Page 17 of UnWholly Angels
“Do you hear yourself right now? Stop trying to downplay this. That’s the hottest mental image I’ve ever had of you,” Chloe teased.
I rolled my eyes and stood with Nick Jr., placing the breakfast dishes in the sink before turning to face my best friend. “Yeah, I’m sure it’s even hotter when you remember I was only wearing a nightgown,” I grimaced.
Chloe’s laugh boomed through the kitchen as she took the baby from my arms. We moved into the living room, avoiding the sea of toys on the floor as we took opposite corners of the couch. Her smile dimmed slightly as she cuddled up with her son.
“Seriously, Maya, put a pause on the ‘joke to cope’ act. Just talk to me,” she insisted.
I sighed and ran my hand over my face. Chloe was not going to let this go. After a minute, I quietly asked, “What kind of person is desperate enough to auction off their body for protection? What does that say about me?”
“Was it desperate, or was it your last chance at freedom?” she replied, moving closer and wrapping a supportive arm around my shoulder. “Seems to me like you found your backbone again, and it’s probably a good idea to keep it this time.”
This is one example of the many reasons that, even in my youth, I gravitated to Chloe. She was a nurturer and someone I desperately needed in my life. From the first day she started volunteering at the group home, we had a connection, instantly becoming friends. I leaned back, curling into her.
“What good is having freedom if I’m too scared to live my life?” I asked softly.
“I’m sure that’s not going to be an issue for long,” she said pointedly, pushing her glasses further up her face. “Whatever you do, please don’t go back. Roccowillkill you.”
I hummed in agreement, though a small part of me insisted it would be better for everyone if I crawled back to Rocco and faced my punishment.
“I just want someone to care, you know? Someone who cares enough…Someone to protect me. Someone who looks at me the way Nick looks…at you."
Her gentle hand caressed my face and rested on my cheek. "Someone will, when the time is right. Even if it’s not Angel."
"Promise?" I asked her, trying not to cry for the fourth time this morning. I wished she would use his name. I hated this Angel bullshit. What was wrong with him for even doing that?
"Promise. I have a feeling he will come around though…Don’t rush and give it time. We are having a girls’ night tonight. You desperately need it."
When Chloe suggested the mall as our first stop for girls’ night, I was all for it. I needed to get a mani-pedi and some new clothes. We even picked out a few sexy numbers for the entertainment I'd soon be providing. As we were leaving the house, a message appeared in the cam app, taking me by surprise. Riley seemed to be suffering from amnesia; despite his absence over the past few weeks, his message informed me that he would be expecting ourdeal to begin tomorrow. He gave me his number and told me to text him for more details.
That was four hours ago, and I’d yet to message him back. Since he obviously enjoyed playing games, it was only fair that he had to wait his turn, too.
The mall was packed. Most people carried mountains of bags as they pushed through the crowd, and I silently thanked Chloe’s parents for taking the kids. I wasn’t sure I’d ever be comfortable calling them Mom and Dad, even though they legally adopted me when I was seventeen. They gave me a life I never knew existed. One full of possibility, choice, safety, and love. It was difficult to feel deserving of the family I had dreamed of, and I still battled those insecurities from time to time.
Lawrence Whitlock almost lost everything trying to go after Rocco the legal way for what had been done to me, and it just further proved how powerful he’d become.
Brushing the memories aside, I struggled to maneuver through the throngs of people. My anxiety crept to the surface, like a hand trying to claw its way out of my body, and I knew it was time for a break. I pushed forward, tapping Chloe’s shoulder to get her attention. Heat began to creep up my neck as a panic attack began to build. My throat went dry, and I was hyperaware of every touch from shoppers as they passed me.
“Do you want to take a break and eat?” I asked hurriedly.
Please say yes.
I felt trapped and just needed to get out of the noise. Hell, I'd even settle for splitting an appetizer. With a smile, she agreed, and we set off for the bar tucked in the back of the food court. The buzz of the crowd overwhelmed me, and my brain pounded against my temple. This was what I got for leaving the house—an impending panic attack because I was bored of being at home. I’d never imagined living my life in fear, yet here I was.
Entering the bar, we were seated quickly, menus and waters appearing a moment later. Mulling over the menu, I asked Chloe if she wanted to do our normal order. One of us would get the soup and salad while the other got an entree, and then we’d split everything. Less money was spent that way, and it was something we’d been doing for as long as I could remember.
My thoughts were interrupted by Chloe’s shrill tone. “That waiter’s had his eye on you since he took our order,” she giggled, raising her martini glass and clinking it with mine. “He didn’t drop that pen on purpose, but the way he knelt and looked up at you? Girl...”
I rolled my eyes and laughed, but was interrupted by a buzz against my leg. Reaching into my purse, I pulled out my phone and immediately cackled at the messages displayed on my screen.
What perfect fucking timing.
Unknown Number
What part of “text me once you read my message” did you not get?
Maya
My mom always said don’t talk to strangers.
