Page 32 of Monster Mania

“Fine,” she agreed.

“And we're replacing the tire,” he insisted.

“Don't push it,” she said.

Jackhammer smiled. “Wouldn't dream of it.”

Ghost opened the apartment door and checked the hallway. “Clear.” Jackhammer grabbed Angel's duffel as she took one last look around her apartment.

Something about her expression stopped him. “You okay?” Hammer asked.

“No,” she whispered. At least she was honest.

Jackhammer walked back to her. “You coming back here?” It wasn't a question, but she seemed to take it as one.

Angel looked around. “I don't know.”

“I do,” he said. Her eyes met his. “This isn't over, Angel.”

“You can't promise that,” she insisted.

“Wasn't talking about the Nomad Knights,” he said. She frowned up at him. “I was talking about us.” Her breath caught as Jackhammer nodded toward Ghost. “Him too.”

Ghost looked over his shoulder. “Don't drag me into your Hallmark moment.”

“You're already in it,” Hammer insisted.

“Fuck you,” Ghost grumbled. Angel smiled, and God, Jackhammer loved that smile. That realization hit him so hard he almost stopped breathing. It was too soon—way too fucking soon, but something was happening here, and pretending otherwise wasn't going to change it.

“Come on,” he said. They made it downstairs without trouble, and Ghost exited first. Jackhammer kept Angel behind him until Ghost signaled the parking lot was clear. Her SUV sat where she'd left it. Jackhammer opened the passenger door, and Angel stopped. There was an envelope tucked beneath the windshield wiper. All three of them seemed to see it at the same time.

“Don't touch it,” Ghost ordered. Jackhammer moved Angel behind him again, and this time, she didn't argue. Ghost carefully pulled the envelope free by the corner. There was one word written across the front.

Angelina

Jackhammer felt her grab the back of his cut. “You recognize the handwriting?” he asked.

“No,” she whispered. Ghost opened the envelope, and a Polaroid slid into his hand. He stared at it.

“What is it?” Jackhammer asked. Ghost didn't answer. “Ghost.” He handed over the photograph, and Jackhammer looked down at it. His stomach turned. It was a photograph of Angel sleeping last night in his bed. Jackhammer's blood went ice cold. The angle was wrong for it to have been taken from inside the room. Then he saw the window in the background, and he knew that someone had been outside, watching them.

Angel reached around him and took the picture. “No.” Her voice broke, and Jackhammer turned.

All the color had drained from her face. “Angel?”

“No.” She flipped the photograph over, and there were six words written across the back.

Your father couldn't save you either.

Angel's knees buckled, but Jackhammer caught her before she hit the ground. Ghost immediately scanned the buildings around them, and Jackhammer pulled Angel against his chest. She was shaking, not trembling, but shaking.

“Look at me,” Hammer ordered. She didn't. “Angel.” Her eyes finally met his.

“I thought I had more time,” she said.

Jackhammer cupped her face. “Listen to me. You're not alone anymore.”

“You don't understand,” she insisted.