Page 2 of Angelic Vengeance

A sigh escaped her as I left the booth, followed by some curses in Italian.

On the way back from the bathroom, I needed a moment alone before returning upstairs, so I made a little detour and ordered a virgin Cosmopolitan at the bar. Drinking wasn’t my thing; the idea of not being in control – even just for a second – unsettled me.

Once my pink mocktail was finished, the bartender sprinted towards me. I parted my lips–

“AFallen Angel,” – The deep voice wrapped around me like velvet – “And another one for the lady.”

“That won’t be necessary–”

“I insist,” The stranger pressed, moving to stand by my side.

I raised my eyes…

Him.

Turning back to the bartender, I gave my new order, “I’ll just have a bottled water, please.”

I wasn’t necessarilythatopposed to him buying me a drink; he just hadn’t asked if I wanted a different one.

My water arrived in record time, and as I opened my Dior handbag to pay, the bartender was already gone.

Of course. They put it onhistab.

Standing up, I began putting my wallet back. I was five-foot-nine, but even in heels, the top of my head didn’t reach his chin.

I felt his gaze burn my cheek. He looked down at me, and because I’m stubborn, I looked right back, making it a point to appear extremely unimpressed.

“Don’t.”

“Not sure what you’re talking about.” He slightly frowned in a charming way, as if he was exactly what he pretended to be – a gentleman.

But I could see through his mask; tattoos, slightly unbuttoned shirt, busted knuckles, gun tucked away in the waistband. He was a wolf in sheep’s clothing. A man so deep in sins, there was no hope for salvation.

That was the only explanation as to why he would be acquainted with Gìovanni DeMone – who he himself was elbows deep in blood.

I wasn’t better than any of them. My hands were tainted red and my consciousness ceased to exist. Technically, that was supposed to be the worst part; lack of guilt.

I disagreed.

It was the continuous torment of knowing bad people walked this earth and yet received no punishment. They would be buried with coins in their pockets to cross the River Styx to Heaven. They would bribe karma in life and death.

Maybe I lacked guilt for my sins because I knew they were in service of something greater. Or maybe I just enjoyed watching the life drain out of evil’s eyes, almost as if I was giving God a hand.

Regardless, life wasn’t black, white, or grey. It was shades, highlights, and shadows.

“I know exactly who you are,” I leaned in and spoke softly, trying to hint that I was more than aware of what really went on behind the curtains. I didn’t believeGìovanni or this man were evil. But theyweretrouble. And for people like me, trouble became temptation to go back to old ways.

“Oh, yeah?” He appeared to catch on to what I was implying but didn’t seem to care.

“Mhm.” I played along one more time before finally sinking my teeth into his ego. “You’re an arrogant, hedonistic, vain, self-obsessed, unappeasable liar.” I took a step back and smiled at him, so sweet it would make his straight, white teeth ache. “You’re cute. But not that cute.”

Without another word or glance, I turned around and walked back to the VIP lounge.

Maybe I’d been a bit harsh. I mean, I didn’t even know the guy. But it had to be enough for him to lose interest in me.

If he knew who I really was, he’d never look at me again.

The warm, early May breeze brushed against my skin. Since the front was packed with people trying to get in the newest hot spot in Manhattan, I took the back exit.