Page 119 of Angel

What in the actual?

‘Why? To do what?’

‘I needed the cash.’

‘For drugs,’ I growled in disgust.

‘Well, yes, for food too and to pay off my debts. I owed a lot on the business, Angel, and I’ve had no income since I left Nashville. I won’t ask my dad because he cut off my allowance. All he wants me to do is come home and entertain his creepy Saudi clients. Mama’s broke because Reese never gives her a single dime.’

‘So what do you need from me?’ I asked, my voice dropping to a hard, icy register.

‘Can I come stay with you? Just for a few days?’

I jolted, in shock at her audacity.

‘Oh, hell no.’

There was zero chance she was bringing her toxic, criminal mess into the life Roxy and I were building.

We’d just managed to find stability.

There was no way Evangeline would spoil our lives again.

My primary duty was protecting my wife from this dumpster fire.

‘Angel, I’m begging you,’ she began sobbing, the sound grating on my nerves. ‘I’ve nothing. No one but you. Please, baby.’

More chaotic jags of crying followed, and I let out a string of silent curses.

I sighed, realizing my fuckin’ obligation as a decent human being overrode my disgust. I could not leave a woman stranded with a target on her back.

I had to help her, but only this once.

‘Fine. I’m coming to get you. Where exactly are you?’

‘Holiday Inn, Nashville airport, not the other one, the Express Suites.’

‘Got it. Stay inside the lobby,’ I said, hanging up on her repeated whispers of gratitude.

I was done with the lying, the manipulating, and the using.

This was the last time I went to her rescue.

In the primary, I slipped into the walk-in wardrobe and, in silence, pulled on sweats, a jacket, and sneakers.

I moved to the gun safe, retrieved my Glock, and checked the magazine. I needed serious protection given the description of this Maurice guy.

Stepping quietly out of the room, I paused at the door to gaze at Roxy.

She was fast asleep, arm flung out on the bed, nude, lush and enticing with a sheet over her, her skin gleaming in the moonlight.

I wanted to slide back in beside her, but I’d an ex to rescue.

With a sigh, I prowled to the garage, mind racing.

I owned a development downtown of short-stay executive townhouses.

Checking the exclusive leasing app my realtor used to book guests in, I found two of them empty.