Page 55 of Jake's Angel
My knees buckle. To keep myself from passing out, I drop to the floor and sit. “I don’t feel so good. I need water.” My throat is dry, my eyes burning with unshed tears. I draw my knees closer to my chest as a protective shield as I try to process everything said so far this morning.
“Hang tight, Bug. We’re going to tell you everything you want to know, but you have to stay here and let him explain it to you. You got me?” Knowing there’s no way any of them would let me make it out that door without tackling me to the ground, I give aslight nod and grip the arms of the chair as I move to sit back in it again.
CHAPTER SEVENTEEN
JAKE
“Prospect!Bring me a bottle of water! Now!” I bellow out into the hall. Avery’s gaze darts to the open door. Thoughts of running are evident in her eyes. The thought is temporarily put to rest when Caleb’s strong paw squeezes her shoulder with a firm but gentle authority. The way he touches her doesn’t anger me the way Pop’s does, but then again, she wasn’t physically hurt under Caleb’s watch.
Taking the water bottle to her, twisting off the cap, I place it in her hand. “Drink, Angel.”
It only takes a second for her to register the command in my voice. The displeasure written all over her face. When I nudge her arm, cocking a brow with the subtle, but still present, command to do it, she glares back at me. The fire in her eyes from earlier has returned.
She wants to tell me where I can shove the bottle, but seems to think better of it and takes a small sip instead.
Good girl.
I walk back to my spot across the room, deciding the distance between Gabe and me is for the best right now. Glancing over my shoulder, watching to make sure she’s still drinking, I notice the “fuck you” is still burning in her eyes, focused on me. I goad her with a wink and watch, amused when she rolls her eyes.
Keep it up Angel. I’m sure I could come up with a few ways to tame your bratty side.
I cock my eyebrows in challenge. She backs down, looking behind her to Caleb.
Good girl.
He must be reading my mind because the edge of his mouth curls in a half smirk.
Gabe, however, isn’t smiling in the slightest. He’s studying her every move with intensity.
Does he realize the pain he’s caused her? Caused all of us? He lied to his entire family about his daughter’s death. The ramifications of his decisions weigh heavily on all of us, but the brunt of it is unfolding right here, in front of us all.
Avery is like a small bird whose wings have been clipped. Where she once had fire and a glint of hope for the life she thought she was going to build here with Sadie, she now seems hollow, frightened at what’s coming.
The small smartass gestures she shares with me are the only glimmer of hope.
“Is this about money? Are you only telling me now because Gramps is paying you to help keep me safe?” The tears she’s been holding back have finally broken loose. I want nothing more than to wrap her in my arms and comfort her, but she wouldn’t accept it from me. Not yet.
Though she seems to trust me more than my brothers, I’mone of them. It’s going to take time for her to get comfortable with my touch. With who I am to her.
Whoa! I’m not anything to her. And newsflash! She’s the Pres’s daughter, asshole!
“Of course not!” Gabe’s harsh voice pulls me out of my mental fog. His head snaps back, a shocked expression darkening his features.
“Was my mother … was she one ofthem? One of those women out there. A club whore?” She points to the door where we recently left Drea and the other girls.
Where I asked her if she wanted to audition to be a whore herself.
I could kick my own ass for my stupidity.
“Absolutelynot!” Gabe growls. “I think you’ve got the wrong idea about your mother and me, sweetheart.”
“Don’t. Call. Me. That. You haven’t earned the right.” The fire has returned, treachery and deceit stoking the embers from within.She’s pissed!
Gabe’s hands come up trying to show his surrender, but she’s pushing further. No gesture or sweet words are going to soothe her. I have to admit—it fills me with pride to watch her.
“What’s your angle in all of this?” She waves her hand between Gabe and Pop. “Did Gramps pay you to bring me here and hide me away while he tries to fix whatever the hell is going on with Cusenza? Are you just a paid babysitter? The last guy who was paid to babysit and keep me in line recently got shot to death. I’ll admit, Chuck used much more convincing methods thanI’m your daddyto earn his money.” A low, guttural growl rumbles through my chest.
Christ, she’s on a roll.