Independence: #2 Angel (38 page)

“It hurts,” she admitted, blinking at him and gazing through the fog of tears. “Are we safe?”

Colin felt his heart shred at the shaking, fearful little voice.

“We’re safe.”

“I’ve arrested Elizabeth Morehouse, Angel,” Natalie Templeton paced the hard packed sand, her gaze on the screen of her phone in her hands. “As far as we can tell, neither your father or brothers were involved in this mess tonight. Our information says they had honestly written off Leonard once they were told the truth about him in Vianne’s report.”

“You shouldn’t have gone off with her, Angel.”

“She said she had people watching you. And my grandparents. I had to,” she whispered. “I can’t let anything happen to you or them. I can’t.”

“It’s alright,” Colin soothed, his palm stroking over her head as she leaned into his arms. The EMT was behind her, gently prodding her scalp and dabbing at the blood.

“She’s coherent and never lost consciousness,” the EMT said, sitting on his heels behind her. “I don’t think there’s a problem with her just going home. Ice might help and some over the counter pain killers. If the headache continues, take her to your doctor.”

“Thanks,” Colin stood up and carefully helped her to her feet. “Angel…”

“I’m okay. I can walk,” she said, blinking and looking around at the bright lights and collection of people who had come from the direction of the yacht. “The boat is sinking.”

Crystal offered a little shrug from her side. “Yeah…well…I’m sure there was hull rot or…something…”

“Thanks,” Angel said with the first hint of a grin. “Thank you for being there. Come over to the shop sometime for coffee and food.”

“We can give you a lift back to the parking lot,” Crystal suggested.

“I’d like to walk,” Angel answered but glanced up at Colin. “If it’s okay.”

He continued to watch her, tightening his arm on her waist when she saw the black bag and the people collecting Leonard from the sand.

“Walking is fine. I left the SUV in the parking lot of the marina and hitched a lift with Abe when he went to the meet area for his daughter.” He deliberately turned them away from the police and forensic people. “Don’t watch, Angel. He won’t be missed. The lieutenant told me his rats have already disserted the sinking ship. They have all the data of him and your…Elizabeth Morehouse talking to you and threatening you. She won’t be set free, Angel. Conspiracy to abduct along with a page of other charges will have her sent away for a long time.”

“I used to try so hard to…to get her to like me. When I was little, I’d make things for her,” a soft laugh slipped free. “I knew she hated me, but I kept trying. Silly, huh?”

“A child wanting a mother’s love. Nothing at all silly about it,” Colin told her softly. He couldn’t begin to put words to the relief inside him at the moment and listening to her helped reinforce the fact that she was with him. That some jealous, crazy woman hadn’t managed to take her away from him.

“Will I have to see her? I don’t want to. I don’t want to see any of them.” She brought one hand up and swiped at the tears on her face, angry that they were there.

“I don’t know, Angel,” Colin answered honestly. “There shouldn’t be a reason for you to be subpoenaed. There are more than enough witnesses, but it will depend on her defense attorney. I’ll be there with you.”

“I try not to…but I can’t help think how much I’ve messed up your life lately.”

“Go back to trying not to think about that, because it isn’t true,” Colin pulled a set of keys from the pocket of his jacket. “You didn’t do anything. All the people intent on involving themselves in your life are responsible for this, not you.”

“That’s what I keep hearing,” she replied with a little laugh.

“Then it obviously must be true,” he turned her against the seat, his hands framing her face in the open doorway. “Let’s go home.”

“I hear there’s a cool tree at your house…and someone promised me a wild night with nothing but lights and us.”

“And that will wait until you’re better. Tonight nothing more strenuous than something to eat and drink, some pain pills and a long soak in the tub.”

Angel sighed and let her head fall on his chest, the strong beat of his heart telling her just where home was.

“I love you. I never thought I’d know what that meant until I met you,” she raised her head and kissed him.

“I never knew it could mean so many things until I found you.”

“Wash my back for me?”

“Hmm…why do I feel like I’m being topped from the bottom again?”

“Now that would make me a naughty little sub, wouldn’t it?” The soft laughter she offered somehow managed to finish erasing the last of the fear and anger that had been reigning inside him. He lifted her to the seat and kissed her nose.

Home, he thought, would always have an Angel in it.