Hell On An Angel (Fated Love Book 2) (13 page)

“I hadn’t decided if I was going or not.” I told him.
 

“The decision isn’t just yours, Snowflake.” I frowned and sat up so that I was straddling his waist.
 

“I’m sorry, want to run that past me again?”
 

“I need to know if my dad had something more to do with this than I thought. I am high 90’s sure that he has, but I need to hear the words out of Michael’s mouth because I know Dad would never give me a straight answer.” I looked down and nodded. I hadn’t thought about that. In truth I had only been thinking of how I felt and what I wanted. I didn’t think about what Tim wanted and if he had questions.
 

“When do we leave?” I asked him.
 

“Tomorrow. If you don’t want to go, then I understand. I won’t make you go, but I need to know. That man has tried to ruin my life and I lost you. I need to know.”
 

I bent down and pressed my lips softly against his. “I’ll go. Then I think we should book our flights and try and get some more answers. Michael won’t be able to tell us everything.” I kissed him again softly and laid my head back on his chest. “I love you.” I told him.
 

“I love you too, gorgeous.”
 

I smiled as I felt his lips press against my skin.
 

The next morning, after we said goodbye to Jas - which took an hour on its own -  we got into Maddie’s truck and headed off for Sydney. I’d told Hannah what we were doing the day before when I got her advice on what I should do. She was always the person we turned to for advice, or turned to if we were in trouble. The school was shit scared of her, so we usually got out of it pretty quick unless we deserved it. Hell hath no fury like that woman. She had always been there for Maddie growing up. She was her surrogate. She never tried to replace her mum, which was why we called her Mama H. Hannah never had much respect for my Ma though.
 

She saw how we were being raised, and didn’t like the way Ma answered to her husband like she didn’t have a choice or couldn’t think for herself. He had spent years making her submit to him, and her fear of being alone and the fallout from leaving him stopped her from standing up to him. It was different for Hannah, because she married a man who had been raised to respect women and treat them like a queen. When Jasmine was born he was over the moon because he had a princess to spoil. Maddie’s dad had adored Maddie right up until the day he died.
 

When he passed away, Michael took over. I never felt sorry for myself. If my dad wasn’t the way he was, then I wouldn’t have turned out the way I did. I had always been determined to not repeat the cycle. Once I went to the Army, that was my focus. I never dated, because it wouldn’t be fair on someone else. Not when I still thought about that beautiful blonde haired, blue eyed girl I’d had to leave behind. My first love. Hearing the sound of Maddie’s voice pulled me from my thoughts. I looked over at her when she asked me if I was okay.
 

“I am. Just thinking.” I told her.
 

“Don’t think too hard baby, you might hurt yourself.”
 

I laughed. “Always the smartass, Snowflake.” She grinned at me and I took her hand in mine. Bringing it to my lips, I kissed her knuckles. “I’ll get you back for that comment.” I told her.
 

“I don’t doubt that, baby. I only know I’m safe because I’m driving. All bets are off when I stop, though.” She replied.
 

“As long as you know.”
 

A couple of hours later, we reached Sydney. We checked to find out where Michael was gonna be and headed that way. I had booked us a hotel not far from there anyway, so we were going to meet him for dinner and talk. Well, I hoped that was the plan, anyway. I was in half a mind of whether or not he would actually show up or not. I was ready to track him down if he did run, though. Pulling into the hotel, we gave the valet the keys, took our bags inside, and checked in. After getting our room key, we headed upstairs to drop our stuff before we headed out for some fresh air. After coming from the country, ‘fresh air’ was a loose term. I had always hated the city. Even back in the States I lived away from traffic and people and all of that mess. I liked the seclusion and silence. Just the thought of being in the city had me a little on edge. Moving to the fridge and getting a bottle of water, I moved to take out my valium. I took one from the bottle and downed it with some water. Sitting down on the bed, I dropped my head and tried to calm myself back down. My heart was racing, and my hands had started shaking.
 

“Tim, baby? Are you okay?” Maddie came to kneel in front of me and took my hands.
 

“I’m okay. I’m sorry, gorgeous. I didn’t think being in the city would have this effect on me. I was okay in Queensland. I don’t know why I am having a panic attack now.”
 

“Shh, baby, it’s okay.” Maddie stood up and moved to sit behind me. “Lay back, babe.”
 

Closing my eyes, I laid back so that my head was now laying in her lap. Her fingers softly ran through my hair and she massaged my temples. It wasn’t much longer after that that I could feel the Valium and her relaxing me take effect and I felt myself calming down.
 

After I was okay, I opened my eyes to see Maddie looking down at me. I gave her a smile and reached up to brush my finger down her cheek. “God, you’re beautiful.”
 

A red blush came over her cheeks and I grinned. Shifting a little, I moved my hand to rest on the back of her neck and I pulled her down to meet my lips. My heart was racing again, but this time it was for a whole new reason. I felt like that teenage kid again, sleeping with Maddie for the first time. Pulling back from her lips, I ran my fingers through her hair. Her head dipped and I closed my eyes as she kissed me again and moved so that she was now straddling my waist. I didn’t want to rush her, but God, did I need to feel her body close to mine again.
 

“Maddie?” I pulled back to look at her. “Are you sure?” She nodded and pulled her jacket off and dropped it on the floor.
 

“I know you won’t hurt me and aren’t just trying to get in my knickers, baby. I’m just not sure I can hold out much longer... I need you, Tim.” That was all I needed to know. Moving my hands to her waist, I rolled us over so that I was on top of her and I stood up. Taking her hand, I pulled her to stand up. Brushing her hair out of the way, I moved my hand to her back and reached around to unzip her dress. Sliding the straps slowly down her arms, I let it fall to the floor. Maddie stepped out of it before her hands moved to my shoulders and she pushed off my jacket.
 

Stepping forward and pressing my lips against hers again, I pulled my arm out of the jacket, with a little difficulty at first, and tossed it to the side. I moved my hands to her waist. Her body gave a small shiver at the feel of my hands against her bare skin. Sliding my hands up her back, I unclasped her bra and pulled back again. I heard her huff a little, but once I pulled my shirt over my head, she let out a soft groan. Undoing the belt of my jeans after dropping my shirt to the floor, I kicked off my boots and my jeans.
 

Putting my hands back on her hips, I pulled her closer again. I needed to have her close to me. There was an ache in my chest when she was out of my arms. I slid my hands down to Maddie’s ass, lifted her up into my arms, and carried her back to the bed. Laying her on the bed, I trailed my lips down her jaw and down to her neck. I moved my hands to cup her breasts and slowly ran my thumb over her nipples as her back arched off the bed.
 

We had a couple of hours before we had to meet Michael; I was going to use every second of that showing my girl just how much I loved and missed her.
 

A couple of hours later, Tim and I were dressed and ready to go and meet Michael. I was sure it was the last thing on his mind after that shower, but it was the reason why we were here. After I had promised to make it up to Tim later, we left our hotel room and headed for elevator. Pressing the button and calling the elevator to our floor, I squeezed his hand. I knew how he felt about confined spaces and elevators in particular. When the doors opened, we stepped inside and I wrapped his arms around me. I couldn’t help but smile when he nuzzled into my neck and pressed his lips against my skin. I wrapped his arms tighter around my waist and closed my eyes. I had a bad feeling in my stomach, and I just needed the safety of his arms while I could. I don’t know what I expected to hear from Michael about what happened, but I knew nothing good could come of it. I opened my eyes when the elevator stopped. When the doors opened, I came face to face with Michael.
 

“Want to quit groping on my niece long enough for me to say hello, Timothy?”
 

I felt Tim tense and we stepped out of the elevator. Moving toward my uncle, I wrapped my arms around him and hugged him hello. “Hi, Uncle.”
 

I pulled back and he moved his hands to cup my cheeks. “You okay, Princess?”
 

I nodded and gave him a smile. “I’m good, Uncle. Shall we go eat?”
 

Michael wrapped his arm around my shoulder and led me out of the hotel. Reaching out and grabbing hold of Tim’s hand, I made sure his hand was tight in mine. I needed him close to me. Walking out to the footpath of the hotel, Michael let me go and we got into his car. I was surprised when he got into the front, letting Tim and I have the back. I thought for sure he would make Tim sit in front. We pulled up at the restaurant and Tim got out. Before I could open my door, he’d opened it for me. I took his hand again and pressed my lips against his cheek before turning and heading inside.
 

Dinner was polite. Everyone talked and kept it civil, yet I knew Tim really wanted to get the answers. Despite that, he was perfectly behaved. After dinner we all decided that it was a nice night out, so we walked back to the hotel. I knew I needed to bring up the letter, but I just didn’t know where to start. I took Tim’s hand in mine and laid my head on his shoulder as we walked in silence.
 

Finally, Michael broke the silence. “Maddie, I know why you came here to see me, but I just can’t give you the answers you want. I’m sorry.”
 

I stopped dead in my tracks and frowned. “Why not? You told Hannah if I came to you, you’d tell me.”
 

“I know I did, but the longer I thought about it, the more I decided that you should just leave the past where it is.” He looked over at Tim when he said that, and it took everything I had not to do something I would regret later.
 

“What the hell is that supposed to mean, Michael?!” asked Tim.
 

“It means, Timothy, that if Maddie had a brain, then she’d put as much distance between you and your family as she could and leave you in the past where you belong!”
 

Tim took a step toward him and I put myself between them.
 

“You have no right to comment on what you know nothing of! You have never had a relationship, or been in love, so don’t stand there and pretend you know anything about it!”
 

“Hard to find someone who will put up with the baggage your niece brings to your life. You were the ultimate cock block, Maddison.”
 

I blinked and felt Tim pull me against him. “What did you just say to me?”
 

“I only have one regret in my life, and that was not letting Hannah be your legal guardian. My stupid brother made me promise if anything ever happened to him, I would take care of you.”
 

I shook my head, dumbfounded. Did he really just say that, or was that my imagination? I could feel myself shaking - or maybe it was Tim - from anger, and all I could do was blink.
 

“I thought for sure I could get you hospitalized after Tim was taken away, but no. Jasmine and her saint of a mother had to come to your rescue and pick up the pieces of poor, pathetic Maddison all over again. Me, I was tired of picking up those pieces. I am now. I won’t tell you why I sent your letters back so you can get on with this train wreck.” He pointed between me and Tim and I could feel the tears welling up in my eyes.
 

“Go to hell!” I pulled away from Tim and ran. I ran away from the man who had been a second father to me. The man who had just shattered everything I had ever believed in. The man who had just hurt me worse than anyone in my life. I heard Tim call out to me, but I didn’t stop. I couldn’t. I couldn’t be near that man. I needed to get away. I didn’t care about the burn in my chest as I pushed myself faster. I didn’t care that everyone around me was giving me strange looks as I ran past with tears streaming down my face. I just wanted to pain to stop. I needed the pain to stop. My heart was hurting so fucking bad right now. How could he say those things to me? Where had all that anger come from? Was I really that bad of a child that he now hated me?

I didn’t slow down when I got back to the hotel. I ran for the stairs and took them two at a time. Reaching our floor, struggling to breathe through the exhaustion and the tears, I pulled the door open and walked down the hall to our room. Unlocking the door, I let myself in and moved to the bathroom where I shut and locked the door behind me. I needed a release. I needed to stop the pain the only way I knew how. I needed to forget tonight ever happened. God, I hoped Tim forgave me for this. I moved to my makeup bag and took out the razor I had. I took the blade from it and after wiping the tears away with my hand, I moved to sit on the floor. Closing my eyes, I pressed the blade to my skin and moved the blade towards me. It stung, but it was a good sting. I moved the blade to my other hand and pressed it into my skin and slid the blade towards me.