Chapter 4

 

Angel took off when we got back to the clubhouse. I probably scared the shit out of her. Either that, or the sight of her parent’s standing in the doorway did it. I don’t know why the hell that would bother her, though. It makes me wonder what kind of life she had growing up. Clearly, they weren’t hurting for money. The main thing that eats at me is why she’s here, if they lived like that? Roc must notice the look on my face.

“What’s goin’ on?” He asks looking full of concern.

“Nothin’. Just thinkin’ about shit.” I respond. He knows how I get.

“Wanna talk about it?” He asks.  I sigh before looking over at him.

“I just don’t understand some shit. Things just don’t make sense.” Roc chuckles.

“That’s very vague. Sometimes things don’t always work out the way we plan. It’s life.” He responds.  I know he’s right. I don’t like to think of it that way for Angel, though.

She has a lot more to offer than what she is right now. I can see there’s more inside of her.

“I don’t know man. I just have a lot on my mind right now.” I tell him. Roc slaps a hand on my shoulder.

“I know. I can see it, but we are havin’ a party tonight. Get drunk, fuck everything else for now.” He laughs. He shoves off the couch and heads toward the back of the clubhouse. Nothing makes sense to me. I want nothing more than to get drunk, and forget everything that’s going on. There’s now more than one thing that haunts me at night. The whole fact that some club would leave their president to die for no foreseeable reason is first and foremost, but whatever the hell is going on with Angel, is pushing me to a new limit. I know I need to perk up and act accordingly for this party, but there are just too many things roaming around in my head. I shove off the couch and head to the kitchen, looking for something of the liquid variety. Roc’s right, I need to get drunk off my ass and roll with it.I walk past Angel and a few other girls that are talking in the corner. I head in the opposite direction.

“One of those days, Devil?” Amber asks as she giggles. She watches me intently while I take a long pull from the bottle.

“Somethin’ like that,” I grunt. Angel turns, her eyes locking with mine briefly. She quickly looks away before I take another drink. Fuck, a cup. 

 

 

***

I lie on my back, the world spinning around me. I think I’ve drank enough for six grown ass men. I don’t care though; I don’t feel shit. The party is crazy-insane. There are people everywhere. Even a few of the other local clubs came in to party with us tonight. I close my eyes before I feel a body lowering down on top of me. Popping one eye open, I look up. “What the fuck do you think you’re doin’?” Damn Brittany. Brittany’s a club whore from another local club. We all hang out sometimes, but it’s been a long time since I’ve fucked this girl.

“Having a good time. What does it look like, Devil?” She says, lowering her body to mine and slowly grinding against me. I can’t say that my dick doesn’t respond, because that would be a big ass lie.

“This isn’t a good time for me,” I say.  Her eyes sparkle in the light from the fire.

“It feels like the perfect time.” Visions of Angel float through my drunken mind. Her long hair flowing around her.

“I don’t think so,” I roar. I shove her off quickly. She nearly falls to the ground but I warned her ass.

“You are such a fucking asshole!” I grin as she stomps away. That’s when I catch Angel looking at me. Her eyes are hooded, her cheeks dancing with pink.  We connect eyes only briefly before she is pulled away.

“Talk to her, Devil.” Aria says as she drops onto the lounger next to me. Lying her head on my chest, I sigh.

“Not that easy–sweetheart.” I can smell the liquor rolling off this girl’s breath. It makes me laugh.  “Are you drunk?” I ask, cocking my head so I can look at her. Aria laughs.

“Not much. Don’t change the subject, either.” She snaps before I lay my head back down and close my eyes once more.

“I’m not. She’s too different for me, Aria.” That I do mean. She doesn’t know what I saw, and Angel isn’t willing to give up any information on it either.

“That’s the beauty of it, isn’t it? Roc and I are different. Stop putting yourself down, Devil.” She says. I life my head and press my lips to the top of her head.

“I knew it was a bad idea to let myself open up and talk to you.” I joke with her. Aria slaps me in the chest before looking up at me.

“I’m glad you did. It gives me a lot of insight as to why you’re the way you are. You should let her in, too.” Giving her a small smile, I pull her head back down to my chest.

“If I can call anyone a friend, it’s you.” I tell her in complete honesty.

“You stealin’ my girl?”  Roc’s voice booms through the air. I’m not sure how long we have been lying here, but when I hear Roc, I know it’s time to let her up.

“She’s always liked me better,” I say, opening my eyes.

“Yeah, I bet.” Roc grins, but he’s still a little unsettled with me and Aria being so close. She’s easy to talk to, and when I couldn’t get her to calm down that time Roc left, I opened up to her. I wanted her to feel safe with me.

“You want her back now?” I ask chuckling before he nods.

“You two know I’m lying right here.” Aria giggles before she sits up. Leaning back toward me, she presses a kiss to my cheek.

“Let yourself go for once,” Aria says before Roc pulls her up. Her eyes stay on mine, though.

“I’ll think about it. Happy Birthday, darlin’.” Giving her a wink, I push myself up and look around.  The party is on fire. People are really having a good time. I suppose no one will miss me if I duck out early. There are a few things I want to research before we head out to that new warehouse I heard about. I grab a few beers before heading toward my room. I pass a few guys on the way that try to stop me, and want to talk. Not being in the talkative mood, I quickly brush them off. I slide my card, heading inside when I stop. What the hell?

There’s a box sitting on my bed wrapped in balloon wrapping paper. A giant ass bow is taped to the top. I look around, not spotting anyone in the hallway before closing the door. Walking toward the bed, I set my beers on the table.  I pick up the card that reads Devil, and rip it open.

Devil,

   No one should ever NOT celebrate their birthday. You deserve to feel special just like anyone else. Had one of the guys help me out on the gift. Hope you like it.

Happy Late Birthday, Angel

 

My stomach clenches. She did this for me? Why would she? With a smile on my face, I reach down, grabbing the box in my hand.  Untying the ribbon, I slide the top off.

I blow out a breath when I see the lighter. It’s shiny silver, with the club emblem on it.

The fire of hell, and the skull in the middle. Flipping it over in my hand, there’s an inscription.

“Always be somebody.”