Page 147 of Angel

My chest heaved, a ragged gasp catching in my throat at the sight of her.

My legs gave out.

I collapsed onto my knees on the wet stoop.

I rocked back on my heels, the storm raging behind me while the driving rain battered my back.

Our eyes locked and she stared at me, unmoved, her face cold and unyielding.

‘What are you doing here, Angel?’ she whispered. ‘How did you find me?’

She pursed her lips, but before I got a chance to answer, she scoffed.

‘Wait, let me guess, you used your money to pay an investigator.’

I twisted my mouth, not refuting her deduction.

‘I had to see you.’

‘I asked you expressly to leave me alone.’

‘I had to come,’ I muttered, staring up at her, heart aching, head whirling at her proximity. ‘I need to explain to you what happened and apologize for fucking up.’

She eyed me for a beat. ‘Talk, then.’

I took a breath in, my heart thundering.

‘I love you, Roxy,’ I rasped. ‘I’ve had weeks to think through everything. You’re the one I love, not Evangeline.’

Roxy blinked.

Then she crossed her arms, her gaze tracking the lightning arcing in the sky behind me.

Seconds later, thunder roared overhead, ominous and dire.

‘So what were you doing hiding her in Nashville, then?’

I opened my mouth, but she kept going.

‘Taking her texts and disappearing during the night. With her?’

‘She ran away from her lover, some dealer guy called Michael,’ I explained, desperate for her to see the facts. ‘He was threatening her life.’

I wiped rain from my eyes.

‘I rented a townhouse for her and got her security. That’s all it was, and yes, I was avoiding you out of guilt, but I hardly spent time with her. I was genuinely working at the city studio most nights.’

‘Regardless, you hid her return from me,’ Roxy countered, her eyes narrowing. ‘When I asked who the messages were coming from, you told me it was a matter you were working on.’

She leaned against the jamb.

‘You gave me the impression it was band related. In essence, you lied to me, Angel.’

The accusation hung between us.

‘How can I trust you now?’ she asked. ‘When it seems Evangeline still has a hold over your heart.’

‘She doesn’t,’ I growled, injecting every ounce of conviction into the words. ‘I handed her over to Di, who, on Reese’s authority, dragged her to some rehab facility.’