Page 12 of UnWholly Angels (Crestview Cardinals #1)

Chapter Seven

Maya

Three Weeks Later

I boiled the pack of noodles and vegetables, careful not to wake Chloe with my noise.

The Palmers had graciously taken me in three weeks ago, but I still felt like a burden.

On top of navigating my presence in their home, Nick and Chloe were also feeling the strain of Riley’s absence.

No one had spoken to him since the night he discovered the truth about me, aside from Nick at practice or something.

Even then, it was never direct conversation, and he left after every event without a word.

I couldn’t say I was surprised by this, but that didn’t take away the constant ache of worry in my chest. I was also still processing the knowledge that Chloe hid the truth about DeviantKing.

I had entrusted them with my cam link, believing they would only share it with people they personally knew were not connected to me.

The idea of the cam link being the catalyst to reconnecting with Riley made me sick to my stomach.

We didn’t deserve that ; he didn’t deserve that.

My thoughts shifted from Riley to the pot of noodles still in front of me. Catching it before the water boiled over, I moved the pot away from the heat as I tuned in to the one-sided conversation behind me.

Serenity, the four-year-old apple of Nick and Chloe’s eye, was flipping through a board book and finding colors for her baby brother, Nick Jr., who was safely strapped in his lounge seat beside the kitchen table.

Since having the baby, Chloe had been in overdrive and desperately needed the rest. Offering to help with the kids was a small but meaningful way for me to feel useful in the house, while also preventing Chloe from asking questions she wouldn’t want the answers to.

I would do anything for her, including waking up at six in the morning with both of their children so she could get an extra hour of sleep.

What I wouldn’t give to sleep for a solid hour in general...

Shaking my head, I helped Serenity into her chair and placed her breakfast of fruit and yogurt in front of her.

Pouring my noodle breakfast into a bowl, I placed it on the table before scooping Nick Jr. out of his seat and holding him close.

His happy baby babbling eased some of the tension in my chest as I sat across from Serenity, who was still flipping through her book.

Maybe these early mornings did come with just a few perks.

Being the cool aunt definitely had its advantages.

Apparently, I wasn’t as quiet as I thought, because after a few moments, I felt a soft hand clamp down on my shoulder.

My chest immediately tightened, and I caught my breath while looking over my shoulder.

I was relieved to find Chloe behind me, sporting a messy bun and glasses halfway down her nose.

"Comfort food, I see,” she teased, smiling at the newborn tucked in my arm while gesturing to my now-cold noodles. “What a filling breakfast."

"Listen, food is food. You should be glad I’m even eating this early." I held up the bowl, tipping it toward her face. "Want some?"

"It does make me happy to see you eating at all," she replied before heading to the freezer and retrieving a carton of ice cream. I laughed softly, like her choice was any better than wax covered noodles. Chloe ushered her daughter into the play area, who was furious to be told that only adults could eat ice cream for breakfast. Once Serenity was distracted by her toys, Chloe leaned against the counter, lost in thought. Her mouth hung slightly open as if she were trying to find the proper words to say before finally deciding on, "So, are you ready to talk? I’ve given you plenty of time and space…Spill.”

I raised an eyebrow. “What do you want me to say?” I asked, adjusting the baby in my arm.

Chloe sighed heavily, as if my remark was the bane of her existence. “Literally anything. The escape, how you’re healing...how you’re really feeling about all things Angel Kingston...” Her tone was meant to be light, but it didn’t meet her eyes.

I turned away, trying to hide the tears starting to pool on my lashes.

“There’s really nothing to say. Even if there were, he certainly doesn’t want to hear it.

” More tears slid down my cheeks as I met Chloe’s worried gaze.

“As for the escape...I didn't think you’d enjoy finding out that not only did I kill someone on my way out the door, but I really liked it. His blood dripped into my mouth at one point, and I felt powerful.” I scoffed at the memory, but meant every word.

She stared blankly at me for a moment, and I didn't have the chance to continue before she started laughing hysterically. Pushing my noodle bowl away, I wiped my face and stared at her in confusion.

"Why are you laughing at me?" I groaned.

“Do you hear yourself right now? Stop trying to downplay this. That’s the hottest mental image I’ve ever had of you,” Chloe teased.

I rolled my eyes and stood with Nick Jr., placing the breakfast dishes in the sink before turning to face my best friend. “Yeah, I’m sure it’s even hotter when you remember I was only wearing a nightgown,” I grimaced.

Chloe’s laugh boomed through the kitchen as she took the baby from my arms. We moved into the living room, avoiding the sea of toys on the floor as we took opposite corners of the couch. Her smile dimmed slightly as she cuddled up with her son.

“Seriously, Maya, put a pause on the ‘joke to cope’ act. Just talk to me,” she insisted.

I sighed and ran my hand over my face. Chloe was not going to let this go. After a minute, I quietly asked, “What kind of person is desperate enough to auction off their body for protection? What does that say about me?”

“Was it desperate, or was it your last chance at freedom?” she replied, moving closer and wrapping a supportive arm around my shoulder. “Seems to me like you found your backbone again, and it’s probably a good idea to keep it this time.”

This is one example of the many reasons that, even in my youth, I gravitated to Chloe. She was a nurturer and someone I desperately needed in my life. From the first day she started volunteering at the group home, we had a connection, instantly becoming friends. I leaned back, curling into her.

“What good is having freedom if I’m too scared to live my life?” I asked softly.

“I’m sure that’s not going to be an issue for long,” she said pointedly, pushing her glasses further up her face. “Whatever you do, please don’t go back. Rocco will kill you.”

I hummed in agreement, though a small part of me insisted it would be better for everyone if I crawled back to Rocco and faced my punishment.

“I just want someone to care, you know? Someone who cares enough…Someone to protect me. Someone who looks at me the way Nick looks…at you."

Her gentle hand caressed my face and rested on my cheek. "Someone will, when the time is right. Even if it’s not Angel."

"Promise?" I asked her, trying not to cry for the fourth time this morning. I wished she would use his name. I hated this Angel bullshit. What was wrong with him for even doing that?

"Promise. I have a feeling he will come around though…Don’t rush and give it time. We are having a girls’ night tonight. You desperately need it."

When Chloe suggested the mall as our first stop for girls’ night, I was all for it.

I needed to get a mani-pedi and some new clothes.

We even picked out a few sexy numbers for the entertainment I'd soon be providing.

As we were leaving the house, a message appeared in the cam app, taking me by surprise.

Riley seemed to be suffering from amnesia; despite his absence over the past few weeks, his message informed me that he would be expecting our deal to begin tomorrow.

He gave me his number and told me to text him for more details.

That was four hours ago, and I’d yet to message him back. Since he obviously enjoyed playing games, it was only fair that he had to wait his turn, too.

The mall was packed. Most people carried mountains of bags as they pushed through the crowd, and I silently thanked Chloe’s parents for taking the kids.

I wasn’t sure I’d ever be comfortable calling them Mom and Dad, even though they legally adopted me when I was seventeen.

They gave me a life I never knew existed.

One full of possibility, choice, safety, and love.

It was difficult to feel deserving of the family I had dreamed of, and I still battled those insecurities from time to time.

Lawrence Whitlock almost lost everything trying to go after Rocco the legal way for what had been done to me, and it just further proved how powerful he’d become.

Brushing the memories aside, I struggled to maneuver through the throngs of people.

My anxiety crept to the surface, like a hand trying to claw its way out of my body, and I knew it was time for a break.

I pushed forward, tapping Chloe’s shoulder to get her attention.

Heat began to creep up my neck as a panic attack began to build.

My throat went dry, and I was hyperaware of every touch from shoppers as they passed me.

“Do you want to take a break and eat?” I asked hurriedly.

Please say yes.

I felt trapped and just needed to get out of the noise.

Hell, I'd even settle for splitting an appetizer. With a smile, she agreed, and we set off for the bar tucked in the back of the food court. The buzz of the crowd overwhelmed me, and my brain pounded against my temple. This was what I got for leaving the house—an impending panic attack because I was bored of being at home. I’d never imagined living my life in fear, yet here I was.