“They will pay for what they put you through,” Adam vowed, his eyes glowing hot.
Anne nodded. Turning to Angelina, she weakly lifted her arms to hug her. Angelina wrapped the woman in her arms, holding her tightly. “I wouldn’t have made it without you,” she whispered over the rain. “And for that I can never repay you.”
“You just did,” Angelina whispered back. “Thank you, Anne.”
Chapter 14
Adam watched Slade and Jill help Anne back to the car. He felt a touch on his wrist and looked down at Angelina running her finger over her hairband.
“Why did you keep this?” Angelina asked, looking up, raindrops beading on her long eyelashes.
Slade passed them with the women, leaving them alone except for a few uniformed police officers as well as Sloan and Steve, who were still carrying stuff out of the house.
“Because it belonged to you,” Adam replied, holding her wrist and backing her into his car. The rain had let up, the lightening further in the distance, but the thunder still rumbled around them. “I’m sorry for what you’ve been through, Angel.”
Reaching up, she touched his cheek. “I’m stronger for it as long as you are by my side, Adam.” She pulled her hand away, her eyes brimming with uncertainty. “You are by my side, aren’t you?”
Clutching her sweet face between his hands, he took her lips in a kiss that had been building, a kiss he had wanted from the moment he saw her. He devoured her mouth, his body molding around her like a safe cocoon. Her kiss mirrored his own as she gave as good as she got. He pulled away, his eyes searching hers.
“Are you okay?” Adam asked, not wanting to scare or make her uncomfortable. “I would never do anything to intentionally hurt you.” Even though she wasn’t marked in any way, he didn’t know where her mind was, how hurt mentally she could be. The thought of her being hurt sent anger surging through his body making his hands shake with rage.
Angelina blushed, but shook her head. “He never…” She looked away. “I think he was too afraid of you. Every time he came in and tried, I would cry your name and tell him if he ever hurt me, you would kill him. After that, he would leave. I also think he may have loved me in some sick twisted way. He really believed I was his wife. He wouldn’t let any of the other men in my room. But he hurt Anne and the others. They all did, but only he came to my room night after night.” Angelina pushed away from Adam and looked up at him with a shaky smile. “But I don’t want to think or talk about that anymore unless I have to.”
Relief flowed through his mind and heart hearing that none of the other men used her in any way. “You don’t have to say anything else.” He pulled her to him tight, holding on as if making sure she was real and here at his side. “I won’t ever fail you again, Angelina.”
“You didn’t fail me, Adam.” Angelina pulled away slightly to look up at him. “I knew you’d be back for me.”
It felt like something slammed into his heart making it sink to his stomach, then rush back up to his throat. The faith she had in him was scary as hell, but meant more to him than anything ever had. He would make damn sure he never failed her, ever. “I will always be back for you, Angel.”
Leaning back down, Adam pushed her against his car, his lips slamming down on her. He couldn’t get enough, didn’t want to get enough. How he could have even thought about walking away and not fighting for her was enough to drive him insane, but never again. She was his and he would go through hell for her.
“Get a room!” Steve shouted out Sloan’s window as they passed, but he tossed them a thumbs up.
Adam laughed, shaking his head. “Let’s get out of this rain and get you home.”
The drive to her house was quiet as they held hands, simply enjoying being together again. Adam was doing his best to let it go, but a deep anger burned through him when he thought about the man who almost succeeded in taking his Angel away from him. Pulling into her driveway, Adam got out, walked around and opened the door for her.
“I look like a drowned rat,” Angelina laughed, but it was a nervous laugh as she looked at her house.
“You look beautiful.” He touched her cheek, running his thumb against her soft skin. He was reluctant to leave her and didn’t like the fact that neither her mother nor father came for her. “I think it’s time I meet your parents.”
Angelina didn’t say anything, but turned again to look at her house. “Listen, Adam, it’s not you, but I don’t know if that’s a good idea. I don’t know how they are going to react.”
“I hope to hell they react happy that you are okay.” Adam frowned, not liking her nervousness. She should be excited to be home, not acting like she’d rather be anywhere but here.