“Father! It’s Angel.”
“Is this some sick ploy to get money out of me?” her father demanded.
“I was rescued, Father. The Ravagers don’t have me anymore,” Angel told him.
“Where are you? I’ll send a car for you?”
Angel spoke quickly to cover Vex’s “Fuck no!” at the thought her father wouldn’t come to get her himself. “I’m staying here, Father. I’m with the people that freed me. The Ravagers had two captives. They freed me as well.”
“So now they’re holding you for ransom?”
“No, Father. I’m staying here because I’m safe.”
“Stop playing around, Angel. You need to come home.”
“Mr. Daniels, Angel will remain here with me. That is not negotiable. She called to let you know she’s safe. I will bring her to visit you if and when she decides she’d like to see you. Goodnight.”
Angel stared at him in disbelief. Vex had handled her father, a mover and shaker in the highest levels of business, perfectly. And, her father hadn’t gotten what he wanted. That never happened. “Thank you.”
“My pleasure.”
Trevor was up next.
“Yes, who is this?” Trevor demanded. To her surprise, she felt nothing upon hearing his voice. No relief at finally talking to him. No joy at reconnecting.
“Trevor, it’s me. Angel. I wanted to let you know I’m safe.”
“I’m on my way to your apartment,” he said immediately. Keys rustled in the background, and the sound of a door closing leaked through their connection.
“I’m not there or at my parents’ house,” Angel said quickly.
“Where are you?”
“I’m with the man who rescued me. I’m staying here for a while.”
“I’ll come there. Give me the address.”
Vex shook his head. Angel couldn’t have supplied that information, anyway. She didn’t know where she was. She had not paid attention to the road names during their frightening escape from the Ravagers.
“Trevor, that’s not important now. I’m not up to seeing visitors.”
“I’m not a visitor, Angel. I’m your fiancé.”
Vex opened his mouth to say something, and Angel quickly leaned forward to place her fingers over his mouth. “Thank you for being concerned about me, Trevor. As you can imagine, being held captive was a terrifying experience. I need some time to recover before I reconnect with everyone.”
“And you’re hiding out somewhere you don’t want me to know?” He sounded astonished.
“For a while, Trevor. I wanted to reassure you that I am safe and free.”
“If you’re not being held somewhere, come home,” he demanded. “How do I know they’re not forcing you to say that to take the heat off? My rescue plans were coming together.”
That last statement exhausted the last of Vex’s ability to stay quiet. “Listen, cowardly asshole. Your unfinished rescue plans would have left Angel in grave danger. She could have died in there by the time you had the balls to make a move.”
Stunned silence met Vex’s declaration. Angel fell a bit more for Vex. He was right. Trevor would never have come to get her.
“Who are you?” Trevor demanded.
“The man who saved your ex-fiancée. Fair warning, I’m not giving her back.” Vex disconnected the call and exhaled an exasperated breath. “You were going to marry that spineless jerk? Come here. I need to hold you.” Vex scooped Angel up in his arms and hugged her on his lap, pressed tightly to his chest.
