Forever My Angel (20 page)

Angel’s eyes are dark, and as she stands, she leans over and whispers something in Vanessa’s ear. Then she turns to me. “Okay, I’m ready.”

It's killing me not to ask Angel what she said, but I should wait until we get outside. A butler retrieves our coats, and Dougie follows us to the front steps to wait for the valet to bring around our cars. When we got out here the valet was leaning against a pillar having a smoke, clearly not expecting anyone to be departing just yet. I wonder if my dad and Chelsea even waited for him to retrieve Dad’s BMW or if they just went and got it themselves.

“What did you say to Vanessa?” I ask Angel, my arm around her shoulder to try to keep her warm.

Angel flashes me a brilliant smile. “I told her that she needed to readjust her priorities, and that I hoped she’d choke on her fake smile when she finally decides to swallow her pride and be the mother Chelsea needs.”

I nearly choke myself. “I hope Ware’s okay,” I find myself saying.

“She really cares about him, doesn’t she?” Dougie shifts his weight from one foot to the other.

I clasp him on the shoulder. “I think so, man.”

He looks uncomfortable. “Listen, I feel like an ass, and you’re going to maybe hate me for this, but not telling you is eating me alive. It was me who smashed Warren’s window outside Tuck’s. I came to talk to you about something and saw them together, and just snapped. I thought he was trying to put the moves on her, and was sure that she couldn’t welcome them, so I left him a note to stay away from her. Then I just sort of lost it, and smashed up the other cars as well. I’ve never done something like that before, and I honestly don’t know what I was thinking.”

“Clearly, you weren’t,” I growl, taking a menacing step toward him.

“No. I guess not.” His eyes meet mine, and I search behind his repentant expression, looking for any sign of the kid I grew up with, finding none.

I want to beat the shit out of him, but that won’t help. “Get the fuck out of my sight,” I say, letting go of Angel to ball my fists at my side, trying to control myself.

“Axel...”

Angel steps in front of me. “You should go, Dougie. Because if you don’t, even if Axel doesn’t kick your ass, I will.”

Dougie turns without another word. The valet pulls up with his car, and he starts to turn his head back to look at us, then stops. He keeps his head down as he walks around to the driver’s side and takes the key from the valet, shoving cash into his hand. Then he’s gone, leaving me alone with my fiancée and my fury.

Angel is silent most of the drive home, and the morose mood clings in the air as we go get Molly from Mrs. Peters and I take her out to potty.

Earlier, I couldn’t wait to peel Angel out of her dress, but when I come back in with Molly she’s already in bed in a t-shirt and leggings, her knees drawn up to her chest. “What’re you thinking about?” I ask her, even though I already know. Molly jumps up beside her.

“Just worrying about Ware. I’ve seen the way he looks at Chelsea. I can’t imagine him standing her up without a damn good reason. Your mom’s call makes it even more worrying. Do you think maybe he was in an accident?”

I weigh my options. I could keep Ware’s secret and be a good brother, or I can tell Angel what I know, and share trust with my fiancée. Easy choice.

I sit on the edge of the bed, one foot on the floor, my other knee bent in front of me as I brace my weight against it. “Ian was able to dig a bit into Ware’s past—”

“What the fuck, A—” Her anger catches me off-guard. “You just can’t help yourself, can you? You did the same shit with me. You think just because you can buy information, you should.”

“I can think of no better use of my money than protecting those I love.”

She sighs, leaning back against the headboard.

“Let me ask you a question: do you ever use your money or influence for something good?”

What the hell kind of question is that? “I hired Kevin to protect Lexi in case Nick came for her. I donate to several charities. I—”

The way Angel is looking at me stops me mid-sentence. “What?”

“I mean do you actually
do
anything. The Lexi thing was for your own peace of mind more than anything else. And donating to charities? Please. Anyone can do that. You're Axel fucking Chadwell, and what difference have you made in this world?”

I sink onto the edge of the bed. “I love you. Does that not matter?”

Her eyes soften a tiny bit, though her annoyance is still more than visible. “It does. To me. But you've got the privilege of money, and you're not afraid to use it for any little thing you want. I guess I just want to see you use it in ways that matter. You make life easier for yourself all the time, but what about the people who truly have it hard?”

“What do you want me to do?”

“I don't know.”

“Well that's not good enough. I'm more than willing to spend
our
money for a good cause. Something that's important to both of us. Because it isn't just me anymore, Angel. You said you didn't want to just be a trophy on my arm. You want to be more than just my wife. You're going to be co-owner of Melt, and everything we do there will be us doing it together. But if you feel like
we
need to do some good for some cause, or something, then you lead. I'll follow.”

She bites her lip.

“What?” I prompt.

“Well, I had an idea... I've been sort of chewing on it, but I'm afraid it's stupid.”

“Tell me.”

For a moment I think she's going to refuse. Her words are soft when she finally starts speaking again. “I was thinking about how if I hadn't been able to come to you and let you help me, I don't know how I would have gotten away from Nick. I was too ashamed and too afraid to go to my mom, even though I know she would have done anything in her power to help me. It breaks my heart thinking about all those girls in the world who are in dangerous relationships because they feel like they don't have any other choice. It's like they're trapped.”

I nod, waiting quietly for her to collect her thoughts and go on.

“What if we could give them a hand up, out of their own horrors?”

“I'm not sure I follow.”

“It's like, when you're in a bad situation, and you don't have money of your own, leaving seems impossible. Like, how will you even support yourself? It makes it easier to stay and tell yourself that it's the best option you have. What if we made Melt into a haven for women who need a way to save themselves, rather than waiting for a knight in rusted armor who might be just as bad as whatever they want to run from. I was so damn lucky you are who you are, and you saved me...but most people aren't that lucky.”

“Angel...” My throat hurts, clogged with unspoken emotion.

“No, A. It's true. You saved me. You gave me hope. But I think we can do that for others. If they knew that we'd find them a job in our haven, and provide them with a roof over their head that they could actually afford until they've gotten on their feet, more girls might make the choice to save themselves. There's an apartment building less than two blocks from Melt. I saw it when I was over there going over some things with Ian, and it's for sale. What if we bought it too? Do we have enough money for that?”

I can't help laughing. “Yes.”

She rolls her eyes, but goes on. “We could have everyone fill a role in exchange for room and board. Cleaning, cooking, working at Melt. They could learn skills that can be applied in other industries. They can teach each other, and grow, and to make it feel like they aren't receiving charity we'd pay each of them a salary, and part of their salary would pay for their housing. When they give us notice they're ready to move out on their own, they could have their last month rent-free so that they have a little financial cushion. I know it won't save the world, and I know we can't save every girl, but it's a place to start. And if we keep the goal of training them for bigger and better things, a lot of them will move up into other, more sustaining jobs, making room for us to help new girls.”

“You've put a lot of thought into this.” I smile at her, pride filling my eyes.

“Do you think it can work?”

“Honestly, I don't know. But I think if anyone can make it happen, you can, and I'd be proud to support you as you do it.”

“You mean it?” I don't miss the way her expression glows with possibility.

“I'll make the call about purchasing the building tomorrow.”

Angel leans up, throwing her arms around my neck. “Thank you for believing in me, A.”

She feels good in my arms, and I want nothing more than to show her how proud I am by making love to her all night long. But my sister and Ware are still weighing heavily on my mind.

“Not to change the subject, but do you want me to tell you what Ian learned about Ware?”

Angels leans back, getting comfortable against the headboard again. I can see her struggling with the decision as her face clouds, then slowly clears. “Tell me,” she sighs.

“Ware has a daughter.”

“Ohmigod! Does Chelsea know?”

“I don’t think so.”

“What about your dad?”

I shake my head. “He’s kept her a secret. She has a heart condition, she’s been in and out of the hospital. I suspect that’s why Ware came to my dad for money, but I’m not sure.”

“Holy shit.” Her fingers linger near her mouth as she tries to process the news.

“I’m going to text my Dad to let us know what’s going on when he gets there, but I doubt we’ll know anything until morning.”

Angel holds a hand out to me, and I entwine my fingers with hers. “I don’t think I’m going to be able to sleep, worrying and not knowing what’s going on.”

“Then I guess we’ll have to figure out a way to pass the time.”

—-♥—-

M
y phone rings early the next morning, but it’s not who I expect. “Yeah?” I greet Kevin after pushing the talk button. I glance at the clock, seeing that it’s only six a.m. I got maybe three hours of sleep after making love to Angel until she was good and tired, too exhausted to fight sleep any longer.

At the sound of my voice she sits upright beside me, her eyes going wide and questioning. I cup my hand around the phone to muffle the sound, and whisper to her, “It’s Kevin.”

He doesn’t sound very happy. “Do you know where I am?”

How would I? “Sorry, my mindreading powers don’t kick in until at least seven a.m.”

“Funny, man. I’m at a little podunk-ass airport, about to board an even smaller podunk-ass plane, so I can fly to an even smaller podunk-ass town at your father’s beck and call.”

The hell? “Why’d he call you in?”

“Apparently Ian was right, and that kid’s your brother’s. What we hadn’t discovered yet is that the baby mama’s family might not be so thrilled if they realize that the baby is with Daddy. Something about a will, and money. Damn, why does this shit always come back to money with you people?”

I bristle. “So you’re going to do what? Play baby bodyguard?”

“That’s what it sounds like. I
should
be on my way to Philly this morning with Lexi, to enjoy three blissful weeks of nothing but her and me and no trouble. But no, she’s driving alone, and I have no idea how long your father’s going to expect me to be in Cedar Rapids.”

“You want me to talk to him?”

“Damn straight I want you to talk to him. I’m going to go get boots on the ground and make sure everything is on the up and up, but I’ve no intention of staying out there long-term.”

“I’ll see what I can do. Call me and update me when you land.”

I try not to stress over it, but my father must have deemed the threat to be at least somewhat credible for him to fly Kevin out. That or he’s taking the overprotective grandpa thing to an entirely new level of crazy.

It’s mid-afternoon before I hear from Kevin again.

Plane was delayed taking off. Finally here and headed to hospital. Cell service sucks. Will call when I have something to report.

The whole damn lot of them are enough to drive me crazy. They must know I’m sitting here worrying to death. You’d think one of them could pick up the phone and put me out of my misery.

I’m walking toward the kitchen when my phone finally rings later that afternoon. I snatch it out of my jeans pocket, seeing Dad’s name on the caller I.D.
It’s about fucking time.

The first thing I hear are sirens in the background. Dread grips my throat, and it's hard to speak. “Dad?”

“Axel. It’s bad. There are multiple gunmen inside the hospital, and we can’t find your sister.”

I must have heard him wrong. That’s the only possible explanation. “Come again?”

A strangled sound comes through the phone, and I think my strong rock of a father is holding back sobs. His voice is breaking when he answers me. “They were here for the baby–Ware has a baby–and Chelsea managed to distract them and lead them away to protect Ware and Lily.”

My legs suddenly weak, I sink to the floor and sit as I try to process this. Angel comes in the front door from taking Molly for a walk and rushes to my side.

It’s only then that I realize I hung up with Dad several minutes ago and still haven’t moved. From Angel’s eyes, I can see that she fears the worst. “We need to pack a suitcase and go to North Carolina,” I tell her. “There’s an active shooter situation in the hospital where Ware’s daughter is, and Chelsea is unaccounted for.”

Angel’s hand flies to her mouth as silent tears streak her cheeks. “What about the bar? Do you want me to stay here and handle things?” I see it killing her to offer that, when she wants nothing more than to be there for me and Chelsea.

“Shit, no. I didn’t even think about the bar. Is that awful?” I stand, heading for the bedroom to find a suitcase.

“No,” Angel whispers. “That’s not awful. Mom’s flight comes in at six tomorrow morning. She’s on the redeye out of Tucson tonight. Why don’t I call her and see if she’d be willing to watch Molly for us, and keep an eye on the bar? With Vince there to direct her, I’m sure she can run the girls in the front of the house. She’s used to corralling high school students.”

I nod and Angel dials. Ten minutes later it’s all arranged. Vince is going to drive me and Angel to the airport in the morning. I was going to fly out tonight and have Angel join me tomorrow, but all flights were completely booked. Vince will then take Angel’s mom back to Tuck’s Tap and get her settled in the apartment over the bar. Dougie is going to come give everyone a hand, and for now we’re going to put our anger with him aside for the good of everyone. I know he’s not a bad guy, and I have hopes that we’ll be okay with each other. Someday.