Page 124 of Angel

I don’t take the helmet.

“No.”

He raises his eyes and I drag in a deep breath.

“I’m sorry, I can’t do this anymore.”

“Do what?”

His husky tones sweep over my reservations, attempting to push them aside.

I pull them back in place.

“I don’t want this, Angel. I’m with, well, I’m in love with a man and he wouldn’t appreciate our friendship.”

He raises his eyes, almost as if my words amuse him.

“You can’t have male friends. Who is this guy?”

“You know who he is. You sent me to him, remember?”

I roll my eyes. “Anyway, we both know what happens when we’re alone and well, that is in the past. I am no cheater.”

“Did I ask you to cheat on him?”

He thrusts the helmet toward me.

“As I said, we need to talk, and it’s best you’re prepared for what I’m about to say.”

“Can’t you tell me here?”

My mind is working hard to delay the inevitable, and he shakes his head.

“No.”

With a sigh, I pull the helmet down on my head and slide behind him on the back of the Harley, conscious not to hold him too close, hating I’m here at all.

Today will be closure. I no longer want to help them. It’s not fair on Jason for me to be tied up with this MC club. It was fun when I was single, but that ship has sailed and Jason is everything I want in life, and I won’t jeopardize that for a cheap thrill with Angel.

* * *

This time he takes me to the beach, a small private one where the house stands empty a short distance from the shoreline.

He parks up and helps me off the bike, and I wish that shivers didn’t run like rapids through my soul when he touches me.

I snatch my arm away and cross my arms in front of me. A defensive pose I hope he picks up on.

His eyes flash as he jerks his head toward the sand and I shake my head.

“I’m going to work. The sand will get everywhere.”

“Okay.”

He leans back against the bike and his eyes flash above his mask as he speaks.

“Sam Goodman was found hanging from his garage beam early this morning.”

The blood must drain from my face as I whisper. “Dead?”