Graham, Jan - Finding Angel [Wylde Shore] (Siren Publishing Ménage and More) (57 page)

“Just start at the beginning,” Daniel added.

When Angel looked at Steve, his lips were pressed tight. Angel didn’t even want to know what those thinned lips were holding back. She just assumed it wouldn’t be good.

“I’m not going to say anything until you all agree to listen and not get angry with me.” Angel looked at each man nervously.

Slowly, each indicated with an affirmative nod, combined with either a “Yes” or “Okay” that she had their agreement. Angel sat up straight in her chair and placed her clenched hands in her lap in an attempt not to fidget and look as nervous as she felt.

“I rang Adrian Hastings today and asked him to remove the bounty from me. After a little bit of discussion, he agreed. He said that I should stay quiet for a few days, as lifting the bounty will take a while to filter through the ranks, and he is going to call me in a few, no five, days to discuss things further.” Angel looked at each of the men seated at the table with her. “So basically I am going to be safe because he agreed not to kill me.”

Steve appeared dumbfounded as he watched her across the table.

“Just like that, Adrian is going to let you off the hook?” Steve asked. “Why do I know there is so much more to this story than you’re letting on.”

“Yes, just like that, I’m not going to die.” Angel stated emphatically.

“So it was only a short chat then?” Christian asked sarcastically. “Angel, you can’t expect us to believe that you simply rang this man and said please don’t kill me and he said okay.”

“And if he agreed to lift the bounty, then why does he need to talk to you in five days?” Daniel asked.

“Why do you all think there’s more to it? Can’t you just accept that I’m going to be fine and leave it at that?”

“We know there is more to this because you have that frown crease on her forehead that you always got when you are trying to explain something, but don’t want to tell us everything.” Angel let out a groan of frustration, she was quickly developing a love-hate relationship with the fact her men could read her so well.

“I asked him why he had decided to kill me, and he explained his reasons. I told him that his informant was wrong and he should be more careful who he listened to.” Angel took a deep breath before continuing.

“Once I explained that I wasn’t working for the police and hadn’t given them any information against him, he calmed down. He was a bit annoyed I didn’t give the bag of weapons to him, but I told him he already had too many, which he seemed to accept. I assured him that I wasn’t having sex with Steve. And I explained I had gone away because I needed a break, not because I was in police protection.”

Angel sighed and looked around the table. The three men remained silent, so she continued.

“He is ringing me in five days because he wants to see me. I said no, I wasn’t going to meet him because I had no assurance he wouldn’t kill me, and he said as a show of faith he would lift the bounty.”

Angel noticed that all three men were now looking at her in amusement, Daniel had a wry smile on his face, and Christian had placed his hand over his mouth as she finished speaking. Steve of course was less discreet and had actually begun to laugh out loud.

“What?” Angel looked at them incredulously.

“You are so beautifully naïve, Angel,” Steve stated between chuckles. “I’m glad you don’t do negotiations with criminals for a living.”

“Did you really tell him he already had too many weapons?” Daniel asked, trying to contain his mirth.

“And he should be more careful who he listens to?” Steve laughed. “But tell me, how did he explain getting the idea into his head that you and I were fucking?”

“He thought we were too friendly and assumed we must be having sex.”

“Well, he obviously hasn’t seen the two of you in action. You both squabble like children.” Christian no longer hid his amusement, laughing loudly as he spoke.

Angel was starting to get angry. How dare they be all superior and laugh at her. There was nothing wrong with what she had done and, certainly nothing funny about it. All Angel had attempted to do was to make sure she stayed alive. After all, none of them had come up with any ideas to keep her safe. In fact, it was the fault of the police she was even in this mess. She stood up and went to walk away from the table only to feel Christian take hold of her wrist and try to pull her back down. Angel slapped him on the forearm as she twisted out of his grasp.

“Angel, we’re sorry. Now sit down again please.”

Christian was now standing behind her as he spoke, and Steve now stood at the end of the table, blocking her escape route.

Angel stared Steve in the eye and yelled. “If you don’t want another black eye, I suggest you get out of my way.”

Christian didn’t get to finish his statement. “Angel, you don’t understand…”

Angel spun around in fury.

“Back off, Christian.” She spat the words out. “I understand everything, and I understand everything very clearly.” She took a step back from him and glared at all three men before continuing.

“I understand I’m the only one in this room who is under threat of dying. I understand that the police are responsible for me being in this mess in the first place. I understand that the drug squad couldn’t give a shit whether I live or die, as long as they get Samuel’s fucking ledger. I also understand that so far no one has even attempted to tell Adrian that I am no threat to him because I know nothing about his organisation.

“And finally I understand that I should never have attempted to be honest with three arrogant, dominant shits who believe they are so superior that they are the only ones who can keep me alive. You and the rest of the police force can’t keep me alive, especially if no one has even been willing to talk to the man who, up until this morning, wanted me dead.”

All three men looked guiltily at each other as Angel stood in quiet fury, hedged between Steve and Christian. Both men slowly moved back to their seats and sat quietly. Angel wanted to walk away. She should have made a dramatic exit, but she knew they would just have more questions for her when she finally returned. Angel also accepted the truth that had imbedded itself within her heart as she ranted. The truth that it wasn’t just about her, both Christian and Daniel had an equal investment in all of this. They all loved each other. Therefore, they all had to participate in the outcome, whatever it turned out to be. Daniel was the one who finally spoke.

“Angel, please, sit down and talk about this with us.” His voice was quiet and polite. “Whether calling Adrian was a good thing or not, I can’t say. I don’t know him. I’m not part of the police investigation that appears to have gone so horribly wrong and endangered you. However, I want to be part of the solution to ensure that you’re kept safe and alive. In order to support your decision, I need to be assured that we can trust this Hastings man to keep his word.”

Angel took a seat at the far end of the table. She didn’t want to be near any of them and certainly didn’t want to get trapped again should she decide that she wanted some space.

“We’re sorry for upsetting you so much that you had to get angry with us to be heard,” Christian said regretfully.

“You have to realise, Angel, that this is all pretty strange. There must be something that Adrian wants from you in order to ask to see you. Whether it is as simple as the guy has a thing for you and wants more sex, or as complex as he can’t be trusted and still intends to kill you. Whatever the reason, meeting him is a risk.” Steve sighed.

“Do you think he is interested in trying to make you his?” Daniel asked. “If the texts are anything to go by, it would appear he wants more than just a night with you.”

“I’m not going to have sex with Adrian. And just so we are clear, he didn’t mention fucking me again during our conversation today,” Angel replied.

“Angel, why do you believe Adrian agreed to take the bounty off your head, and do you think he can be trusted to do it?” Daniel asked.

When Angel looked at him, he was staring at her curiously. Angel knew he was trying to understand what was going on more so than Steve and Christian. Daniel didn’t know anything about Adrian. He had already admitted that, whereas Steve and Christian had set opinions of Adrian based on the worst of his behaviour…his criminal activity. They both had placed Adrian firmly in the
he’s a criminal and not to be trusted
bad guy basket. Angel knew Adrian was involved in horrible activities. She had often heard Samuel say all roads lead back to Adrian. Angel agreed Adrian was dangerous. She was scared of him because he was a man capable of anything. But based on her dealings with him, she just had a gut feeling that, for some reason, he would allow her to live. If Angel stayed true to her agreement to give Adrian the ledger, then he would let her move on with her life. She would be free to live and love Christian and Daniel for as long as they wanted her.

“I know it’s difficult to understand, but the few times I have had dealings with Adrian, he has treated me well,” Angel answered.

“Apart from putting a bounty on your head and a few other threats along the way,” Steve said snidely.

“Compared to other associates of Samuel’s, yes, Steve, Adrian has treated me well. Everything is relative from my point of view. After five years of living in hell, I have a screwed up idea of what’s nice and what’s not. What I consider nice sometimes scares me, as does Adrian Hastings, but I know if I give him what he wants, then I’ll be safe.”

“Angel, we can protect you. You don’t have to deal with Hastings again. Just stay away from him. I’ll help you. The man is too dangerous.” Steve sounded frustrated.

“Whether you like it or not, I’m the only one who can give Adrian what it will take to keep me alive, and I intend to do exactly that.”

Steve looked at Angel in surprise. She suddenly realised Steve knew exactly what Adrian Hastings wanted. He relaxed back in his chair and smiled at her knowingly.

“You know where the ledger is, and you’ve agreed to give it to him,” he stated.

“Yes,” Angel stated coldly. “I found the ledger, and I’m giving it to Adrian, not you.”

Chapter Twenty-Six

Angel woke the next morning. She glanced at the clock to see it was well after nine. Daniel still lay sleeping next to her, and Christian was in the shower. Angel lay back down and stared at the ceiling. She felt exhausted. The previous night had been horrible. After announcing she had the ledger, the discussion had continued. The four of them fought, they yelled, they talked calmly, they snapped at each other, Angel cried, Christian and Daniel comforted her, they argued, they apologised to each other, and at one point Steve had actually growled and gone into the backyard and assaulted the garage bin. The conversation went in circles.

First they agreed to give the ledger to Adrian, then to the police, at some stage they were sending copies to everyone who might be interested in it, and then they were destroying it and leaving the country. All Angel knew was that by the time she fell asleep, nothing had been decided. She didn’t remember going to sleep and she had no idea who carried her to bed. All she was certain of was that just after the grandfather clock had chimed : a.m., she rested her head on the arm of the sofa, closed her eyes, and wished the headache she had would go away.

At least I accomplished something last night.
Angel realised her head wasn’t aching anymore.

Daniel stirred next to her. He glanced at her and moved closer, pulling her into his arms and holding her close.