Page 36 of Michael
“Oh, boy...” She groans and gets up, then quietly says, “It’s been so long, you’ve forgotten what it’s like.”
I echo, “Whatwhatis like?”
Baffled, her eyes suddenly open wide. “Falling in love!” she exclaims, staring right at me. “It’syou, Michael.You’reAmanda’s true love, and onlyyoucan break that curse. So do it now, before it’s too late.”
Gabrielle’s words hit me with the force of a truck. I can’t believe what I’m hearing—am I really Amanda’s true love? Stunned, I can only stare at Gabrielle in disbelief.
I swallow thickly, still processing what she’s just said. I want to do something—anything—to make sure that Amanda is safe and free from Richard’s grasp once and for all. But how am I going to do that?
CHAPTER20
Amanda
I’m watchingthe world go by from my corner of the DeLux Café, nursing a cup of steaming chai, when Jack Langley walks in. He has an aura of strength and grace that’s immediately palpable, as if he’d stepped into the place with an unspoken purpose. I can tell he’s been through a lot in his life; his eyes wear the weariness of a man who’s seen too much, his hardened features softened by a faint smile.
He wears a crisp shirt and pressed trousers that hang loosely on his frame, giving him an air of careful nonchalance. His gait is unhurried, almost languid, and his gaze sweeps across the room, taking in all its occupants with a single glance. As his eyes settle on me, I quickly drop my gaze, not wanting to be caught staring.
He advances further into the café until he reaches my table, and then he stops. “Excuse me,” he says. His voice is deep and rich, streaming like molasses across the room. “I believe I’m looking for you.”
I stare at him in surprise, trying to think of how to respond. This is my fated love. We’re meant to be. Most people never get to meet their soul mate, and I’m lucky enough to have found him.
Something deep inside me stirs as I look up into his eyes. “I agree,” I respond, my voice barely a whisper.
He nods, and his face softens into a gentle smile. “I’ve been looking for you for some time now.”
My heart starts pounding in my chest, but I manage to get myself together.
Finally, after what feels like forever, he speaks again. “Where should we begin?” he asks in a smooth tone, followed by, “How about you tell me what the fuck you want, bitch?” His words are cold and sharp, like ice shards piercing my skin.
The anger in his voice startles me, and I can’t help jerking back. His stare hits me as hard as stone, and the rage radiating off of him makes me squirm in my chair. I want to say something, anything, to make this whole situation better, but all I can think of is how I wish he would just calm down.
I open my mouth to respond, but no sound comes out.
Without warning, Jack moves closer to me and grabs my good wrist tightly in his hand. “What the hell do you want from me?” he asks through clenched teeth.
I gasp in surprise and try to pull away from him, but his grip is too strong. All I can do is stare at him in shock. His blue eyes are turning dark with anger. In a split second, I think things are going to get really ugly really fast.
After what seems like an eternity, Jack eventually lets go of my wrist and leans back slightly. He waits for me to speak, but all I can do is sit there with tears blurring my vision. My heart is pounding so hard it feels like it might burst from my chest.
Jack pulls back and stares at me, his expression still full of anger. “I know what you did,” he growls, throwing a derisive glare my way. “Why won’t you leave me alone?”
“Jack, I don’t know what you’re talking about,” I stammer helplessly, trying to think of a way to explain myself without making things worse.
He shakes his head and inches closer to me. His face is darkening with rage again as he speaks in a low voice full of menace. “My kodi. You fucking stole him! I sent him to that place for a reason!”
I stare at Jack, my mind reeling. He planted the kodi in the hospital? That can’t be true! It’s too awful to even think about.
“Youplantedhim there?” I ask in disbelief, my voice shaking with outrage.
Jack glares at me, his gaze icy cold. “Yeah,” he says through gritted teeth, “and you stole him from me. Give it back!” His voice is low and spiteful, and I feel a chill run down my spine. “He was just getting strong and ready to destroy Michael and all his stupid archangel siblings!”
Archangel siblings?
My jaw drops and I slightly push my chair away from Jack. I can hardly believe that he’d do something so horrible as planting a lethal magical creature in a hospital! Not only is it cruel to the kodi, but it could have put many innocent people at risk.
“This is crazy,” I mumble as I try to wrap my head around what Jack has confessed.
“It’s not crazy,” Jack replies gruffly, his expression still dark with rage. “Michael thinks he controls everything and everyone around him. But he doesn’t control me.” He pauses for a moment before continuing, his voice softer now, but still determined. “I was simply trying to even the playing field.”
