Page 26 of Angel

Moments later, the sedan rolled down the driveway, their taillights bleeding into the thick Nashville night.

I let out an exhale and pushed a hand through my hair and over my face.

Damn, how had my life got twisted upside down in just a few freakin’ hours?

I needed companionship and a stiff drink.

With an inhale, I went in search of both.

The humid Tennessee night formed droplets on my face as I strode out onto the manicured lawn.

I found the rest of my Six Sinners brothers in a far corner of the estate, having taken over a cluster of Adirondack chairs by the lake.

They’d shed their formal wear, tux jackets on the backs of the seats, bow ties abandoned on the grass, white shirts hung open, exposing their jewelry, chains, and ink.

In their hands were beers, and I prowled towards them with a hankering for one too.

Jude surged to his feet first, followed by Bishop, Deacon, Levi, and Reign.

‘How’re you holding up, man?’ Bishop asked, throwing an arm over my shoulders for a quick hug, his eyes scanning my face with concern.

‘Like garbage warmed over in a microwave,’ I growled as he let me go.

I sank into an empty wooden seat.

Deacon passed me a beer, and I took it with a grateful nod, sucking back the liquid.

Heck, it tasted good.

‘You probably dodged a missile, my friend,’ Deacon rasped. ‘Any woman who pulls a stunt like that at the altar is a straight-up witch. If you’d exchanged vows with Evangeline, trust, she’d have wiped you out in less than a year.’

I glared at him for a moment until he threw up his hands in mock surrender.

‘Just saying. ’

Levi cursed under his breath.

‘This wasn’t just a standard case of cold feet, it was a diabolical betrayal.’

Reign huffed in agreement.

‘Dropping the ball on the day of your wedding is twisted as fuck.’

‘Can’t say I’m surprised,’ Jude muttered. ‘I say good riddance. That said, I hope she figures out whatever demons she’s running from.’

Despite my disgust at my runaway bride, worry for her spiked through me, and I pushed a hand through my hair.

‘I know y’all are trying to comfort me, but you’re not helping.’

Bishop pointed a finger at me.

‘We’re stating the freakin’ obvious, son; all these years, you’ve been her rock and anchor, Angel. You’ve shown up over and over again, yet she chose to bolt every time. I’ve no cares left to give for her.’

‘As for Roxy,’ Deacon added. ‘How’s she doing?’

I sighed, rubbing the back of my head.

‘Shell-shocked, and dropping apologies. The shitshow isn’t her fault, though. Reese blackmailed her and me into walking down that aisle.’