Page 74 of Devil’s Promise

Rush’s eyes narrow, his lips pulling into the slightest one-sided grin. Then his gaze flicks to Angel. “So. What’s the plan?”

CHAPTER TWENTY-FIVE

Angel

We arrive at the country club in an entourage, Knox driving behind Killian’s car, Rush and then Mason driving behind us. Filing in behind Mason is Axel, who arrived just as the plan had been detailed.

We’re late.

Don stands on the front steps of the club, tension clear in every line of his body. Next to him, his campaign manager, a few men I don’t know, and then Vincent Morelli and his son, Vinnie.

Vinnie is wearing a fucking tux.

It only takes me a second to piece it together.

Don has plans to change grooms for today’s event. How he plans to sell that, I have no idea and I don’t care. Promise is mine.

Who did he think he was fucking with, and how did he think this would go down?

Did he think I was just going to give Promise back? Let another man touch what is fucking mine?

And this isn’t just about Don anymore, or even attraction. Promise is mine to protect, to care for.

I’ve always been loyal to my brothers. But they are also free to come and go, able to protect themselves. They have provided brotherhood, but Promise…she is like a beautiful ray of sunshine, a reward, the person who could fill my life with a sort of happiness that I’d never thought I’d experience…and in return, she requires me to fight for her.

It’s not about me or my ambitions. And that life I was fighting for…it’s right in front of me if I can get past my own shit long enough to see it.

And that has been clarifying in ways that I never imagined possible.

But my first move is to keep Promise away from her father. Possession is nine-tenths of the law and Don isn’t getting his filthy fucking hands anywhere near her.

Which is why as our vehicle stops, my hand covers Promise’s. “You stay in the car, love.”

She looks at me, cocking her head, before something else catches her gaze. She turns. “Candy,” she whispers, nodding her chin.

“Knox,” I say to my brother. “Collect our favorite esthetician and put her in the car next to Promise.”

“How come I don’t get to collect Candy?” Rock complains.

“Because,” Knox answers for me, “everyone knows how you operate.”

“I can be a fucking gentleman,” Rock spits.

“Rock, I need you to be at my side and ready to bring the crazy.”

Knox gets out of the car, crossing to where Candy sits in an old Volkswagen Beetle. I almost don’t recognize her because, for the wedding apparently, her hair is a very demure shade of brown.

Killian gets out of his car, walking to the passenger side and handing out a blonde woman. His lips brush her forehead before he hands her into the back of his car.

One by one, Rush and then Mason do the same. Axel gets out last, all four men converging outside my car door. “Show time, Rock.”

That’s when Knox comes back with Candy. Promise scoots over even as Candy is placed into the car. Promise pulls her into a hug.

“Promise,” Candy gasps. “Why is Vinnie here? Did you invite him too?”

Vinnie? How does Candy know the Morrelli heir?

Promise shakes her head. “I don’t know why he’s here.”