Page 25 of Angel

Bree nodded, though Angel wondered if she truly understood. “I just… I never wanted to have to do that.”

“Me either,” Angel told her honestly. “I’ve killed before, Bree. It takes something from you. I hope for your sake that he does survive. He’ll go to jail for what he did.”

“But he’d get out.”

Not knowing what else to say, Angel went with the truth. “Yes. He could. Technically, their actions fall under an attempted crime. I’m not a lawyer, but I’m pretty sure that changes how long he would be sentenced.”

Bree made a disgusted face. “It shouldn’t.”

“No system is perfect.” She reached over and ran her hand through Bree’s hair.

“Well, I can think of one good thing that came out of today.”

Angel raised an eyebrow. “Oh yeah? What’s that?”

“You and Cage finally stopped dancing around each other and are going out on that date.”

Angel snorted but had to admit that her daughter did have a point. “Get some sleep, baby. I’m here and you’re safe.”

The smell of coffee roused her. Angel cracked one eye open to see Cage trying to sneak-walk to her nightstand. He carefully placed a mug of coffee down. He turned, probably with the intention of slipping back out of her bedroom, when he saw her watching him and froze.

“Oops,” he mouthed.

Angel grinned up at him. She’d allow for a little B-and-E if it meant she got her coffee delivered to her bed. She opened her mouth to thank him, but he put a finger to his lips. Then pointed behind her.

Angel twisted, wincing slightly as her sore body protested, and saw a sleeping Bree still in bed beside her. Looking back at Cage, she pointed at her bedroom door.

He nodded and left.

Angel got up and used the bathroom as quietly as she could. She was still wearing only a pair of panties and Cage’s shirt, but she didn’t want to risk waking Bree. Angel grabbed her coffee and slipped out of her room.

Cage was leaning against the wall outside of her bedroom. “I see I missed the slumber party,” he said with a sexy as hell grin. He leaned down and kissed her.

Angel, though, did not find it amusing. “She hasn’t gotten into my bed like that in a long time. I need to call her therapist and fill her in.”

“I already did that. Bree’s got an appointment scheduled at one today. Juliana,” Bree’s therapist, “said she would see her during her lunch hour. She also hopes you’re doing well.”

Angel’s throat felt tight at Cage’s words and she had trouble swallowing the coffee in her mouth. Cage had called Bree’s therapist? Cage had scheduled an appointment? Angel wasn’t sure how she felt about that. She appreciated the help. Hell, she was the one who’d said she’d call Juliana last night and then forgot. But… Her eyes glanced to the closed door beside her that hid her sleeping daughter from her view. But she was Bree’s mom. It was her responsibility.

“I’m not taking anything away from you,” Cage told her softly. “I just wanted to help.”

“Thank you,” Angel said automatically. She took another sip of coffee. “I should have called last night. How does Juliana even know who you are?”

Cage’s grin was wicked. “Apparently young Bree talks about me often.”

Angel winced. If Bree told Juliana about Cage, then it must be about her crush on him. Was she truly okay with them going out on a date? Maybe she should cancel.

As if sensing where Angel’s thoughts were going, Cage reminded her, “Bree gave us her blessing. She’s old enough to express her feelings if she truly did not want us together.”

“She told me that the one good thing about yesterday was that we both stopped dancing around each other and are finally going out on a date.”

“See?” He smiled. “She approves.” He leaned down and took her lips. “Go get dressed. Steel called for Church. I was going to tell him that you’re sleeping, which I still can if you don’t want to go.”

Angel shook her head. “I need to get back to the land of the living.”

Cage looked confused at her wording but didn’t question it. “I’ll call one of the ol’ ladies over to stay with Bree.”

Once again, Angel felt like her parental reins were slipping from her hands. That was her job. But she shook the feeling off. It was just a phone call. Saved her from having to do that and get herself ready.

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