Page 27 of Merciless Angel

“Yeah, I found it on clearance last week. Fifty percent off.” I slid into the passenger seat, grateful for the air conditioning that blasted in my face.

I felt her do a double take. I didn’t see it since I was doing my best to avoid looking in her direction.

“Clover, what the hell? Are those bruises on your neck? Whose hands have you been wearing as a necklace? Don’t tell that’s from Zane.” Her tone took on a hard edge.

Sucking it up, I turned to face her, letting her see my cut lip. Pulling off my sunglasses, I said, “I have a few things to tell you. Can we just drive? Please? I’ll tell you everything. I promise.”

Raina stared at me so long I thought she’d lose it right then and there. Finally, she put the car in gear and pressed the gas. “Start talking, girl. You have no idea how hard it is for me to keep my shit together right now. What happened?”

“Okay, don’t freak out,” I began, swallowing hard. “Some of this is from Zane. He came to my room the other night after the party. He was shouting, and he lost his temper. He hit me. More than once.”

“That little motherfucker.” Raina squealed the tires as she pulled into traffic. “I’m going to kill him. I’m going to spread his remains all over this goddamn country. He’ll never be found.”

I couldn’t help but smile. It meant a lot to me that she cared so much. Having a friend like her meant the world to me.

“Wait a minute.” Her gaze darted toward me, her brow furrowing. “You said that some of it was from Zane. What about the rest?”

“Can we go for lunch first?” I asked, trying to find a way to put off telling her about the Angels.

“Don’t make me pull this car over, missy. I want to hear all of it. Now.”

“Okay, but promise that you’ll listen before you freak out? Seriously. I’m scared to tell you this.” I shot her an imploring look.

Raina glanced between me and the road. “You’re worrying me. Spill it, Clover.”

I took a moment to bask in the icy blast of air coming from the vent first. “The cut lip and the black eye is from Zane. The bruises around my neck are from…the Angels.” I held up a hand to cut off her incredulous reaction. “Let me finish.”

While Raina white knuckled the steering wheel, I told her everything. From the guy at the convenience store to Zane and how the Angels had stepped in both times. Her expression went through a series of changes. Shock. Anger. Disgust.

“And the bruises on your neck? How does that factor in? I’m guessing the Angels don’t do good deeds for free.” Raina’s tone was understandably bitter.

I stared out the window at the passing traffic when I said, “They gave me a choice. They could kill me since I witnessed a murder they committed or they could keep me as their toy. I guess it should be obvious which one I chose.”

“No.” Raina’s head shook, her long blonde tresses flying. “Absolutely not. I won’t allow them to do this to you. You are not their property. What did they make you do? Did they hurt you?”

My hand began to stray to my bruised neck. Catching myself, I forced it down into my lap. After the Angels left my room yesterday, I’d replayed the entire scenario in my mind several times. I wanted to hate it, to be sickened by what they did to me.

I’d been afraid, but I’d also been excited. I’d never came so hard before with any past lovers. Thinking about Blaze roughly thrusting between my thighs sent hot tingles to my groin. He’d left me bruised and raw. I’d enjoyed it, and I had to admit that to myself. How the hell did I admit it to Raina after what they did to her?

As we drew closer to the mall, my appetite shriveled. I wasn’t sure either of us would feel like food after this discussion.

“Do you really want to know?” I asked. “I know how they violated you. I don’t want to dredge up bad memories. We don’t have to talk about this.”

Raina fell silent. She drove the rest of the way to the mall without saying a word. Once we’d pulled into the lot and parked, she turned to me.

“Just tell me one thing. Did they hurt you? Are you okay?”

“They didn’t hurt me the way they hurt you. Not yet anyway.” Now I touched my sore neck, remembering their hands all over me. “They came to my room after they kicked the shit out of Zane. Things of a sexual nature took place. I’m not sure how much you want to hear.”

Raina studied me, making me squirm in my seat. “You liked it.” When I didn’t protest or deny her claim, she added, “Jesus Christ, Clover. I knew you had a thing for Blaze but to let them claim you as property, that’s pretty fucked up.”

“Says the girl wearing a tracking collar.” I nodded to the metal collar locked around her neck. “It’s okay, Raina. I can handle this. Really. I don’t need you to get involved, but I appreciate your anger more than you know.”

“I’m not trying to be a hypocrite. I know that the Gods are a mess, but they’re my mess. It’s not my place to make choices for you. I just want you to be safe.” Reaching over to take my hand, Raina gave it a gentle squeeze. “Promise me that the moment they take things too far for you, you’ll tell me. Never be afraid to tell me anything, all right?”

“I promise. I’ll tell you if it goes too far.” Despite the console between us, I pulled her into a hug. “Thanks for being so cool. I was so afraid to tell you. I’ll never forget what they did to you. I’ll never forgive it either.”

Raina sighed, running a hand over my hair. “Don’t worry about me. I’m fine. I’m over it. Just be careful. Now let’s go engage in some retail therapy. Lord knows I need it now.”

---