Page 89 of Angel

“What are you thinking?”

“Have we run a check on her manager, Frankie?”

“He checks out, but I’ll run it again.”

I make a mental note and glance at my wristwatch and sigh.

“We should leave. Life is crazy right now.”

“For some. I heard you’re dining with the elite this weekend. Sounds interesting.”

Ghost leans forward. “Remember, Sam Goodman is a person of considerable interest to the feds. I’m guessing this party will be a smokescreen for more business.”

“Which is why I am going with Sophie as well as protecting her from his extremely worn casting couch.”

The sound of their chairs scraping back ends the meeting and as they head to their day jobs, Havoc remains seated and my heart drops.

“How did she take it?”

“Badly.” He shakes his head. “I hated every minute of that, Angel. Especially trying to hit on her when she was in shock. That was a bad call.”

“Perhaps, but did she pass the test?”

“Of course she passed the fucking test. She backed off as soon as I started stroking her hair and I don’t blame her. The poor woman was devastated, and that was the last thing she needed.”

“I admit the timing was all wrong. Perhaps we should arrange another test.”

“Fuck you, Angel. You can find some other shmuck to do your test. I’m done with this shit.”

He pushes his chair back and heads off with an angry shake of his head, and I don’t blame him. It was in bad taste and I admit that.

The trouble is, I am so desperate to move things on with Sophie. I don’t want to waste another minute of not claiming my woman and yet I have my doubts.

Is it Angel, or masked men in general, that turn her on? She doesn’t know who I am. I could be anyone and yet, so far, the only man she has allowed anywhere near close enough is me.

Not Havoc, not Jason, not Giovanni, God rest his soul. Me. Angel. Perhaps it’s for the best if Jason takes over now.

CHAPTER 35

SOPHIE

I’m so nervous, and it’s not just because I can’t stand Sam Goodman. It’s Jason. I want to tell him about Angel. It’s the right thing to do, but what if he changes his opinion of me? I like where we’re heading and the close bond we’re forming. We are so similar and yet my infatuation with a masked man is firmly in the way of that.

He deserves to know. Then again, it’s only been a few days since he agreed to help me.

Angel sent me to Jason. Why would he do that?

He must believe that Jason will succeed. The strange thing is, since meeting Jason Prince, the urge to revenge my father’s death is slowly sliding down the to do list.

* * *

Jason is waiting when I approach the elevator, my overnight bag trailing behind me on wheels.

My mouth dries. He is so perfect. The black suit he is wearing is impeccable, and he has paired it with a black shirt and a brown leather belt. Sophisticated elegance without really trying. He doesn’t need the tuxedo, the bow tie, or the handkerchief in his top pocket. He is perfect in every way.

His eyes sparkle and his voice is husky. “You are beautiful, Sophie.”

I bask in his praise, reveling in the warmth from his words. I made a special effort tonight to shine. Not for Sam Goodman, not even for me. It was for Jason. I want to be good enough for him. Not Angel.