Chapter 24
CHAPTER TWENTY-FOUR
Promise
I know we’ve got an audience.
But as his tongue dives into my mouth, I remember what he said this morning. He’s got one hard rule—he keeps his word.
That is a trait I can live with.
“Please,” I whisper against his lips. “Please don’t send me back with him.”
My whisper catches the notice of both Rock and Knox as they both look back.
But before they can ask, Angel grabs my face. “Never,” he answers before he kisses me again, his hand all up in my curls, likely mussing them, not that I care.
I had no idea how much I wanted a man like Angel until I was here. He’s everything I never even hoped to want, and I have that feeling again.
Whatever he’s willing to give me, I will take.
He tips me back, smoothing my skirts even as he continues to ravage my mouth. But I pull away, looking up into his eyes. “Are you trying to keep my dress from wrinkling?”
He quirks a grin. “Tonight I’m going to mess that dress up right. But you look way too beautiful today to be anything other than perfect.”
“I think I just got it,” Rock calls from the front.
Angel doesn’t look away from me, his eyes fixed on my mouth. “Got what?”
“Getting a beautiful, classy woman to marry you is like having a really expensive watch. Everyone knows you’re a baller.”
“Not exactly,” Angel rumbles. “But you are getting warmer.”
I shake my head. Rock is seriously missing a few screws.
But I don’t look at him or Knox. Instead, I nuzzle into Angel’s neck. He smells amazing. Like cologne but with that musky male scent underneath that makes me want to curl into him.
So I do.
I shift in his lap so my chest comes to his, my arm looping around his neck.
Once again, he spreads my skirts out, arranging them on the seat so that they don’t crease.
I don’t know what it is, exactly, but there is something about a man this raw, this powerful, attending to feminine fashion that makes me all mushy inside.
Knox pulls the car into the Sunoco, though I’m barely paying attention. I hear both Rock and Knox get out of the car and then Angel is cupping my jaw as he brings my mouth back to his. The kiss is long and our lips linger together.
“You’re not still mad at me about the shower, I take it?” he asks against my lips.
“No.”
“When we arrive at the wedding, you’re not to leave my side for any reason. Clear?”
“Crystal.”
He smiles against my mouth. “And, as much as I like your voice, keep silent.”
I cock my head at that one, my eyes crinkling. We’re in complete agreement, but I’m curious about his reasons. “Why?”
“You are a much larger asset to me, and a threat to him, with a voice,” Angel answers, his hand sliding down my cheek.
Which makes me pause. Has Angel changed allegiances because of what I offer? Have I become a larger…asset…than my father? He has never promised me affection, and what’s more, I didn’t ask for it. I only asked for him to take my side over my father’s.
But the idea that I’m just a means to some end makes me turn my face away. “Silence is a thing I can do.”
He pops the car door open and then slides an arm under my knees, lifting me from the car. He gently sets me on my three-inch heels and then fluffs my skirts out again as I adjust the top of my strapless gown.
Climbing into his lap in a strapless mermaid gown might not have been the best choice.
“Angel?”
My chin lifts as a man in an Armani suit walks toward us. He might be the most classically handsome man I’ve ever seen, his dark hair perfectly coifed.
Behind him stand two other men.
The first exudes the sort of power my father could only wish to possess. And then other…
The dead look in his eyes makes Rock look downright friendly. Without thought, I take a step back, my back bumping into Angel’s front. His hand comes to my hip, his lips close to my ear. “You’re all right, Promise. That’s Killian Smith and he is here for your protection, not your harm.”
I eye him warily, not moving as my hand comes to Angel’s on my hip. But I do look over my shoulder, my gaze connecting with Angel’s. He gives me a soft smile, his other hand coming to my shoulder.
“You frightened the lady, Killian,” the first man rumbles, his British accent washing over me.
“My apologies.”
I look back at Killian, his face completely different. His expression is relaxed. Easy.
I blink at the change, even as Angel comes to my side, tucking my hand in his arm, his body coming partially in front of mine.
Rock moves to Angel’s other side, Knox squeezing between me and the SUV.
“This is my fiancée, Promise,” Angel answers for me. “Killian Smith and Rushton Smith are business acquaintances of mine. And I can only assume…”
“Mason Kincaid,” the third man rumbles.
Ahh. Yes. I nod to all three of them. Killian steps up first and holds out his hand. For a moment I stare, not sure I want to touch him. But slowly I unwind my muscles and place my hand in his. He gives my fingers a light squeeze, his gaze settling on the small circular scars on my arms.
“What are those?” he asks, his fingers tightening over mine. I try to jerk my hand away, but he holds it in place.
“Compliments of her father,” Angel answers. “Cigarette burns.”
Killian raises his head, even as he lets go of my hand. “You were right to call us.”
“Killian,” Rushton says, a slight admonishment in his voice. “We’re not making promises, just returning favors.”
“Do what you want, Rush,” Killian says, turning to his brother. I can see the resemblance, though Killian is a much rougher-looking man than Rush. “But I know why I’m here. And you know damn well that I do what I want.”
Then he smiles at me, a light, easy smile that makes my shoulders unwind, before he hands me a card from his pocket. “This is my personal number.”
Mason comes to stand next to Rush. “Since we’re handing out cards…” And he pulls one from his pocket too. But he doesn’t give it to me, he gives it to Angel.
Angel takes it. “Thank you.”
“Don’t thank me yet,” Mason answers, his gaze sweeping over all four of us. “Any of your other brothers married?”
“No,” Angel answers. “I’ll be the first.”
“But not the last,” Killian chuckles, the sound so unexpected, my eyes widen. “My brother Gris got engaged before me, but I beat him to the altar.”
“You’re rich as fuck,” Rock blusters. “Why would you want to be married?”
All three men laugh, making me blink in surprise.
But it’s Rush who answers. “You’ll know the answer to that when you know. No one can explain it to you.”
“Sounds like I’ll never know, then,” Rock huffs.
I actually appreciate his honestly, and quietly, I agree. Rock is not the settling down sort. That’s a man who should never be unleashed on a woman.
Rush eyes me, the intensity of his stare making me dip my chin. Deference is always the safer option.
“Promise,” he murmurs, making my chin lift again. “Before we all storm your wedding, I’m just curious. Do you wish to be married today?”
I look at Angel. He told me not to speak in front of my father, but what about these men?
He gives a subtle nod.
But I still don’t answer right away. “I’m curious,” I ask, my hand tightening on Angel’s arm in a small gesture of comfort. “Will my answer change your actions?”
“Absolutely.”
Angel rumbles a low growl, and I find myself placing my other hand on his arm. He stops, looking down at me.
I think even I’m surprised that my touch has that effect on him. But I feel the shift in the air as the men around me focus on me.
I’ve spent a lot of time in rooms with large groups of men. Men who’ve even admired my beauty.
But this might be the first time that I’ve felt something akin to power. Like my words matter.
I look back at Rush. “Yes. I want to marry Angel.”
One of Rush’s brows cocks. “Why?”
“What the fuck?” Knox asks, pushing partially in front of me. “Why are you asking her this?”
Rush takes a step closer too, the entire circle tightening. He might not be a gangster, but he’s a man comfortable with power and doesn’t like being questioned. “Take a step back.”
“No,” Knox rumbles. “And just so we’re clear, I fuck people up professionally. You might want to be the one who steps back.”
“I’m a fan,” Mason intercedes. “Your fight with Gonzalez was epic.”
Rush rolls his shoulders, rejoining Killian and Mason. “Promise has insights into your characters that I need to make my decision. So, I repeat… Why do you want to marry Angel? I know you were forced into the engagement by your father.”
“Go ahead, Promise. Answer,” Angel murmurs.
I take a breath. It’s actually a delicate question. My feelings are private, not even Angel knows them, but I’m falling in love.
I feel it deep in my soul and I can’t stop it, even when that other voice tells me those kinds of feelings are going to hurt far worse than anything my father could ever do to me.
So I settle for something simpler. “Angel understands me.” I could add that I’m seen and heard for the first time in a long time, but I keep it short.
Rush’s eyes narrow, his lips pulling into the slightest one-sided grin. Then his gaze flicks to Angel. “So. What’s the plan?”