Page 30 of Must Love Fallen Angels
“You got it.”
Venice left her in the truck with the engine idling.Settling into the seat, she unbuckled her seatbelt so she was more comfortable and opened her favorite streaming app to peruse the latest movies and come up with a few they could choose from.She knew Venice liked action movies, and she didn’t mind them either, especially if there was a bit of romance thrown into the mix.
The door swung open suddenly, and she found herself staring at a furious Evan.
She gasped, her phone dropping to the floor.“What are you doing?”she demanded.“How did you even know where I was?”
He looked wild and unstable.“I followed you.Now you’re going to listen to me,” he said, reaching for her.
She shoved at his hand and tried to scoot away from him, but she was trapped in the cab of the truck.“Hey!Get away from me, you psycho!”
He grabbed her wrist and squeezed hard, and then he tugged her toward him.
The air around them suddenly grew hot, and then Venice appeared.He moved silently and swiftly, putting one hand on Evan’s arm.“Let.Her.Go.”
When Evan just stared at him in surprise, Venice forced him to drop his grip.Then he twisted Evan’s wrist and bent his arm backward, making him howl in pain.
There was a bright flash of light that lasted just a heartbeat, but in that moment, Tessa saw the outline of wings at Venice’s back and smelled ozone.
Venice shoved Evan so hard he flew off his feet and smacked into the side of the building.
He rose shakily to his feet, his eyes wide.“What the hell are you?”
“I’m Tessa’s mate,” Venice said.His voice was deep and held so much menace that it made Tessa shiver.
Evan looked at Tessa, and then at Venice.
“You’re a freak!”Evan said, his voice shaky.“You get what you deserve, you bitch.”
Venice took a menacing step toward Evan, and she saw the air shimmer around him, those same ghostly wings appearing at his back for a fraction of a second.
Evan stumbled off, running to his car and peeling out of the parking lot.Venice just stared after him until the sound of his engine disappeared into the night.
Tessa exhaled sharply.She hadn’t even realized she was holding her breath until that moment.Venice turned slowly and faced her.“Are you okay?Did he hurt you?”
He picked up her hand and pressed his lips to her wrist, where Evan had grabbed hold of her.
“No, he didn’t hurt me, but he would have, I think.You stopped him from doing anything bad to me.”
“I felt your fear,” he said, his thumb caressing her wrist.“I’m sorry I left you alone in the truck.I should have taken you inside with me.”
“It’s okay.I think one way or another, he was going to try to get to me, so I’m thankful you were close, and you intervened.”She scooted to the edge of the seat and hugged him.Venice wrapped his arms around her and kissed the top of her head.
“Are you sure you’re okay?”he murmured.
“I am, honestly.”She tilted her face up to look at him.“Can I tell you something?”
“You can tell me anything, sweetheart.”
“I saw wings.”
“What?”
“There was a weird heat that filled the air, like when you open a hot oven.And then I saw…ghost wings.They were incredible looking.The second time, when you took a step toward him, I saw them again, and the air shimmered around you.Did you know that would happen?”
“I had no idea,” he said.“I don’t think it’s ever happened before.I was feeling so protective and angry at the same time.”
“I told you that you’re still an angel,” she said.“Just because your wings are gone doesn’t mean the essence of what you were is missing.You’re a protector at heart, and you came to my rescue before I even had a chance to call for help.”She shook her head with a chuckle.“You’re a pretty damn impressive man, and you scared the holy-crap out of Evan.”
