Page 96 of Devil’s Promise

“I’ve got it.” My father finally pushes to standing. He pulls a handkerchief from his pocket with his uninjured hand and slowly places it on his nose. It’s instantly soaked red.

He wipes his blood-soaked hand on his pants.

“Vincent. He needs a towel.”

I nearly choke. We’re taking care of my father now?

In the wall is a wet bar. Vincent crosses to it and grabs a towel, tossing it to my father. He wipes his hand and then his face around his nose.

“If I recall, I already signed,” Angel drawls as he bends down and picks up Vinnie’s gun. I don’t think Vinnie’s firing it anytime soon. He’s lying on the floor, holding his mangled hand.

“You did, but…” my father starts.

“Any addendums I should know about? Failure to share will nullify the contract.” Angel’s back is to me now. It’s only when Gunner wipes my cheek with the back of a gentle finger that I realize I’m crying. His hand goes back to my shoulder.

“Only one.” My father slumps by the desk. The pain must be really getting to him. “Vincent would like ten percent of any revenue from any construction you do on that land.”

Angel is silent for a minute, then he turns to Vincent. “And I take my uncle’s seat as head of the five families?”

“Why would you want it?” Vincent asks with a shrug. “You’ve got the Smiths and the Kincaids helping you go legit.”

“You let me worry about that,” Angel grits back. “Answer the question.”

“Yes. It’s yours,” Vincent answers. “I just want a cut and some of the contracts for my guys.”

“Done,” Angel agrees. “Sign.”

The blood rushes in my ears as I try to understand what is happening. Why is Angel still making deals with my father, and why hasn’t he even looked at me?

He told me that I was his future. That he made me vows. And now…

My father bends over, holding the towel to his nose so he doesn’t bleed on the paper, and then scrolls his signature.

Then he slowly sets down the pen, his eyes turning toward me, his look so crazy that I shrink closer to Gunner. “You remember section 18c?"

My breath stops in my chest. Gunner’s hand tightens on my shoulder.

“I remember.”

“You agreed. You agreed that you’d get rid of Promise when it was convenient for me. I’d say now is the perfect time.”

A feral cry rips from my lips. But Angel still doesn’t look at me.

I have this feeling like I’m falling even though I’m on the floor. I close my eyes, picturing my mother’s face.

“I did agree…” Angel starts.

The swell of grief that slams into me makes me shudder so violently, I come partially off the floor. I so wanted to believe that Angel could be mine…

CHAPTER THIRTY-FOUR

Angel

Gunner’s over Promise in a second. “Angel,” he snarls.

But I don’t look at my brother or my wife.

Blood drips down my arm. Vinnie fucking shot me, and it hurts like a bitch. My shoulder is going to be a mess after this but…