Page 56 of Merciless Angel

My shoulders deflated as some of the stiffness left my body. Maybe part of me had been waiting for her permission to care about them. My Angels. I’d been afraid to let myself feel anything for them that wasn’t utter revulsion and loathing. I still didn’t know them all that well, but I’d caught glimpses of something more beneath their hard exteriors. Something human and real.

“Thanks, Raina. You have no idea how much that means to me.” When the server brought my second double, I chugged back half of it and said, “Now let’s figure out how to screw over the Angels.”

CHAPTER TWENTY-SEVEN

CASH

I watched Clover enter the police station from down the block. They’d been waiting for her when she got out of class. I’d been waiting for her too. Once I saw the cops, I kept my distance, making sure I didn’t draw their attention.

We had no choice but to let Clover leave the house. She had classes to attend, and as much as we wanted to keep an eye on her, she wasn’t a hostage. She was free to live her life. Since we had no way to track her, I’d volunteered to watch her. Personally, I thought it was high time to strap a tracking chip to her body or put a tracking app on her phone.

While she was in the police station, I debated on whether or not to tell Daire and Blaze. No doubt they’d freak out and assume the worst. Although I didn’t know for sure, my gut told me that she wouldn’t rat us out.

When Clover finally emerged from the station, she hurried to her car and took off. She seemed stressed. I followed her, keeping my distance. She led me right to a lounge not far from campus. She entered alone.

I almost got out and followed. Until Raina Monroe showed up. She checked her surroundings before getting out of her SUV. Smart girl. She knew better than to assume her safety. A lesson Clover still had to learn.

While they engaged in their girl talk inside, I sat down the street in my car, scrolling on my phone. Time ticked by, leading me to wonder what they could be discussing that would take so long. Something they wanted to discuss alone. No Gods. No us.

Maybe it shouldn’t have piqued my suspicions, but it did. What was our Sunshine up to?

Finally, they both emerged. Clover wobbled slightly as she descended the two steps leading into the lounge. She broke into laughter, throwing her head back as Raina reached to steady her.

Raina nodded to her SUV, most likely offering Clover a ride. She seemed too tipsy to drive. Clover shook her head, holding up her phone. Ordering an Uber. Raina pulled her into a hug before they parted ways.

I waited for Raina to drive away before slipping from my car. Hands stuffed in my pockets, I sauntered over to where Clover leaned against the building. She tapped around on her phone screen as she placed her Uber order.

I plucked the phone from her grasp. She gasped, glancing up with shock splayed over her face. She relaxed when she saw that it was me.

“Cash, what are you doing here? Were you following me?”

“Damn right I was.” I cancelled the Uber and closed out the app before handing her phone back. “What did you tell the cops?”

She visibly paled. Gnawing her bottom lip, she glanced around, making sure nobody was within earshot. “Nothing. I told them that I haven’t seen Zane since we broke up. They grilled me, but I didn’t give them anything else. I swear.”

“I believe you. Ratting us out would only land your own ass in hot water anyway.” I reached to tuck a strand of hair behind her ear. “No worries, Sunshine. Everything will be all right. There’s no evidence linking us to Zane. The cops can’t do shit.”

Clover nodded, her face pinched with worry. “I hope not. One of them really wanted me to slip up and give them something. I stuck to my story. They don’t know a damn thing.”

“Good girl. Let’s head home.” Sliding an arm around her shoulders, I steered her over to my SUV. Once she was inside and we were in motion, I asked, “What were you and Raina talking about?”

Clover did a double take, her brows pinched together. “Nothing important. I told her about the police. She has more experience with this kind of thing than I do. I wanted her feedback.”

“Did she have anything helpful to say?” Studying Clover closely, I searched her for anything that would tip me off. There was a secretive vibe to her that triggered my instincts.

“Uh, yeah. She told me not to worry about it. That the cops can’t do shit without evidence. I guess I know that. It’s just shocking to find two officers standing outside my classroom, you know?”

Clover fidgeted with her seatbelt, pulling it so it stretched long before letting it go back to being snug against her. She caught her lip between her teeth, nibbling it voraciously. Her nervous gestures were driving me nuts.

I waited until we’d left the busy streets behind and turned into the residential area near our house. That’s when I pulled the car over and turned off the engine.

Clover stiffened. “Why are we stopping?”

I turned in my seat to face her. “What are you up to, Clover? I want the truth.”

“I don’t know what you’re talking about. I’m not up to anything.” She held my gaze without so much as flinching.

“I don’t believe you. My gut is telling me that you and Raina are up to something. Spill it.”