Page 136 of Angel

‘That’s it, brother,’ Deacon replied, slapping my shoulder. ‘The most important choice of your life is your woman. I think Roxy’s a gem. Don’t lose her shine because of you and your ex’s poor choices.’

‘I hear you,’ I growled. ‘I’ve got to find my wife, mate. Thanks for the gee-up.’

I strode away, scanning the crowded gala ballroom, the VIP lounges, and the marble corridors, but she was nowhere to be found.

Panic began to claw at me as I raced through the venue.

I spotted Bluey, our sound lead.

I stalked up to him, and when he saw me, he shot me a grin.

‘Hey man,’ I greeted him with clasped hands and a side hug. ‘Any chance you’ve seen my wife, Roxy?’

He pursed his lips, thought, then nodded. ‘Fact, I did. Saw her rushing from here and into an Uber a few minutes ago.’

The hell? She left without telling me? Why?

‘Thanks, man,’ I gritted out, striding away, reaching for my phone to call her, as worry gnawed at me.

I lifted the device to my ear and waited for an answer.

She didn’t pick up. Damn.

I shot her a text.

Angel: Where are you, Rox?

I got nada in response.

That’s when I remembered she’d seemed out of sorts, a little pale and sweaty that night.

I decided to dip out of the venue and drive back to Bellmont-Hillsboro; perhaps she took herself home, not feeling well.

I was heading to the entrance leading to the parking lot when a familiar silhouette caught my attention near the freight elevator.

Evangeline.

She stood leaning against a stack of equipment crates, giggling to herself.

My blood boiled.

The realization that she must have escaped my secure townhouse and bypassed my security detail made me livid.

I marched over, grabbed her elbow with firm pressure, and steered her down the exit.

‘Let go of me, Angel!’ she shrieked, stumbling over her feet as I dragged her forward past parked cars and trucks in the lot. ‘You’re hurting my arm!’

‘Get in the truck, Evangeline,’ I growled, throwing open the passenger door of my Defender. ‘Now.’

‘You’re being a caveman,’ she muttered, collapsing onto the leather seat.

‘How the hell did you know where I was?’ I grunted as I sat behind the wheel and fired up the engine.

‘It was on the news, on TV,’ she mumbled, giggling, high on some shit.

I cursed, racing out of the venue and into traffic.

‘I’m taking you back,’ I rasped, my jaw tight with exasperation.