AllFreeNovel
Share Us
I need her to calm down, but her words hit me square in the chest.
“What? I flew out the very next day. I came back a year later, the barman told me you already had a new boyfriend. I tried, Angel. I would've moved Heaven and Earth to stay with you. I found out you transferred universities and moved away from the area. The barman said you never went back there. I wanted to find you, I just wasn't sure I was good enough for you. I still don't feel like I'm the best for you, but I can't handle another man claiming you,” I beg her to understand, to believe me.
“Wait, but Patrick said you were there two nights later with a trashy woman.” She looks shocked, and now I know what Maya meant.
“No, Angel, it wasn't me. I swear. I went back to Afghanistan and went on a rampage to find the man I thought was your boyfriend. Funny thing is it turned out to be your brother. I'll protect you, please sit down. Let’s discuss this and come up with a plan.” She walks to me, her eyes brimming with tears.
“Lieutenant, no, if something happened to you because of me, I'd never forgive myself,” she says as she tentatively touches my chest. I feel it to my very soul. She pulls her hand away, and I see the shock, but the tingle is still there.
“If you leave me again, Angel, something will happen to me. I won't be whole.” I pull her into my arms. “Please. Ask your brother, I'm half a man without you.”
She pulls away slightly and looks to Duncan, who is miraculously still seated, and he nods. He's picked my arse up from many a pub when I missed her.
“We can talk, but if I don't agree, I leave in the morning.” She steps back from my embrace.
Over my dead body. I got her in my arms, she isn't leaving me now. I pull her back to me.
“I won't agree to that, Angel. I let you walk away from me once before. I won't do it again.” I squeeze her close to me.
“Joshua, I can survive if I know you're alive somewhere in this world. If you are gone, how will I survive? That’s how I've made it this far.” She looks up into my eyes, and I see her pain.
“Oh, Angel.” I pull her into me tighter.
“No, you don't understand. I survived all those horrible things because of you. I would remember our one day and what you said, ‘To angels in dark places.’ I thought of you. You are my angel too, Joshua. Now I have Isabella to think about. I can't let him get his hands on her.” I kneel down in front of her, place my hands on her rounded belly, and look up into her eyes again.
“I won't ever let that happen. I swear right here I won’t leave you or Isabella.” I kiss her stomach and just then the baby kicks hard. “Bloody hell, was that her?” I say in shock.
“She kicked you.” Her eyes are so shiny, and I know Duncan's going to come unglued, but I can't help it.
I stand up and kiss her softly on the lips. The baby continues to kick my hand, and my other hand wraps around her to pull her closer to me.
“Ahem, excuse me. Joshua, you want to explain why your lips are on my baby sister, and why the bugger you called her your angel?” Duncan is standing, and Maya is practically rolling on the sofa giggling.
She's known about us for a while, but I haven't told Duncan. I pull Ana into me tight and put her head on my heart, then wrap my arms around her.
“Well, Big Guy, I would tell you I think I care, but I know for sure I fell for your sister many years ago when I was home on leave. She's been my angel since that day. She was lost to me once, I won't lose her again. I'll protect her and Isabella with my dying breath. You can kick my arse later, right now we need to figure out this bloody cock up.”
“Well, it's about bloody time you grew a pair and stepped up. I was wondering how long it would take you.” I look at him in shock.
“You knew? How?”
“You both walk around this compound like you’re mooning over each other. Walking around on glass is killing us all. Plus, I figured it out back in DC when you instantly promised to protect her, then I just watched, whenever she's around, you rub your side.” He points to where my tattoo is. Damn, he was with me when I got it.
Both Ana and I join in with Maya and laugh.
“Well sorry to upset you all.” I turn, keeping Ana under my arm and walk us over to the opposite sofa again. We sit down with her cuddled in my arms. I want to pull her onto my lap, but I know Duncan isn't ready for that.
“So how did they find out, Joshua? Why are they waiting until after the baby comes?” Duncan starts firing off questions.
“Jonathan's solicitor asked why Ana couldn't appear in court. He asked why a barrister had been hired. Our barrister came forward with the pictures showing the abuse. Then Jonathan's solicitor said the abuse can't be proved as they have proof of Ana being unfaithful with one Joshua Donovan, and that I could have abused her. Their witness is Patrick, the bloody barman from the pub in Surrey. You should have just let me gut the bloody git in December.”
“What?” They all say at the same time. I pull Ana back in close, I know the next part is going to upset her.
“Yes. Then they said they have a witness that's seen the documentation that Ana is pregnant, and until they can prove who the father is they won't allow for the divorce,” I deliver the blow. I've had all day to process this, and on the flight home I contemplated what I did, I would do it again, she's worth it. Worth it. Maybe Christopher was right.
“Oh, Joshua, I'm so sorry.” I smile down at her. She’s so sweet, and she thinks this bothers me. The only thing bothering me is the fact Jonathan thinks he can hold on to her longer.
“I don't care what they think of me. I told our solicitor I was the father.”
