“Mr. Daniels is not accepting visitors today.” The second response expressed even more annoyance than the first. Again, the line went dead.
He pounded on the button the next time until he got the man’s attention.
“I am poised to call the police if you do not vacate the premises immediately.”
“Reynolds? It’s me, Angel. Could you let us in?”
“Angel? Is that man holding you prisoner?”
Angel smiled. She had surprised him. Reynolds had never called her by her first name. “No, Reynolds. This is Vex. He saved me. Open the gates for us?”
“Of course, Miss Daniels. Right away.”
“Fucking snob,” Vex muttered under his breath as he pulled through the gates. Angel reached over to put her hand on his thigh. She gave him a squeeze. “What? He is.”
“He’s trained to keep people out, Vex. He’s doing his job.”
“I think he enjoys being a total ass,” Vex said.
“He’s nice to me. Reynolds was happy to hear my voice. He can’t be completely bad, right?”
“Maybe,” Vex said, coming to the end of the long drive and parking the large truck at the bottom of the stairs leading to the front door. “Stay there. I’ll help you out.”
“Yes, Daddy.”
That phrase and her sweet smile evaporated some of his anger. Thank goodness he’d come with her. Stalking around the bed of the truck, he kept his eye on the door. By the time he’d lifted her down from the seat, a stream of a half-dozen people stood outside the massive doors.
Angel rushed forward and stopped two steps up to glance at Vex. He understood she didn’t want to get too far from him. Vex quickly joined her and placed a hand on the small of her spine to reassure her. As they reached the top, the group shifted back. Vex smirked. Presenting a badass appearance was an art.
“Miss Daniels! We were so worried about you when we heard you’d been kidnapped. Are you okay?” a kindly-looking woman in an apron asked.
“Thanks to Vex, I’m good. I’m recovering more every day,” Angel assured them. She stepped forward to hug each person. Vex kept his eyes on them. He trusted no one.
“Um. Vex, is it?” a stuffy man in a suit asked.
“Yes. I’m Vex.” He confirmed with an upward nod.
The man held out his hand. “Thank you for saving, Angel. She’s a favorite of the staff.”
Vex hesitated before shaking the man’s hand. “Reynolds?” he guessed.
“You’re on the approved list now, sir.”
“Approved list, huh?” Vex contained his laugh of disbelief. What kind of world did these people live in? Angel settled at his side to slide her fingers between his.
“Thank you, Reynolds. Is Father in his office?”
“Of course. He was pleased to hear you’ve come home. I’ll get your room refreshed for you,” Reynolds said.
“No thank you, Reynolds. I’m staying with Vex. He keeps me safe,” Angel said before turning to Vex. “Shall we go see my father?”
“Lead on, Angel.”
Vex focused on his Little girl as she walked through a house decorated from the luxurious flooring under his feet to the ornate ceilings. He’d never been invited into any place like this. A snort escaped his nostrils at the thought of kicking back with a beer on the couches that didn’t look like anyone had ever sat on them.
Angel gave him a curious sidelong glance, and he smiled to reassure her as he kept from cataloguing the obviously pricey artwork scattered elegantly through the spaces they walked through. He didn’t want anyone to accuse him of casing the place. Vex knew hidden cameras tracked his every moment. His skin itched at the thought of growing up under such scrutiny, and he squeezed Angel’s hand.
“Are you okay?” she whispered.
