Page 56 of Bruised MC Bear

25

Angel

Angel stoodwith her robe tight around her body, looking out the window for a while, unsure what to do. She had enjoyed having almost the entire day to herself, but now that night had fallen, she wondered what was going on. The men outside that Kade left to protect her had no answers. Nothing that they were willing to share with her, anyway. As much as she tried to convince herself that she was frustrated, deep down, it was the fear that gripped her. She was still in the middle of a dangerous situation, and their lives were on the line. No game of submission or night of screwing each other’s brains out would change that.

She went still as men’s voices echoed through the hallway. They were quiet enough, but their rough timbers reached her easily. Soon, she was standing at the door with her ear pressed against it.

“There’s no way this can be connected to what happened back then,” Axe said. “How the fuck did Giovanni end up joining forces with someone inside the government? And why did the government want to experiment on our parents anyway? Those armed men didn’t storm our house to question them. They were on a mission. Shoot to kill. Now we know it was probably because my mother knew too much. So what do they want with me now? And if it’s about whatever is running in my veins, why aren’t they after Nancy too? Or you?”

“We still don’t know enough,” Kade answered.

“Was anyone tailing Nancy before I showed up? Or you?”

“I don’t know. I can only assume they have been. Look, we need to move everyone tonight. You, Nancy, my parents, the kids, and your girl. You’re going underground until we know more. Completely off the grid. Silas is on board, and Vincent’s already made all the arrangements.”

Kade’s voice sounded uncertain for the first time since they had arrived. What did completely off the grid look like? It sure didn’t sound like time at the Ritz.

“How long? Fuck. I can’t do this to Angel.”

“I don’t have an answer for you. Don’t go assuming anything yet, though. Giovanni’s a slick son of a bitch. This rumor about his association to a government contact could be complete bullshit to scare us. We’re taking precautions to protect everyone, but I would not put too much thought into it just yet.”

“I’m not so sure,” Axe grunted out. “Silas may be on board, but he knows I’m better off at the clubhouse. I respect whatever you chose for your parents, and for Nancy and the kids. I’ll talk to Angel, but ultimately, where she and I are concerned, it’ll be my call.”

“Fine,” Kade said.

That was Angel’s cue to make a dash for the bed to act like she had not heard a thing.

She sat there for a second, processing what she had heard. Whatever happened to his parents as a child was on his doorstep again, possibly threatening to finish the job of ending it for Axe and Nancy. For both their families too? But why? God, could she even handle the answer? And Axe had to be kicking himself for dragging her into the middle of this chaos. She suddenly wanted more than anything to give him some sort of comfort.

While her head was a riot of emotions, Axe returned to the room.

“You heard, didn’t you?” he asked. “I can already see the terror on your face.”

She nodded. “Where are we going?”

“Get your things. I’m not sure if we’ll go with them, but if we do, even I can’t know,” he said, looking away as he seemed to contemplate the last few words.

“Are we all leaving together?”

“No. We’ll split up to improve our chances…” his voice drifted off, clearly unable to voice the risks.

She studied his face. He seemed different, troubled somehow. “Did something happen while you were gone?” she asked in a whisper.

“Happened? Yes and no. It’s more like new facts came to light. Have you ever stood stock still in the middle of a city street when a Mack truck is headed right toward you at top speed? You know it’s coming, and you know it’s bigger than you. You’re too big to stand still, yet it’s so ominous and intimidating, it freezes you in one spot?”

Angel gave him a somber shrug. “Sorry, Axe. I can’t say that I’ve ever done such a thing.”

He looked out the window, seeming to gaze far into the distance. “Well, that’s how I feel right now. It’s like what I thought was a seriously vengeful but manageable problem has just turned into something so big, spanning three generations in my family, and in Kade’s, we just learned. And now, it’s coming our way. Those lights on the horizon are way closer than they appear. They’re blinding us, scaring us, and no matter how fast we run, we may never get far enough to get out of the way.”

She stepped into his arms, craning her neck to look up into his eyes. “Will you be upset if I tell you that you’re kind of scaring me right now?”

“I don’t know what to say, doll.” He put his arms on her shoulder and kissed the top of her head. “I’m really sorry…for all of this, but most of all for causing you to be pulled into the middle of it. Let’s get on the road.”

“If it’s as big as you’re saying, and relates to your families, are you sure they’ll care to come after me?” she asked, resting her chin on his chest as she looked up at the grave expression on his face.

“Pack up and get dressed. We’re leaving.” He pulled away and started collecting his things. “Don’t ask me to take that chance.”

His message couldn’t be any clearer.

She was in this with him until the bitter end.

Taking a breath, she scooped up the clothes she had bought during her shopping trip with Nancy and picked out a flannel red-and-black, plaid lumberjack shirt and black tights.

“Are we going to be okay?” she asked.

“Hey,” he said, reaching for her hand. He stepped up beside her and pulled her into his arms. “I won’t let anything happen to you.”