Page 14 of Where Angels Fall

All I can hear is my rapid breathing as I see he has read it and he begins typing immediately.

Unknown: Why is that, Angel?

I grit my teeth. What an insufferable, psychotic asshole. One message and my panic turns into irritation.

Maddison: So I can tell the police who the insane criminal who won’t leave me alone for no reason is.

I know I’m stupid. Although the police will sort this problem out for me, I shouldn’t be purposefully trying to anger a man like this. But he’s getting under my skin in a way I’ve never felt before.

Unknown: Oh, there’s a reason...

My brow furrows, hand clenching the phone. Another message follows.

Unknown: Ash Vargas. Let me know if they give you any trouble, Angel x.

I could almost laugh. What a self-assured, idiotic bastard. The deputy strolls back in, a fake smile plastered onto his face as he deals with something that is most likely beneath him, but he has to do it since I’m, well... me.

“So ... Name? Work? Anything?” He prods, hands clasping on the table as he leans forward.

I want to yell at him; tell him I’m not being some stuck-up rich girl with a vendetta. The man we are dealing with right now is a criminal. I’m certain I’m not the first person to have issues with him but I definitely will be the last.

“Ash Vargas,” I state assertively. Because even though I don’t know the man, I have a feeling he is that conceited that he didn’t lie to me.

This gets the deputy’s attention, his body shooting upright and his eyes locking onto mine.

“Did you just say Ash Vargas?” He asks, voice low.

I nod, chest still heaving. Finally. Finally, we are getting somewhere. “Yes. That’s the man who has been harassing me. He’s dangerous, I just know it.”

His brows draw together, not with concern, but... calculation. A flicker of something unreadable passes over his face. And then, just like that, his body relaxes, his expression flattening back into dismissive indifference.

He lets out a long breath. “I think you’re confused, Maddison.”

My mouth parts as I blink at him. “Excuse me?”

What is actually happening right now?

But the deputy just stares back at me, not backing down.

“I just gave you his name?” My voice rises, my restraint snapping at the edges. Then, my eyes narrow, awareness seeping in. “You know who he is, don’t you?”

“I’ve heard the name,” he says, eyes sliding away from mine. “But Mr. Vargas is a respected businessman. Owns several clubs. Real estate. I think you might be reading into a situation a little too strongly.

Stunned, I blink back at him, my head shaking slowly as disbelief oozes out of me. What kind of alternate universe did I stumble into? “I think we have the wrong person, because Ash Vargas is no respected businessman, he is a crim...”

“Look, Miss Dally,” the police officer interrupts me with a placating hand up. He leans in close, his face hardening as he speaks. My stomach swoops because I know nothing good is about to come out of his mouth. “My advice? Avoid Ash Vargas at all costs. But...” His jaw shifts, a muscle ticking tight. “Something tells me if you’ve caught his attention, so that’s going to be easier said than done.”

My pulses stutters. “So that’s it?” I hiss. “You’re just refusing to help me?”

He gives a slow shake of his head with what looks like pity in his eyes. No, I won’t let Ash get away with this.

“My father would be deeply appreciative if you could make this issue go away, deputy,” I plead, lip trembling.

“There are people in this city,” he says, tone grim and final, “that surpass even the likes of Mr Dally.” He huffs a mirthless laugh, pushing on the desk to stand.

Wide and unfocused, I stare at the place he just left, a feeling of utter hopelessness settling deep within me. When he makes it to the door, he turns back to me. No words leave his lips.

They are unnecessary. The look on his face says enough. His hand rests on the frame, giving me one last glance before he disappears out the door. Taking the shred of hope I had with him.