Forever My Angel (9 page)

Feeling frustrated with everyone and everything, I follow Eva’s motorcycle to the second warehouse, about five minutes away. Dougie and Kevin park their own vehicles beside mine and we all head inside.

“Well, this one looks more modern at least. Shouldn’t need as much of a wiring update for the security system.” Kevin shrugs.

“You’ve got a few restaurants nearby too, so maybe you can draw an after-dinner crowd,” Dougie offers. I’m not sure that’s the crowd I want to target, but I’m happy Dougie is contributing, so I say nothing.

This day feels like a bust, and I’m no closer to making a decision. I just want to go get Angel’s pamphlets and head to the bar, unwind for a bit before tonight.

Eva turns a blinding smile on me. “Ready to see the third location? I think you’ll love it.”

I'm fairly certain I already told her no. This chick is pushing my buttons in all the wrong ways. I get that she's young and eager, but enough is enough. “I’ve had enough for one day. I’m just not sure, and I need to weigh my options. Maybe come up with a few potential floor plans before I commit to anything.”

“Axel, I know this can be overwhelming, but you aren’t the only one interested in these properties.”

“Then let someone else have them,” I snap. “There are others, and I won’t rush this.” I don’t remember telling her to call me Axel rather than Mr. Chadwell, but maybe she just assumed when she told me to call her Eva. It doesn’t really bother me, but it takes me by surprise. I remind myself she’s inexperienced and doing this on her father’s behalf. She’s probably not used to dealing with clients.

She lightly places her hand on the middle of my chest. “Sorry, I didn't mean to upset you. Why don’t you sleep on it and we can meet in the morning to talk.”

“I don’t know. I’ll call you.”

Kevin has an odd expression on his face as Eva leads us out of the building so she can lock up. Dougie takes off right away, leaving behind just me, Kevin, and his mysterious friend. “What? Spit it out.” It’s obvious Kevin has something to say.

He just shakes his head. “Watch yourself, brother. That’s all.”

“What’s that supposed to mean?” I'm not sure what he's getting at, but I don't like the disapproval I hear dripping from his words.

“Just that speaking as someone who’s been hired to do surveillance on more husbands than I can count on both hands, you need to be careful. You might not have any notion of cheating, but I can promise your girl won’t like how close that chick stands to you, or the way she looks at you.”

I didn’t notice anything off about how she was looking at me, but then again, my attention was on the prospective property, not my realtor. “I think she’s just young and inexperienced. I highly doubt she has delusions of anything else.”

“Just be careful. I know you’re upset with Tess right now, but don’t let that lead you to ruin a good thing.”

If Kevin were anyone else, he’d be flat on his ass after a comment like that. But because he is Kevin, I know better. “I don’t like what you’re insinuating.”

“Good. Keep it that way. But let me ask, have you talked to her about this project?”

I haven’t, because there’s been no reason to. I don’t want her worrying that I won’t have time for her. She hasn’t shown any real interest in Tuck’s Tap, so why would she care about me opening a second location? "I’ll mention it to her eventually.” I think a change of subject is in order. “So who is this?” I nod my head at Kevin’s friend.

A look passes between the newcomer and Kevin, causing my bullshit meter to instantly start clanging inside my head.

Kevin's expression is steely, like he's ready for an argument. “You wanted someone better with the tech side of things. Maclean’s your man.”

“Call me Ian.” Maclean extends a hand to me. His back is straight, his shoulders are squared, and his posture is very rigid. He reminds me a lot of Kevin when Kevin first got out of the military. His eyes, though... Kevin’s were haunted when he first came home. Ian’s are just plain dead.

Surely Kevin doesn't think just because I'm rich I'm willing to buy the bullshit he's trying to sell. I thought he knew me better than that. “What’s your real name, Ian?”

“I’d prefer not to say, sir.” Ian’s reddish-blond hair is the only thing about him that doesn’t scream ‘soldier.’ It’s just a bit long, like he only recently started letting it grow.

I let out a long, slow breath. My eyes float to Kevin. “I don’t want to be lied to, Kev. You know me, and you know I trust your judgment. But I will not be lied to.”

Another look passes between them. Ian nods, though he doesn't look happy about it.

Kevin’s gaze doesn’t waver under the weight of my own. “His old name isn’t important. His papers will pass whatever scrutiny they need to, and you won’t be catching any trouble from this. On paper he’s got no work history, but between the three of us, he and I go way back. We were stationed together, and I’d trust him with my life. I’m willing to trust him with yours. And you know I don’t say that lightly. He’s almost as good as I am with a gun, but when it comes to computers, there’s no one I know who’s better. If you need information, he can get it. Just don’t ask him for information about his past. Let his past lie, and trust me when I say the only one burned by it is him. It won’t affect you.”

“No lies. I mean it. Don’t answer if needed, but don’t feed me bullshit when I ask you questions from here on out. I don’t care what story you tell the rest of my staff, but I only want the truth.”

Ian studies me quietly for a moment. “I can live with that. If you want to call me something other than the name I’m going by now, my friends used to call me Ghost. But honestly, I just need a place to tread water for a bit while I get used to being Ian. In the meantime, I can get your security system upgraded, and I can be on hand as a liaison between you and Kevin when he returns with Lexi to Chancellorsville. Whatever you need me to do while I’m around, sir, I can do it. Pour drinks, sweep floors, or dig up the dirt on just about anyone. I'm your guy.”

I hope I’m not going to regret this. “To start with, stop calling me sir.”

M
y bad mood persists through Sunday. The police have no leads on either of our two break-ins. Eva has tried to call me three times, and I’ve let each go straight to voicemail. I feel no closer a decision than I was yesterday. There’s another number that’s tried to call as well. I don’t recognize it, but when I look up the area code online I confirm that it’s a North Carolina number. So either my mother or Ware, neither of whom I’m in a hurry to talk to.

By noon I’m so frustrated I just shut the damn thing off. That lasts for all of a minute. Angel’s home by herself, and if she needs me I want to be reachable.

Ian’s waiting outside the bar when I arrive, his shoulders hunched up nearly to his ears and his hands burrowed in his pockets. “Not from around here, huh?” I ask as I unlock the door, motioning for him to follow me inside.

“That obvious?”

It’s colder today than it has been, but it isn’t what I’d truly consider cold yet. The wintry chill to the air has definitely arrived, though, and it’s only going to get worse. That reminds me, I need to encourage Angel to go shopping for some winter clothes.

Thinking of taking Angel and taking her shopping is like an
ah-ha
moment, and suddenly the dark clouds of my mood clear, as if I’ve suddenly been bathed in sunshine. I’ve been trying to figure out the perfect way to propose to Angel now that she’s ready, and I’m positive I’ve just come up with the winning idea.

“Just a bit.” I smile, and it’s genuine. We head into my office and Ian sits on the opposite side of my desk. “Did Kevin find you a place to stay in the area?”

Ian nods. “Yeah, I’m renting a place not far away.”

“Good. Let’s get to work then.” Soon my desk is covered with blueprints of our security system, a list of our current features, and a list of Ian’s preliminary recommendations.

It’s a lot to take in, but after about an hour of going over it again and again, I think I get it. Our security was inferior, but it can and will be fixed.

“So how do you feel about implementing a two-stage improvement plan?” Ian cocks his head to the side, waiting for my answer. One thing I’ve noticed is that silence doesn’t seem to bother him. Unlike a lot of people, he seems to have no need to fill lapses in conversation with idle chatter. I like that about him.

“What do you have in mind?”

“We could redo some of the wiring now, add a backup for your current system so that even if the power is out or the network is disabled, the system is still running. Most importantly, we’d add cameras to cover every inch of that parking lot, and upgrade some of the motion lights. Then we’d work out a full overhaul, to be done on a slower schedule. By not rushing we’ll make sure we get all the features you need and want, without sacrificing an immediate improvement in security.”

My phone rings again. I silence it after a brief glance, a grimace twisting my face. Funny how she’s so eager to talk to me after being silent all these years. Let her have a taste of what it feels like to be waiting and hoping.

“I’d like you to have at least two different plans for the long-term upgrades on my desk, including a detailed analysis of cost and benefits, by Tuesday. In the meantime, I want the cameras around the entire property installed as soon as possible.”

“Not a problem. Kevin has someone on standby who can come out and do the small tweaks we discussed today.”

“Good. Make it happen.” My phone chimes again, this time a voicemail notification. I’ll delete that one without listening to it, just like I have with the last three.

Ian glances from my phone to me. “You can tell me if it’s none of my business, but... Kevin put me here to help solve whatever problems you might have. By the way you keep glaring at your phone like it’s a live rattlesnake, I’m wondering if there’s a problem he and I should know about?”

Kevin already knows, because Kevin unwittingly brought this problem to my damn doorstep. I open my mouth to say no, there’s nothing they can do, then shut it without a word. Maybe he
can
help me.

“Kevin said you’re good at finding information?”

“One of the best, s—” He almost calls me sir, and smiles sheepishly.

“Just call me Axel.” My smile is patient. “My mother has turned up after being away for most of my life. She’s got a boy with her who says he’s my brother, her son.”

Ian leans back in his chair, lifting the front two legs off the floor while he studies me. “You don’t believe he is?”

If only it were that simple. I’d love to believe that Ware is an impostor, but one look at him and it’s obvious we’re related. I suppose he could be a cousin or something, but we both look so much like my father, it’s highly unlikely. “I think he’s been honest about who he is, but he’s definitely hiding something about
why
he’s here. Warren has secrets, and I want to know what they are.”

—-♥—-

I
turn off the shower the next morning, trying to be as quiet as I move around the bathroom. Angel is still sleeping, not that I’m surprised. She hasn’t become a morning person any more than she’s come to like the cold.

I curse under my breath as my knee bumps into the vanity, rattling the cabinet door. This bathroom is much more cramped than the bathroom in the apartment over the bar, and I briefly wonder if Angel will want to move after we get married. Maybe into a place that we build, just for us? I honestly have no idea, and I make a mental note to ask her about it.

After I propose, that is. I want to keep her guessing about what I’m planning for as long as possible, and talking about what we’ll do after we’re married might make seem like I’m just assuming we will marry, rather than planning to ask.

It wasn’t easy, but I think I have everything in place for the perfect proposal. It’s going to take a little longer than I expected, mostly because I need to give everyone involved the chance to do their part, to make sure it’s truly, truly perfect. Angel deserves the world, and I don’t want to rush and miss the chance to make this wonderful for her.

And of course, Brandy from the clothes shop where Angel and I had our first kiss called back last night, just as I was settling down next to Angel to log into game. I didn’t miss the funny look Angel gave me when I stepped outside to take the call. Hopefully she doesn’t figure out what’s going on.

I pry open the bathroom door as quietly as possible, then realize my effort was wasted.

Angel is sitting up on the edge of the bed, one of my t-shirts loose around her thin frame. She’s facing away from me, not moving.

“Did I wake you?” I ask as I drop my dirty clothes and wet towel into the nearby hamper.

Angel remains silent, staring at something in her lap, sending tendrils of worry snaking up my spine.

“Angel?”

After a long, quiet moment, she tilts her head to the side, dark hair spilling around her shoulders as she glares up at me. A tear slowly makes its way down her cheek.

“Baby, what is it?”

I crouch in front of her and reach to brush away her tears. She jerks back, a flash of anger burning in her eyes. Glancing down, I see my phone in her lap, the screen still lit up.

“Who is she?” In contrast to her violent expression, her tone is so calm it’s scary.

I try to keep my voice soothing. “Who’s who?”

Angel thrusts my phone at me, waving it in front of my face like a flag. “Eva!”

I’m not sure if I want to be relieved that I’ve got an easy explanation for her questioning, concerned that she went through my phone, or downright pissed that she immediately jumped to the wrong conclusion. I mean, what the fuck? After everything we’ve been through, how she could think for a moment that I’d cheat on her is beyond me. But by the look she’s giving me, that’s exactly what she thinks.

The sting of her unspoken accusation burns against my cheek.

“Who is she, Tucker? Did you really think I wouldn’t find out?”

“I’m done.”