Page 78 of Devil’s Promise

The area we’re driving through grows increasingly industrial. I can hear the planes overhead as I close my eyes, resting my forehead on Angel’s shoulder.

We turn a corner, the car slowing. I lift my head, opening my eyes, a hangar coming into view.

My mouth drops open as I note the plane parked in its depths. That can’t be how we’re traveling…

But the line of cars we’re traveling in all pull to a stop in front.

This time it’s Mason who gets out of the car first, leading the way into the hangar as he shakes the hand of the person at the front of the staff greeting committee.

Everyone files out of the cars, including Candy and Aunt Patti. Angel once again fluffs my skirts as he sets me on the ground. He’s a man obsessed with my dress.

I’d like to kiss him again, but Candy steps up to us. “Should I…”

“I thought you’d join us.”

“In Vegas?” she asks, looking shocked.

“Be good for you to get out of the club,” Angel says, cocking his head as he assesses her. He’s likely figured out Candy’s relationship with Vinnie. “And maybe even take a little break from New York.”

Candy smiles, but her eyes are filled with sadness. “Not a bad idea.”

I reach for her, giving her fingers a squeeze. The fact that Vinnie was there to be a replacement groom wasn’t lost on anyone. “I’m sorry.”

“Not your fault,” she answers, wincing painfully. “I have the worst taste in men.”

I sigh as I squeeze her hand again. This was not the best way for us to start what I hoped would be a real friendship.

“Is it weird that I’m actually glad your dad is a complete nut?”

“No, it’s not weird.” I shake my head. “As you pointed out to me, we all ended up at the club because our pasts have some real messed up shit.”

Candy gives me a real smile. “Okay, you talking is weird enough, but cursing…”

I laugh too.

But Angel’s brows slash across his forehead. “She’s right, Goldilocks. You are only meant for pretty words.”

“Goldilocks?” Rush asks as he stops next to me.

I feel myself blushing, knowing that Angel usually follows up the name with a reference to eating me…

Angel clears his throat instead of explaining, and Rush doesn’t ask more as Killian joins us. “Rush, can you make sure that Chloe makes it back to the apartment complex when you reach Vegas?”

“But I want to stay with you,” the blonde woman he was with earlier says as she walks toward us, looking very irritated. “You’ve been gone for days, and I’ve only just arrived.”

Killian reaches for her, pulling her into his body and kissing the tip of her nose. “I’m sorry, luv. I’ll make it up to you very soon.”

She wrinkles her nose. “I don’t want soon.”

I wince, knowing that Killian is staying in New York to help us. Me. From Rush’s car comes a gorgeous brunette who holds the hand of a little girl. Rush beckons them over, swinging the girl into his arms. “We’re going to take a little trip, M&M.”

“Gigi,” Angel calls to the brunette.

She moves past Rush, stopping in front of Angel, but her gaze turns to me. “May I offer my regards to the groom?” she asks me.

I nod once, not sure who she is or why she’d want to address Angel, but she steps up to him, wrapping her arms around his neck. He holds for a second and then hugs her back. “Thank you. You know what for,” she whispers near his ear.

“You’re welcome, Aunt Gigi.” And then he pulls back.