Chapter 18

 

“Tell me this isn’t yours,” Angel whispers against my neck when I sigh. Always so worried about me.

“It isn’t mine.” I can feel her relax in my arms.

“Why didn’t you come inside?” She pulls back but I just raise an eyebrow. “Oh, yeah. Are you sure you’re ok?” She asks again. I give her a slight nod, before shaking my head no.

“No, you know what. I’m not. I’m not, ok. I need to talk to you.” I set Angel on her feet. She takes a step back, eyeing me. I can see the fear, but that has nothing to do with this.

“Walk with me.” I grip her hand in mine and walk us toward the trees that line her parent’s property to give us a little privacy.

“I found the ones that took you. I’m sure that much is obvious.” Her fingers tighten around mine.

“I don’t know how to shut it off, Angel. I don’t know how to make the urge go away.” I have to be honest here. Angel stops walking before turning to face me. Her hands glide up to my cheeks, cupping them.

“Let me help you, Devil. Let me be there for you.” Her eyes beam into mine. I want to tell her yes, I really do.

“I don’t know if it’s that easy. I want to believe that it is, but I don’t know. I don’t want to hurt you.” Angel looks torn. She doesn’t know what to say to me. I wouldn’t know what to say either, if I was her. Angel swallows, hardening herself as she straightens her spine. I love the look in her eyes.

“We can handle it–no–we will handle it.” The way she holds so much power within her sets my mind at ease.

“Hurtin’ you, isn’t an option. I would rather take a bullet than see you hurt again.” The smile tugs at her lips. I watch the slight curl before she moves in closer.

“No bullets. I love you, Devil. I will do whatever I can for you.” My heart slams into my ribs like crazy.

“Angel, I can’t leave the club.” Angel’s eyes glisten with tears.

“I know. I’ve thought about that, too.”

“I won’t pressure you. I won’t push you into anything you don’t want.” Angel giggles softly before grabbing me around the waist.

“I know. I just need a little more time.” Nodding, I know none of this is easy for her.

“I have a plan. Not to worry, darlin’.” 

***

I hated leaving her there. I don’t like that I can’t have her in my arms right now.

The ride back to the clubhouse was soothing. With the assholes that hurt her out of the way, I can breathe slightly easier. I still want the goddamn Throwers but their time will come. Pulling into the clubhouse, I spot Aria by the front door. She’s holding a bunch of flowers with a smile on her perfect little face.  Roc’s good for her. No matter what anyone else says, he’s made a difference in that girl. I pull up and cut the engine before climbing off. Sauntering up toward the front door, I actually feel good about my plan.

“You’re back!” Aria screams, shoving the flowers back into Roc’s arms. He can’t help but chuckle at her. “So, what are we doing? I have so many ideas!” She’s so excited. The light in her eyes makes me smile. She’s so animated right now. Even Roc is smiling.

“I’m not plannin’ a weddin’ here, darlin’.” Her eyes widen. Yeah, she thought about it.

“Devil! What are we planning? A party? A date?” Did she just say date?

“Sweetheart, we are way past the datin’ thing.” Aria slaps me in the chest making me laugh once more.

“Come, sit with me. I need to show you somethin’,” I tell her. Aria follows me inside where I drag her to the couch. Pulling my phone out she looks at me like I’m losing my mind.

“What are we doing, Devil?” Her little whiny huff makes me laugh. She’s such a sweet person.

“I need to know which one of these you would like if you were a girl.” That came out wrong. Aria’s eyes jump to mine before she sticks her tongue out at me. “You know what I meant!” Aria grabs the phone out of my hand, scrolling through the pictures I have pulled up.

Her fingers move over the screen but when she leaps off the couch and screams, I don’t know what to do. Her hand is over her mouth but the screams are still coming out full blast. The guys all come running in, looking around, like we’re under attack.

“The fuck you screamin’ like that for?”

Dragon stands there, eyeing her like she’s insane.

“Roc, do somethin’ with that girl,” Dragon says as he walks past her.

“You’re buying her a house?” Aria screams. Her eyes are on mine, filled with tears.

I nod my head once. If this is the only way to have Angel, then that’s what I’m going to do.

“A house? Way to show us all up, motherfucker,” Roc chuckles before sitting next to me.

“She isn’t ready to be back here yet, but I need her. I need her with me, brother,” I tell him. Roc nods, totally understanding what I mean. He has Aria, and when they were apart, it was hell on the both of them.

“I think it’s great, Devil. You deserve that happiness, man,” Roc says, slapping his hand down on my shoulder, I smile. I’m glad that they understand.

“She means a lot to me.” Aria sits down slowly, her eyes traveling over the screen.

“Does she know?”  She asks, I glance over at her and shake my head.

“She’s knows how I feel. We’ve talked.” Aria beams with pride. I love that look on her.

“Buying a house. God, Devil. I’m so proud of you,” She says, throwing her arms around me. I hug her back.  Hearing her say that to me fills me with joy. A joy I never thought I’d have.  Aria means a lot to me, too. She’s become like a sister to me. She watches out for me.

“I can’t thank you enough, Aria. I know you’re Roc’s lady–but I can tell you–you are my sister. In more ways than just blood. I’d be lost without you.” Tears spill down her cheeks before I pull her back into a hug. Roc seems to be understanding this time. He doesn’t look as pissed as usual.

“A house. Ok. Shit. Let me look at these. They are all pretty close.” She pulls back, wiping at her eyes, scrolling through the photos.

“I wanna stay close, just in case. I know she can’t be here but when I am, I want her close to me.” Aria smiles but doesn’t look up from the phone.

“This one is cute!” Cute? She just called the house cute? I don’t know if that’s a good thing or not.

“Come with me tomorrow to look at it.” Shoving off the couch, I grab my phone out of her hand and head toward my room.

“A house, huh? She worth it?” Ghost walks along next to me down the hallway.

“She is. I want her happy, Ghost. Killin’ those motherfuckers set somethin’ off in me. I know Throwers are still out there. I’ll get those sons of a bitches. I just need her.” He nods his head knowing what I mean.

He looks at me seriously before he says, “Then, I’m all in.”