Angel walked into Cole’s hospital room.

He looked over at her and smiled. “How’s Melissa?”

“She’s good. They just finished the infusion.” She laid her hand over his. “How are you doing?”

He shifted in the bed and grimaced. “Feels like the time I fell and busted my ass when I was ice skating as a kid.”

She grinned. “Did they give you something for it?”

“Over the counter shit. Nothing good,” he replied, shifting again.

“Can’t get comfortable?”

“I’ll be okay. This place just puts me on edge. I don’t know how that little girl of ours does it.”

“She doesn’t know any better. She’s been sick for as long as she can remember.”

“God, I hope this fixes it. I can’t stand the thought of her being sick.”

Angel nodded. “Me, too.”

“Come here.” He pulled her hand, and she sat on the bed next to him. “You okay?”

“I’m fine. They’ll keep you overnight for observation. Just to make sure you’re okay.”

He nodded. “You look tired. You should go home and get some sleep. I know you didn’t get much last night. I feel bad about that.”

She smiled shyly. “You didn’t get any sleep either.”

He grinned and kissed her hand. “What I got was much better than sleep, darlin’.”

A nurse walked in with a little white paper cup.

“Speaking of sleep, here comes your little blue pill.”

The nurse laughed. “Yep. Mr. Sandman time.”

“How’s the patient been behaving?” Angel asked the nurse.

“Oh, he’s been pretty good. A little cranky and upset he can’t get any class A narcotics for his pain.”

“Hey, don’t make me look bad in front of her, Stacy.”

“Take your sleeping pill, and I’ll tell her you’ve been a good boy.” She held out the paper cup.

He popped the pill in his mouth and took the water she handed him.

Stacy smiled and sailed out of the room, saying over her shoulder, “He’s been a real teddy bear. Visiting hours are over.”

“Wench!” Cole yelled after her.

Angel leaned down and kissed him. “Goodnight, teddy bear.”

Cole pulled her back for another longer kiss.

When Angel pulled away, she brushed the hair back from his forehead. “See you in the morning.”

He nodded.

She got up and left.

He watched her go. It had been on his lips to tell her he loved her, but he realized he didn’t have the right to do that.

Not until he got divorced.

 

***

 

The next morning Cole sat on the side of the hospital bed. The doctors had come by earlier and released him to go home. He had just gotten his street clothes back on and was trying to decide whether to try and go up and see Melissa or wait for Angel to get here.

The door opened, and he glanced over expecting it to be Angel. It wasn’t. In strolled two uniformed police officers—their dark blue uniforms neatly pressed, their silver badges reflecting the overhead lighting, their radio’s crackling with muffled communications.

“Morning,” the first one through the door greeted Cole.

“Morning,” Cole responded, wondering what this was about.

“I understand you’re Melissa’s father.”

“And you are?”

“We’re friends of Angel’s father. Worked with him.”

Cole nodded. “I see.” He glanced at the nametag on the officer’s shirt. Sgt. Harmon.

“Just came by to see how Melissa was doing.” The officer stared him down.

Cole stayed silent. He had a feeling he knew where this was going. He’d been through this type of scrutiny enough times in his life.

“You gonna be headed back to…where was it, California?” Harmon asked him.

“Yeah. Sure.”

“And when would that be happening?”

“Not sure yet, Sgt. Harmon. Is there a problem?” Cole spoke calmly, although he was seething on the inside.

“No problem. As long as you get back to California quickly.”

“And if I don’t?” Cole replied tersely.

Harmon looked him over. “I checked you out. I know all about you, your club, and your record.”

Cole stared back at him. “I bet you did.”

“Just see that you don’t overstay your welcome.” He stared down Cole.

The door opened, and all three men’s heads turned toward it.

Angel walked in. She stopped short when she saw the officers. “Bill. Mark. What are you doing here?”

They both smiled back at her. All Mr. Nice Guys, now, Cole thought with a smirk. He shook his head and looked away.

“Just came by to check on Melissa. You know she’s in our prayers,” Harmon told her, touching her shoulder.

“Why are you down here?” Angel wasn’t going to let it go.

“Oh, just came by to let the donor know how grateful everyone is that Melissa’s getting her transplant.” He turned and smiled back to Cole. “Well, you both take care. Angel, you let us know if there’s anything you and the kids need, okay?”

“Yeah. Sure. Thanks.”

Cole could tell she was uncomfortable with them being in his room. He wondered if she was embarrassed for them to find out who the father of her children was.

The two officers walked out.

When the door closed, Angel turned to him. “What did they really want?”

The corner of Cole’s mouth lifted. “Mornin’ to you, too, babe.”

She walked over to him. “I’m sorry. Good morning. How are you feeling?”

“Sore. Ready to get the hell out of here.” He smiled and took her hand, pulling her close for a kiss.

“What did they want?” she repeated when the kiss was over.

“How’s Melissa doing? Have you seen her yet?” He changed the subject.

“She’s doing good. Now tell me what they were doing here,” she insisted.

He blew out a breath, realizing she wasn’t going to let it go. “Damn, baby, you’re like a dog with a bone. Won’t ever let it go. That was just the welcome wagon.”

“What did they say to you? Tell me.”

“Angel, it’s okay. They just wanted to welcome me to Arizona.”

“Bullshit.”

“Not a big fan of you swearin’, babe.”

She stared at him with her hand on her hip.

He sighed and shook his head. “What do you think? They probably already have a file started on me.”

“A file?”

“Babe, it’s no big deal. Just the usual drill. They want to make sure I find my way back to California, ASAP.”

She shook her head and looked away. “I can’t believe they did that.”

“Said they worked with your Dad. They friends of his?”

She nodded.

“Have they been helping you out since he died?”

She looked at him. “How did you know?”

He shrugged. “Cops take care of their own.”

“Yes, I guess they do.”

“Same thing the club would do for a member.”

“Really?”

“Yep.” He studied her. “So, what kind of help have they been giving you?”

She looked away and shrugged. “Some of them tested to be donors. They’ve collected some money for the hospital bills. Stuff like that. Why?”

Things his club should be doing for her, he thought. “Just wondered.” He stood up. “Let’s go see our daughter.”

When they got to Melissa’s room, they were required to wear masks and gowns and wash their hands with antibiotic soap. They suited up and walked into her room.

Her pediatric oncologist was there checking on her. He turned and looked over at them. “Hi, folks. She’s doing well.”

Cole walked over to him, held his hand out and shook the doctor’s. “We haven’t met. I’m Cole Austin. Her father.”

“Right. The donor. Nice to meet you. And how are you feeling?” the doctor asked.

“I’m doing fine. How is she?” he nodded toward a sleeping Melissa.

“Like I said, she’s doing well. How much do you know about the transplant process, Mr. Austin?”

“Not as much as Angel, I’m sure.”

“Well this is the most critical stage, called engraftment. It normally takes two to four weeks. During that time the immune system is crippled and very susceptible to infection and excessive bleeding. We’ll be checking her frequently for signs of fever, chills, hives, chest pain, etc. She’ll be on multiple antibiotics and blood transfusions of platelets to help stop any bleeding. Blood samples will be taken daily to determine whether engraftment has occurred and how her organs are functioning.”

“Engraftment?” Cole asked. “What’s that?”

“Sorry. It’s when the marrow you donated to her starts to grow and make new blood cells. When engraftment finally occurs and her body begins producing normal blood cells, she’ll be taken off the antibiotics and blood and platelet transfusions.”

“And when does she get to go home?”

“It depends on how she does. She’ll be discharged when she has a sufficient number of healthy red blood cells and white cells and platelets. It can take up to four to eight weeks in the hospital.”

“Wow. I hadn’t realized she’d be in here that much longer. When is she going to start feeling better?”

“Well, normally patients experience symptoms much like a severe case of flu during that eight weeks. She’ll probably have nausea, vomiting, fever, diarrhea, extreme weakness.”

“My God.”

“After that it’ll take another two to four more months to recuperate at home. And I have to tell you, the first weeks at home she’ll just want to sleep, maybe sit up, and maybe walk a bit. You’ll have to be bringing her in for doctor visits several times a week during that time. She’ll need to avoid crowds. The risk of infections will still be very high.” He paused, studying Cole. “I have to tell you, it’s a long road. It’ll be six months, maybe a year before she is healed completely, if everything goes well.”

“A year? Wow.”

“Like I said, it’s a long road,” the doctor admitted.

“Yeah. I guess so. Thanks, doctor,” Cole said, nodding to him.

“Well, so far everything is looking good. I’ll let you two visit for a few minutes.” He spoke with the nurse, and then walked out.

Cole looked over at Angel. He’d had no idea what this process was going to entail, for both of them. She’d need him here. He’d have to make that happen. At least for as long as he could manage. He needed to at least stay until Melissa came home. He looked down at his daughter. He was afraid to get too close. He didn’t want to be responsible for giving her some infection; no matter how many precautions they took.

Angel spoke with the nurse about Melissa’s medications and knew she’d be asleep for a while yet. She turned to Cole. “Let’s get you home. She won’t be awake for a few hours.”

“You sure? We can stay. I’m fine.”

“I’d rather go while she’s asleep and be back when she wakes up,” she explained, looking down at Melissa.

“Of course,” Cole agreed.

They drove back to the house where Natalie was waiting with TJ. “How is she?” she asked as soon as they were through the door.

“The doctor said she’s doing well. She was asleep, so I thought it was a good time to bring Cole home,” Angel told her.

“Yes, of course. And how are you feeling, Cole?” Natalie turned to him, resting her hand on his shoulder.

“I’m fine, just a little stiff and sore. Compared to what Melissa has to go through, what I did was a piece of cake.”

“Nevertheless, your body has been through a strain, too. You need to take it easy for a while. A week or two at least.”

He nodded to her and bent down to where TJ was on the floor playing with some blocks. “How ya doin’, buddy?”

TJ looked up at him, smiled, and held out a block.

Cole took it and carefully set it on the top of the tower TJ had built.

TJ swung his arm and sent the tower crashing down, letting out a howl of laughter.

Cole ruffled his hair. “Demo man, huh?”

“Demo?” Angel questioned.

“Demolition. It appears to be his thing.”

“He’s not old enough yet to be planning his future career.”

“Hey, you never can tell.” Cole turned back to TJ and watched him start to rebuild another tower.

TJ smiled up at Cole.

Angel watched. She could tell TJ loved the attention. He was starting to bond with his father. Angel wasn’t sure if that was a good thing or bad. It all depended on just how much of a role Cole wanted to play in his children’s lives. They really hadn’t had that discussion yet. She’d been too worried about Melissa to think about anything further.

Cole stood and appeared a little wobbly.

“Are you dizzy?” Angel asked, reaching out to offer a steadying hand.

“Yeah, a little there for a moment.”

“You should go rest for a while,” she insisted.

“Yeah. I guess so.” He turned and walked back to the guest room. He closed the door and lay down on the bed. He pulled his cell phone out and turned the ringer back on. He had put it on silent while he was in the hospital. He looked at the read out.

Six missed calls, one from Mack’s number and the other five all from his wife.

Shit.

He needed to call her back. Might as well get it over with. He punched in the number.

She picked up on the second ring.

“It’s me,” was all he said.

“Finally! I’ve called and called. Why didn’t you answer?” came her voice through the phone.

“I was in the hospital, remember.”

“I know where you were. Seems you could remember to check in with your wife.”

“Mandy, don’t start.”

“There’s no money in the account. How am I supposed to pay for shit?”

Cole sat up. “What do you mean? I left you over a grand.”

“Well, it’s gone. Food. Gas. I have expenses, Cole.”

He wanted to reach through the phone and choke her. “How could you have gone through a grand already?”

“I don’t know. But there’s no money.”

He blew out a breath in frustration. “I’ll call the bank and find out what’s going on.”

“I need money, Cole.”

“I said I’d handle it.”

“Well, how did it go? Everything okay with the kid?”

She finally got around to asking, Cole thought. “Fine.” Fuck. Her very voice was beginning to grate on him.

“So, when are you coming home?”

“I don’t know. This transplant is going to be pretty rough on her. I need to be here a while longer. See she gets through it.”

“What do you mean? How much longer? You said this would only take a few days.”

And let the whining begin, he thought. “Look, I said don’t start. Okay? It’s more serious than I’d thought. She doesn’t instantly get all better.”

“What about me?”

“What about you?” Cole snapped back. Her selfishness had come to the surface not long after they’d gotten married. It was really starting to turn his stomach.

“I want you home.”

“I don’t give a shit what you want,” he growled.

“You did your part. I don’t know why you have to stay now.”

“It’s important I be here. She’s my fucking daughter.” Cole was losing patience with her. Things had been rocky between them for a long time, and this just pointed out her neediness. He couldn’t stand clingy women. He just hadn’t realized how bad she could get. She was one of the most self-centered and controlling women he’d ever met. How he’d married her without seeing it was beyond him.

“Okay. Fine. So, another week, then?”

“I can’t say. It may take longer. I just don’t know.”

“Longer? Cole!”

“Mandy, I’ll be back when I can. Look, I’ll call you later. The meds they gave me are starting to make me sleepy,” he lied.

“You’d better call me. And I’m sick of getting your voicemail every time I try to talk to you. You better start picking up your Goddamn phone.”

Cole disconnected.

He couldn’t even bear to finish the call. It was always about her. Her needs. Her problems. Couldn’t she ever once think of someone else’s needs? My God, he hated to think what kind of a mother she’d make. She couldn’t hold a candle to the job Angel was doing dealing with a sick child.

Cole knew he wasn’t being fair, but to hell with fair. Was life fair to Melissa? Had it been fair to Angel?

He tossed the phone on the bedside table. He’d have to call Mack back later. He was in no mood to deal with him now. He was sure Mack wouldn’t be thrilled with him staying out here longer, either. Well, tough shit. He was just going to have to fucking deal with it. Besides, Mack owed him, and he knew it. For all the lies and bullshit he’d put him and Angel though. Maybe she wouldn’t be living seven hundred Goddamn miles away if it hadn’t been for the shit Mack had pulled. Mack was just going to have to make some amends. And if that meant cutting Cole loose for a couple of months, then he’d better get used to it.

Cole fell back on the bed and closed his eyes. He was weaker than he wanted to admit. It didn’t’ take long for sleep to claim him.

 

***

 

Over the next couple of weeks they fell into a rhythm with either Natalie or Cole staying with TJ while the other went with Angel to the hospital. Cole recovered fully and was able to pitch in and help more. It was going to be a long time before it was safe for TJ to be around his sister. The risk of infection was just too great to take any chances.

Cole enjoyed the time he got to spend with his son. It gave them the opportunity to get to know each other and to bond. Even so, Cole realized that no matter how much time they had together, for as long as Cole could manage to stay, it was never going to make up for the time he’d already missed out on or the time in the future that they would be apart.

Cole sat on the front porch step and watched TJ ride a tricycle around the driveway. Cole thought about what kind of relationship he wanted with his children. Coming out for visits, how was that going to work? Did that mean he would only get to see them for a few days every couple of months, if that much? He knew what would happen. No matter how diligent he was every few months would soon become twice a year. He’d end up being a stranger to his own children. That wasn’t what he wanted.

So, what did he want?

He wanted Angel. He wanted them to be together, like a real family. Who was he kidding? They’d never be a normal family. Ozzie and Harriet. The Waltons. The Cleavers. That Hollywood ideal. But then, what was normal, and who had that perfect picture? He didn’t need perfect. Hell, he’d settle for living in the same town. No. That was a lie. He wanted Angel in the same house, in the same bed. He wasn’t going to be happy with anything less. That left only one option. He had to divorce Mandy quickly and make things right with Angel.

Would she even want him? What did he have to offer her? He was still that same guy that knew he was no good for her three years ago. What did he think was different now?

Everything, he told himself.

Kids do that. They change everything. He wanted more now, and deep down he wanted to believe he deserved more. He could be a better man for Angel, for his kids. Couldn’t he? If he didn’t believe it himself, how was he ever going to make it happen?

It was getting to be dinnertime. Cole had made them both hotdogs for lunch. He needed to figure something out for dinner.

“Hey, TJ. Come on. You need to help Daddy make dinner.”

TJ stopped pedaling and looked at his father. He scrambled off the bike and ran to him.

Cole scooped him up and tossed him in the air. TJ squealed, and Cole hoisted him up on his shoulders and carried him into the house. He set him down on the kitchen floor and pulled open the refrigerator. He stood staring into it, one hand on his hip.

TJ stood next to him, his little hand on his hip, mimicking his father.

There was ground beef. Maybe he could whip up some pasta. He looked in the pantry and found a can of sauce and a box of spaghetti. He rummaged through the spices and pulled out some oregano and garlic powder. It wouldn’t be great, but it would be edible.

He got a pot of water boiling, and then got a pan and started to brown the meat. He added in the spices to the meat while it was browning. He opened the can of sauce and added some more spices. While that was all heating on top of the stove, he dug through the freezer to see what else he could come up with. There was a box of Texas Toast, so he heated the oven and put some on a baking sheet to toast. Maybe when it was all ready, he could whip together a salad.

About a half hour later, it was just about ready when Angel and Natalie walked in. Natalie was carrying in a bucket of chicken. She took one look around her mess of a kitchen and smiled. “You cooked.”

Cole shrugged. “I attempted, anyway. Not sure how good it’ll be.”

“A man who can cook. Angel, you better not let this one get away.”

“Natalie!” she replied, embarrassed.

“Hey, this isn’t a regular thing, so don’t get used to it. Anyway, you brought chicken.” Cole nodded toward the bucket.

“It’ll keep in the fridge for lunch tomorrow,” Natalie insisted. “I’d much rather have what you made, Cole.”

“Not sure you’ll feel that way after you taste it.”

“Nonsense.” She put down her purse and reached in the cabinet for plates.

Angel bent down, picked up TJ, and hugged him. “Hi, Honey-Bear.”

He hugged her neck, and then turned and said, “Daddy making sagetty.”

“And you’re helping?” she asked.

He nodded.

Angel looked down at the pots and pans on the kitchen floor that TJ had been banging on with a wooden spoon. “I see that. You were a big helper.”

Cole stood at the stove, stirring the sauce. He looked at Angel and smiled. She was wearing a cotton summer dress that buttoned down the front and fell to a couple of inches above her knee. It had tiny flowers all over it and looked cute as hell. She moved toward him, and he leaned down and kissed her. “How’s our girl?” he asked when she pulled away.

“She’s had a rough day. She’s still sick to her stomach.”

“Man, I hate to hear that.”

“I know.” She set TJ down. “I’m going to go wash up.”

“Sure. Want me to pour you a glass of wine?”

She smiled. “That sounds great.” She turned to leave.

“Okay, dude. Time to put the pots away. Come on. Let’s go.”

All through dinner, Cole could tell something was wrong with Angel. He watched her as they ate. She picked at her food, nudging the noodles around on her plate. He knew that Melissa had been having a pretty bad reaction to the transplant. She’d been extremely nauseous, and they had been fighting to get enough food in her.

Cole’s eyes slid over Angel. Melissa wasn’t the only one that hadn’t been eating well these last few weeks. Angel had lost some weight, and it showed. Her face was thinner. Although they hadn’t been together since that first night, he knew her body was slimmer. He could feel it when he wrapped her arms around her.

She glanced up and caught him staring. “What?”

He shook his head. “Nothing.”

Natalie noticed the looks pass between them. She got up and began clearing dishes. “You want dessert, Angel?”

“No. Thank you.”

“I’ll clean up. Why don’t you and Cole get TJ ready for bed?”

Cole glanced over at his son. He was resting his head on his hand and looked tired. “Are you finished, son?”

TJ nodded, yawning.

Cole stood and scooped him up. “Come on. Let’s get you ready for bed.” He carried his son down the hall.

After they had him bathed and tucked in for the night, Cole shut TJ’s door and glanced at Angel. “You look beat, too.”

She smiled and nodded.

“What’s wrong?” he asked.

She looked up at him and tears filled her eyes.

“Hey, hey. What’s this all about?” He pulled her into his arms. She buried her face in his chest. He could feel her shake as the sobs took over. He led her into his room and sat on the bed, pulling her down next to him.

She brushed at the tears and looked up at him. “I’m sorry. Sometimes I just need to let it out.”

“What’s going on? Tell me.” He stared at her, waiting.

She looked at him. It was so hard to even get the words out. She took a breath. “The doctor is talking about putting Melissa on a feeding tube.”

“My God. It’s gotten to that?” Cole murmured.

She nodded. “If she doesn’t start eating more and keeping it down. He was talking about starting the day after tomorrow, if nothing changes.”

“I’m sorry, baby. I know watching her deal with this, her being so sick, I know its killing you.”

She looked away and nodded. She stood and walked over to the sliding glass doors that led to the backyard. She pulled the drape aside and looked out. There was a big full moon.

“Is there anything we can do?” Cole asked as he joined her.

She shook her head.

“Come here,” he said, pulling her into his arms.

She went willingly.

He held her for a long time, his hand rubbing up and down her back. “It’s gonna be okay. It’s all gonna be okay.”

“I’m glad you’re here,” she whispered.

“I’ll be here as long as you need me, baby.”

She pulled back and looked up at him. Did he mean it? And when would she ever not need him? Would he stay that long? She studied his face. How had she ever come to need him so much? This biker who could be as gentle with her as if she were precious china.

His gaze slid over her face, stopping on her mouth, and then he lowered his head and his mouth closed over hers. His hands came up and held her face. He deepened the kiss.

Angel responded, needing this, wanting this. Her arms slid around him.

He kissed her again and again. Soon it wasn’t enough. He wanted more. God help him, he needed more. He couldn’t stop himself from walking her backward until her legs hit the bed, and he pushed her down on top of it. He knew it was wrong—taking advantage of her like this, at her weak point, knowing she needed him and using it to get what he wanted. He knew he was a bastard, but that wasn’t going to stop him. Not now. Not this time.

Fuck.

He hoped she’d forgive him.

Angel wanted him. She needed to forget for a while. She knew her problems would be waiting for her when this was done, but for right now, she just needed to forget them. She needed him to make her forget.

His right hand reached for her top button. His fingers working it free, and patiently, expertly working their way down the front of the dress she wore. His mouth moved from hers to trail down her neck as his hands pulled her dress open. He slid down her body, his mouth pressing kisses over her stomach. He pushed the dress off her shoulders.

She sat up, pulling it free.

His hands came around her and had her out of her bra. He pushed her back down, covering her with his body.

She felt the cold metal of his belt buckle pressing against her stomach. She reached for the hem of his t-shirt and pulled it up. She tossed it aside as his bare chest came down on hers, and a low purr sounded in the back of her throat as his mouth closed over hers. Her hands trailed gently over his back and down along his ribs. She slid her hands between them, reaching for his belt.

He rose up on his elbows, staring down into her eyes as her hands unbuckled his belt and undid his jeans.

The sound of glass breaking filled the room. Cole stopped all motion, his body coming alert. He rose up a few inches, his head tilted, listening. He heard a car door open out in the carport.

“What was that?” she whispered.

He lifted off her, fastening his jeans. He picked up his gun from the bedside table and pulled the slide back, loading a bullet into the chamber.

Angel sat up, pulling her dress back on.

Cole looked down at her and ordered, “Stay here.”

She watched as he slowly opened the sliding door and disappeared, leaving it open. The curtain blew softly in the breeze. Angel stood, buttoning her dress and moved to the curtain. Pulling it aside, she peeked outside.

Cole crept around the corner of the house and through the gate to the carport. He saw a shadowy figure leaning into the open door of Natalie’s car.

“Freeze, asshole,” Cole said softly.

The guy stepped back, seeing Cole standing there pointing the gun at him. Cole had a brief impression that this was a teenager, before the guy turned and ran toward the front yard. Cole dashed after him, firing off a couple of shots over his head. He knew better than to shoot a man in the back. Still the kid kept running. Cole stopped at the end of the driveway, watching him sprint down the street. Hopefully it was enough to scare him off and keep him from ever coming back.

Angel jumped when she heard the two shots. She ran out the door and around the corner into the carport.

Cole heard the footsteps behind him and spun around, startled, leveling the gun on her. “Christ, Angel!” He lowered the gun when he saw it was her.

She stopped short, her breath catching in her throat when she realized she’d startled Cole and he’d almost shot her.

He walked toward her. “I told you to stay inside.”

She glanced down at the broken glass and saw the shattered window of Natalie’s car. “Oh, my God.”

“Yeah.”

“Someone was trying to steal the car?”

“Probably just after the stereo or whatever he could find inside.” Cole slammed the car door shut.

The outside lights all came on, and Natalie opened the front door. She saw them. “What’s going on? I heard gunshots. Are you okay?”

“Yeah. We’re fine. Someone tried to break into your car, though,” Cole told her.

Natalie came outside and rushed over to them. She saw the damage.

“You should call the police. File a report. I’m sure they won’t be able to catch the guy, but you’ll need the report for your insurance.”

Natalie nodded and looked at the gun in Cole’s hand.

He saw the scared look in her eyes. “You okay?” he asked her.

“Yes. Yes, I’m fine.”

He nodded. “Go back inside. Everything’s okay.”

Natalie nodded, turned, and walked inside.

Cole looked over at Angel. She had her arms crossed and was starting to shiver. He reached up and tucked a stray lock of hair behind her ear. “How about you? You okay?”

She shook her head and went into his arms.

He pulled her close, tucking her head under his chin, his hand smoothing the hair on the back of her head. “It’s okay, baby. He’s gone. He won’t be back, I promise.”

She held onto him, her face pressed against his bare chest.

Finally, he pulled back and smiled down at her. “Now, where were we?”

She smiled back.

The distant sound of a siren reached them. Looking up, they saw a squad car slowing down to make the turn into the neighborhood.

Cole looked back at her. “I’ll deal with this. You should go back inside. This may take awhile.”

“Cole, maybe it’d be better if I talked to them. I know you and cops are—”

He cut her off. “I said I’d deal with them. Go inside.”

She saw he wasn’t going to change his mind. She turned and walked toward the front door.

Natalie was at the screen door, watching. She held it open for Angel.

Angel stepped inside and turned to her. “He didn’t want me out there.”

“I’ll go. It’s my car, and I’m the homeowner.” She opened the door and walked outside as the squad car pulled in front of the house.

When the police finally left, Natalie and Cole came back inside.

Angel was in the kitchen, sitting at the table, a mug of coffee in her hands. She looked up when they walked in. “I made coffee.”

Cole shook his head and leaned back against the counter. He folded his arms and looked at her.

Natalie poured herself a cup.

Cole’s eyes cut to her. “Mind if I start parking my bike in the backyard? I feel better if I can keep an eye on it.”

“Of course, Cole.” Natalie sat down at the table with Angel.

Cole’s eyes drifted over to Angel. “The officer told us some things tonight.”

She frowned. “What do you mean?”

Cole shared a glance with Natalie before Natalie’s gaze dropped to her coffee mug. An impatient sigh left Angel’s lips.

“What is it? Tell me.”

Cole blew out a breath. “He said crime in this part of town has skyrocketed in the last year.”

“What?” She looked from Cole to Natalie. “But this has always been a safe neighborhood.

“Not anymore.” Cole was blunt with her. She needed to hear this. They both did. He looked over at Natalie. “Look, I’m sure this was a real nice neighborhood when you and your husband bought this place, but things change. Businesses start to close, they get boarded up, lower income moves in, next thing you know the gangs start to take hold.”

“Gangs?” Angel was stunned. She’d always felt safe here.

“You haven’t noticed the changes? I’ve seen three boarded up businesses down on the boulevard. Graffiti, broken down cars in driveways.”

“I guess I’ve turned a blind eye to it all. I guess I just didn’t want to see it,” Natalie whispered.

Cole looked at her. She knew what he was going to tell her. “You need to sell. Get out of here before your property value plummets.”

“Sell?” Angel couldn’t believe what she was hearing.

Natalie nodded, meeting Cole’s eyes. “You’re right. I know you’re right. It’s time.”

“But this has been your home for as long as I can remember,” Angel protested.

“Yes. It has.”

Cole looked between them. He hoped they listened and heeded his words. He didn’t even want to think about his kids growing up in a place that wasn’t safe. “I need a smoke.”

Angel watched him walk out the back door. She turned to her aunt. “Are you serious about selling? It’s just a car breakin. They happen all the time. I think you’re overreacting.”

Natalie looked down at her coffee. “I don’t want to go, but…I don’t want us to be where it’s not safe. If anything ever happened to you or the children, I’d never forgive myself.”

“It’s not going to. Oh, Aunt Natalie, don’t worry.” She covered her aunt’s hand with her own.

Natalie smiled, and then looked past Angel to the back window. “I’m glad Cole’s here. It’s nice having a man around. Especially when something like this happens.”

“Yes. It is,” Angel agreed.

“He cares about you. A great deal. I can see it.”

Angel didn’t say anything.

“Well, I’m going back to bed.” Natalie stood and carried her coffee cup to the sink. She bent and kissed the top of Angel’s head, and then walked down the hall to her room.

Angel turned and looked over her shoulder to the back window. She stood and went outside.

Cole turned when he heard the back door open.

Angel walked over to the table where he was sitting. She pulled out a chair and sat down.

Cole took a hit off his cigarette, watching her.

She looked back at the house, and then at him. “You really think it isn’t safe here?”

He shrugged. “Maybe you’d be okay for another year, who knows? But why take the chance? And like I said, once the neighborhood turns, your aunt will be lucky to even find a buyer, much less get what the place is worth.”

“You said the officer told you some things. What types of crimes? Did he say?”

Cole studied her. “Break-ins, vandalism, purse snatchings. Nothing too violent yet, but give it time and that’ll come, too.”

“None of Dad’s friends have ever said a thing.”

“Like Bill and Mark?” Cole smirked.

She looked at him and nodded. “Yes. Like Bill and Mark.”

He looked away.

“What?”

“Nothing.” He ground his cigarette out in the ashtray on the table and stood up. “I’m going back to bed.”

She looked up at him.

He stood there, looking back at her. “You comin’?”

She shook her head. “I think I’ll check in on TJ.”

He studied her, and then turned and walked in the house.

***

About an hour later, Angel stood outside Cole’s bedroom door. She hesitated, not sure if this was wrong. What was she doing? If he left and went back to California, it was going to hurt so much more if she let herself become too attached to him. Her head reasoned it all out, all the arguments why she shouldn’t do this. In the end, her heart didn’t care.

She opened the door and stepped inside.

Cole lay face down in the bed, the sheet at his hip exposing his bare back. He came awake and rose up slightly to look at her, blinking sleepily. “Is everything okay?” he asked, his voice raspy with sleep.

She closed the door, leaning back against it.

He watched her closely, coming fully awake. She walked toward him, and he rolled to his side, up on one elbow, his eyes never leaving hers. She stopped at the edge of the bed, and he watched as she raised her hands and began unbuttoning her dress.

It slipped to the floor. She stood before him naked.

He reached for her hand, rolling to his back he pulled her down. She fell across his chest as his hands buried in her hair and pulled her head down, his mouth coming up to capture hers. He kissed her wildly.

Rolling her onto her back, he rested on his elbows, poised above her. His hands still buried in her hair, he looked down at her. “Tell me you’re mine.”

She looked up at him.

“Say it,” he insisted.

She nodded. “Yes.”

It was enough. His mouth descended to hers.