Total pages in book: 54
Estimated words: 50619 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 253(@200wpm)___ 202(@250wpm)___ 169(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 50619 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 253(@200wpm)___ 202(@250wpm)___ 169(@300wpm)
“No, Vex. I’m ready to go,” she told him in a voice that dripped with hurt.
Wrapping his arm around her thin waist, Vex hugged her to his side and studied her face to see if she was upset with him. Her small smile went straight to his heart. He needed to get her out of here. He turned and guided her toward the door as Mr. Daniels rose to his feet.
“Angel, I’m not done speaking to you.”
Vex opened his mouth to share his thoughts when she patted his chest. He allowed her to reply.
“Father, I’ve been held in horrendous circumstances for weeks when you could have secured my release long ago. I think it’s best if I leave before I have Vex teach me how to punch as well as he does.”
“Now, Angel, that’s not fair.”
“No, Father. Not fair is caring more about your wallet than about my survival. Perhaps when you reflect on the risk you exposed me to, you’ll understand that I’m not willing to thank you for leaving me there a second longer than necessary.”
“When you calm down….” Mr. Daniels started.
“Will be a cold day in hell.” Vex met the arrogant man’s gaze as he finished the ridiculous statement. Angel wouldn’t see her father again if Vex had anything to say about that choice. And he would have.
Reynolds opened the front door for them. “Miss Daniels, the staff hopes you recover quickly. Our thanks go to you, Mr. Vex, for rescuing her.”
“It’s Vex, Reynolds,” Vex growled.
“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….”