Page 123 of Angel

The liberation of being able to say no to her face surged through my veins like fire.

Her face twisted into an ugly, sour mask of rage as she realized her beauty no longer had any pull over my soul.

‘You just fucked up, Angel!’ she spat, her eyes wild. ‘I’ll tell the cops you picked me up, brought me here, and raped me!’

I let out a bitter laugh, pointing a finger up at the black lens mounted flush into the ceiling above us.

‘All my properties have a security camera in the living areas.’

I pulled my phone from my pocket, tapping the screen to display the live feed showing her standing naked before me.

‘The feed is being recorded; I’ve your threat down on film, so don’t even try that shit with me.’

Enraged by her failed trap, she swung a wild right hook at my jaw, trying to hit me just like she used to in our past.

I caught her wrist in mid-air, squeezing my fingers together until I crushed her knuckles inside my grip.

Evangeline screamed, dropping to the polished floorboards on her knees before me as tears burst from her eyes.

I had zero pity left for her abusive, toxic behavior, letting go of her hand and stepping away without a second glance.

‘Cover up, Roxy,’ I growled. ‘Right fuckin’ now.’

She glared up at me, pouting like a spoiled child caught stealing as she flounced away into the primary bedroom.

Gritting my teeth, I watched her bare, skinny ass disappear inside.

‘I’m leaving. I’ll have someone from my team reach out to help you situate yourself and work out how the hell to get back on your feet.’

Turning my back on her, I strode out the front door and slammed it shut behind me, furious at the years I wasted on her.

The rain finally ceased during my drive back to Forest Hills, the storm clouds parting to reveal a bruised, violet dawn sky.

Thin ribbons of electric blue and pale amber cut through the horizon, casting a cold illumination over the wet asphalt.

I was still torn about whether to tell Roxy or not about Evangeline’s return.

However, if Roxy found out about this midnight rescue, she would think I was still trapped under her sister’s spell.

I was worried she’d think our whole marriage was a lie just when it was beginning to feel fuckin’ real and righteous to me.

When I unlocked my front door, the interior of the house was shrouded in peaceful stillness.

The only sound was the rhythmic ticking of the clock in the hall, as I prowled into the kitchen to make a coffee.

I brewed a cup and leaned against the counter, sipping, brooding as I stared out the bay window, processing the night and how different the two sisters were.

Evangeline was a parasitic leech on every level.

Roxy, on the other hand, had a successful career, was independent, and lived life with simplicity, realness, kindness, and fierce loyalty.

She was the real deal, and it hit me I’d be a fool if I never got my act together and built a life with her.

Just then, I caught the brush of bare feet, and Roxy appeared in the doorway.

I jolted as I took her in with mussed bed hair, wearing an oversized sleep tee that fell over her long legs.

Freakin’ sexy.