Page 180 of Angel

Afterward, I took Roxy’s hand, leading her into the living room where the fire threw warm light over the cushions.

Before sitting, I gazed into her dark, beautiful eyes, needing to set the record straight between us.

‘Dr. Hill told me that bottling things up only poisons the heart,’ I rasped. ‘I’m ready to open up about my past, but only if you’re OK listening to it.’

‘Honey,’ Roxy murmured, cupping my cheek with her soft palm. ‘I’m your wife. I’m always here to listen.’

I stretched out on the couch, resting my head against her lap while her fingers threaded through my hair.

‘Your sister was a tyrant, you know that. Apart from the drug use, she was abusive physically and verbally. Evangeline used to punch, kick, and slap my face hard enough to leave bruises,’ I confessed. ‘She would say, I thought you were a man and could take it. She struck me whenever I held her accountable for her mistakes, demanding I submit to her temper tantrums. Her hits felt like mosquito bites because of my size, so I just ignored the abuse.’

‘Honey,’ Roxy murmured in commiseration.

‘My Six Sinners’ brothers warned me for years, telling me her behavior was toxic. I defended her, made excuses for her, and said she never meant it. Turns out, I got addicted to her chaos. I should have walked away earlier, but my restraint was garbage,’ I said, gazing up into Roxy’s eyes.

‘Marrying you gave me a true safe space, and the peace I needed to find myself again,’ I added.

Roxy traced my jawline, pursing her lips.

‘I wish I’d advocated for you sooner, honey.’

‘It wasn’t your war to fight, beautiful,’ I replied, covering her hand with mine. ‘I’m fighting my demons now, for us.’

I shifted, knifing up to wrap both arms around her, pulling her tight to my chest.

I cupped her face and captured her mouth in a long, sweet kiss, tasting her warmth and pouring all my gratitude into her.

She kissed me back, her hands trailing up my neck to stroke the hair at the base of my skull.

‘Thank you for honoring me with your truth, honey, Angel,’ she whispered over my mouth, smoothing her thumb over my cheekbone. ‘Your heart is safe with me for life.’

My soul pulsed with feeling.

‘Fuck, I love you so much.’

I leaned down, pressing my ear to her round belly, until a gentle kick met my cheek.

A slow smile broke across my face as we held each other close, wrapped in the certainty of our love, having survived our beautiful war.

Chapter 33

ROXY

The following afternoon, an autumn breeze carried the crisp scent of pine needles across the farm.

Tires kicked up gravel in our driveway as the rest of the Six Sinners rolled in to check on us.

Reign, Levi, Bishop, and Deacon spilled out of their massive trucks and marched up the front steps.

They stood gazing at my new door with Angel.

‘This the scene of the crime?’

Reign asked the question as he slapped his palm against the fresh oak jamb.

‘I can’t see Evangeline and her tiny self firing off a sawed-off shotgun at you. I pictured more of a pea-shooter.’

‘Believe it, brother,’ Angel scoffed with a scowl. ‘She must have stole it from her dad’s place, and she used it with impunity.’