Page 48 of Merciless Angel

CHAPTER TWENTY-THREE

CLOVER

I hurried to answer the door before any of the guys beat me to it. First I took a second to refill my drink, using the scotch to burn the taste of Daire away.

“Holy shit, girl, you look rough. And I mean that in the best way.” Raina threw her arms around me as soon as I opened the door. “What have these dumb fucks done to you?”

In a short black skirt and a Led Zeppelin tank top, Raina was casual but gorgeous. Her blue eyes were lined in black, her lips a bright pink that I envied.

She shoved inside before I could stop her. I glanced uncertainly at her. “Are you sure that you want to come in? We can talk outside if it’s more comfortable for you.”

Raina’s gaze strayed to the stairs as she remembered the night the Angels abused and assaulted her. Her lips pressed tight together as she shook her head. “No, fuck that. Those dicks don’t have any power over me.”

Havoc, Gage, and Knight strode inside after her. I knew they’d never let her come alone. I still had a pit in my stomach, worried that having them in the same house as the Angels would lead to something violent and uncontrollable.

“Okay, if you’re sure. We can sit in the living room.” I led them into the living room, motioning for them to take a seat.

Raina sat on the leather couch, patting the spot next to her. She ignored the Angels gathered around the kitchen island, turning her back to them. “Come on, Clover. Let me hear it. What’s been going on with you? Did those dicks do something I should know about?”

Blaze scoffed but said nothing further. Daire snickered. Cash stood there silently, his gaze locked on the three Gods.

The Gods didn’t sit down. Instead, they stood near the large TV mounted above the fireplace, giving us space to talk but staying protectively close to Raina.

“No, this isn’t about them,” I said, trying not to look toward the Angels. “It’s about Zane. He’s dead.”

Raina took my hand, holding it between both of hers. “Oh my god, what happened? Tell me everything. I’m here for you, Clover.”

I sucked in a deep breath, hating that I had to relive it already. “He abducted me. Took me to a cabin in the woods and went absolutely mental.”

While everyone listened, I recounted what had happened. Raina’s eyes grew wider by the moment. I ended with how the Angels had found me and what they’d done to Zane.

“Don’t leave out the best part,” Daire broke in. “I cut off that motherfucker’s cock.”

That seemed to get Gage’s attention. “Seriously?”

“Yeah,” I confirmed. “That happened. I’d rather not remember it though. It was pretty gruesome.”

Despite the animosity between Gage and Daire, Gage seemed to be impressed. It was totally something he would do.

“Wow.” Raina slumped against the couch. “That is wild. I always had a gut feeling about Zane. I had no idea he was that messed up though. I’m glad you’re okay.”

“Thanks to us,” Blaze said, drawing everyone’s attention. “That sick fuck planned to take off with her. He got what he deserved.”

Raina turned on the couch to face the kitchen. “What about you guys? What do you all want with Clover? Still planning on keeping her for yourselves? How does that make you any different from Zane?”

My face flushed hot. I hadn’t expected her to call them out, although maybe I should have.

Daire shoved away from the island. He held a beer bottle in one hand, clutching it tight. “I don’t see how it’s any business of yours, but yes, Clover is ours. We’ve saved her ass twice now. I think she owes us that much.”

Cash edged closer to Daire, ready to have his back if a fight broke out. He remained quiet, analyzing the situation rather than mouthing off.

“She doesn’t owe you anything.” Raina shot to her feet.

I grabbed her arm, holding on for dear life. I didn’t trust her not to rush over there and punch Daire in the face.

“It’s cool, Raina,” I said, desperate to keep the situation from escalating. “Really, I’m fine. I can handle it.”

Raina was ready for a fight. She turned to me with fire in her eyes. “If you need help, just say the word. We’ll take you out of here right now. I won’t let them force you into anything.”