Page 59 of The Billionaire's Angel

She gave a little sigh and leaned into me as we left the living room. It turned out Charliehadbeen cutting the cake—good timing—and we stood at the door of the dining room-turned-ballroom to watch. Annalise sidled up besideme.

I looked down with a grin and said, “Thanks for thesave.”

She elbowed me in the side, leaning across me to send a wink to Sophie and said, “Anytime big brother. I like your girl. I don't care if you get embarrassed, but I wanted to saveSophie.”

“That's the new family theme,” I said, pretending to complain. “Everyone wants to save Sophie, and no one cares aboutme.”

“That's because she takes such good care of Amelia. And so far she's kept Amelia from burning down the house. That's a majoraccomplishment.”

Sophie leaned around me to catch Lise’s eye. “Amelia's the most fun I've had in years,” she said. “Even if I had to disarm a prank just this morning. I usually help her, but we all put our foot down. No pranks for the weddings. Especially not if they involve plasticfrogs.”

We all looked up as Lucas fed Charlie a bite of the cake, popping it into her mouth and laying a sweet kiss across her lips. On either side of me, Annalise and Sophie both let out a sigh. Annalise said in a wistful tone, “She looks sohappy.”

“I think she is,” Isaid.

“I love him with her,” Annalise said, fervently. Surprised by the emotion in her tone I looked away from Charlie and Lucas to see her watching our youngest cousin, her eyes filled with love, affection, and maybe a little envy. She went on, “He's strong, and Charlie needs someone strong. She needs someone she can depend on. Someone who will have her back when things gethard.”

“Charlie does a good job of watching her own back,” Isaid.

Annalise let out a long breath and said, “I know. Charlie has always been stronger than anyone gave her credit for. She’s quiet about it, but when things get hard, she doesn’t fold. She doesn’t run. She’ll be a good match forLucas.”

I heard what she didn’t say. “You’re not weak,Lise.”

Her chin dropped and she looked at the ground. “Not weak,” she agreed, “but not brave,either.”

“You should come home,” I said, knowing it was a waste oftime.

She shook her head, a little sadly, I thought. “I want to. I'm thinking about it, but I don't know if Ican.”

“You can't run for the rest of your life,Lise.”

“I don’t know if I can stop,” shesaid.

A new song started, and I took her hand, turning to Sophie. “You don't mind if I dance with my sister, doyou?”

“Of course not. I'll be righthere.”

I dragged Annalise, over her protests, onto the dance floor. I was an awful dancer, but Annalise wasn't, so we evened out. I glanced over her shoulder to see Aiden at Sophie’s side and scowled. He ignoredme.

I was keeping my peace for now, but he and I were going to have to deal with each other. About the company. About Sophie. About a lot of things. After theweddings.

Following the line of my gaze, Annalise said, “I don't know what's up with youtwo.”

I shook my head. “You run away from home, and everyone welcomes you back with open arms. I join the army, and when I finally decide to come back, Aiden isn't speaking tome.”

“It's not fair,” Annalise agreed. “I could give you a bunch of reasons why, but it's still not fair. Do you want me to talk tohim?”

“No, sweetheart. Aiden and I will come to terms on our own, one way or another. I'm back, and I'm not going anywhere. Aiden will have todeal.”

Chapter Twenty-Five

Sophie

Idon't knowwhat woke me, the sound of breaking glass or the blare of the alarm. It must have been the alarm, but as I struggled to wake, I imagined I'd heard glass break, the thud offootsteps.

I'd been deeply asleep, caught in the beginnings of a nightmare. Anthony chasing me through the endless halls of Winters House, my heart pounding in fear and his fingertips grazing my shoulder as he reached forme.

I was still untangling dream from reality when Gage rolled out of bed, yanked on his boxers, and pulled a gun from the bedside table. He held the weapon as naturally as if it were a part of him. After so many years in the army, it probably was. He stopped at the door to look over his shoulder and said, “Staythere.”