The Angel and Her Protector

Chapter 16

  Angeline had been officially living with Alex for over a week, and couldn't be happier. Things had been calm since the dinner with Derek's parents, they had been keeping in contact with Angeline. Grace called her at least once a day to check on her. Angeline thought it was sweet of her to care so much. 

    Angeline was currently having lunch with her friends, Amie and Gigi, she hadn't been able to spend time with them since she had seen them last after the ball. Running for her life and being kidnapped kept her a little busy. 

    "I can't believe you guys are living together," Amie said while munching on a fry. Angeline couldn't believe it either, a few months ago she would have never imagined ever seeing Alex again and now she sees him every day. The thought made her smile with how her life has changed in such a short time.

     "What are you smiling about?" Amie asked with a smirk. Gigi chuckled, "I think that's pretty obvious, she's thinking about Alex and his sexy body." Angeline's jaw dropped and threw a fry at Gigi, "I was thinking about my life and how I like Alex being a part of it. I was not thinking about his body." Gigi rolled her eyes at her friend and threw the fry back at her, "Yea, but you're thinking about it now. Aren't you?" Angeline shook her head and laughed at her friend's words. 

    The three women were getting up after finishing their meals and catching up, heading for the exit. When Angeline walked through the door, she bumped into someone.

     "I am so sorry," she said to the woman she knocked into. "It's okay, I wasn't paying attention," the woman had said to Angeline. They smiled at one another, Angeline stepped out of the way, holding the door open for the woman. She couldn't quite place her face, but she looked familiar for some reason. 

    All the way home she couldn't figure out where she knew the woman from. It was her eyes, she felt like she had looked into them before. 

    As Angeline walked into the house she saw Alex talking on the phone, she walked over to him and placed a kiss on his cheek. Before she could walk away he grabbed her hand, stopping her from walking away. "Okay, I will talk with Angeline about it. Bye," Alex ended the call and pulled her closer, placing his lips on hers for a proper kiss. 

   When they pulled away, Angeline smiled at him, "What was that for?" Alex cupped her cheeks and smiled back at her, "I missed you and I needed a kiss. How was lunch?"

    Her cheeks turned a light shade of pink at his words, "Um... It was good, they want to meet you. Who was on the phone?" 

  "I want to meet them as well, we can have them over for dinner next weekend. That was Daniel on the phone, he was hoping we could come over for dinner tonight. I'm a little surprised Grace hadn't already mentioned it to you," Alex said with a light chuckle. He was aware of how fond the woman was of Angeline. He couldn't blame Grace, he always missed Angeline when they were apart, it felt like a part of him was missing.

   "Oh she did call while we were eating, I forgot to call her back. I would love to go see them and have dinner. What time?" Angeline was excited to go see them. "Daniel said 7. Do you want to call Grace and let her know we will be there?" Alex said with a smile. 

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     Angeline and Alex were making their way to the front door as it opened, revealing a very happy Grace. Angeline made her way closer to Grace and the women hugged, Alex smiled at their actions. 

   Grace led them into the living room where Daniel, John and Lexie were already having a drink and talking. Lexie stood and walked towards Angeline and her brother, giving them both a hug. Alex shook hands with Daniel and John, while Angeline gave them both a quick hug. 

    The group settled back down while enjoying a drink before dinner. The guys talking about Amelia and their attempts to locate her. The ladies preferred to talk about Angeline and Alex living together, Lexie of course wanting to know when they will get married. Angeline only rolled her eyes at her, "I don't think we are there just yet." Lexie winked at her, "Yet! I have a good feeling about you two. I'm pretty sure my brother has loved you from the moment you first spoke to him." 

    Angeline felt her cheeks heat up, she looked over at Alex making sure he hadn't heard his sister. She knew he had strong feelings for her and her feelings for him were getting stronger as well, but they had yet to say the L word to each other. 

    As everyone chatted, they didn't notice that someone else had entered the room, at least not until she cleared her throat. Everyone turned and looked at her, Grace immediately stood and walked over to her enveloping her in a huge hug. The young woman returned the hug, and as they separated Grace pulled her further into the room to introduce her to the group. 

   "This is our daughter, Mara. She just returned home from a trip. She's been in California for a few months," Grace informed them of who the woman was. 

   Angeline couldn't believe it, it was the woman she had bumped into at the restaurant. Mara had shook hands with the other 3, but she hesitated when it was Angeline's turn. She squinted her eyes at Angeline and then spoke, "Have we met before?" Angeline giggled, "Kind of, I bumped into you earlier today." Angeline reached her hand out, Mara now with a huge smile on her face took Angeline's hand into hers, "Wow! What are the odds? I was hoping I would get to meet you. My mom has been talking about you nonstop." 

   Angeline felt a little uncomfortable with what Mara was saying. She didn't miss the smirk on the woman's face. Something about her wasn't quite right. 

    Before Angeline could respond the group was informed that dinner was ready. Daniel and Grace led them to the dining room, where everyone took a seat, including Mara. Angeline could feel Mara's eyes piercing through her the entire time. She acted as Angeline's presence didn't bother her, but Angeline couldn't shake the feeling that Mara was not happy with her being there. 

    Mara tried her best to not let her hatred for the woman show, but she knew that Angeline sensed it. She didn't understand how her parents could be so careless, this woman killed their son and now she was actually in their house. Everyone acting like nothing had happened just a few weeks prior. 

    Mara never missed the sweet comments from her mother about Angeline, or how her eyes shined when Angeline was speaking. It made her sick to watch her mother behave this way. She was aware of how her mother felt and hated what Derek had done to Angeline, but Mara didn't think her mother's actions were appropriate. She would make it up to Derek though, she would make them all pay for what happened to her big brother. 

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   "I don't think Mara likes me, " Angeline told Alex as they were driving home. Alex glanced at her looking a little confused, "What are you talking about? She hardly spoke at dinner."

   "She kept giving me looks, and they were not happy to see you kind of looks. I thought she was going to come across the table and slap me or something. I think she was upset that I was there, having dinner with her parents," Angeline confessed.

    Alex grabbed her hand and brought it to his lips, placing a sweet kiss on it. He then intertwined their fingers and rested their hands on his leg, "I'm sure she was upset to learn about her brother and then find her parents treating you so kindly after everything that has happened. I'll talk to John, make sure Mara hasn't been making contact with Amelia."

    Angeline was confused by it all, Mara's behavior actually made sense, who wouldn't hate the person that killed their older brother. And why would their parents act so kindly towards her? Was it all a ploy to gain her trust or were they being genuine? Her instincts were telling her not to trust Mara, but Grace and Daniel would never hurt her. She wondered if Mara was aware of Derek's condition, she would ask Grace about it later.

   As Angeline and Alex made their way into the house, Alex's phone rang. He pulled it from his pocket, "Hello John." Alex listened, his eyes darted to Angeline concern written all over his face. "Okay, thanks John. I'll let her know and we will see you in the morning. Bye," Alex ended the call. "What happened?" Angeline could tell it was something big, maybe Amelia had made contact again. Alex grabbed her hand and led her to the couch so they could sit. 

    "Daniel just informed John that Amelia's body has been found," Alex told her. Angeline couldn't believe it, "Where?" Alex grabbed her shaking hands, "At Derek's cabin." Angeline looked at him confused, "How is that possible? I thought the police had searched the cabin." 

      Alex took a deep breath before answering, "Amelia's parents wanted the cabin and the area to be searched again. Besides the text that Daniel received no one has heard from her or has seen her. When the police returned to the cabin there was a hidden doorway that had not been opened when they did their first pass. It led them to a room under the cabin, and found Amelia down there." 

    Angeline's head was spinning, so many questions that she wanted answered. Alex knew she was confused, "The police think others may be involved in Derek's actions, someone must have come into the cabin and opened that door. An outsider would never know it even existed. John wants to come over in the morning to discuss our next step."

   Angeline nodded her head.

   RING! RING! RING!

   Angeline jumped at the sound of her phone ringing. She looked at it and didn't recognize the number, she answered it making sure to put it on speaker so Alex could hear.

   "Hello?" Angeline said with hesitation. A raspy voice was heard through the phone, "Well hello Miss Angeline, it's honor to finally be speaking with you. I assume you have been informed of the news about Amelia."

   "Yes," Angeline said, her voice just above a whisper. 

   "Good. Derek was a stupid man, he let his temper get the best of him. I have to say I am quite impressed with you and with how you handled yourself with him. But you won't get so lucky a second time," the call ended without another word. 

   Angeline looked at Alex with tears streaming down her face, Alex pulled her in close and hugged her tightly. 

   Alex would never let anyone get her, not this time.