Angel Among Sinners (The Garden Book 1)

by Rachel Blake

  “He’s gone.”

  James’ announcement had her collapsing into Maverick’s chest, relief filling her system. “Where’s Prim?”

  “She is in Parker’s room with Eden. She’s fine. I promise,” James reassured.

  “No, I need to apologize.” She pushed from Maverick’s chest only to be stopped when he grasped her shoulder.

  “This wasn’t your fault, Angel. You did nothing wrong here.”

  A small smile graced her face, reminding her of the cut. “I know this wasn’t my fault, but I need to apologize to her anyway. She was right last night, I was not ready to face my dad.”

  “I think you did a damn good job,” James praised as he joined the couple.

  “Really? I thought I was going to puke the whole time.” Embry looked between the chuckling men. “I’m pretty sure you’re not supposed to laugh at a woman who just went through all the emotions I did.”

  “Sorry.” The smile on Maverick’s face said he was anything but. “I’ll have to brush up on how to deal with women who just stood up to their abusive fathers.”

  “I was scared shitless,” Embry shared, the tears she felt earlier finally catching up to her.

  Maverick, once again, pulled her into his arms and kissed the top of her head. “I’m so fucking proud of you.”

  “Don’t be too proud.”

  “Why the hell not?”

  “I’m pretty sure I’m the reason V and Parker are in the hospital.”

  “What do you mean?” James questioned.

  “How did he know I was here?” Embry said, her stomach in knots. “If he really thought I was in that bed, why did he look disappointed when he saw me?”

  “You think he hired someone to hurt you?” Maverick asked.

  “And they got the wrong person, yes,” Embry looked into his eyes, praying she wasn’t going to see judgment there.

  “You think he’s capable of that?” James questioned.

  “I don’t know.” Embry shrugged out of the arms draped around her, desperately needing some space to get the words out. “I don’t know, there are too many coincidences. How did he find out anyone from The Garden was in the hospital, let alone that I was here? Even if he didn’t do this, how in the hell did he figure out where I was?”

  “Do you have something on you that he may have given you. Or that your mother gave you?”

  James’ question instantly had her hand going to the pendant at her throat.

  “My mother gave me this, but it can’t be. If he could have tracked me this whole time, why didn’t he do so earlier before you guys took me in?”

  “I could be wrong.” James’ attempt to soothe her did little good. “The attack has been all over the news. He could have heard about it and taken a chance.”

  “Then he’s the luckiest bastard on the planet,” Maverick mumbled.

  “Or he could have tried to have me killed and hoped to find me in V’s hospital bed, so he could play the doting father.” Embry looked down at the pendant she still held between her fingers. “You really think she would make it harder for me to get away from him?”

  “No, I don’t think that at all,” James instantly reassured. “If it’s what I believe it to be, I doubt she knew it was there. My guess would be your father tampered with it. Then again, I could be completely wrong, and there could be no tracking device, but it’s better safe than sorry.” He held out his hand. “I’ll bring it back, I promise.”

  “In one piece?” Embry questioned.

  “All in one piece.”

  Turning her back to Maverick, she lifted her hair and silently asked him to remove the necklace. As soon as the chain was unclasped, and she felt the weight leave her, she felt naked. She’d been wearing it faithfully for nearly two years and didn’t feel the same without it. Turning back to face the room, she watched as Maverick dropped it into James’ hand.

  “You’ll be careful with it?”

  “Of course.”

  Chapter Eleven

  “Jimmy’s in the back with a pocket of high, if you listen close you can hear him cry.” Embry sang the lyrics at the top of her lungs as she bopped around the room, the broom in her hands, doubling as a microphone. “Oh, lord heaven knows, we belong way down below.”

  When she spun back around for the dustpan, she let out a scream at the figure leaning against the counter. Pulling a bud from her ear, she allowed her hand to rest above her pounding heart. “Shit, George, you scared the fucking shit out of me!”

  “Sorry, Angel. I said your name a few times, but you didn’t hear me.” Maverick looked like he was fighting back a smile, but the look in his eyes was anything but happy.

  “What happened?” Pulling the second bud from her ear, she went to him. “Is it V? God, tell me she didn’t get worse.”

  “No, V’s condition hasn’t changed, and Parker is fine, too, but I did get a call from the hospital.”

  She watched his eyes carefully, not knowing why the hospital would have called him if nothing had changed. “Maverick, what’s going on?”

  “It’s your dad.”

  The force of his words was physical, requiring her to take a step back to stay on her feet as if he’d actually pushed her. “What does he have to do with anything?”

  “He was attacked, much in the same way as V and Parker.”

  “No, that’s not right. He was the one who attacked them. He hired someone to hurt them.”

  Maverick took her hands in his own.

  “Angel, they never knew that for sure. Hell, I’m pretty sure the police dismissed that a week ago.”

  “No, it doesn’t matter if they knew or not, I knew.”

  “Speculation, baby. That’s all it was. You speculated.”

  “No!” She pushed at his chest when he took her into his arms. “No, it wasn’t speculation, I knew. I know him. He would stop at nothing to get what he wants.”

  “Angel.”

  That was all it took, that single word had her falling apart in his arms. Her legs gave out, forcing him to scoop her up into his arms, her face planted in his chest and tears running down her cheeks. She’d known. She’d known it was him, known in her soul, he’d caused all of this—everything.

  Now? Now she didn’t know what happened, didn’t know how to process it all, to deal with the realization she had been wrong. So. Fucking. Wrong.

  Embry wasn’t sure how long she was in his arms or when he moved them to sit on the sofa, but finally, she pulled away and wiped her eyes.

  “Why did they call you?”

  “They found my number in your father’s wallet. When you didn’t answer your old phone number, they came to me.”

  “How bad?”

  “I don’t know. They said we needed to get to the hospital as soon as possible, though, so I’m assuming it isn’t good.”

  “I’m cleaning.” She gestured to the spotless kitchen.

  Grasping her chin, Maverick turned her to face him. “You don’t have to go, Angel. We can stay here, with you in my lap, and do whatever it is you need to do.”

  “Can we do that?”

  “If that’s what you need, yes.”

  She thought about it, really thought about it for a few minutes. He was right, she didn’t have to do it. She didn’t owe him anything—not a damn thing—but that wasn’t who she was.

  “We have to go. If it’s as bad as you’re making it sound, it doesn’t matter how badly he treated me, he needs someone in his corner.”

  “That’s why I love you.” His hand went to the back of her head, pulling her in so he could kiss her forehead. “The man has literally beaten and suppressed you your whole life, and you manage to look past that in his time of need.” He nodded his head against hers before pulling back and looking her in the eyes. “Do you want to change?”

  “No, I need to be there for him.”

  “Too fucking good for me.”

  Embry climbed from his lap and stood awkwardly, not sure what to do next. She shouldn
’t have worried. Maverick took her hand, kissing the back of it, grabbed her keys from the hook next to the door, and led her from the apartment.

  She was lost in her head during the trip to the hospital. Was it bad enough that she was going to have to make some medical decisions for him? Why would they call her? He had to have picked someone else to do this for him, right? What the hell was she going to do?

  The answer came to her easily—she was going to do what was best for him, just like she would do for anyone else. He may have been a shit dad and a horrible man, but he was still a human being and deserved the best care she could get him.

  “Angel?”

  Turning, she looked at Maverick, who stood in the open passenger door, then looked around the full parking lot. “I don’t know how to do this.”

  “Baby.” He crouched in the door, taking her hands in his and giving them a squeeze. “We don’t know that you’ll have to do anything.”

  “I will. If he was capable of making his own medical decisions, he would have made sure they didn’t contact anyone. Shit, you said he’s worse off than Parker and V, and V hasn’t woken up yet. I-I don’t know how to do this.”

  Maverick gave her hand another squeeze.

  “No one knows how to do this, Angel. The only thing you can do is take in all the information, then make the choice you think is best for him or you think he would choose.”

  “That’s the thing—I don’t know him. I don’t know the first thing about the man other than his need to abuse both me and my mother. Fuck, I couldn’t even tell you his birthday, the way he likes his steak cooked or his favorite type of ice cream.”

  “I don’t think that information is going to be required.”

  “I shouldn’t be making these decisions. I can’t do this.” The panic was crawling up her throat and threatening the very breath she was trying to pull into her lungs. “I can’t do this!”

  “Embry, you listen to me right now. No, you wouldn’t be able to do this on your own, and no one would expect you to.”

  “But I’m doing just that!”

  “No, you’re not. I’m here. I am right here, Angel. You lean on me, you turn to me, you let me love you through this. I’m not going anywhere. I’ll be by your side this whole time, no matter what decisions you have to make or what you’re faced with when we walk into that room. I’m right fucking here.”

  He moved her hand to his chest and placed it over his heart, so she could feel the thump against her palm—exactly what she needed. A nod was the only answer she could produce, but he was right. He was there, and she knew he wouldn’t leave her side for anything.

  “I need you to tell me that you want to go in there. I won’t force you, it has to be your choice.”

  “Promise not to let go of my hand?”

  Maverick intertwined his fingers with hers. “Promise.”

  “Let’s go.” It was on shaky legs that she walked into the ER up to the reception desk.

  “Can I help you?” The receptionist questioned.

  “I was told my father is here.”

  “Name?”

  “His name is Ross Worthington.”

  Before she finished talking, the receptionist was on her feet. “Ms. Worthington. Yes, I need you to come with me.” When Maverick moved to go with them, the receptionist shook her head. “Only family is allowed.”

  “This is my husband.” The lie was out of Embry’s mouth before she thought better of it.

  “Immediate family,” the receptionist amended.

  “I won’t go back without him, so I suggest you either let both of us go, or you have a doctor come out and talk to me.” Embry wasn’t sure where the sudden strength came from, but she was glad she managed it.

  “Your father’s lawyer was insistent, only you.”

  “What does her father say about this? Has he insisted on it?” Maverick questioned, stepping fully into his role as a lawyer.

  “Well, no, but—”

  Maverick didn’t wait for her to finish her statement before issuing his next question. “Does this lawyer have a written document stating her father wants it this way?”

  The receptionist shifted nervously. “No, but he is his lawyer.”

  “And she is his next of kin, so until this lawyer comes up with some form of proof of Mr. Worthington’s wishes, you’re legally obligated to fulfill the next of kin’s requests.” Maverick crossed his arms over his chest. “Unless you want to deal with the legality of it all, I suggest you do what you are supposed to and respect the wishes of the only person here who actually gets to make the decisions about whatever the hell is going on.”

  With a pale face, the receptionist gestured to the door. “Right this way.”

  Embry wound her fingers through his once more and looked into his eyes as they followed the woman through the double doors. “Don’t let me go.”

  “Never.” Maverick’s lips met her temple in a brief show of affection.

  When they rounded the corner, Embry froze mid-stride. Gathered in the hall were three uniformed officers, and she knew they were waiting to talk to her. “I can’t do this.”

  “You don’t have to,” Maverick reiterated when he turned to face her. “You’re not required to do anything.”

  “I need you to tell me this is the best thing for me. I need you to tell me if I don’t do this, I will regret it. I need you to tell me what to do,” Embry pleaded.

  “You know I can’t do that. This isn’t a choice I can make for you.” Maverick turned to the receptionist. “We can find our way from here, thank you.”

  He didn’t wait for her to move, Maverick simply turned, took Embry’s hand, and pulled her down a side hall. After looking around to make sure they were alone, he pinned her against a wall with his lips to her ear and her arms above her head. “Is this what you needed? For me to prove to you that, even with the chaos surrounding us, I’m still in charge, that I’m still standing strong behind you?”

  She didn’t know it before right then, but that was exactly what she needed. She needed him to show her he was still the person she needed him to be, even though he couldn’t be as domineering as she thought he should be. “Yes, Sir. That’s what I need.”

  “I thought you would.” He looked down the hall, a smile curling his lips a second before he took her hand and pulled her toward a door.

  “George, what are you doing?” Her attempts to put on the brakes did no good, he simply kept moving, giving her no choice but to follow him into the bathroom.

  As soon as the door was shut, she felt the change in him. It was almost physical. He looked as if he was standing taller, his confidence was palatable, and when he spoke, his voice was deeper, harsher.

  “Drop your pants, Angel.”

  “What?” Embry’s eyes went wide. “You can’t spank me here. There’s a swarm of cops just around the corner. What if they hear?”

  “Spanking isn’t the only thing I can do to you when your pants are down.”

  His cocky grin had her blushing, “We can’t fuck in here either, that’s gross.”

  “As much as I want to call your bluff, that isn’t what I had in mind. Pull your pants down and bend over the sink, Angel.”

  With her bottom lip caught between her teeth, she pushed her leggings to her knees.

  “No underwear?”

  Shit, she hated how easily he made her blush deepen. “I was at home and didn’t think to add panties to my ensemble before we left.”

  Maverick shook his head and pushed her into position.

  Through the mirror, she watched him reach into his pocket and pull out a small packet. “What’s that?”

  “Lube.” The pressure of his hand on her back was the only thing keeping her in place. “Nope, you need to know I’m here for you, and this is the best way to remind you.” Next, he pulled a small plug from his pocket and handed it to her. “Wash this, please.”

  “You’re going to make me wash it myself?”

  “Angel.”


  His tone of voice made it clear he wasn’t going to ask again, so she turned on the water, pumped a few dollops of soap into her hand, and lathered the metal up. After a quick rinse, she once again met his eyes in the mirror and handed it back to him. “This isn’t a punishment, right?”

  “Not a punishment.” The lubricated finger at her back entrance contradicted his words.

  “Kind of feels like it.”

  “You’re not in trouble, Angel. This is just a simple reminder I’m here for you.”

  A small whimper escaped as he replaced the warm digit with the cold metal of the plug. “I changed my mind. I’ll remember without the plug. I can remember.”

  “Push back, Angel.”

  Embry did as asked, and the small plug easily slipped into place, with a low moan rumbling from her throat.

  “You killed your protest when you moaned.” His chuckle was accompanied with a pat to her ass as he pulled up her pants. Turning her to face him, he took her into his arms, “How does it feel?”

  “Like I have a piece of metal shoved up my ass.” The finger pushing on the base of the plug nestled between her cheeks had her going to her toes and amending her answer. “It feels fine.”

  “If it gets uncomfortable, make sure to let me know. Don’t give me that look. You can say your safeword, and we can take care of it, okay?”

  “Because me randomly saying ‘Wikipedia’ wouldn’t be strange at all.”

  “Maybe I should give you that spanking you were asking about earlier,” Maverick stated as he started to turn her back to the sink.

  “No, please.” She wrapped her arms around his middle and buried her face in his shoulder. “I’m sorry, I’m just not sure what I’ll walk into, and I’m taking it out on you. I’m sorry.”

  The feel of his nose in her hair had her taking a deep breath. “I get it, but you have to trust I’m not going anywhere. You have to trust me.”

  “I do trust you, it’s me that I don’t trust. It’s my ability to do this that has me wavering.”

  “Then it’s a good thing I trust you enough for the both of us.” With a final kiss to her head, he grasped her hand, and flipped the lock on the door. “You ready?”