Page 27 of Angel

‘We knew he twisted both your arms but brother you haven’t given us the details. Spill.’ Jude growled.

I hadn’t had a chance to share Reese’s terms with my brothers, caught up in the whirlwind of exchanging a bride out and getting myself ready for the nuptials.

Now, I went on to tell them about Roxy’s father’s offer of one million, and the threats he intimated if we refused to get married.

Levi cursed long and hard. ‘The hell? I’m about to mess him up.’

‘Chill, man,’ I rasped, waving him back into his chair. ‘Calm down, all of you. We can’t fight Reese without a sound strategy. Remember he’s one of the most lethal operators in this entire state. He’s in with the cops, the senators, the mayor’s office, and big business.’

The guys blinked at me in unison, their expressions locking down.

‘Why would a man do that to you, to his own daughter?’ Levi blurted.

‘Roxy’s biological father isn’t Reese,’ I revealed. ‘Her mother had a secret affair decades ago. She and Evangeline are only half-sisters, and Reese used that leverage to terrorize Roxy her entire life.’

‘Damn,’ Bishop whispered. ‘What a jackass.’

‘I concur, but I won’t allow Roxy to take the fall for this, nor let that tyrant touch my family,’ I vowed. ‘For now, I’m going to go along with his game until I come up with a play to untangle us from his grip.’

‘We’ve got you man,’ Jude rasped as we clinked our bottles in solidarity.

I downed the last of my beer and rose.

‘Grateful for y’all having my back, brothers. Now I have to pack for a fake honeymoon in Capri.’

Jude nodded.

‘Not a hardship. Take your time to sort this out, Angel. Six Sinners is on hiatus for the next month. Use your time away to script your play.’

‘I plan to,’ I muttered. ‘Reese won’t be left standing when I’m finished with him.’

The same protective instinct that drove me as a ten-year-old kid to floor a bully and keep him down in the sandbox surged through my chest.

Back then, I used my fists to shield girls from playground ruffians.

Now, the stakes involved my band and my family’s survival.

Along with figuring out how to deal with Evangeline, I intended to make Reese Béliveau Rosedale Snr regret the decision to target those I loved.

Chapter 8

ROXY

What was worse?

Fantasizing about a man for most of your life in unrequited agony?

Or marrying said man of your dreams when his soul belonged to your sister?

The sounds of laughter, champagne corks, and music from the reception ballroom filtered through the velvet drapes of the alcove I was still hiding in.

I sank deeper into the recesses of the armchair, groaning at the cloying fit of a tight silk wedding gown made for Evangeline’s smaller frame.

For years during my lonely teenage nights, I created elaborate fantasies about marrying Angel, walking down the aisle with him, living in a gorgeous home, and having four beautiful children with him.

My childish daydreams became my comfort when life in the Rosedale mansion became too hard to bear, and I yearned for a carefree life.

Now, part of me was elated about being his wife, even though we’d both been coerced into marrying each other.