24. Angie
ANGIE
Itake a long, hot shower the next morning to make sure I wash all the blood out.
When I emerge smelling fresh and feeling good, I find a black gift box waiting on my pillow, and Connor nowhere in sight.
Last night, we slept side by side together, not having sex, but curled against each other like an actual couple.
And it felt nice. Safe, in a weird way. Even though nothing about that man is remotely safe.
I untie a black ribbon, lift the black lid, and find a black glass rectangle looking back at me.
“My phone?!” I turn it over in surprise, but it’s definitely mine. There’s a scuff down the side where I dropped it on the pavement a few months back.
I find a note tucked underneath. It’s in Connor’s handwriting, cramped and narrow. Angel, this one doesn’t have any tracking software at all. You wanted trust? We can try this again. Love, your husband.
I smile to myself as it powers on. I hold the note against my chest, breathing the paper. Why’d he sign it love? Why does it even matter?
Messages fill my inbox. I have a surprising number of emails and texts. I shoot one to Nadia real fast letting her know everything’s okay, and she replies instantly.
Nadia: Glad to hear you’re still alive. Tbh, didn’t know if that was a given, considering how mad Big Boss looked.
Angelina: We’re all good. I just learned not to do stupid stuff anymore.
Nadia: HA! How long will that lesson hold?
Angelina: Long enough, hopefully.
Nadia: Seriously, you’re OK? You haven’t been at work. Rick’s worried sick.
I smile to myself. That’s very sweet. He usually pretends like he can’t stand the pair of us, but I always knew he had a soft spot for me.
Angelina: Tell Rick I’m fine. Honestly, you saw me last night. Proof of life!
Nadia: Proof of Big Boss too.
Nadia: Speaking of which…………
Nadia: Who’s that Marcus guy, anyway?
Angelina: Dude are you kidding me?
Nadia: WHAT?!
Angelina: Unacceptable!
Nadia: Put in a good word for me, pls.
I toss my phone aside, shaking my head.
Damn that girl is thirsty.
I call down to Lisa from the house phone and ask for breakfast before checking on my mother.
She’s awake and watching Judge Judy reruns on YouTube, only somewhat high, several cups of tea scattered around her.
She seems happy to see me, and we chat for a few minutes until my food arrives.
I meet Lisa in the hallway to take it into my room.
“You know, I got word earlier.” Lisa turns a sly smile on me. “There’s been a change in your freedoms.”
“What’s that mean?”
“Apparently, Colm doesn’t have to guard your door anymore.” Lisa jerks a thumb over her shoulder. “You got space to wander now.”
It takes a moment to realize there’s no guard posted outside. “Oh, wow. This feels weird.”
“Good weird?”
“I kind of miss Colm.”
“Liar.” Lisa beams at me. “There’s a massive sunroom downstairs. I’ve been putting plants and stuff near the windows. Want to have breakfast there?”
“I’d love that.”
The space is gorgeous. Lisa sets me up at a table with a view of the grounds.
Morning sunlight streams in casting long shadows of all the various planters she has set up.
Some big leafy greens in pots, a few that look like tiny trees, and more that I can’t begin to name.
It’s warm, comfortable, and beautiful. I eat quietly, legs tucked under me, feeling content for the first time since I came here.
I can almost ignore the guards wandering between the trees and lurking in the hallways.
At least they aren’t keeping me trapped anymore.
“Nice, isn’t it?” I look up as Rowan slips into the room. I’m amazed at how skinny she is all over again.
“Amazing. Beautiful, honestly. I had no clue.”
“Probably because he had you locked in that wing.” She slumps down into a chair across from me and steals a piece of toast. “You okay? After everything last night?”
“Fine. What about you?”
“Got a lecture to end all lectures a couple hours ago.” She glowers at the windows. “Ever been woken up by a grumpy, pissed-off mafia boss? Not pleasant.”
“Sorry to hear that.”
“I deserved it, though. I knew better than to help. But it’s just—“ She chews and swallows. “It’s you.”
“I should apologize. I never should have put you in that position, and I’m sorry.”
“Nah, don’t worry. I get it, and we did have some fun.”
“I’m not sure I’d call that fun, exactly…”
“It was a blast. I’d do it again if given the chance.” She finishes eating and helps herself to my coffee. “It’s pretty crazy though, isn’t it? This whole thing?” She gestures between us.
“Crazy is one word for it.” I adjust myself, crossing my legs and sitting on them. “I’ve thought a lot about you over the years. Always wondered if you were okay.”
“Oh, great. Look at me.” She waves at her scarred face. “I’m a beauty.”
“You really are pretty, Rowan. The scars are interesting.”
“Tell that to the boys at school.”
I snort and look away. “Trust me, in my experience, the boys at school aren’t worth impressing. The ones that are won’t be scared off.”
“Connor means well, you know.”
I carefully refuse to look in her direction. I study the leaves in the trees. “You think?”
“Come on, don’t pretend like him stalking you isn’t heinous and weird, but his heart’s always in the right place. I hear he spared those two idiots last night. That’s got to say a lot, right?”
“He didn’t let them off with nothing.”
“No, but if I know my brother, whatever he did was a tenth of what he really wanted to do, if you know what I mean. That’s how much he cares about you.”
My fingers brush over my belly. “Did he tell you? About the baby?”
“Yeah, we all know.” Her eyes are fixed on me now, openly. “Can you feel it?”
“Not really. I mean, not yet. It’s still pretty early. All I do is puke.”
“Sounds awful.”
“Yep, and apparently it doesn’t get much better.”
“Are you scared?”
I lean forward to take my coffee from her. I drink some, careful to go easy, since I can’t have too much caffeine on account of the baby. I mull her question over, let it rattle in my head.
“For childbirth, not really. But for everything after? Yeah, terrified.”
“Why? You’re going to be a great mother.”
“I don’t exactly have the best model for it in the world.”
“Who cares? You saved my life when you didn’t have to. You put your neck out for that scummy idiot fuck-face Brad. Imagine what you’ll do for your own kid?”
I blink rapidly, swallowing against the lump in my throat. What the hell is happening right now? Why am I getting all emotional?
Maybe because this is the first time I’ve thought about myself like that. Until now, all I’ve done is worry I’ll end up being a shitty parent like my mom was and ruin this baby. It’s not like I’ll be raising them in the safest environment possible.
But Rowan’s right. I’ll do anything for this child. I’ll kick, fight, scream, break, love, cuddle, fix, hold, and whatever for my kid, no matter what, and that’s got to be enough. Or at least close to it.
“Ah, crap, look what I did.” She leaps up and comes around the table to hug me. “I didn’t mean to make you cry! I’m so sorry!”
“It’s okay, honestly, it’s super okay. I’m just an emotional pregnant lady. Be happy I’m not ralphing all over the place.”
We laugh together and Rowan wipes my tears. She spends a few more minutes with me, but heads back up to check in with her mom and her dad. I’m alone for only long enough to finish my coffee when Connor strides into the room, a fat book under one arm, and comes to a stomping halt beside my chair.
I look up at his stormy eyes. There’s no smile on his stoic face. I caught a glimpse of a happy Connor last night in the car, but he’s gone now.
I wish he’d come back.
“Did you get my present?” he asks.
“Yes, and thank you. I won’t make you regret this.”
His jaw tightens. “Most people don’t get rewarded after making a stupid decision like you did.”
“Most people aren’t your wife.”
“Very true.” He drops the book into the chair where Rowan had been sitting. “I have a job for you.”
“Sorry? A job?”
“You still work for me.”
I snort and lean back, unfolding my legs and stretching. “Technically? I guess so?”
“Then as an employee of WashCo, you are obligated to follow my orders.”
“That… doesn’t sound right.”
He points at the book. “Those are WashCo’s ledgers. The real ledgers.”
“I didn’t know there were fake ones.”
“There are. You’ve been working on them. But that’s the real stuff, and I want you to go through it, looking for any specific entries around a company called United Building Incorporated.”
“UBI? Really?”
“That’s the name.”
“And what am I trying to find?”
“I don’t know.” He taps a knuckle against his chin. It’s a nervous gesture, one I’ve seen before. “But tell me what you come across.”
“I do so love a wild-goose chase, husband of mine.”
“Hmmmm. Wonderful. Have fun.” He turns away.
“Wait a second.” I get to my feet, walk to him, and stand on my toes so I can kiss him. He softens at that. “Thank you for the phone. Nadia’s already asking for Marcus’s number.”
“Absolutely not. I told him the same thing.”
“Wait, he asked about her too?”
“Angel,” he says, tone low and warning. “Absolutely not.”
“Well, maybe some other time then.” I kiss his cheek, lingering on the stubble. “Do you have work?”
“Yes, unfortunately.” He hesitates, one hand snaking around to press into my lower back. “Why? Were you thinking of something?”
“No reason.” I slip from his grip and fall back into my chair. I waggle my fingers at him. “See you later. I have work too.”
He grunts, frustrated, and storms out.
Is this what it feels like? To enjoy being around someone?
It’s fun, although I don’t love the way he gives me orders.
I resist the ledger book for ten minutes before finally giving in. Numbers march across pages in tight handwriting. Connor’s been doing this manually, and from the look of it, he’s been at it for years.
This is going to be a nightmare.
Good thing I have nothing but time on my hands.