Page 118 of Angel

CHAPTER 48

ANGEL

My father has made a good case. I wonder if Sophie will be as impressed when she learns the truth. I have no doubt in my mind that is on the agenda tonight, and yet I can’t help but admit Gabriel is right. She deserves to learn the truth. We really don’t have anything to hide—well, concerning this matter anyway.

Gabriel is only happy when he is discussing his work. The science side of it, that is. He uses his knowledge to gather intelligence for The Wild Angels and directs us to the right place to clean up this town.

Battling criminality is his hobby. He does it out of revenge for what happened when Sophie’s father was killed. That one day affected so many lives and not in a good way. It marked a pivoting point in all of our lives and now it’s come full circle and brought the three survivors together for the first time.

I have many secrets I’m keeping from Sophie. This one will be the easiest to explain.

* * *

Dinner is as expected. Phenomenal. I must hand it to Gabriel; he called in a huge favor tonight. Marcel was gregarious, entertaining and knowledgeable and obviously charmed the panties off Sophie. He impressed her with his food and his personality, and I’m glad when he packs up his knives and leaves.

Her eyes shine as we head back to the living room and as Gabriel hands her another whiskey, I wave mine away.

“I prefer coffee.”

He presses a number on his phone.

“Garrity will bring us a tray.”

He explains. “My only member of staff.”

She smiles and as he settles back in his chair, he glances at the painting of mom and smiles.

Sophie grips my hand and I sense her sympathy and swallow hard.

“At the risk of ruining a very pleasant evening, there is something you should know.”

Gabriel nods as he returns his attention to the matter at hand, and I grip Sophie’s hand a little tighter.

“There was a reason you were sent to me with your problem.”

She stills, her earlier happiness vanquished in seconds as she fears the worst.

“What reason?”

Her tone is off, hesitant, worried.

“Because Johnathan Powell is my father and is sitting opposite you now.”

The blood drains from her face and she snatches her hand away. Her gaze swiveling between us, horror in her expression.

“No.”

She gasps, tears welling in her eyes and Gabriel adds softly, “I’m sorry, Sophie, but I didn’t kill your father. Neither of us did.”

“But mom told me otherwise.”

Her sob catches on her words and I say gently, “We will tell you everything that happened that day. It won’t be a lie either. I was there. I saw what happened.”

She brushes the tears away that are falling like rapids from her eyes and sniffs, “You were there?”

Gabriel sighs. “I’m sorry. We all have reason to mourn that day. They came for me; I was their target.”

“Perhaps you should start at the beginning.”