Page 92

“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 averybad 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.
“What’s happening?” I ask.
“Does it matter?” Matteo’s eyes linger on Angel.
“Brent is my kill.” Angel sucks in a breath at my words.
“You’re going to kill him?” She stares up at me. “Why doesn’t he go to jail or something?”
“We can’t have any talkers. All three will die. It has already been set in motion.” Matteo checks his watch. “In fact, I’m on a bit of a timetable here. I can’t keep the new police chief waiting.”
He’s going to set this all up. Pin the killings all on each other. I’m sure it will have Brent killing his father and some murder-suicide for Ken and Barbie. It will clean up this mess without raising red flags. Everyone gets what they want. Except maybe my Angel. It’s a brilliant plan. I shouldn’t be surprised. This is how Matteo operates. It’s why he’s still the most powerful man in this city.
“Save the tears, Angel. You’ll need those for the cameras.”
“Matteo,” I growl, stepping in front of Angel to block her from anyone’s view. I ready myself just in case.
“Did you tell her?” Matteo keeps going. I take a step, but when Angel grabs the back of my shirt, I stop. With one touch, this tiny girl can control me and so many others' fates.
“Tell me what?” She pokes her head out from behind me.
“Don’t,” I order her, not giving a shit who Matteo is right now. Angel already has to live knowing a bunch of fucked-up shit.
“You don’t.” Angel elbows me, wiggling to try and get around me.
I let her, but I wrap my arm around her right above her chest, pulling her back flush to my front. I keep my arm firmly in place so she stays against me. Relief fills me that she doesn’t try to get away from me. That should be the least of my worries right now.
Matteo smirks at Angel, who is pushing and ordering me around. I don’t give a shit. All I care about right now is coming out the other side of all this with her in a better place.