Total pages in book: 95
Estimated words: 90026 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 450(@200wpm)___ 360(@250wpm)___ 300(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 90026 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 450(@200wpm)___ 360(@250wpm)___ 300(@300wpm)
"They're in there, aren't they?"
"Probably." Riley stands behind me. We both let out a small scream and jump when we hear the loud click of a lock before the thick metal door starts to open.
"Shit," Nikolai mutters when he sees me, but I look past him, my eyes landing on Abel, who is standing over my father with a pair of pliers in his hand.
17
CHURCH
“Angel.” I drop the pliers. She stares at me. Her face is unreadable. Something I’m not used to. Her face usually shows all of her emotions, but right now there is nothing. Fear grips me. It’s a feeling I’m not used to.
“Angel,” Her father croaks out. I'm sure he's shocked to see his daughter standing there. I want to cut his eyes out so that he can never stare at her again. “Help me.” His voice cracks.
Angel takes a step back, running into Riley, whose face is scrunched in disgust. This isn’t something either of them needs to see.
“Come on.” Riley tries to pull at Angel to get her attention. I watch as tears fill my Angel’s eyes. Ones that I know I have caused. She finally lets Riley pull her up the stairs.
I fucking forgot to lock the upstairs doors after Riley had entered. I never forget anything. I follow after them. There is no way I will let her run from me. I know I should. She needs her space, but I can’t stop myself. Nikolai doesn't dare try to get in my way, either. He knows better.
I know the bay door is open. I’d left it that way because Matteo had said he was headed this way. He didn’t give me any details of why, but he wouldn’t pop in for no reason. Whatever he needs is important for him to pay a personal visit. Usually, he would just send Sergio if it were business as usual.
“Angel,” I call after her. She stops walking and turns to face me.
“I’m not running.” She whispers it out. “I know better.”
Fuck me. I stop walking.
She knows better? Those words rip at my insides. A torture of my own making.
“Are you going to kill him?”
“I mean, he doesn’t have to kill him if that bothers you, but he’s a dead man,” Nikolai answers.
“Shut the fuck up,” I bark at him.
“Abel?” Angel asks again, wanting me to answer.
“If you don’t want me to, I won't.” Her eyes widen.
“Don’t ask me that!” She shifts on her feet. I want to go to her, but I keep my feet planted. Her words of knowing better hold me in place. To my surprise, it’s Angel that moves toward me. She places her hands on my chest, staring up at me. “How long has he been down here? The whole time I’ve been here?”
"Yes." I won't lie to her. I have already hidden so much.
“Why are you doing that to him?”
“You know he’s not a good man.”
"Are you a good man, Abel?"
"The only man I care about being is yours." That's the truth. The rest doesn't matter. Good or bad is determined by people. It's merely an opinion. Nothing more. What I deem as bad, another may not.
The alert for the gate goes off, letting me know that Matteo is here. This is not the fucking time, but there is no stopping it at this point.
“Who is it?” Angel asks.
“Matteo Cattaneo.” She lets out a small gasp.
“You know I’d never let anyone hurt you. No one.” I wouldn't. I would kill everyone here to save only her, and I would have no regrets. I’m sure some would say that makes me a very bad man. But I couldn’t care less what other people think. No one but her. She is my everything.
Angel turns when she hears the vehicle pull into the bay. Matteo isn’t alone. His SUV, along with a van, pulls in. He’s either bringing me someone or has plans to take the senator.
“Angel.” I drop my voice. "You must tell me what you want because everything is escalating. I need to know where you stand on this.” I hate that I have to put her in this position, but we’re out of time.
“Don’t do anything that puts you in danger,” she whispers. Angel just chose me over her father.
“That’s not what I’m asking.”
“Don’t make me say it.” Those tears fill her eyes again.
“You don’t have to do anything you don’t want.” I try to reassure her.
“What if I wanted to leave?” I clench my fists at my side.
“Then we leave.” I think she meant by herself, but that isn’t an option. I'd take her anywhere, except away from me.
"I'm here to pick up the senator," Matteo announces when he steps out of the SUV. Sergio follows behind him. Sal exits the van but stays close to it, making me believe someone is inside.