Total pages in book: 33
Estimated words: 30657 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 153(@200wpm)___ 123(@250wpm)___ 102(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 30657 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 153(@200wpm)___ 123(@250wpm)___ 102(@300wpm)
“Reality TV?” I ask.
“Yes, please!” I turn on the TV before scooping my kitten up and bringing him over to cuddle. Abel had saved him. He took in a stray kitten and cared for it. In his own way, the man is sweet.
“Angel.” My eyes flutter open. I must have dozed off. How? I have no clue. I should have been pacing back and forth. Abel pushes a piece of hair out of my face. "Did you eat, or did you only have hot chocolate today?"
I blink the sleep out of my eyes while sitting up. “That’s what you’re asking me?”
“Need to make sure you’re taken care of.” He shrugs. I can see the uncertainty in his eyes. I know it’s not because of what he’s done but because he’s gauging my reaction to him.
He’s probably at a loss for how to handle this now that there is a finality to it all. I mean, who could’ve even made something like this up? There is no right or wrong way to handle any of it.
“I’m fine. More importantly, how are you?” I reach up to touch his face, wanting to reassure him that my feelings for him haven’t changed after everything. He leans into my palm and lets out a long breath, as though my touch has lifted a weight off of his shoulders.
“I missed you.” He turns his head, kissing the palm of my hand.
“I missed you too.” Abel scoops me up into his arms, then turns to sit on the couch with me straddling him.
“You don’t hate me?” I shake my head no. “You’re not scared of me?”
“No, I’m not scared of you, Abel.” I rest my hands on his chest. “Is it done?”
“Yes” is all he says. He is still worried about what my reaction is going to be. Like I’m a ticking bomb that he is waiting to go off. I don’t want him to live that way. In fact, I want to give Abel something I don’t think anyone else ever has.
“I love you, Abel.”
“Angel—”
“No, let me finish.” I cut him off. “I love all of you. I know I get Abel and everyone else gets Church, but he’s a part of you. Both of you make up each other. And I love all of you,” I say again. “Unconditionally.”
“How could you?” His question breaks my heart for him. He doesn’t think he deserves it.
“Because of how you love me. I can love you unconditionally because I know you'll always think of what's best for me and us before you act. That you’ll put me before everything else.”
“Always,” he vows. “I love you so damn much.” His big hands cup my face. "I understand that I have a tendency to be overbearing."
“Crazy?” I fill in with a smile.
“Something like that.”
I shrug. “I think I might be a little crazy too,” I admit. “But you still love me.”
“Forever.”
“Forever,” I agree, leaning in to kiss one of the most feared men in the city. A man that gives some nightmares while all he ever gives me is sweet dreams.
EPILOGUE
ABEL
Years later
“I’m not trying to get my ass in trouble.” Nikolai runs his hands through his hair, frustrated. I think he’s about to be a whole lot more frustrated when he finds out what I have done.
Fortunately for all, I am a psychopath who is fixated on Angel. Even down to the air she breathes. I have to know everything. Thankfully, I have a wife that finds my obsession with her sweet. At least that’s what she calls it. Sweet is a word that only she has ever used to describe me.
“They deserve to have a girls’ weekend,” Matteo adds. His expression doesn’t match his words. He knows damn well that he’s not in agreement with this whole thing. His wife, Mona, must have threatened him. Lord knows she’s the only one that could ever get away with such a thing.
The girls left a few hours ago from Angel’s and my place. I'd built us a home just outside of the city. Once we had kids, I didn’t like bringing my work home any longer. Although I don't work as frequently as I used to, Matteo occasionally needs my help to obtain necessary information. But for the most part, I’m retired from that life.
“No need to worry, Church. We had the whole spa cleared out. The place is all theirs except for the staff that has all been vetted.” Nikolai pulls out his phone. We all know he’s checking on them. I’m surprised he let Riley out of his sight.
“And guards are on hand,” Matteo adds.
My Angel always has a panic button. It's on the cuff bracelet I made for her. She never takes it off, knowing it gives me peace of mind. When you're the monster that haunts many people's dreams, you understand the truth of the darkness that exists in the world better than anyone.