Page 179 of Angel

I prayed with every fiber of my soul that my sister’s wave of destruction was done for good, because this child deserved a peaceful welcome to the world.

ANGEL

Dr. Hill sat across from me in the office, his presence calm and unhurried as he studied my face.

‘You survived today, Angel, but you’re still sitting in battle mode,’ Dr. Hill said, leaning forward. ‘Where are you holding all that fear and anger right now?’

‘In my chest,’ I rasped, my throat like sandpaper.

‘What happens if you release it?’ he murmured. ‘What’s the worst if you let yourself feel how close you came to losing your family earlier?’

My jaw twitched, my hands clenching into tight fists against my knees.

‘What if I hadn’t protected them from the blast?’ I choked out, my voice cracking. ‘She had a shotgun, doc. One centimeter off, and my wife and baby might have been gone.’

‘But they’re healthy and whole,’ Dr. Hill reminded me, his eyes steady and kind. ‘You saved them. You can let the terror go now, son. Let the venom out; otherwise it’ll rot you on the inside.’

The dam inside my chest cracked open.

I buried my face in my palms and cried, long and hard, releasing every ounce of concealed pain and guilt.

I wept at enabling Evangeline all these years, for letting her behavior run roughshod over everyone, and now for almost ripping my family away from me.

I also shuddered at the memories of the trauma she put me through.

Dr. Hill stayed silent, giving me the space I needed to release my emotions without a shred of judgment.

When the storm finally passed, I grabbed a tissue from a nearby box and wiped my face, feeling lighter than I had in years.

‘I need to talk thorough more,’ I breathed, looking up at the therapist. ‘So I can be shot of my ex for good.’

Dr. Hill nodded. ‘Call my office next week. Meanwhile, share what’s bothering you with your beautiful wife. Your partner’s support is gold.’

‘I will, and thank you for taking the time,’ I replied, shaking his hand before I escorted him from the house.

Roxy came to me at the front door, and we held each other for a long time, kissing as we released the terror and horror of our experience.

Soon after, Jude arrived carrying containers of fresh Italian food from Sofia, his gaze taking in the brand-new front door, brows arched in disbelief.

Jude hugged us both, then checked that the carpenter he sent repaired the back door as well.

Satisfied, he prowled to the living room as I tossed a log onto the fire and stood before it, warming my cold, still-trembling body.

‘That woman belongs in a cage for the rest of her natural life,’ Jude snarled when he sauntered back into the living room, hands crossed over his chest.

‘I swear, if the cops hadn’t hauled Evangeline away, I’d have broken her neck myself for coming near Roxy.’

‘She’s done now, brother,’ I rasped. ‘The law’s got her.’

‘Damn straight, and they’d better keep her locked up for a long time,’ Jude muttered, turning around to pull me into a fierce, brotherly hug. ‘I’m heading out so you two can chill.’

‘Grateful for having my back,’ I said as he walked to the porch.

‘Not a hardship,’ Jude called out over his shoulder. ‘Call me if you need anything at all tonight.’

After Jude left, Roxy plated Sofia’s fresh gnocchi tossed in a delicious garlic, herb, and rich parmesan cheese sauce.

We ate in silence on the kitchen counter, letting the food settle the stress still reverberating through us.