His Vixen Mafia Princess

Chapter Four-Angel's Dilemma

Angel's POV

I watch her from the bedroom window, she texts someone for a few minutes and then drops into a chair on the patio. She looks radiant surrounded by the orchids out there, if only she understood the things her father has already set in motion. What that vile man set in motion three years ago. I've broken her heart once, I can not bare to be the one that has to tell her the truth. It will crush her. I immediately pick up my phone, still watching her figure from the window. I dial my father's number and he picks up immediately.

Ricci Sr.: Son, what a nice surprise. I trust you're settling in well.

Me: No father, and I can't go through with this. I can't hurt her anymore. When she learns about the things her father has done to her she will be devastated. I damn sure can't host my wedding right here in front of her!

Ricci Sr.: I presume there are unresolved feelings between the two of you then? I won't lie, I had hoped it had only been puppy love back then. But judging by the curt way she always handles me in meetings, I suppose I had guessed that there was more. Son, this is entirely your decision. However, you have to understand that whatever decision you make is going to cause that child pain. You're going to have to be honest with her if you choose to call off the engagement on her behalf. Clearly if you don't though, you'll be putting her through pain and heartache regardless. I advice you make your decision carefully. Not to mention the bad business implications that breaking off the engagement will cause in our world.

I know he's right. He's a stubborn old fool but he's wise. I am going to hurt her either way I choose to handle this situation. By my hand or by her father's, she is going to suffer. I just don't believe I can stand before God and her and marry another woman. Not when my heart is sitting out on the patio, seemingly crying at this point. I bid my farewells to my father and hang up, promising to take his words under careful advisement. I slide the phone into my jacket pocket and make my way into the adjoining bedroom. I throw myself on the bed and drift off to sleep. Restlessly I dream of her. The wild and carefree spirit who stole my heart when she was only fourteen.

I'm awoken suddenly by the sound of shattering glass in the bedroom across the way. I shoot up out of the bed and look at the window, it's already dusk. I suppose the jet lag was worse than I had realized. I clumsily rush into Emi's room. She's sitting on the floor, laughing hysterically. And she's surrounded by a broken whiskey bottle in shards across the floor. She's clearly very drunk, she hasn't even noticed me standing right in front of her. I gently walk around the glass and start to lift her off the floor. I notice she has a cut on the inside of her hand so I guide her into the bathroom. She marches forward without a protest and I chuckle lowly because she's so determined to march in a straight line. She marches almost in to the door frame of the bathroom before I grab her and steady her. I carefully pick her up and place her on the counter before reaching around for the first aid kit and turning on the warm water. I soak a hand towel while pulling out an antibiotic cream. I don't even notice that she's watching my every move. I turn around to grab her hand and out of nowhere she leans forward and kisses me hard.

Shocked, I pull back hesitantly. She pouts, "What? You wanted to kiss me so bad this morning? Do you not love me anymore?" She slurs most of her words together, but I get the gist of her question. I run my fingers through my hair and chuckle once again under my breath. "Of course I love you Vixen. But you're injured and extremely drunk. Let me take care of you and then we can talk once you've sobered up." She let's out a small 'hmmph' but raises her bleeding palm so I can continue to doctor it up. After washing it out, applying the ointment, and wrapping it in a bandage I push back away from the counter. She's leaning her head back against the mirror with her eyes closed, she's still awake but seems lost in thought.

I grip her waist and pull her forward a bit. She opens her eyes and looks at me intently, her eyes are so mesmerizing. I could get lost in them so quickly like I had so many times before. How could my father ever think what she and I had shared was puppy love? I love her with my entire soul, what's left of the d*mned thing anyways. Without warning and certainly no hesitation on her part, she smirks and raises her hand, slapping me hard across the face with her uninjured hand. Taken back, I immediately grab her wrist before she can take another swing at me. "What the hell Vixen? Have you lost your f*cking mind?" I growl out at her.

Instead of looking intimidated she begins to giggle. Then within seconds she is full blown howling with laughter. I let go of her wrist when I'm sure she won't be going in for another slap and cross my arms across my chest. I wait patiently for her to finish with her laughing fit. Finally she starts to breathe normally with only a few giggles escaping and she looks me dead in my face and says, "That was for leaving me. For making me fall in love with you and walking away with my heart still in your hand. But mostly, for the fact that I still love you even now." She grabs my face and kisses me hard once more, but this time I don't make any move to stop her. I bring my hands up around her throat and brush the hair away from her face. She tastes so sweet, like alcohol and honey. Just like I remember from all of our drunken nights together.

I feel her wrap her legs around my mid section so I bring my hands to her as* and pick her up off of the countertops, feeling for the door behind me without breaking the intoxicating kiss. I throw the door open and walk with her wrapped around me into my bedroom. I pull away from the kiss as I feel my knee hit the edge of the king sized bed and ask her breathlessly, "Do you still love me?"