Adam (12 page)

“
Angelina!” Robert’s voice called out as Damon and Duncan led the three men to vehicles. “Angelina!”

“Shut him the fuck up or I will!” Adam called out to Damon and Duncan
, turning to glare over his shoulder until the men were shoved into the SUV; the doors slammed shut.

Even though Adam looked away from her, she continued to stare where h
is eyes had been. An overwhelming sense of loss caused a single tear to roll down her cheek. She tried to hold back, yet more followed its path. Unblinking, her eyes remained fixed on what felt safe and familiar and that was Adam. He was the reason she had stayed strong and hadn’t given up.

S
eeing her tears, Adam reached for her hand. “Come on.” He led her to the car. “I’ll take you home.”

Digging her heels in
, Angelina shook her head, finally blinking. Her focus on Adam didn’t waver. “Not unless you believe me.” Another loud crack of lightening flashed over their heads, but Angelina stood, unwilling to budge.

“Believe what?” Adam still held her hand tightly
. Rain fell in sheets, completely drenching them in a matter of seconds.

“That I had no choice.” Angelina was glad for the rain
; it hid more tears that swamped her eyes. “I had to make you believe that I was happy.”

“It doesn
’t matter,” Adam said again, trying to pull her to his car and out of the rain.

“It does to me.” She pried her hand away from his. “It kills me to think you believed I just threw the love I had for you away, like you meant so little to me.”

Adam didn’t say anything for a second. He raised his head to the sky, letting the rain pour down on him. “What do you want from me, Angelina?” He finally lowered his head. “I don’t know what to say.”

Angelina jumped as Anne came up beside her. “She lied to keep me alive.” Anne stood in the rain, Jill behind her. “I was in the next room with a gun held to my head. They said even being a half-breed
, a bullet pointblank to the head would kill me. She was told one word of warning to you or anyone would be my death warrant even if it saved her.”

“Anne, you need to get out of this rain.” Angelina nudged her toward Jill. “You don
’t have to go through this again.”

“You saved my life
, Angelina and everyone will know it.” Anne wobbled slightly, but Slade, who had followed closely behind them, caught her before Adam could, holding her steady. “Knowing that one of us would be turned, we had a plan, a plan to fight. Their being human, we had a chance to overpower them, but they fed us little blood and drugged us to the point of being too weak to hardly walk.”

“Please get her back in the car
,” Angelina pleaded with Slade.

Before Slade could ease her back, Anne grabbed Adam
’s arm. “We found ways to talk, from under the door until we were caught. Then we each made a small hole in the wall that we talked through.” Anne’s eyes spoke true. “She always talked about you. You are what got her through our nightmare, just like my husband and son got me through mine.”

“They will pay for what they put you through
,” Adam vowed, his eyes glowing hot.

Anne nodded
. Turning to Angelina, she weakly lifted her arms to hug her. Angelina wrapped the woman in her arms, holding her tightly. “I wouldn’t have made it without you,” she whispered over the rain. “And for that I can never repay you.”

“You just did
,” Angelina whispered back. “Thank you, Anne.”

Chapter 14

Adam watched Slade and Jill help Anne back to the car. He felt a touch on his wrist and looked down at Angelina running her finger over her hairband.

“Why did you keep this?” Angelina asked, looking up, raindrops beading on her long eyelashes.

Slade passed them with the women
, leaving them alone except for a few uniformed police officers as well as Sloan and Steve, who were still carrying stuff out of the house.

“Because it belonged to you
,” Adam replied, holding her wrist and backing her into his car. The rain had let up, the lightening further in the distance, but the thunder still rumbled around them. “I’m sorry for what you’ve been through, Angel.”

Reaching up
, she touched his cheek. “I’m stronger for it as long as you are by my side, Adam.” She pulled her hand away, her eyes brimming with uncertainty. “You are by my side, aren’t you?”

Clutching
her sweet face between his hands, he took her lips in a kiss that had been building, a kiss he had wanted from the moment he saw her. He devoured her mouth, his body molding around her like a safe cocoon. Her kiss mirrored his own as she gave as good as she got. He pulled away, his eyes searching hers.

“Are you okay?” Adam asked
, not wanting to scare or make her uncomfortable. “I would never do anything to intentionally hurt you.” Even though she wasn’t marked in any way, he didn’t know where her mind was, how hurt mentally she could be. The thought of her being hurt sent anger surging through his body making his hands shake with rage.

Angelina blushed, but shook her head. “He never…” She looked away. “I think he was too afraid of you. Every time he came in and tr
ied, I would cry your name and tell him if he ever hurt me, you would kill him. After that, he would leave. I also think he may have loved me in some sick twisted way. He really believed I was his wife. He wouldn’t let any of the other men in my room. But he hurt Anne and the others. They all did, but only he came to my room night after night.” Angelina pushed away from Adam and looked up at him with a shaky smile. “But I don’t want to think or talk about that anymore unless I have to.”

Relief flowed through his mind and heart hearing that none of the other men used her in any way. “You don
’t have to say anything else.” He pulled her to him tight, holding on as if making sure she was real and here at his side. “I won’t ever fail you again, Angelina.”

“You didn
’t fail me, Adam.” Angelina pulled away slightly to look up at him. “I knew you’d be back for me.”

It felt like something slammed into his heart making it sink to his stomach, then rush back up to his throat. The faith she had in him was scary as hell, but meant more to him than anything ever had. He would make damn sure he never failed her, ever. “I will always be back for you, Angel.”

Leaning back down, Adam pushed her against his car, his lips slamming down on her. He couldn’t get enough, didn’t want to get enough. How he could have even thought about walking away and not fighting for her was enough to drive him insane, but never again. She was his and he would go through hell for her.

“Get a room!” Steve shouted out Sloan
’s window as they passed, but he tossed them a thumbs up.

Adam laughed
, shaking his head. “Let’s get out of this rain and get you home.”

The drive to her house was quiet as they held hands
, simply enjoying being together again. Adam was doing his best to let it go, but a deep anger burned through him when he thought about the man who almost succeeded in taking his Angel away from him. Pulling into her driveway, Adam got out, walked around and opened the door for her.

“I look like a drowned rat
,” Angelina laughed, but it was a nervous laugh as she looked at her house.

“
You look beautiful.” He touched her cheek, running his thumb against her soft skin. He was reluctant to leave her and didn’t like the fact that neither her mother nor father came for her. “I think it’s time I meet your parents.”

Angelina didn
’t say anything, but turned again to look at her house. “Listen, Adam, it’s not you, but I don’t know if that’s a good idea. I don’t know how they are going to react.”

“I hope to hell the
y react happy that you are okay.” Adam frowned, not liking her nervousness. She should be excited to be home, not acting like she’d rather be anywhere but here.

She didn
’t answer as he followed her to the porch. Opening the screen door, she stepped inside with Adam following close behind, his eyes taking in everything and his protectiveness coming to the forefront.

“Where in the hell have you been and who the fuck are you?” A tall man, who Adam figured was her father
, jumped off the couch. He was wearing no shirt, a pair of ripped sweatpants and he was a head shorter than Adam, but he was stocky.

“I
’ve been… ah—” Angelina began, but was interrupted.

“Who the fuck is he?” He pointed at Adam, a deep scowl on his face.

“This is Adam
,” Angelina replied, letting go of Adam’s hand, but Adam snapped it back up, holding it tightly.

“Angelina, where have you been?” Her mother came into the room looking nervous
ly toward her husband, yet relieved at the same time to see Angelina.

“Have you seen the grass?” Her father kept going
, ignoring his wife.

Adam suddenly remember
ed when he had come to her house and fixed the lawn mower. He had to keep repeating ‘this is her father, this is her father, keep your cool, don’t knock the hell out of him’ over and over again in his head.

“Your work called and you
’ve been let go. I’ve had to miss work to take care of your responsibilities,” he continued his barrage of bitching.

“I
’m sorry, but I was—” Angelina tried to explain, but he interrupted her again.

“Do you know without your damn check
, they turned off the phone and turned off the electric?” His voice became louder as he edged closer to Angelina. “I had to take one of those damn payday loans out to get the electric turned back on again, which you will pay me back for as soon as you go kiss some ass and get your job back.”

Adam was ready to step forward, but Angelina took a step forward
before he could, anger straightening her spine. “You know what, Dan.” She put her hands on her hips, making his head snap back in shock. “That’s right. Dan. You are my stepfather and I’ve been made to call you dad since you came into this house; well no more. I’m nineteen-years-old going on twenty, and I’m not kissing anyone’s ass.”

“Angelina!”
her mother whispered loudly, but her eyes were on her husband.

“I
’m sorry, Mom, but I’m done being treated like a slave around here. Cut your own damn grass, you lazy ass.” Angelina nodded, but she was about to squeeze Adam’s fingers off. “I was kidnapped, but does anyone here care about that?”

“Bullshit!”
Dan snorted finally finding his voice.

She ignored him
and looked at her mom. “Didn’t you even notice I was gone, that I didn’t come home?” When her mom looked away, Angelina just shook her head. “You didn’t even call the police, did you?”

“We didn
’t have a damn phone,” her stepfather shouted, throwing his hands in the air. “How the fuck are we supposed to call someone when the phone was turned off?” He cocked his eyebrows as if waiting for an answer.

Adam
actually felt Angelina’s hurt; her head dropped as her shoulders slumped in defeat. Ah, hell no! He was beyond pissed; he actually saw red. “Pack a bag, Angel,” Adam told her, but his eyes glared at Dan in total disgust.

“
I don’t have anywhere to go,” she whispered just loud enough for him to hear before raising her eyes to look at him.

“Yeah, you do
,” Adam assured her, a softness in his voice. “With me.”

Biting her lip
, Angelina finally nodded. “Okay, if you’re sure.”

“Go.” He winked down at her. “I
’ll wait right here.”

Angelina walked pas
t her mom without a glance; Adam knew her heart was broken. Hell, his heart was breaking for her.

“Who do you think you are?”
Dan waited until Angelina walked out of the room.

“Obviously
, the only one in this room who cares for Angelina,” Adam snarled, more pissed than he’d ever been in his life. Holding back at that very moment was the hardest thing he had ever done.

Dan stalked up to him, but stopped. “You
’re a goddamn half-breed,” he spat staring at Adam like he was some kind of science experiment. “Get the fuck out of my house.”

“Dan, please.” Angelina
’s mother stood, wringing her hands.

“
Shut up, Maggie,” Dan hissed, throwing his hand toward the direction Angelina went. “I’ve put up with her long enough and now she brings a dirty half-breed in this house. I should have married her off to my damn brother when he wanted her, but now no decent man’s going to want her after fucking this half-breed.”

Adam didn
’t even realize he moved; it was an immediate reaction. He had Dan around the throat and lifted him up off the floor. “You piece-of-shit.” Adam lifted the man higher, high enough he had to look up at him and Adam admired the shade of blue he was turning, his feet kicked out at him, but Adam didn’t feel a thing.

“No, Adam.” Angelina ran into the room with her bag, but dropped it to pull at Adam
’s arms. “Please!”

At Angelina
’s pleas and tugging on his arms, Adam opened his hand dropping the asshole to the floor. With probably more satisfaction than he should have, Adam watched as Angelina’s stepfather rolled around on the floor gasping.

Looking
over, he saw Angelina and her mother looking at him with wide-eyes. “He’s fine.” Adam shrugged, and then reached down to pick up her bag. “You ready?”

Nodding
, Angelina went to follow Adam out, but stopped and turned, walking toward her mom. “I love you, Mom.” She hugged her tightly. “But we both deserved better than him and I have to take
me
out.”

“I
’m sorry.” Her mother tucked Angelina’s hair behind her ear with a shaking hand. “I should have been a better mother to you.”

“What are you talking about
, Maggie?” Dan’s voice was raspy and rough. Staggering to his feet, he glared at them both, rubbing his throat. “You need to shut up before I boot you out right behind her. You’ve always favored her over me, you whore.”

Angelina turned and took two steps at Dan
, fisting her hand. With everything she had, she punched him right on the nose. Blood gushed everywhere. Shaking her hand, she pointed in his face with the other. “If I find out you ever hurt her or treat her bad, I will send every VC Warrior here, and if you run, they will find you. It’s what they do. They chase down scum like you.” Angelina stuck her hurt hand under her armpit, but pulled a hundred dollars out her pocket, sliding it to her mom. “I had money hidden in my room. Pay the phone bill so I can call you.”

“You
’ll still call me?” Angelina’s mom started to cry. Tears of regret rolled down her face, her eyes haunted by the life she had raised her only daughter in.

“Of course
. You’re my mom. Though you have the worst taste in men.” Angelina smiled sadly, and then kissed her cheek. “Don’t let him take that money.”

Her mom nodded
, watching Dan cursing while trying to stop the bleeding of his nose. “Maggie, get me something. She broke my damn nose,” he shouted, tilting his head back.

“Get it yourself
,” her mom yelled back, sounding like the old mom Angelina remembered. Her mom turned to look at Angelina, and then smiled a smile that transformed her face before winking. “Go, get out of here, and know that I love you.”

Once outside
, Adam stopped Angelina. “Are you okay?”

Angelina couldn
’t help it; she laughed, with the biggest grin on her face. “Do you know how long I’ve wanted to say all that? And punching him in the face was a bonus.”

Laughing
, Adam hugged her, but stopped when she yelped. “What is it?”

“I think I broke my hand.”
Angelina frowned, sticking her swollen hand out.

Adam grabbed it carefully placing a kiss on her fingers. “We
’ll have Slade check it out.” Angelina nodded, then stopped turning back toward the house. “What’s wrong?”