Page 37 of Angel

“Have fun in Bali. Drink a few cocktails for me.”

I leave with my stomach tied in knots, my bravado wavering as I head down in the elevator.

The car is waiting outside. The usual black car with tinted windows that the studio provides. Now I have main billing, I get many perks, and a private chauffeur is merely one of them.

He holds the door open and I smile my thanks. When he closes it, I settle in and check my phone. I’m not sure why, but I’m always hoping it’s instruction from Angel. It’s been weeks and nothing. Unless you count the man who broke into my house last night uninvited.

I shiver at the thought of him. For some reason, something told me it was different. He was different and I wonder what that means. Is somebody impersonating The Wild Angels, or was it one of them? I have no way of knowing.

The car moves off into the traffic, and I settle back for the short ride to the studio. We are attending wardrobe today and I’m being fitted for my costumes. It can get rather tedious as they fuss around me, taking my measurements, and yet I’m glad of the distraction.

I’m surprised when the driver takes a left out of town toward the beach, and my heart beats faster as I sense something is wrong.

I reach for my phone, and yet before I can make the call, the car pulls into a disused parking lot and the engine cuts. I don’t panic. I try so hard not to cry, but I am emotionally wrecked. The only thing calming me is that we are surrounded by people passing. Whoever this is surely wouldn’t try anything in broad daylight.

The partition opens between me and the driver, and I gasp when the driver reveals himself. The bandana wrapped around his head, the skeleton mask covering the lower half of his face, and his brown eyes sharp and yet familiar.

“You’re safe, Sophie.”

“Angel?”

My voice shakes, and he nods.

“I’m not the man who broke into your house last night. I’m here to offer you protection.”

“How do I know? You could be him and are tricking me into believing you.”

“So, ask me the code word.”

I grip my phone tightly in my hand and whisper, “It’s rather cold for this time of year.”

“Only in New York.”

My grip relaxes, and the relief is enormous.

His eyes flash.

“What can you tell me about the man last night?”

“That something was off about him. I have met enough Angels to recognize that.”

He almost appears amused and shakes his head.

“I’m unsure what you mean by that, but understand your reasoning.”

“He was on edge. His eyes were afraid. He also stared at me with obsession.”

I shiver. “He told me he dealt with Giovanni because he touched me. That I was his, and he was preparing my room. That I was flirting with too many guys and he…”

I swallow hard, trying so hard to keep emotion out of this. “He touched me inappropriately, and if Maria hadn’t come back, I’m convinced he would have…”

I break off, the idea of it too disgusting to contemplate, and Angel says harshly, “Maria came back. What do you mean?”

“She leaves at 9pm. Her shift was over, but she apparently forgot to set the alarm on her way out. She was halfway home before she realized. Thank God.”

“So, Maria is responsible for setting the alarm. Is there any other employee who has the codes?”

I shake my head. “No. Just us.”