Page 12 of Angel Boy
Angel frowns, pushing himself up on his elbows. The blanket slips down, and I have to force myself to keep my eyes on his face. “The fuck why?”
"You did leave in the middle of the day, babe," I continue. "I'm sure when they get here, I'll take off. Do you need anything?"
"Ryker has never even set foot in here before.”
That stops me cold. "That can't be true."
"It is. He sent movers to bring everything in when we got together. All that extra furniture is his. I've been to his house once, but that's it."
Jesus Christ. Two months of dating, and Ryker's never even been to Angel's home? That’s all sorts of wrong, but I’m too tired to comment on it. "Well, he's coming here now," I say, trying to keep the anger out of my voice. "I cleaned up the living room a bit and sprayed some neutralizer. Do you need anything else? More ice cream? I put the wings in the fridge."
Angel shakes his head, sinking back into his pillows. "The one thing I want, I can't have. So no, I don't need anything."
I throw him an apologetic smile before closing the door. I barely make it to the living room before the front door opens, Ryker stalking up to me without a word and socking me right in the face.
The punch snaps my head to the side, pain exploding across my cheekbone, but I don't move. I just stand there and take it because fighting back would only make things worse for Angel. Ryker throws another jab, this time at my shoulder, but it’s much lighter. I gesture toward the living room, tasting blood where my teeth cut the inside of my cheek, waiting for my brother to do as I say.
Carter stands a few feet away, sheepishly throwing me a wave like he didn’t fucking curse me out over the phone. It isn’t until we get away from Angel’s door that my brother starts talkingagain. "You just don't want your lover boy to hear me rake you over the coals, that it?"
"No, that's not it." I keep my voice as professional as I can, even though I want to return that punch with interest. "I wasn't lying when I told you that Angel wasn't feeling well. He's running a fever at the moment. But also, I wanted to move over here because if he overhears the shit you want to throw at me, it's only going to drive a bigger wedge between you two."
Carter lets out an exasperated sigh as he steps between us, putting a hand on both our arms to break up the brewing fight. "Sit down, both of you, and let's talk this out."
There’s no doubt in my mind that this conversation is going to go south and definitely not in my favor, but I take a seat anyway, my brother making sure to perch in the armchair a few feet away. Carter takes up a seat in the middle, weathering a smile that tells me that this intervention of sorts has to do with more than Angel leaving headquarters early.
"I want you out. Done, gone, whatever it takes," Ryker starts without hesitating.
Easy enough. "I already put in my resignation and will be gone by the end of the week," I tell him. "I can't watch Angel suffer like he has when his Alpha has absolutely no regard for his well-being."
Ryker's eyes flash with fury. "You've just been waiting for a moment to swoop in and be the hero, haven't you? That's not how this works. You work for me, and you signed a fucking contract that you'd keep your fucking hands off. But you just couldn't help yourself, could you?"
Years of hate from this man has anger bubbling up beneath the surface. There are so many things I want to say to my brother, to let him know how I truly feel, but it wouldn’t get me anywhere and this isn’t about me. It’s about my beautiful little Omega, currently suffering a few feet away.
"Rich, coming from the Alpha who waited three fucking years to tell his scent match he existed."
There's a sharp gasp from behind us, and we all turn to see Angel standing in the doorway. He's wrapped in a sheet, exhaustion clear on his face, the Omega seconds from falling over. Every instinct I have screams at me to go check on him, but I force myself to stay seated.
"What are you talking about?" Angel's voice is barely above a whisper, confusion lacing his words. "You knew? Ryker, you knew that you were my scent match?"
The silence stretches between us, tension thickening in the air. Carter stands, reaching toward Angel. "Angel, why don't you—"
Angel holds up a hand, stopping him cold. "No, don't try and brush this off. Ryker, answer the question."
Ryker straightens in his chair, his expression becoming blank. "Yes, I knew. But I wanted you to get established first."
"Don't fucking bullshit me." Angel's voice cracks with emotion. His eyes swing to me, and I can see the betrayal there. "And Xavier, you knew too?"
"I only found out yesterday." The words tumble out quickly as I try to explain myself. "Fuck, Angel, don't get mad at him. He's your scent match. You may never get another one."
Angel frowns at me, then looks back at Ryker, and I can practically see his world reshaping itself around this new information. "If I'm going to be treated like I have been, then maybe I don't want a fucking scent match."
Those words aren’t new to me. In fact, they are words I’ve been waiting for Angel to say with conviction. The moment he tells me that he doesn’t want my brother, I will step up, but not before then. I won’t ruin the chance fate has given Angel.
Ryker recovers first, his voice sharp with that Alpha authority he wields like a weapon. "You won't speak like that to me, Angel."
Angel snorts, tightening his arms around his chest to keep the sheet wrapped around him. "I didn't even fucking want this," Angel spits out. "I was fine just as I was, but scent matches are all the rage, and they're rare, but you know what? You won't fucking touch me. You won't fuck me. You don't even give me the time of day unless it's a scheduled event or you decide to be jealous of Xavier."
The words pour out of him like he's been holding them back for months, years maybe. I want to go to him and wrap him in my arms and tell him he doesn't have to do this, but I know he needs to say it.
