Page 110 of Jake's Angel

“I think she might be in shock. It’s like she just … shut down.” Luc says. “The boss is seeing to her and the others in his office.”

“Did they catch the fuckers?” Declan asks. My pulse speeds up and hope wells in my chest. If they caught the bastards, I’ll have a place to unleash this carnal need inside, begging for retribution.

“They caught one. The one who manhandled your sister, Jake. The other managed to sneak out to the back lot and into a waiting car.”

A growl so loud it shakes my chest escapes me before I can stop it. “Make sure you tell Mack where to find the piece of shit. He shouldn’t be too far behind us.”

Luc rubs the back of his neck, looking uncomfortable to tell us something.

“Spit it out,” I snap, running out of patience for everybody.

“The boss says he wants to question him first. As soon as he’s got the answers he seeks, we’ll move him to the basement for you.” He raises his eyebrows, making sure I understand we aren’t getting our captive tonight.

“Pres isn’t going to go for that, man.”

Luc shrugs. “He can take it up with Vincenzo. I’m not about to tell the boss shit. I enjoy breathing.”

As much as I want to teach the asshole a lesson for touching my sister, I’ll let Pres sort out the exchange. Then I think I’ll let Pop have the first honors. I want the son of a bitch who hurt my Angel. The one who thought he could shove her to the ground and get away unscathed.

Run, motherfucker. Run.

As soon as I know my woman is all right …I’m going on a hunt.

“Plates? Description?” Hawk asks Luc, ready to start his search.

“You’ll have to ask the boss. I was given a short briefing and sent to wait for you and Gabe to arrive,” Luc answers. “I will tell you, Sadie’s not letting anyone near the girl. She was screaming at Santiago to get you here, specifically, Jake.”

I’m so pissed off. I can’t decide who to yell at first. I’m so filled with rage, it’s vibrating through every cell in my body. When we get to the office door, Anthony nods, moving aside for us to enter.

I’m about to start shouting at the girls when I lock my eyes on Avery. She looks completely defeated, trembling, cuddled against Sadie’s side. Her legs are curled into her chest. She looks so small and frail it scares me.

She’s not looking at anyone. Her eyes are fixed on her hands as she fidgets with them. Her chest is heaving, and her face is pale. Those green eyes, normally flickering with her fiery spirit, are haunted, full of nothing but fear. She looks even more scaredthan she did the night of Sadie’s party. I need to know who exactly this motherfucker is and what he’s done to her.

Then I need five minutes alone with him.

When Avery’s hollow looking eyes catch mine, I make an immediate change of plans.I can’t yell at them now.She’s terrified. Luc’s words echo in my mind, “Sadie was screaming at Santiago to get you here, specifically.”

My Angel needs me.

I kneel in front of Avery, grab her chin in my hand, and force her to look at me.

“Angel.” Her eyes lock on mine, and I see the flicker of relief in her eyes. I move to sit beside her and scoop her up, placing her in my lap, rubbing my hand up and down her back soothingly.

She lets out a soft sob, closing her eyes. I keep my touch tender, but firm. It takes a minute for her to collect herself enough to take a deep breath.

That’s it. Breathe, baby.

She doesn’t move to hold me. Her hands are trapped between us, but she’s not pulling away either.

“Avery,” I say her name softly, but she doesn’t move. I gently squeeze her neck, pulling her head close to my chest, completely blocking her view of anyone else. “Can you hear me, baby? Focus on my voice and take a few more deep breaths for me.” She complies and I praise her. “Good girl.”

Leaning down, I whisper into Avery’s ear where only she can hear me, “It’s ok, Angel. I’ve got you.” I hear her take in another deep breath, feeling the shake of her shoulders and the wetness of her tears as they spill onto my shirt. We stay like this for a few minutes, letting her get it out of her system.

Anthony opens the door, whispering something to Santiago, who nods, and says, “Boss. They’re here.”

It’s at that moment Avery raises her eyes to meet mine. “Jake,” she breathes out my name in a shaky whisper. Using myfinger to tip her chin, I hold her eyes for a moment, letting her see that it’s really me. That she’s safe.

I can feel her body trembling against mine, tears are slowly trickling down her face. She looks down at her hand. I follow her line of sight and watch as she twists two fingers back and forth around her pinky. Squinting my eyes in question, trying to figure out her meaning.

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