Angel Mabbot is the
perfect daughter.
Perfection has always been an expectation set forth
by her adoring father and her overbearing, neglectful mother. Knowing she can never live up to
their standards, Angel falls into a life of partying, drinking and pills in an effort to dull the pain of her
insecurities and perceived failures.
Kevin Hawken, a former business partner of Angel’s
father, has always loved Angel, although she has no idea who he is. Angel's substance induced state of
mind forces her to question what is real.
And Kevin is too good to be real.
Caught in the clutches of Roman Conti, a notorious and
dangerous Mob boss from Italy, Angel slips under Roman’s control. A control she can't escape.
And the only man who can rescue her...
Is a man she believes existed only in her dreams.
Nostalgia washes over me
as I start to walk down the hall.
“Angel?” A surprised, sad
whisper floats to me.
That voice. I’ve been
dreaming endlessly about the man who belongs to that voice; his timbre is solace to the empty
existence I now possess. The ache in my heart deepens, and the pain I felt when I watched him get
pushed into the plane intensifies.
I force my legs to move
faster down the hall. Every step feels laden as my feet drag me toward the door of my classroom, but
fingers grip my arm and haul me to a stop before I can make my escape.
“If you think I’m just going
to let you walk away from me…” He growls, his words trailing off.
He pulls me away from
the door, and his body envelopes mine, crushing me to him, my back to his front. I’m hyper aware of
how great he feels against me. His arms are around me, a hand right underneath my breasts, the other
gripping my chin, turning my head so I can meet his blazing hazel eyes – the green shinning brighter. I
take a big inhale, branding his intoxicating scent in me. I don’t ever want to forget him.
“What the fuck is going
on, Angel?” The harshness of his words doesn't match the soft tone spilling out of his beautiful mouth.
“Why are you running away from me?”
“I’m staying with him,” I
say, choking on my tears. “I've realized I love him, and I don’t want you anymore.”
Kevin’s face twists in
pain as if I've just stabbed a knife through his heart, and his arms tighten around me uncomfortably.
“I’m leaving to go back to
him after the day ends.”
“Over my fucking dead
body. I’m not letting you go back to that motherfucker.” His words echo loudly.
I break free from his hold
not wanting to bring more attention to us, and stand directly in front of him, not meeting his hard,
penetrating gaze.
“Look at me,’ he
commands gently, lifting my chin up with his finger.
My resolve breaks into a
million pieces.
A tear slips down my
cheek, falling onto his hand, and Kevin curses, crushing our bodies together again. I claw and cling
to him with as much force as he’s giving me, but not feeling close enough, and I cry out in sorrow.
I let his warmth promise
me the possibility of a happily ever after as I let go of his jacket and snake my arms around him, pulling
him closer. I want to give him back what he’s been giving me - a love deep enough to cure our broken
souls. He saved me all those years ago, and he’s saving me now.
I tilt my head back to take
in the site of the gorgeous man holding me. His eyes pools with tears, his face awash with deep longing,
adoration for me. Just me.
Our lips smash together
as his tears start to fall. The sweetness of his mouth and the saltiness of our tears tastes magical.
I don’t want a life without
him.
Phalla S. Rios lives in
California with her husband, a daughter and two goofy pit bulls. She loves to read and write while
drinking her favorite tea, Joy, from Starbucks. During her spare time, she is usually at the movies or
looking for the next best place to eat. She often refers to herself as a foodie. Her debut novel is Not
at First. She is currently writing the sequel, Always at First.
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