Page 125 of Angel

He nods. “He looked pretty beaten up, but I’m guessing it will be written off as suicide.”

“You think he was murdered?”

I can’t breathe. My mind is spinning because what the hell is going on? I haven’t seen Sam since the night on his boat and all I know is he has been carrying on as normal.

Nothing was said about Emilio Martimez. I wasn’t even questioned and not about to ask why.

“A mafia boss was found dead on his boat with a gunshot wound. Yeah, I’d say he was murdered.”

I feel sick.

I stumble, my mind buzzing, the scene blurring as tears fill my eyes.

A strong hand reaches out to steady me, pulling me in close, his hand wrapping around me as comforting as it is dangerous.

The scent of leather fills my senses, his aftershave intoxicating, the need for protection strong.

I murdered a mafia boss, and this won’t go away.

His voice is husky, soothing even, as he whispers, “An eye for an eye, baby. Sam was the obvious target for revenge. The Martinez mafia is under new management, and I have it on good authority they retreated home to Cuba. There is no threat to you. I doubt he knows you were even there.”

“I’m not so sure.”

My voice trembles. “You see, Emilio came to Los Angeles for me, Angel. I was always going to be his wife. It was agreed between our families when we were kids. My father’s death changed nothing and so if Emilio knew that, I’m guessing so did his family. What if they come for me and whoever this new leader is picks up where Emilio left off? I will never be safe.”

I hate that I’m in his arms, that I desire comfort from him, safety even. Everything is blurring into one because this feels so right. It shouldn’t and I pull back, my hands pressing against his chest.

“I can’t do this.”

Tears streak my face. “Take me home.”

It’s Jason I need now. Not Angel and the shady world he operates in like a dark demon. I don’t want to be involved in any of it, but I am. I always was and I am no better than him.

“Listen to me, Sophie.”

His tone is firm, authoritative and I hang my head, refusing to meet his gaze.

“There is no threat. Sam’s death was the period at the end of the paragraph. That chapter is closed. Why do you think the cops didn’t question you?”

I shrug, my mind racing as everything spins around inside me like a whirlpool.

“Your name has been wiped from the manifest. The crew members on board telling a different story through fear of reprisals.”

“What do you mean?”

His eyes flash.

“We paid them a visit intending to question them about that night and nobody would speak. They all told the same story. That Sam threw a party and then they heard a gunshot. They couldn’t get into the cabin and when Martinez’s men broke in, they discovered his suicide. Drugs were also found at the scene, and they turned the boat around, radioing for help and the party was short-lived under the circumstances. Nobody admitted that three people were missing when they returned because there was enough heat on them and they didn’t want three more deaths complicating the issue.”

He makes toward me again and I step away, my need for Jason stronger than any I have for Angel. I’ve changed. This world now sickens me. I don’t want to be involved in any of it and love my new normal life.

“So, what happens now?”

“You carry on and put this behind you and consider it a lucky escape.”

I stare into those piercing blue eyes and note his mask, the intrigue, the menacing vibe, the man behind it and a wave of regret hits me for what we had. It was an infatuation that I will wrap up and store away as a sweet memory. But love has a habit of rendering infatuation null and void and despite how I’m feeling, I smile.

“Thank you for telling me, Angel. I–”