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It is only then I realize that she’s staring at me. I wonder for how long, not that it matters. I have a few secrets that I must keep from her right now, but I plan on coming clean when she’s safe. I don’t want to keep her in the dark. On the contrary, I want Angie to know everything. If we are to make our relationship work, it’s the only way. She may fight me at first, but it has to be like this. Angie and I will join together to be a strong, united front. She will be by my side as I help lead my family in a better direction. It must be that way so that I can keep her safe. She’s too important and I’ve stood in the sidelines of her life, waiting until it was safe enough to make a move. That was a mistake that can’t be repeated.
“I am thinking that you are going to make a beautiful queen.”
“Queen?” she asks, her beautiful emerald eyes shining up at me in confusion.
She has no idea. I know she won’t agree to this without an emotional connection. I am confident that with time, I will make her love me. Angie is full of love. It’s also a bonus that she already cares for me. I will use that to get what I want. I know that I will also need to adapt. I may have always loved her, but it will take time for me to get to know her as a woman, not the girl I once knew and admired. We will have to find a way to connect in ways we never have before. It will work. It’s the only alternative. I can’t allow Angie to get caught in the crossfire again. It’s because of me that she was hurt in the first place. If I had been with her all those years ago, the attack would have never happened.
Fuck.
“Sam? Are you alright?”
“When we were growing up, you had a big crush on me. Do you remember?” I watch as her cheeks bloom in color, making me smile. “You don’t have to be embarrassed, Angie. I liked it.”
She smiles, slightly rolling her eyes. “Of course, you did, you always had all the girls falling over you and you loved having your ego stroked. I was way too young, but I saw the way they flung themselves at you.”
“You noticed?”
“Oh, please.”
“I’m sorry,” I respond, squeezing her hand as I bring it up to my lips to kiss. She looks totally shocked at my actions. That’s not surprising. I’ve never allowed myself to go there before, but it’s time.It’s past time.I must claim Angie as mine and get her under the protection of the family and my name. It’s the only way to keep her safe. I failed once.I can’t allow that to happen again.
“What are you sorry for?” she asks, and I wonder if she knows how expressive her face is. It gives away her every emotion. She’s so innocent. God, I should have protected her. Guilt eats at me relentlessly when I look at her.
“For you having to see that. I didn’t know, I thought you were too young and innocent to understand.”
“Oh please. You accuse my friends of not seeing the real me, but no one could be naïve enough not to know what you and those girls would do in the pool house, or your room, or your father’s room. Then there was that time with the twins in the game room.”
“Is that why you stopped letting me teach you how to play pool.”
She makes a face of disgust and yet somehow even that is cute on her. “I knew what you did on that pool table. I wasn’t going to touch it again.”
I lean down and kiss her forehead. “Things will be different now,” I promise.
“What do you mean?”
“You will see. You may hate me at first, but I will show you how happy I can make you. I won’t stop trying, Angie. You need to know that. I vow to you right now that I will always try to make you happy until my dying breath.”
“Okay, Sam. You’re starting to freak me out now.”
“I’m sorry, my love.”
“Love? Uh, Sam, what is going on? Why haven’t we made it where we are going by now? It shouldn’t have taken this long. Where are you taking me?”
“Don’t get upset, Angie.”
“Too late!” I yell. “Where are you taking me?”
I let out a sigh. “I had hoped this would go easier, but it is my fault.”
“Sam what is going on with you? You should have never tricked me into coming with you tonight. I demand you take me home.”
“You’re mistaken, Angie. The problem is that I left you alone for too long. I should have come to you years ago. If I had, you would have never been hurt when you were in college. I would have been able to protect you.”
“That’s crazy. We weren’t even talking back then.”
“And that too is my fault,” I admit as I reach down carefully with my hand into the side pocket of my seat, searching for what I need. I don’t want Angie to see me. It will probably just make her more afraid. “I have a lot to atone for when it comes to you, but I promise you that I will. I will make sure you want for nothing.”
“Sam, I’m moving past anger and into panic. What have you done?”
