Graham, Jan - Finding Angel [Wylde Shore] (Siren Publishing Ménage and More)

by Graham, Jan

  “I didn’t know until yesterday that I had a hit out against me, you arrogant arse hole, so stop making it sound like I don’t care,” Angel yelled.

  “Then stop acting like you don’t care,” Steve yelled back.

  “Enough squabbling.” Daniel looked frustrated. “Angel, how did you find out? You said you only found out about the hit yesterday. What happened?”

  “I bought a new charger for my mobile and got the text message about it,” Angel replied quietly.

  “Steve sent you a message?” Daniel looked over and saw Steve shaking his head.

  Angel explained that because she knew Christian had wanted to talk about what was bothering her she needed to make sure she had the current information on what was happening with Adrian and that when she charged the phone, she got the message about being killed.

  “Wait, did you just say Adrian sent you a text stating he was going to kill you?” Christian looked worried.

  Daniel got up and walked into the study. Steve noticed the shocked look on her face as Angel watched Daniel walk away.

  “We can have him picked up for that can’t we, scare the hell out of him, get him to back off?” Christian asked Steve.

  “Hastings doesn’t operate like that. I’m sure he didn’t say it as blatantly as Angel has relayed it. What exactly did he say?” Steve turned to Angel as he spoke.

  Daniel appeared in the doorway, reading the messages from her mobile phone out loud. Steve couldn’t understand the angry look Daniel directed toward Angel as he passed the phone to Christian and sat back down

  “Ten text messages in total, a few missed calls as well,” Daniel said flatly.

  “They’re pretty blatant, and damning.” Christian spoke on the basis of what Daniel had read out.

  “Not when you read them in context of the first few messages,” Daniel replied.

  Steve could tell Daniel was furious and trying not to show it. Angel seemed to be aware Daniel was angrily staring at her because she fidgeted with her cup and maintained eye contact with the floor. What was going on? Steve soon discovered what was happening as he read the text messages along with Christian. He looked back down at Angel sitting on the floor. Eventually she raised her gaze to Steve. She looked terrified. Fear filled her eyes as she glanced between Christian and Daniel, who sat in their chairs, both of them quietly fuming. It was Christian who finally broke the deafening silence filling the room.

  “Please tell me that he sent these messages about fucking you to camouflage the following messages about killing you.” Christian’s voice was strained as he spoke.

  “I can’t,” Angel said quietly. “I slept with him, but it was before I met the two of you.”

  “How the hell could you fuck a man like this, Angel, and don’t use the excuse that he was nice to you.” Daniel was clearly angry. “I don’t understand you. You had just been given freedom from one cruel bastard, and you jump into bed with another.”

  “Daniel, leave her alone. It’s not her fault.” Steve broke into Daniel’s outburst.

  “Shut up, Steve. This is not part of the investigation. This is between Angel and us,” Daniel yelled at him with fury as he stood and started pacing the room like a caged animal. “I mean, you stayed with Samuel for some reason after he tried to kill you, and I understand fear, Angel, but women who live in fear get away from violent men every day.” Daniel continued his tirade of frustration despite the fact that Angel was now crying.

  “And now you’re fucking another lowlife that has decided he wants to kill you. Christ, Angel, how many mistakes can one woman make? I’m surprised you even looked at Christian and me. We’re not dangerous, we don’t beat you, and we don’t want to kill you. Hell, it just doesn’t make sense. So explain it all to me, Angel. Stop crying and fucking explain it so it makes sense to me.”

  “I can’t,” she said softly. “I don’t know how to explain.”

  Angel wiped at her tears as if willing herself to stop crying. She sat quietly, brushing at each fresh tear that eased down her cheek. Steve noticed Christian hadn’t said a word while Daniel had yelled which was usually an indication Daniel was expressing what they both felt.

  “I can explain it,” Steve said after a few minutes.

  He stared down at Angel. The last thing he needed was for her to shatter into a thousand little pieces now. How the hell would he save her if she did that? And how the hell would he be able to prevent his two friends from being destroyed along with her. As Angel returned his gaze, all he could see was pain and despair. While Daniel yelled, Steve watched the emotions descend on her like a dark blanket until it engulfed her.

  “I think we’d prefer to hear the explanation from Angel,” Christian stated.

  Yeah, Steve had been right. He may not have participated in Daniel’s outburst at Angel but Christian certainly wanted to hear the answer to the questions that had been posed.

  “She’s not available at the moment, so you’ll hear it from me or not at fucking all,” Steve said angrily.

  He glanced back at Angel who appeared to be desperately trying to pull herself back to some kind of calmative state. Christ only knew what savage memories were flying through her head with three angry men yelling at each other in such close proximity to her.

  “Angel slept with Adrian Hastings once. He broke into the house, Angel was asleep, and he woke her up with a hand over her mouth. Angel asked him to stop on at least two occasions, but he refused. I’m not going to tell you it wasn’t eventually consensual, but there was definitely a degree of coercion. Hastings ended the event with a vague threat against Angel’s life if she failed to deliver the ledger he was looking for.”

  “How do you know this? Christ, we can’t even get the full story from her, and I doubt she has had the inclination to have any kind of deep and meaningful discussions with you. She barely knows you.” Daniel looked at Steve with confusion.

  “Angel may not know me well, but I certainly know more about her than the two of you could ever imagine. I’ve been witness to it. I’ve heard it all first hand.” Steve wiped his hand over his face trying to clear his mind of the thoughts flooding it.

  “The house Samuel and Angel lived in has been under electronic surveillance for a long time. Angel found out about the surveillance the day after Hastings had been there, which, just so we get the fucking time frame in order to ease your fragile egos, happened to be the day after your welcome home party. She left the house a few days later. The drug squad has recordings of many things that happened in that house, including physical and sexual assaults on Angel by Samuel and whoever he decided to give her to. You really want to know what happened, maybe I can give you a hint of what life was like for Angel. Are you sure you’re ready? Can you handle the fact that your woman has, for the last five years, only ever had sex with a knife held to her throat? Do you want to know that the last time she was raped it was with the barrel of a fully loaded, sawn-off shotgun?”

  Steve watched as Daniel paled on hearing his words. Christian was barely making eye contact. Steve started to shake with fury. His friends deserved to be shocked and embarrassed at what he was telling them. They needed to get over their own frustrations and concentrate on helping Angel or move aside and let him sort things out.

  “Whoever he gave her to?” The words finally registered in Christian’s mind as looked up at Steve in horror.

  “Get your head around it now, Christian. Barnard thought it was funny to watch Angel being used and abused by other men, sick fucker that he was. And while you’re asking, I should tell you this as well. The next time you look at any member of the drug squad, you’re looking at someone that heard your woman scream in terror more than once and, like me, hadn’t been able to do a damn thing to save her.” Steve watched as Christian shook his head, and then he continued.

  “Dan, you want to know why Angel didn’t leave? Angel was given to Samuel Barnard as payment for a drug debt. The man was sentenced to die at Barnard’s hand if the money wasn�
��t repaid. Barnard decided he’d take Angel as payment instead. He even convinced a judge to draw up a deed of title on her, which everyone had to sign. If Angel left, the young man died. Yes, I know loyalty to a man who sold her seems illogical. But add to that the fact that Samuel then threatened her family and friends to keep her in place and you have a woman living under a reign of terror that she couldn’t escape from. Even I know Samuel would have followed through on those threats. Hell, I’m surprised she even made the one attempt to leave that nearly got her killed. I’m sure you’ve asked about the scar on her neck where he cut her fucking throat.” Steve yelled the last few words across the room to his friend for added impact.

  “Barnard then threatened the life of her young nieces and nephew to get her to return home. Yes, she doesn’t see the rest of her family, but for God’s sake, you try and say ‘no’ to a thug with innocent children on his hit list. See what you fucking do when a killer has your family staring into the barrel of a loaded gun. You take that responsibility on your shoulders, mate, and then walk out a killer’s door.”

  “I’m sorry,” Daniel said regretfully, looking over at Angel. “I’m a fucking idiot and a prick. I was just trying to get answers and…no, I have no excuse for yelling like I did, Angel. I’m so sorry.”

  Angel didn’t look up from her position on the floor. Steve wasn’t even sure if she could hear what was being said.

  “There’s one more thing that will probably come up at some stage, so I’ll get it out of the way now. There is a movie of Angel that I believe Adrian Hastings now owns. He bought it from Barnard to protect Angel when Barnard was trying to sell the filth to a porn distribution company. I found the original, and I’ve got it in the car. I bought it with me so Angel and I can destroy it. The copy of the movie that Angel found in the house has already been destroyed. I did that before I handed the evidence she gave me over to my superiors. Don’t ask to see it because the answer is no.”

  “Is the movie…?” Christian paused as he saw Angel spring to her feet and ran into the bathroom. “I was going to say consensual, but don’t bother.”

  Daniel jumped up and quickly moved to the bathroom as all three men heard Angel begin to vomit. Daniel’s entry to the guest bathroom was halted by the fact that Angel had locked the door.

  “Consensual.” Steve laughed. “You’re joking right? I can’t believe you were even going to ask me that, you son of a…”

  “I know, you don’t have say it,” Christian snapped. “I’m appalled the thought to ask even went through my mind.”

  “Fuck,” Daniel said as he began to gently bang his head against the locked door.

  Steve glanced at Daniel. Yep, that said it all.

  “Well, are we all sufficiently traumatised, or do either of you have another stupid question or tirade you’d like to get of your chest?” Steve asked.

  “No, I think we get the message, Steve,” Daniel replied, his head resting against the door. Christian walked over and stood beside Daniel, placing a hand on his brother’s shoulder before speaking.

  “Angel, if you’re finished, open the door please so Daniel and I can see that you’re all right and beg your forgiveness.”

  Long moments passed before Angel eventually emerged from the bathroom, walking straight into Daniel’s apologetic arms. Steve watched as Christian joined the embrace.

  “I love you both so much,” Angel said quietly as she stood in their arms. “But everything Steve just told you was why I originally said I couldn’t be involved with anyone yet. I’m sorry I didn’t stay away instead of involving you both in this.”

  Steve contemplated giving them some private time to talk about what had just been said, but he didn’t know if he could move off the couch. Movement caused pain, and at the moment, the throbbing in his balls had subsided, so he opted to stay where he was comfortable. Besides, they didn’t seem to mind his presence. However, having been raised to be good mannered, he decided to at least make the offer. He’d deal with the consequences of having to move if the answer can back in the affirmative.

  “Do you guys want me to go out for a while, give you some private time?”

  ‘No,” Angel replied. “Besides, I want to finish this so I know where I stand with everyone.” Angel walked out of Christian and Daniel’s embrace and began clearing up the coffee cups.

  “Angel, we love you. You have nothing to apologise for. We’ll work this out together.” Christian spoke to her with affection.

  “And since you asked, where you stand with Christian and me is exactly where you stood yesterday. We love you and will do anything to keep you with us, safe and protected.” Daniel took the tray from Angel and walked with it over to the kitchen.

  “The only thing that’s different is now we know what’s actually going on. The stakes involved in keeping you safe are higher,” Christian added.

  “I don’t understand how the two of you can say that.” Angel walked over to one of the single sofas and flopped down with a heavy sigh. “You have every right to be annoyed with me. You don’t need to be this understanding.”

  “It’s called love, kiddo. Get used to it because from what I can tell, it looks like you’re stuck with them,” Steve piped in.

  Angel stared at Steve and then looked back at Christian and Daniel, who were now seated next to him on the large sofa. She almost laughed at the three of them. Their large frames filled the seat, and they were all staring at her.

  “You look like those three monkeys from the Japanese proverb,” Angel joked. “You know, hear no evil, see no evil, and speak no evil.”

  Angel’s statement was greeted with raucous laughter as the men all looked at each other and began arguing about who was which monkey. Angel watched them all with interest. They had obviously known each other for a long time. She remembered Daniel talking about Steve, their friend who he said was often referred to as the third Shore brother. Angel hadn’t even contemplated it would the same Steve that had invaded her life. If Steve was the lifelong friend that Daniel referred to, and it appeared he was, then that meant only one thing. Realisation flashed through Angel’s mind. Oh shit, he’s never going to go away. Angel shuddered at the thought of Steve being a permanent fixture in her life.

  Chapter Twenty-Five

  Christian knew that they needed to discuss the deal Trevor had set up for Angel. She needed protection desperately. Police protection seemed to be the obvious answer, but Christian had reservations. After Steve’s revelations, he wasn’t sure if Angel would cope with the discussion just yet. Christian wanted to talk to Steve about what he thought of Angel’s predicament before he blindly offered a deal that may not be in her best interest. The deal had holes in it. If she knew where the ledger was and decided to testify, she could go into protective custody. However, there was the issue of having no safe place to immediately house Angel. Hastings’s leak had effectively provided the addresses of all the police safe houses that were regularly used. And over the last few years, more witnesses testifying against Hastings had died while under protection than Christian cared to think about.

  It seemed that there were way too many ifs. After all, the whole offer was based on the assumption that Angel had information of value and, at this point, Christian wasn’t sure that was the case. From his knowledge of what had transpired, the police had never believed that Angel could testify against Hastings, not until he had coerced her into sleeping with him. Hastings putting a bounty on Angel’s head puzzled Christian. It gave the impression that Hastings knew she was a threat to him, which had fuelled Trevor’s belief that Angel held the key to taking Hastings down. Christian needed to question Angel about what she knew, but not tonight.

  “Angel, you look exhausted. What about a long soak in the tub while Daniel and I sort out dinner?”

  “I’d like to but don’t we have more to talk about?” Angel replied.

  “We can talk later or even tomorrow. I’m going to be at home until everything is sorted out.” Christian smiled
tenderly.

  “I agree with Christian.” Daniel smiled. “A relaxing bath will do you good.”

  “Me, too, it sounds like the best idea I’ve heard since I got here. I’m starving.” Steve grinned at Angel.

  Angel stood up, placed her hands on her hips, and glared at Steve with complete exasperation.

  “Why does it not surprise me, Steve, that you’re more concerned with the needs of your stomach than my well-being?” she snapped.

  “Because you don’t believe I’m capable of anything else, Angel.” he stood up and walked over to her. “Be careful what you think of me though. One day you might have to change your mind.”

  “I doubt it.” Steve was only inches away from her as she spoke.

  “I might surprise you, Angel,” he said softly as he quickly kissed her on the forehead.

  Angel shrieked and jumped away from him, aware Steve was laughing as he headed to the front door.

  “Don’t you ever do that again. You’re disgusting, Steve Jax.” Angel wiped her hand across her forehead as she spoke.

  “I’m going to get my gear out of the car,” Steve said as he opened the front door. “Don’t drown in your bath, Angel.”

  “You’ll get used to him, Angel.” Christian chuckled.

  He watched as Daniel walked over and took Angel by the hand before leading her out of the room.

  Christian was on the mobile talking to Trevor Duncan about Angel when Steve re-entered the house. Christian moved the phone away from his ear slightly, so Steve could hear Trevor yelling through the speaker. Christian returned the phone to his ear and spoke calmly.

  “Well, maybe I should have let you speak in specifics and actually asked her name, but I didn’t. Hindsight is a beautiful thing, Trevor, but unfortunately it doesn’t change facts.”

  He heard Steve laugh. Christian freely admitted that he was honest to a fault and he hated to lose an argument. He didn’t see any reason why Trevor shouldn’t know the woman they’d been searching for had actually been living in his home for the past few weeks. After all, Angel wouldn’t be going anywhere. She’d be staying with Daniel and him permanently. The conversation continued for a while longer. Christian didn’t hide his side of the discussion from Steve and he could tell from the way Steve nodded, smiled, and occasionally chuckled that Steve knew the clash of wills between the two men was going in Christian’s favour.