Page 96 of Jake's Angel

But it’s not what she needs from me.

She’s not a quick-fuck kind of girl. She needs someone to be gentle with her. To worship her. With the heaviness of last night’s confessions, I didn’t feel like it was the right time.

No time is a good time. She’s Gabe’s daughter.A walking death wish to any brother, going after the President’s daughter, and yet I still don’t care.She’s mine.He’ll just have to get used to the idea.

We pull up into Liz’s driveway. Avery flings her door open before the car comes to a complete stop, then slams it shut. I don’t know what the hell has gotten into her, but I’m about to find out. I throw the car in park, jump out, and catch her by the elbow, turning her to face me. She’s glaring at me, her chest heaving, but still not talking.

“You want to tell me what the hell happened back there that has you so pissed off?” I ask, having a hell of a time reigning in my own temper. I know she’s probably a little freaked out about everything she told me last night, but I’ve done nothing to make her angry at me.

Have I?

“I’mfine.You can let me go and leave to tend to yourother duties now.” She hisses.

What the hell?

“You’re not fine, and you need to start talking,” I growl back. She pulls her arm out of my grasp and takes two steps back.

“There’s nothing to say. I’m fine. You can go tell Gabe you’ve done your job for the night.” She looks at me for a split second, her eyes glistening like she’s about to cry. “Thanks, for you know, for taking care of me, but I’m all good now.” Her voice trembles as she turns away from me and starts walking toward the house.

“Avery.”

Turning back, she shouts over her shoulder, “Just go, Jake. You don’t want to be late for church.” She walks into the house and away from me.

I’m about to follow her in when Sadie comes bursting through the door. “What the hell did you do to her, Jacob MacKenzie?” Sadie shouts from the porch.

Just what I need.

“I haven’t done anything. Why don’t you go ask your friend in there? Since I don’t even know what the hell her problem is. Everything was fine this morning, and then all the sudden she’s like this.” I throw my arms out gesturing at the screen door where Avery has stormed off through.

Sadie studies me for a minute, then walks her way down the steps to meet me where I stand. “What happened last night? Did she talk to you about it?” she asks quietly. I nod, but don’t tell her exactly what was said.

Avery shared a piece of her soul with me last night, and I’m not about to share it with anyone. Maybe I’m being an ass about it all, especially if Sadie could be a help to her, but I can’t help but think last night was something special, albeit fucked-up in a way.

Avery didn’t have to tell me anything, yet she did. She didn’t have to show me anything and, judging by how terrified she was to expose herself, she wasn’t sure if she should. The fact remains, she did share with me. I will not break her trust by sharing it with anyone else.

“She told you.” Sadie looks at me, shock written all over her face. “She really told you what happened?”

“Nothing happened last night. Something triggered a bad memory,” I say.

“So, she told you about thememory? What happened to her?”

She’s searching my face expectantly. I say nothing, standing there staring back at her.

She must understand what I’m saying without saying anything, because the next thing I know, she slams into my chest and wraps her arms around my waist, trapping me in one of the strongest hugs I’ve ever felt. I wrap my arms around her and hold her tight to me.

What the hell is this now?

Sadie’s quietly sniffling. I lean back, pulling her away from my body and search her face.

What is it with these women today?Are they all hormonal or some shit because they all seem extra emotional, and I don’t know what the fuck I’m supposed to do with this.

“Hey. What’s all this about?”

Sadie pulls back, wiping her face and looking up at the sky. “I’m sorry,” she whispers. “It’s just, I’ve been waiting for her to tell someone.Anyonewho could do something to help her get out of this mess, but she refused to talk to anyone about it. At least now you know why she hates being called Princess and gives attitude whenever someone says it. It’s all because of the stupid fucker, and what he did to her.”

I’m so confused, but don’t ask questions. Sadie’s on a roll and I need to know what Avery isn’t telling me.

We walk toward the end of the long driveway, away from the front porch. Sadie leans against the hood of Jayde’s car and begins to spill everything.

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