Page 50 of Angels Are Falling

I looked him up and down. I shouldn’t care if Kai was angry, but I couldn’t tamp down my curiosity. “What the hell’s your problem?”

“Is that how you react when another woman hits on your husband—by smiling?”

For a second, I thought he was referring to Stefan. Then I remembered that Kai was my legal husband.

I fell from the sky. Did he expect me to be jealous? I barely knew him, and at best, tolerated his presence. There was no sugarcoating it, as I said, “Why would I care if Ruby hits on you?”

“How about because we’re married, and it’s disrespectful?” he spoke with venom, grinding his jaw.

I shrugged. “It’s not a problem for me. You can sleep with her if you want.” Maybe then he’d leave me alone.

Kai didn’t talk to me after that. He froze me out entirely, which somehow irritated me more. “August, grab your bag from the living room. Jamie, don’t forget your vest. Put on your shoes, Bella.” He gave the kids a plethora of instructions, pretending I didn’t exist. He shoved past me, grabbed Bella’s suitcase, and told the boys to get in the car.

As we departed for school, I couldn’t help but spare one last look at the dining table. Stefan and his friends traveled for work, rarely reporting on-site. They had nowhere to go, so they decided to keep the party going. Plus, Stefan wanted to show them the karaoke room.

They cheered and hooted, snagging two bottles of tequila from the bar. Ruby followed them upstairs. I suppose she was staying, too.

The sight was disturbing, but I said nothing to Stefan as I walked out. Not even goodbye.

Chapter

Sixteen

KAI

The hallway light in the hospital flickered. Amelie’s head was down, reviewing the notes on the clipboard in her hand.

I observed her, taking advantage of the moment when she was unaware of my presence. She wore shapeless scrubs and sneakers. Stray strands of hair stuck out of her messy bun, highlighting her olive skin. Her makeup was understated, except for her almond-shaped eyes. Those were her favorite features, and she often painted them with thick eyeliner.

She was gorgeous, and she was finally mine, though she had never felt more out of reach. Being around Amelie was always a testament to self-discipline. It was vital that I didn’t act on my impulse to grab and kiss her in front of her coworkers. My grip tightened on the brown kraft bag in my hand as I fought my instincts. I consciously slowed my breathing until I regained control of my senses.

The receptionist looked up from her desk as Amelie passed her. Everyone was always staring at her. It was equal parts infuriating and fascinating.

The receptionist said something that made Amelie giggle. My chest tightened. She never laughed freely around me, her lips generally tightened into thin lines instead. I desperately wanted that giggle for myself and hated that someone else drew it out of her. I wanted to be the reason she smiled, and I wanted to be the one she leaned toward whenever she laughed like that.

But that wasn’t our reality. After dropping the kids off at their new school, I drove her to work in silence. There wasn’t a loving goodbye as expected between newlyweds, only the noise of her slamming the passenger door shut and me punching the steering wheel in response.

She had been vocal about her feelings for me until I got her into bed. A person’s reaction to touch didn’t lie. It was the first confirmation that this wasn’t one-sided.

Being with Amelie had unleashed the Neanderthal in me. I felt manic, restless, on top of the world, yet at her mercy. I feared coming on too strong, so I gave her space to process. Every bone in my body objected to it, but I controlled my urges for her sake. Seeing her with Stefan nearly broke that resolve. Why did I bring her back to a house where she could reunite with him?

When I first saw Stefan after returning from our honeymoon, I wanted to murder him. I had to leave the room before giving in to that basic instinct. Otherwise, Amelie would have hated me for the rest of her life. I’d be back to square one, and all of this would have been for nothing. I couldn’t risk it.

I had already waited years for her. I never wanted to relive those moments when I had to watch her through a fucking window. I wouldn’t let Amelie slip through my fingers. I couldn’t, not after being with her. Not when I was this close to having everything I wanted.

I should have known. Having half of her would only make me want to claim it all.

Last night, Amelie sought me out in a state of panic. She was pliant in my arms for a few blissful moments, letting me comfort her. I thought the universe was rewarding me for my patience by thawing her walls.

But as soon as her panic subsided, her thoughts returned to him. I had lived under the delusion that, although she was reluctant, marriage meant something to her. I thought she’d turn into my ferociously loyal wife. I was wrong. In Amelie’s heart, she’d always be Mrs. Noble.

The thought unleashed something dark inside me. I reacted poorly because she brought out a side of me that I didn’t know existed. She did the one thing no one else could—she rattled me.

Years of infatuation let loose, triggered by her rejection and my jealousy. I was dead set on making things right with her this morning, but her comments about Ruby settled like ice in my chest.

Why would I care if Ruby hits on you?

You can sleep with her if you want.