I going to do? I know from the amount of blood that it’s deep, and there’s blood every fucking where.

  “Oh, excuse me you’re bleeding all over the place.”

  “Oh shit.” I lower my head and turn toward the voice behind me.

  “Uh yeah, I’m really sorry about that,” I apologize.

  “Oh honey, don’t worry about that. Are you hurt dear?” a small woman asks me. Her name tag reads Sue.

  “Sue?” I lean my head down asking.

  “Yes dear, let’s get you fixed up,” she says taking my hand in hers.

  She finds broken glass still embedded my palm, looking up she scrunches her brows.

  “What did you do, silly boy?” She shakes her head while still holding my hand.

  I shrug because I don’t even know the answer.

  We enter the bathroom and she closes the door behind us and reaches for a trash can. I drop the glass pieces into the empty can.

  She fumbles in the cabinet and drawers. “So you’re in love with my Abby, huh?”

  I wasn’t expecting that question. “Yes.” I take a deep breath.

  “This will only hurt for a moment.” She turns the knob and then takes my hand under the warm running water.

  It stings like a son of a bitch. “Shi—” I hold my tongue when she looks at me. “Sorry,” I offer.

  “Mhmm, well you men are big babies when it comes right down to it, aren’t you?” She laughs, reaching for the glasses that hang from her neck. “This looks pretty deep dear, I think you’re going to need stitches.” She holds her hand on her hip.