“As you wish, sir. That doesn’t change our appreciation for your efforts.” The butler met Vex’s gaze directly. “Another visitor is arriving.”
Vex nodded and ushered Angel through the doorway. He checked the drive as they descended the stairs. They’d reached the borrowed truck when a fancy sports car appeared.
Angel followed his glance and shook her head. “I do not need this after talking to my father. That’s Trevor.”
“You don’t have to talk to him, Baby girl. This truck will roll completely over that midget car.”
A soft giggle escaped her lips. “I needed that image. No. On second thought, I’d rather get this over,” she told Vex before narrowing her eyes to add, “Don’t punch him.”
“I’m not promising anything,”
The car parked, and a tall, well-dressed man unfolded from the driver’s seat. Vex rolled his eyes at Trevor’s polished appearance. That jerk had never struggled a day in his life. Thank goodness Angel hadn’t fucked him. Good sex would mess up that perfectly styled hair.
“Angel! My God, I’m glad to see you. I’ve messaged you, but you haven’t answered.” He rushed forward with concern etched on his face. When he reached to hug her, Vex stepped in front of him.
“Who are you?” the man demanded, looking past Vex toward Angel. “Who is this, Angel?”
She spoke quickly. “Trevor, this is Vex. He’s the man who rescued me. He and his friends.”
“Of course. Thank you, Vex,” Trevor said, changing his tone immediately. He held out his hand to shake Vex’s.
Vex didn’t offer his in return. “Trevor,” he snarled. How long had Angel’s supposed fiancé left her in danger?
Trevor dropped his hand as if completely confused by Vex’s response. “I’m not sure what’s going on here.”
“Trevor, we found out father didn’t pay the ransom for my release but left me with those men,” Angel told him.
“What? He never mentioned that to me. Why would he refuse?”
Vex had seen the shadow cross Trevor’s face at the mention of ransom. He didn’t believe for a moment the two men hadn’t discussed that. And probably agreed. He sent a warning look to Angel, but her attention was focused on the polished man in front of them.
“He said something about how giving them money would encourage future kidnappings,” Angel explained.
“That does make sense,” Trevor said, nodding. The jerk quickly backtracked when Angel recoiled. “I mean, I can see how. The threat could increase in the future if he met the criminals’ demands—not that he should have left you there.”
“Right,” Vex drawled, glaring at Trevor. He clenched his fist, tempted to deck Angel’s ex-fiancé as well. If he’d had proof Trevor had played a role in leaving her in the Ravagers’ hands, Vex would have taught him a lesson on how to protect his next fiancée.
Angel wrapped her fingers around his. Vex relaxed his hand and turned his palm to meet hers. She smiled at him as if he lit the sun as she linked her fingers with his.
Trevor stared at their joined hands and asked, “Angel? What’s going on?”
“I’m sorry, Trevor. I don’t know how to say this, but I’m going to break our engagement. I can’t marry you.” Angel added quickly, “Luckily we hadn’t set a date or made any arrangements.”
Vex didn’t attempt to keep the triumph from his gaze. You lost her, Trevor.
“Angel? What are you saying? Of course we’re getting married. You’ll need some time to recover from this. Then you’ll remember how perfect we are together. Our families….”
She interrupted him before Vex could. “My family left me trapped in a dark room with men who beat, starved, and humiliated me. I would have died there before my family paid my ransom.”
“You’re safe now. That’s the most important thing. You can always get some therapy in a few months if these memories linger,” Trevor said.
“You need to get out of that magical palace you live in more often, bud. They’re still after Angel and won’t stop until they capture her or we take them down. I know which one I prefer. Would you like to join us when we ride to end them?” Vex suggested, confident exactly how Trevor would react.
Trevor stared at Vex for a second as he processed that information. He dragged his gaze from Vex to address Angel privately. “This sounds like something to leave to the police, Angel. Come with me. Let’s go inside and discuss this calmly.”
Angel studied Trevor for a long moment. The pause made Vex worry that she was actually thinking about walking away from Vex. Finally, she opened her mouth and said, “I would still be there if Vex had left my rescue for another discussion. I think enough talking has happened here. Don’t bother messaging or calling. Nothing will make me change my mind. Oh, and they took your ring, Trevor, or I’d return the diamond to you.”
“Go check with Viper. He loves sit-down meetings of the mind,” Vex suggested as he opened the truck door for Angel. He turned his back on Trevor, completely dismissing him. Scooping his Baby girl up in his arms, Vex lifted her into the passenger seat and fastened her seatbelt.
