Dark Angel (An Angel Novel Book 2)

by Jane West

  “Don’t worry. I won’t be long.” Val assured me in a husky voice as he kissed me on the lips before he sprang from the bed and threw on his pants.

  He rushed from my sight. Quietly I lay there with the sheets drawn over my breast and listened as he threw the door wide open. To my disappointment, alarm hit me like an iceberg. “Dammit!” I hissed under my breath. “I can’t believe he followed me!” Aidan had his nerve coming here. By the sounds of it, if I didn’t get in there, those two might end up in a brawl of the century. Shit! I snatched up Val’s T-shirt and threw it on as I’d made a nose-dive toward the igniting commotion.

  I wasn’t surprised, catching both men towering over each other. I felt like an ant to their enormous size. I hesitated for a moment. WTF! I didn’t know how to stop a guy fight. I ran my fingers through my hair, starting to panic. I didn’t need this shit right now!

  “Look! Stevie isn’t your personal possession. She’s free to decide for herself. If she wants to go with you, I won’t stop her. But it will be a cold day in hell before I let you barge into my home and force Stevie against her will.” Val stood in a war stance, facing off against Aidan. In return, Aidan sneered as he glimpsed at the small apartment. I suppose it wasn’t exactly on the cover of Homes & Gardens. What a snob, I thought.

  “She’s not exactly in her right frame of mind. Contrary to her best interest, you were going to fuck her regardless?” Aidan’s dark blues looked fierce.

  Holy mother of god!

  “Oh, that’s rich! The pot’s calling the kettle black?” Val fired back. By now, both men were toe-to-toe.

  “What kettle is that?” Aidan stood his ground.

  Oh, lord! I had to block those two before they created mass destruction. “Boys, wait!” I jumped between the two snarling men, shoving them apart. Considering their monolith frames, I could’ve been crushed. Thankfully, they both stepped back. “No one is fighting tonight!” I clarified, and in the same breath, I glanced up at Val. I’d already hated myself for what I was going to do next. I exhaled a licked sigh. “I have to go back. I’m sorry.” Regret hid behind my smile not for desiring Val, but for having to leave. There was so much I wanted to say to him. Setting aside my breaking heart, I’d have to do this talk another time.

  “You don’t have to leave on his account.” The inflection of Val’s baritone voice was a strong clue how he felt about Aidan. As I observed the two and their heated stance, it came to mind that Val once dated Helen. I questioned whether I wasn’t the only girl causing tension between the two.

  Then a swirl of dread clenched my gut. I’d almost forgotten. I haven’t told Aidan or Val about Helen’s death. I shuttered thinking of that day when I revealed my dark secret. I sensed neither one would take her death well—a death by my hand that I was not proud to claim. I feared that once the truth came to light, both men would hate me forever. I wouldn’t blame them, but for now, I’d delay my secret and deal with it later.

  “I have to get back to Dom and Jeffery.” I’d hoped he understood that I wasn’t returning home for Aidan’s sake. “Do you have my…um clothes?” Val paused, staring back at me with a nettled face. I knew he was full of questions and ire all at the same time. I expected it. I had the same feelings too.

  “Your clothes are folded up over the chair in the bedroom,” he said, running his hand through his tossed hair.

  “Okay, thanks!” I reached around Val’s waist and gave him a tight hug. I knew he didn’t want me to go. His arms were too possessive as he clung to me briefly. I wished I could’ve given him more reassurance. The truth be told, with everything surrounding my life, what did I have to give? I loved him, but was it enough?

  On the other side of the fence, loving Val didn’t help my problem with Aidan. With all things considered, my priorities had to be set in order. First on the list, I had to settle my differences with Aidan.

  Then I had a debt to pay. I’d intended to hunt Mustafa down and kill him. I might be digging my own grave, but in my opinion, I didn’t see another way out. Mustafa must die. I reckoned that was the human side of me.

  Jaloux

  (Jealously)

  The ride home resembled an eternity. We were in my Mustang, and Aidan was taking his aggression out on my car. I decided the pouty child needed to be called out, so I spoke up. “Care to share?” I was snide, but he deserved worse.

  “I’m not in a talkative mood right now, if you don’t mind?” He clenched his teeth as he grinded the gears.

  “Suit yourself, but you’re going to strip the gears if you keep jerking the stick that way.” I said in a devil-may-care tone.

  “If I fuck your car up, I’ll buy you another.”

  “Whatever!” I slipped down in the seat and leaned my head back. Let him blow off some steam. If I were in his shoes, I’d feel betrayed too. Aidan and I definitely needed to talk. Considering his mood now, I’d approach him tomorrow. Not only did I have questions for him, I needed to set him straight.

  Finally, we’d reached the mansion. I’d planned on ducking in my room, staying under the radar of anyone’s notice. If I had to endure another guest expressing their condolences one more time, it might send me into orbit. I needed to empty my brain. I had one of Dom’s sleeping pills that Jeffery slipped me earlier today. Right now all I craved was a little solitude and blissful sleep. Judging by Aidan’s mood, I imagined our conversation wouldn’t be a stroll in the park. So tonight, I needed rest.

  ***

  Once Aidan and I entered the front door, mishmash chatter drifted from the back of the house. It sounded like the guests had congregated in the kitchen and family room.

  Strange how I felt disconnected. All these good people attending my daughter’s funeral, and I didn’t know one. I suppose my social skills were inept.

  Since everyone’s attention was distracted, I thought I had a clear shot to my bedroom. Impolite or not, I wasn’t in the mood for sharing my grief with strangers.

  Besides Dom and Jeffery, the only family member I had was Sally, and I wasn’t sure how I felt about that. Aidan had a minion of relatives, and yet no one came. What a crappy family. On the other hand, if they were like Van, Aidan’s uncle, it was best they kept their distance.

  I started to make a beeline for the stairs, but I was abruptly halted by a firm hand. My eyes snapped up. Two very dark blues were glaring back at me. Immediately, I tried to free myself. “You’re hurting me!” I hissed, keeping my voice low. I didn’t feel like putting on a sideshow for our guests.

  “You’re not going anywhere until you explain yourself.” His voice came off hard and threatening.

  I inhaled a haggard breath. “Aidan, let’s not do this tonight. I’m tired.”

  “You can sleep later. Start explaining!” He demanded like I was his property. Strange, his behavior reminded me of Sam. Ironic, I thought.

  My brow arched. “An explanation for what?”

  “You can start with why you were with Valor.”

  My whole body stiffened. Goddammit! He had to do this with a full house of strangers? “Did I not say I’m tired?” I glared back at him as equally. Still his iron grip didn’t loosen, and by the petulance in his blues, I saw he had no plans of letting this subject rest tonight. “You can’t wait until morning?”

  “Nope. I. Want. Answers. Now!” Aidan snarled. I took another pointed sigh. It looked like sleep for me would be stalled.

  “Fire away,” I demanded as he still held me captive.

  “I asked you a question. I want an answer!”

  Sooner or later I’d have to tell him. “Val is my friend...a very close and dear friend.”

  “You naked in his bed, I think pushes past the line of friendship.” His eyes narrowed.

  “Well, there you have it. Can I go now?” I held a bland stare.

  “You’re such a deceiving bitch!” Aidan growled.

  “I’ll take bitch, but deceiving?” WTF?

  “Our bed was still warm when you jumped in that Zop’s bed.
Who else have you been sleeping with?” Aidan’s face started to blister.

  And with no more energy than I possessed, I’d wished he’d knock me out. Then I could deal with him in the morning. “I suppose if you include the men at the lovely Haven Hospital while I was drugged to oblivion, I don’t know, maybe another twenty.” My voice sounded hollow.

  Aidan scoffed as he abruptly released his grip on my arm. “What happened to you?” his voice was acid. “You’re not the same girl I fell in love with back in Tangi.”

  “You’re right. I’m not.” I looked him straight in the eyes with no apologies. It was true. The old Stevie had died the day they captured her. I lost my life and my freedom, and the worst of all, I lost my child. The old Stevie didn’t exist any longer!

  I spat out my last words before I turned for the stairs. “That young girl you once knew died that day at the cottage where you left her wide open to the predators of your family. Good night.” I held my voice at an even tone. Then I twirled on my heels headed to my bedroom, leaving Aidan standing alone.

  Just to ease my frayed nerves, I locked my door. It wouldn’t keep Aidan out, but it made me feel a little safer.

  As my eyes washed over the bedroom, it suddenly felt too big for just me. I wanted to be with Val, still tucked in his bed with him. I hugged my waist trying to rein in the emptiness that threatened. Maybe when the house quiets, I’d sneak out and head back to Val’s place. On second thought, I might be the last person he wanted to see right now. I did leave with Aidan.

  To add to the mix of trouble, by Aidan’s outburst tonight, acting like a jilted lover, Val may never believe my true feelings. The fact be told, the thought of Aidan touching me made my skin crawl. He was so different now. Or maybe I was fooled into believing Aidan was good. I shook my head, frustrated, confused and tired. I sighed and slumped my heavy shoulders.

  I crossed over to my bed and flopped down, sitting. I leaned down, unbuckled the straps on my heels and kicked them off. Then I sat there for a moment, breathing in the solitude. Aidan and I had a lot to discuss. After all, we shared a child—a deceased child. There were questions concerning that day I was taken and about Dawn. It was time for Aidan and me to clear the air. I suppose I should do this in the morning, be done with it, and maybe the healing process could commence.

  Too tired to undress, I just slept in my dress. Besides, it smelled of Val.

  ***

  The sun popped up early, shining its stream of light right in my face. I began to stir, and before I cleared my head of sleep, all my sorrow and pain came flooding back. I stilled for a minute, dreading this day. I wanted to escape to a remote island where no one could find me. Living in bliss sounded so tempting.

  I looked down, and I had forgotten I’d slept in my clothes. The black dress clung to my body, only a bit more wrinkled.

  Suddenly the dress felt stifling and itchy. I had to get it off my skin. I reached to pull the zipper down, but it had jammed. With my patience depleted, I ripped it off, tearing the delicate material to shreds. As it fell to the floor in a puddle, it reminded me of last night with Val. I picked up the torn garment and buried my face into the cloth. I drew in its fragrance. Val’s delicious citrus scent still lingered, along with an earthy smell, and then something else—the grave site. I dropped the dress as though it had burned my hands. Tears started to fall. I wiped the moisture from my eyes and started for the shower until I caught a glimpse of a shadow in the corner, sitting in my chair by the window. I snapped my head around, and my mouth dropped. It dawned on me that my body was fully exposed. Last night I’d been in such a rush I’d left behind my undergarments. I just threw on the dress and fled out the door with Aidan hot on my trail. Instantly, I tried covering myself, but I only had two hands. Flushed and vulnerable, I spoke up in a piqued voice. “How did you get in my room? I’d locked my door!”

  His wolf-like eyes raked over me very slowly. By the time he reached my face, my cheeks were on fire. It reminded me of a time, long ago. A time I wanted to forget. He finally rose to his feet and stepped into the dim light. He spoke in a deep throaty voice. “My, don’t you look fetching this morning.” Aidan smiled, but it didn’t touch his eyes.

  I had no intention of dignifying that with an answer. I stood there, glowering at my intruder.

  Aidan sauntered around me, slowly, circling me with apparent menace in his blues. “Well, well, cat got your tongue?” His voice spewed of venom as he continued to strut, encroaching upon me as a predator. Then abruptly he halted, standing to my back. I listened over my shoulder, careful not to breath. One thing Aidan hadn’t considered, since his absence, I’d had combat training. He took a strand of my hair into his hand and inhaled a deep whiff. “You cut your hair. I like it long.” He scoffed against my ear. Goose bumps rolled down my neck as I turned to face him. I saw how pleased he was by the possessive glint in his eyes. I held my gaze equal to his. The sign of fear revealed weakness I did my best to hide. “Leave my room, now!” I demanded, teeth clenched.

  “I’m sorry, sweetheart, but you can’t get rid of me that easily.” He smiled maliciously. “Don’t forget, it is my money that bought you this fine house and all the exquisite accessories that come with it. Therefore, I’ll leave when I’m good and fucking ready.” He shoved me down to the cold floor, forcing himself on top of me. While his huge body held me trapped, he spread my legs apart. With one hand, he unfastened his pants as the other hand held me against my will. He’d been drinking. I could smell the whiskey on his breath.

  “Aidan, no! Please.” I begged.

  “Did you say no to your boyfriend, Valor?” His eyes were bloodshot and his words were slightly slurred.

  “Get off me! You’re drunk!” I screamed.

  Out of the blue I heard a big clang. Aidan went limp. His head was blocking my view. I strained to the side. Once my eyes landed on the obscured silhouette hovering, my heart jump started. Jeffery came with a heavy cast-iron skillet to my aid. A huge relief washed over me. But then strangely, instead of assisting me from the restrain of Aidan’s limp body, Jeffery leaned over, rushing his words.

  “Wake up, Stevie! Wake the mofo up! Trouble is brewing!”

  My brows knitted in confusion, then I sat straight up in bed, gasping. My eyes raked over the room and the corner from where Aidan sat. I exhaled. The chair was empty. Oh dear lord! Another nightmare! My forehead was beaded with cold sweat. When I threw the covers off, I realized that I was wearing the same black dress from yesterday. My instinct was to rip it off my body, but I sensed I had more urgent matters to handle, the dream, that vivid dream. I quickly jumped up, peeling the garment off. Then I threw on my sweats and rushed downstairs. Jeffery came to me in that dream. Something bad was up! I felt its chill down to the bone.

  When I reached the kitchen, everyone, including Sally, was sitting at the table. Dom had made his usual breakfast.

  Immediately all eyes fell upon me. I thought, how odd. Still it didn’t appear any different than any other morning.

  Then I glanced at Aidan. He sat there with a smirk plastered across his face. Jeffery fidgeted in his seat. Sally sat quietly. She was never silent unless she was frightened. I caught Dom fiddling with his food. Strangely, he didn’t take any bites. In fact, no one was eating. Everyone’s mood felt tense. Something was off. I spotted an empty bottle of bourbon on the counter then I looked back at Aidan. His eyes were heavy-lidded and red. He was shitfaced. Alcohol and bloodthirsty rage was a deadly combination.

  I was dealing with a very volatile problem. Strange, it suddenly occurred to me Aidan seemed removed from our daughter’s death, but he was livid over my relationship with Val. I sensed his jealousy had nothing to do with his love for me, opposite of what I once believed. Rather, Aidan viewed me as his possession.

  I had my trusted knife tucked in the back of my sweats. Not to toot my horn, but with endless practice, I’d gotten pretty good with my aim. On the other hand, Aidan was even faster. With his Druid magick, I didn’t hav
e a chance. I thought if I soothed the drunk, everyone could get away safely. I exhaled a tart breath. It would’ve been so much easier if Jeffery had whopped Aidan over the head with that cast-iron skillet back in my dream. Aidan would be sleeping it off or knocked out, and we’d be safe.

  Then I heard steps from behind. I slowly turned. I had no idea who to expect coming at this point. I braced myself. Since that day at the cottage, I was a bit jumpy of surprises.

  When my eyes landed on Val, a sense of relief washed through my mind. He was standing in the kitchen door, eyeballing our situation. His body was stiff, face harsh.

  I suddenly realized the profundity of our problem. Why else did Val come? As happy as I was to see the Zop leader, I still wished he’d stayed home or anywhere but here. I feared his presence might acerbate the issue.

  I decided there was no time like the future to jump in. “What’s going on this morning?” I kept my voice light as I glanced around at everyone. Then I saw the glint of loathing in Aidan’s eyes pointed right at me.

  I hoped to divert the attention on me. I would stall Aidan while Val got everyone out before any real harm was done. I was grateful for the dream. Interesting. Old Jeff may have some of his aunt’s gifts after all. Thanks to him I was alerted to a highly ignitable situation that could go bad in a split second. Quickly I needed to handle Mr. Drunk-Ass.

  Val stood quiet as his eyes combed over everyone, assessing the potential problem. I avoided eye contact with him. I didn’t want to make the unpredictable problem worse.

  “Stevie, how nice it is that you decided to join us this gracious morning.” Aidan’s words were slightly slurred, just like in the dream. “Do you know the servants are quite loyal to you?

  Aidan stated a rhetorical question. He wasn’t searching for a reply. I held my tongue, something that didn’t come easy for me.