Chapter Twenty-Seven-Giselle
CHAPTER TWENTY-SEVEN-GISELLE
A fter our dirty little bath, Angel drops a bomb on me.
He has to go out of town on business, and he wants me to come.
I should say no. It could be dangerous. But I know Angel would never put me in harm’s way.
I don’t know how long this thing is going to last before he gets bored. And the truth is, I don’t want to be away from him.
The ride to Boston is fast, but Angel always drives like a bat out of hell. Only this time, he’s not driving.
It’s Banks. He’s one of the bodyguards who was with me at my parents’ house.
I recognize he’s one of Angel’s top and most trusted men. He never looks directly at me.
In fact, none of his men do, and I appreciate that.
They are all big and hulking, though none more than Angel. I’m getting used to the fact these men are all armed and dangerous, and honestly, it’s not as weird as it should be.
I don’t know if that means I’m becoming desensitized or if it never really bothered me to begin with.
Angel’s been working on his laptop for most of the drive, but he still manages to ask me if I need to stop or if I want something to drink.
“No more of that,” he mutters and turns off the laptop, quickly depositing it back in the leather bag beside him.
I think it’s a Tom Ford, but I’m not sure. It’s sleek, expensive, and really fucking nice. But Angel always has good taste.
I fidget with my outfit. We are going straight to this black tie event, and we stopped about half an hour ago to grab a snack, shower and change.
With the evening traffic, there’s no time to go to our actual hotel first, and I’m grateful Angel had the forethought to make the arrangements.
The Boston address we’re headed to is about five hours away from Jersey City, give or take. Sitting in a gown or a tuxedo for that long wouldn’t have been comfortable for either of us.
Angel is always thinking about my comfort. Something I really appreciate about him. He exhales and closes his eyes for a moment.
I take the time to check over my dress and I cover my belly with my hand and wonder if this was the right choice.
Anna and Maria helped me pick it out. It’s something I borrowed from Anna’s closet since I have nothing fancy enough for a black tie event in my meager selection of clothes that survived after my apartment was blown up.
That reminds me. I need to go shopping.
But if I’m being honest, well, I wouldn’t have had anything to wear to something like this, anyway. And since the party was kind of short notice, this is fine.
I’m a little taller than Anna, but other than that our body types are very similar. Now that she’s still breastfeeding, our boobs are even the same size, so the bodice fits me perfectly.
It’s a dream of a dress. An off-the-shoulder confection with capped sleeves and draped pleats on the bodice and waistline. The skirt is long and there is a little train. The side slit makes it easy for me to walk.
I never wear this color. But the navy blue is pretty, and for some reason it brings out the green of my eyes.
I was going to iron my hair, but I veto that. September weather is fickle, and I can’t be sure it won’t rain.
So, I leave it loose and curly instead. Angel likes my hair, and the truth is, I keep it down for him.
Both the cut and color of the gown are flattering, and I should feel quite confident. But I’m so nervous, and I am aware Angel hasn’t looked at me once.
Leo follows the line of cars up a long driveway, stopping outside of an enormous brick mansion. There are several men and women with weapons. Security, I assume.
“Wait for me, Koukla,” Angel murmurs as the car comes to a stop.
I do as he asks, watching him prowl around the front of the black luxury vehicle. He is always handsome. But tonight, seeing Angel, my tall, muscular, tattooed lover , in a midnight black tuxedo is almost too much to bear.
Holy. Christ.
I don’t know who named him, but Angel is the right moniker for this man. Not because he is a saint or anything. More because he is brimming with masculine beauty.
He looks like he was chiseled from marble. Like something that should be in a museum.
I swallow nothing and freeze when he opens the door. The first thing I see is his big, inked up hand outstretched towards me, and I don’t have to think.
I just take it.
I place my hand trustingly in his and I allow him to pull me out of the car. The skirt parts, and Angel’s eyes go right to the flash of thigh that peeks out from the long slit.
Then I grin.
Because he isn’t ignorant of this fantastic gown or how it looks on me. He’s simply avoiding it, and I think it’s because he can’t take it off me yet.
Yes. Please.
Knowing that he wants me like that is like the strongest aphrodisiac ever. My skin warms, and my mouth goes dry all at the same time.
They say knowledge is powerful, but I never knew how right they were until now. Because that knowledge, well, it sends my heart thundering inside my chest.
Angel Fury wants me.
Me .
Giselle Vega.
And I know it. And knowing it is power.
“See something you like, Big Guy?” I whisper as I stand in front of him.
His icy blue stare pins me, and he leans forward, crushing my lips against his.
I feel his tongue pressing against the seam of my lips and I am so fucking glad I chose to not wear lipstick.
He kisses me long and hard, and in front of the dozen or so other guests lining up to get in. It feels like more than a kiss. It feels like a proclamation.
Angel kisses me with pure possession, and I revel in it. I want it.
His dominion over me.
His brand all over my skin.
Whatever you want to call it, I want it.
I want Angel Fury to claim me. I keep dreaming of the time I can finally say I belong to him. And he belongs to me.
Just that.
I’ve never had that. Never belonged to someone and the desire I feel for it is bone deep. I want to be able to say it out loud.
Love me. Please. Love me like I love you.
I make the wish silently, moaning softly as he slows the kiss. He presses his forehead to mine and I breathe him in.
“Yeah, Koukla, I see something I like. But I don’t like anyone else seeing it,” he tells me with a possessive note that sends a flood dripping between my legs.
“They just get the wrapping, Angel. What lies beneath it is all for you. Only you,” I tell him, and place my hand on his chest.
My man rumbles and fuck, it is so sexy. He takes my hand, kisses my knuckles, and tucks it in the corner of his arm before guiding me to the entrance.
We don’t wait in line. Angel walks right to the front and the couple there steps back. The older man looks worried when Angel glances at him once.
But he doesn’t need to do more than that. Security is waving us through, and I don’t spare the other people another thought.
I’m here with Angel Fury and his presence is palpable. The man oozes power and strength. Other people, well, they recognize it. And they bend to it.
Nico is the King, and Luc is the Council. But Angel is the Enforcer.
He is the hammer of justice in everything the Vipers do.
He is vengeance and retribution.
He is devastation and annihilation.
And he is mine.
Pride and possession fill me as I straighten my shoulders and allow him to lead me inside. We walk through a long, elaborate hallway to a room set up like some kind of gala event.
I don’t really understand what we’re here to celebrate. But I don’t care. I get to be with Angel, and this man makes my knees knock and my pulse race.
“Come on. We need to say hello to the guest of honor.”
“Okay. How long are we staying?” I ask, and I look up at him through heavy lidded eyes.
Angel looks good enough to eat in his crisp white shirt and black tux. Several heads turn to stare at the big, tatted up man, but he doesn’t spare any of them a single glance.
His glacier blue eyes are zeroed in on me, and I feel special.
I feel seen.
Chosen.
I feel lucky to be with him.
That’s so messed up, Sisi.
But I ignore my inner voice. Angel is a handsome man, and he is powerful. He can have his pick of women. But here I am. Lucky that this tall, sexy, powerful man has picked me.
Even if only for a little while.
Yeah, it’s gonna hurt when he realizes I’m no match for him. But for now, I’m gonna grab onto what we have for however long we have it. I’m going to cling to him with both hands tight.
He makes me feel so damn good. It’s a high I’ve never felt. One I’m beginning to crave.
It’s reckless. Thoughtless. And I am not a fan of the whole YOLO thing, but YO fucking LO .
If I only live once, I wanna live as much as I can with him. Angel isn’t good in the traditional sense. He’s dangerous. Maybe even scary. But he makes me feel so damn good.
No other man has ever made me feel this way.
Oh shit.
My head is swimming and my pulse races like a pack of hounds chasing a rabbit.
Fuck. I’m so stupid.
I did the one thing I should never have done. I’ve gone ahead and given my heart to him. And I am realizing it all right now as I stand there frozen in Angel’s stare.
I’m in love with him.
He cocks his head to the side, measuring his thoughts before he answers the question I’ve just asked and already forgotten about.
“Only an hour. But I promise to twirl you around the dance floor, take you outside on the terrace overlooking the rose gardens, then I’ll kiss you under the moonlight,” he says, and I swoon.
My panties are ready to just melt off my body. Angel’s grip on me tightens, and he speaks low this time.
For my ears only.
“After that, I’m gonna take you back to our hotel room, strip you out of that gown you’ve got on that’s making me crazy, then I’m gonna fuck you until you come screaming my name. I won’t stop till you see stars, my dirty Little Doll,” he whispers and my heart squeezes so tight it’s a wonder I don’t pass out.
“Angel!” a shrill voice interrupts us, and thank God, because honestly, I’m halfway to coming just from his words.
The woman is stunning, and familiar. My heart tightens inside my chest. I recognize her.
It’s her.
The blonde I saw him with the night I left Jersey City for my parents’ condo in Fort Lauderdale. The woman I thought he was cheating with.
I know now there was nothing going on, but still. I tense.
She is coming in hot and she looks like she’s going to try to hug him. But Angel is quick, and he’s smarter than people give him credit for.
With one arm already around me, he moves so both arms encircle me, and his shoulder is ready to intervene should she try to make contact.
The woman has no choice but to halt in her tracks. And I exhale slowly.
“Ah, well, hello again, Angel,” she says, stopping her attempt to hug my man. “This your date? Hello, I’m Giovanna.”
“Hello Giovanna,” Angel says, but his tone is cool. “This is my?—”
“I’m Giselle,” I say, interrupting whatever he was about to say.
I know it’s silly, but hearing him say the word friend , or even girlfriend , right now might actually make me cry.
I know, I know.
I am being dramatic, but I can’t help it. I finally admitted I am in love with the man. Even if only to myself.
And I get it. It’s my fault. My baggage. Completely on me.
My brain knows better than to love him. But my heart, well, my heart is a free spirit and loving him is the only thing that makes sense.
But the thing is, I wish, well, foolish as it is, I wish I was something more to him than a temporary thing.
“Okay. Well, it’s nice to meet you, Giselle. And let me say, wow , that dress looks stunning on you! Come on, let’s go say hello to Maggie,” she says, ignoring Angel and taking my hand.
I step out of Angel’s protective embrace to shake hers, but she starts dragging me along with her instead. I turn and see Angel frown, but I can’t just pull away from this woman.
It would be rude. And I think she must be a friend of the Vipers, or at least the other woman, Maggie , is. So, I just go with her.
Angel is following us, so I don’t worry too much about it. His expression is thunderous, but since that is his default, I have no idea what he’s upset about.
I walk along with Giovanna as she passes through throngs of people eating appetizers and drinking frosted shot glasses of dark liquid.
Whiskey, I believe.
I take one as I pass a server and toss it back. Giovanna shouts in approval and I giggle.
I don’t usually drink in strange places. But I’m with Angel. And really, I need some liquid courage.
I don’t really know what tonight is about, but it looks like my cousin’s wedding did a couple of years ago. There’s a bunch of people I don’t know, lots of food, drinks, and questionable music.
Everyone is decked out in their best, and I am glad to see I match the vibe. Angel, of course, is better looking than anyone else there. But that’s to be expected.
“Well, Giselle, are you ready to meet the guest of honor?” Giovanna asks, winking at me.
I don’t know why my hackles are raised, but they are. Still, I smile and nod at her. What choice do I have?