Chapter 26
CHAPTER TWENTY-SIX
Promise
The moment Angel climbs back in the car, I’m on his lap.
I could argue that as the SUV only holds three across the second row bench seat and there are four of us, it’s only logical that I share a seat with him, but we both know that I would have been on his lap anyway.
He did not choose my father today…he chose me in a big way.
And whatever his reasons, I’m so grateful, so full of love, that I can’t keep my hands off him.
He smooths my skirts again, even as I press kisses across his cheek and jaw.
“I’m going to need someone to catch me up,” Aunt Patti murmurs, her hand lightly patting Promise’s knee.
“Don tried to sell Promise,” Rock offers. “But—”
“Thank you, Rock,” Angel interrupts.
“I’ll tell you everything,” I assure my aunt. “But if I try now…” My voice catches.
My aunt leans close, kissing my cheek. “I’ve followed what I could in the papers, and I’ve got a pretty good idea of some of the details that the papers haven’t covered, or even speculated, but we both know how your father can hide his true nature.”
I squeeze her hand. I didn’t realize how good it would feel just to be around people who see what I see, who understand what my father is and what he is capable of and don’t believe all his lies.
“Where is Killian taking us?” Knox asks as he makes a right, following Killian.
“The airport,” Angel answers, the words rumbling through his chest.
I pull back to look at him. Who is leaving? Me? Him? I know he told my father he was marrying me today, but…
“Where are we going?” Rock asks for me.
“Promise and I are going to Vegas. Knox, I’d like you to come too. Axel can keep digging in whatever dark corners he’s working.”
“And me?” Rock asks, his chin jutting out. He looks pissed off, which I get. Rock seems like he’d love Vegas.
“Killian is staying in New York to see what helpful information he might be able to collect. He thought the two of you might work together.” Angel’s hand slides down my back as he speaks, even as Rock’s eyes light with understanding and excitement.
I draw in a shuddering breath, trying to process all that’s happened today. My aunt, my wedding, the change in Angel.
It’s more than I’ve ever hoped for and I have that feeling again like hope is dangerous. But I’m in it now, there’s no way to change how I feel and nothing to do but ride this wave to the shore and see where I land.
The area we’re driving through grows increasingly industrial. I can hear the planes overhead as I close my eyes, resting my forehead on Angel’s shoulder.
We turn a corner, the car slowing. I lift my head, opening my eyes, a hangar coming into view.
My mouth drops open as I note the plane parked in its depths. That can’t be how we’re traveling…
But the line of cars we’re traveling in all pull to a stop in front.
This time it’s Mason who gets out of the car first, leading the way into the hangar as he shakes the hand of the person at the front of the staff greeting committee.
Everyone files out of the cars, including Candy and Aunt Patti. Angel once again fluffs my skirts as he sets me on the ground. He’s a man obsessed with my dress.
I’d like to kiss him again, but Candy steps up to us. “Should I…”
“I thought you’d join us.”
“In Vegas?” she asks, looking shocked.
“Be good for you to get out of the club,” Angel says, cocking his head as he assesses her. He’s likely figured out Candy’s relationship with Vinnie. “And maybe even take a little break from New York.”
Candy smiles, but her eyes are filled with sadness. “Not a bad idea.”
I reach for her, giving her fingers a squeeze. The fact that Vinnie was there to be a replacement groom wasn’t lost on anyone. “I’m sorry.”
“Not your fault,” she answers, wincing painfully. “I have the worst taste in men.”
I sigh as I squeeze her hand again. This was not the best way for us to start what I hoped would be a real friendship.
“Is it weird that I’m actually glad your dad is a complete nut?”
“No, it’s not weird.” I shake my head. “As you pointed out to me, we all ended up at the club because our pasts have some real messed up shit.”
Candy gives me a real smile. “Okay, you talking is weird enough, but cursing…”
I laugh too.
But Angel’s brows slash across his forehead. “She’s right, Goldilocks. You are only meant for pretty words.”
“Goldilocks?” Rush asks as he stops next to me.
I feel myself blushing, knowing that Angel usually follows up the name with a reference to eating me…
Angel clears his throat instead of explaining, and Rush doesn’t ask more as Killian joins us. “Rush, can you make sure that Chloe makes it back to the apartment complex when you reach Vegas?”
“But I want to stay with you,” the blonde woman he was with earlier says as she walks toward us, looking very irritated. “You’ve been gone for days, and I’ve only just arrived.”
Killian reaches for her, pulling her into his body and kissing the tip of her nose. “I’m sorry, luv. I’ll make it up to you very soon.”
She wrinkles her nose. “I don’t want soon.”
I wince, knowing that Killian is staying in New York to help us. Me. From Rush’s car comes a gorgeous brunette who holds the hand of a little girl. Rush beckons them over, swinging the girl into his arms. “We’re going to take a little trip, M&M.”
“Gigi,” Angel calls to the brunette.
She moves past Rush, stopping in front of Angel, but her gaze turns to me. “May I offer my regards to the groom?” she asks me.
I nod once, not sure who she is or why she’d want to address Angel, but she steps up to him, wrapping her arms around his neck. He holds for a second and then hugs her back. “Thank you. You know what for,” she whispers near his ear.
“You’re welcome, Aunt Gigi.” And then he pulls back.
“Aunt Gigi?” I ask, looking between Angel and this woman.
“Answers on the plane,” Mason calls. “It’s time to go.”
Angel leans down, lifting the hem of my skirt. “Who can book us an appointment at one of the chapels? I’d like to head straight there,” he orders as he carries the hem of my gown.
“The man is serious about getting married,” Candy mutters. “It’s good to be wanted.”
I look over at her, the question I’ve been asking myself all day pinging through my mind. I appreciate what Candy is saying, and how it must seem to her. But his motives for being in a hurry still leave me with lingering doubts.
What does Angel want me for?