Page 77 of Devil’s Promise

His scream echoes over the parking lot, everyone turning.

“Don, are you all right?” I feign, even as I open the door just enough to let his hand out. The hand is already swelling, Promise’s wide eyes meeting mine through the crack. But I lean close to her father. “Try to touch her again and I will break something far worse than your hand.”

He spits a string of curses at me, even as I pull Patti toward me, opening the door. I position my body between her and Don as I calmly hand the women into the vehicle. Killian reaches for Don, but Rush raises his hand. “Stand down, Kill. It’s too public.”

Killian freezes, baring his teeth as he stares at Promise’s father.

“We’re not done,” Don spits, cradling his hand. I see Promise wrap her arms around the other woman before I close the door and turn to Don.

“I agree. We aren’t even close. Pursue the conservatorship, and I will open the gates of hell. You and I both know I hold the keys. It’s why you contacted me in the first place.” Then I look at Killian. “If you and Rock wouldn’t mind staying with the women, I’ve got a public announcement to make before we go.”

“Go?” Don lets out a strangled cry.

“I’m not sure how you thought this was going down, Winthrop, but Promise and I are getting married. And you’re not invited.”

CHAPTER TWENTY-SIX

Promise

The moment Angel climbs back in the car, I’m on his lap.

I could argue that as the SUV only holds three across the second row bench seat and there are four of us, it’s only logical that I share a seat with him, but we both know that I would have been on his lap anyway.

He did not choose my father today…he chose me in a big way.

And whatever his reasons, I’m so grateful, so full of love, that I can’t keep my hands off him.

He smooths my skirts again, even as I press kisses across his cheek and jaw.

“I’m going to need someone to catch me up,” Aunt Patti murmurs, her hand lightly patting Promise’s knee.

“Don tried to sell Promise,” Rock offers. “But⁠—”

“Thank you, Rock,” Angel interrupts.

“I’ll tell you everything,” I assure my aunt. “But if I try now…” My voice catches.

My aunt leans close, kissing my cheek. “I’ve followed what I could in the papers, and I’ve got a pretty good idea of some of the details that the papers haven’t covered, or even speculated, but we both know how your father can hide his true nature.”

I squeeze her hand. I didn’t realize how good it would feel just to be around people who see what I see, who understand what my father is and what he is capable of and don’t believe all his lies.

“Where is Killian taking us?” Knox asks as he makes a right, following Killian.

“The airport,” Angel answers, the words rumbling through his chest.

I pull back to look at him. Who is leaving? Me? Him? I know he told my father he was marrying me today, but…

“Where are we going?” Rock asks for me.

“Promise and I are going to Vegas. Knox, I’d like you to come too. Axel can keep digging in whatever dark corners he’s working.”

“And me?” Rock asks, his chin jutting out. He looks pissed off, which I get. Rock seems like he’d love Vegas.

“Killian is staying in New York to see what helpful information he might be able to collect. He thought the two of you might work together.” Angel’s hand slides down my back as he speaks, even as Rock’s eyes light with understanding and excitement.

I draw in a shuddering breath, trying to process all that’s happened today. My aunt, my wedding, the change in Angel.

It’s more than I’ve ever hoped for and I have that feeling again like hope is dangerous. But I’m in it now, there’s no way to change how I feel and nothing to do but ride this wave to the shore and see where I land.