She pulls a face and Angel laughs. “Never mind, honey, tomorrow’s another day.”
She turns to Sebastian and says softly, “What about you, honey, do you want to grab some sleep?”
He shakes his head and the look he shoots her makes me smile. They always have loved each other unconditionally and nobody knows that more than me.
“No, I’ll stay with you.”
She shakes her head. “I’ll be fine and just curl up here with Ana.”
Something in her expression makes him change his mind and he nods. “Ok, but call me the minute something happens.”
I watch them kiss softly and my heart lifts. They made it through, which is good to see. Maybe I did too. If today turns out for the best, I will feel happy again. But I can’t think of that all the time Sophia is out there with a madman.
Soon we are alone in the bar and Angel says gently, “Come and sit with me. We can wait here, so we’re on hand if news comes in.”
I nod and sit beside her and she grabs a nearby blanket and covers us both. “This is like old times, honey.”
I nod. “That seems a long time ago.”
“I wonder what we would have thought if we knew how our lives would turn out. Me an MC whore before finding true love with my childhood sweetheart and you married to the mob.”
We both giggle and I say in a whisper, “Tobias just told me he loved me.”
Angel’s eyes widen and she gasps, “No way, you mean he has a heart.”
“It appears so.”
“So, tell me about your honeymoon, the boat, the island, what was it like? Actually, scrub that, what was he like?”
She winks and I say wistfully. “It was so good, Angel. I never really thought it would be, but he was so kind, caring and considerate. He made me feel like a queen and then it changed.”
“What do you mean—changed?”
Her eyes narrow and I shrug. “He withdrew from me because I told him I loved him.”
Reaching out, Angel takes my hand. “Oh honey, that must have hurt.”
“It did. Immediately, he arranged for us to go home and we didn’t speak all the way. Then he kicked me out of the plane and left me to go home alone in one of his cars. I felt so bad, I thought he didn’t want me anymore.”
Angel looks angry on my behalf and I say in a worried voice. “Then Sophia told me all about what happened when their parents died. It was brutal, Angel, it’s no wonder Tobias withdrew. His heart was broken and he became consumed with the thirst for revenge. He told me he could never allow himself to love again, and it was because Carlos Toledo arranged the murder of his entire family. Now he’s got Sophia and I’m so afraid. He’s a man with no soul and won’t care what he does to her. Poor Tobias, he could lose the one person he’s got left. His parents and twin were brutally murdered and he went to hell and back. In fact, I think he’s still there because Carlos is still out there.”
Angel’s face mirrors my concern and she squeezes my hand reassuringly. “It’s ok, honey, the Reapers know what they’re doing. They are the best and if Sophia’s alive, they will bring her safely back.”
“That’s what I’m afraid of. What if she’s dead? It will destroy Tobias; he may not recover.”
We fall silent and as the clock ticks on the wall, I feel his pain and pray to God that Sophia makes it.
We must fall asleep because I hear voices in the distance and jerk awake, unsure for a moment where I am. Angel stirs and blinks, before looking at me with fear in her eyes. “They’re back.”
Quickly, we jump up and head for the door because by the sounds of it, there are quite a number of people out there and as I glance at the clock, I can see it’s 7 am.
Angel opens the door and I see several huge men heading wearily inside and she says fearfully, “Is she ok?”
One of the guys sees her and smiles. “Well, if it isn’t our little Angel.”
He looks at me with interest and Angel snaps, “For fuck’s sake, Tyson, is she safe?”
He nods and the relief is overwhelming and I lean against the wall for support.
He adds, “She’s with Ryder and Snake. They took her to the office where her brother is. Hang tight, I’m sure they won’t be long.”
Angel turns and her smile says it all. Sophia’s safe, thank God.
Chapter 37
Tobias
We got news in the early hours they had Sophia. They were taking her to the Dragon’s ruin to get cleaned up, and that sent me out of my mind. Cleaned up, what the hell happened?
I sat for three torturous hours as we waited and Brewer filled me in and kept the coffee coming. They went in when they had eyes on Carlos. Sophia was chained to a wall next to Todd’s wife and the kids were slumped on the ground. Carlos was shouting and brandishing a knife and shouting that he was gonna kill them all. Apparently, the Reapers went in covertly and had the element of surprise on their side. Carlos was ambushed and knocked senseless, and the prisoners were freed by the guys. Snake cut Sophia free and got her the hell out of there, and Ryder dealt with Carlos. They warned me he’s not a pretty sight because one thing the Reapers hate above everything is when kids are involved. I think they all had their turn and Brewer told me he would probably be out for a while.
Todd’s family were taken to the nearest hospital, and Ryder made sure any questions would be buried.
As soon as we hear the commotion, I stand and steel myself for what I will see. Sophia means everything to me and if I see one blemish on her beautiful face or body, I’m liable to lose any self-control I may have left.
I’m not prepared for what I see though and as they crowd into the room; I see her staring at me with a pale face and her eyes are wide and frightened. She looks so frail and nothing like the strong woman she is, and my gut twists in silent rage. She is broken, it’s in her eyes. She has that look of a woman who can’t deal with the horror she’s faced and as I make toward her, Ryder says softly, “Back off, man.”
What the fuck? I look at him sharply and he shakes his head and gently takes her hand and says softly, “It’s ok, darlin’, your brother’s here. You’re safe now, and no one here is gonna hurt you. Now, I want you to take that seat and I’ll get you some hot tea, is that ok, darlin’?”
She just nods and sits in the seat without looking at me once. Ryder turns to another guy and says in a whisper, “Fetch Bonnie, she’ll help her.”
I’m not sure what’s happening and Ryder nods for me to follow him outside and as the door clicks shut, he says in a low voice. “She’s in shock. The bastard roughed her up and put the fear of god in her. She hasn’t said much, but she’s scared. My advice would be to get her checked out because there’s no telling what damage that bastard did.”
“Where is he?” My voice is tight and controlled, but my rage isn’t.
Ryder nods in understanding. “We’ve tossed him in the pit. He’s out cold and will wake in the ground with no light or way out. He’s yours, but he can stay there until you’re ready.”
I feel impatient to deal with him, but Sophia has to come first.
Before we go back in, I see a sleepy looking redhead come toward us looking concerned and Ryder says, “Bonnie, she’s in there, see what you can do.”
She nods and heads inside and Ryder says fondly, “Bonnie’s good. If anyone can get through to her, she can. I would have sent for my wife, but she’s about to go into labor and can do without this.”
“And you left her—for me?”
I stare at Ryder in astonishment and he shrugs. “She told me to go. She’s not due for a few more days, and we weren’t that far. If I had to, I would have come back.”
“Even so, thank you. It means a lot.”
One of Ryder’s men comes out and says angrily, “Fucking bastard. I didn’t hit him hard enough, she’s a mess in there.”
I make to move past him and he holds up his hand. “Give them a minute. Bonnie’s good, she’ll sort her out.”
We must wait for a g
ood twenty minutes before Bonnie pokes her head around the door and says softly, “We’re heading off so Sophia can have a bath and a fresh change of clothes. She’s still not talking but has agreed to let me help her.”
I feel the fury grip me hard. What the fuck did he do to my sister?
Ryder says firmly, “We will leave them to it. It’s best to let her settle in. We’ll grab some breakfast and then you can decide what you want to do.”
The last thing I feel like doing is eating, but the guys look done in, so I nod and follow them to a large canteen area where one of the guys is cooking up eggs and bacon.
My own men have joined them and we must look a strange bunch. I see Angel and Ana and immediately head across to my wife. Her face is full of concern and she whispers, “How is she?”
“Not good. She’s not talking and appears in shock. Someone’s with her now.”
Ana looks so worried I reach across and grab her hand. “She’s alive, that’s all that matters. The rest we can deal with.”
We sit for close on two hours before Bonnie heads back and I watch her whisper something urgently to Ryder and his right-hand man. Ryder looks up and I see him nod and then Bonnie heads off and Ryder comes across. “I’m sorry, man.”
“What for?” I feel the ice freeze my blood as he sits beside me and says softly, “She won’t see you. She told Bonnie she won’t go home with you and wants to stay here.”
“What the fuck?”
Ana places her hand on my arm and says softly, “Is that the shock talking?”
“Maybe. We will get her checked out by a doctor, but for now I would do as she says. She needs to heal and you must let her.”
“What, leave her here? I won’t, she belongs with me.”
Ryder looks at him sympathetically. “Listen, it’s been a shock for everyone and she’s probably not thinking straight. Give her a few days and then we’ll see where we’re at. Go home and take that trash in the pit with you. I don’t want to know what you decide and if anyone asks, I never met the guy.”
He stands and I feel helpless as I think of leaving Sophia here. He smiles and shakes his head. “She’s not the first broken Angel we’ve fixed, and she won’t be the last. Leave her with us and trust us to do what’s best for her.”
Angel leans across and says softly, “Listen to Ryder, Tobias. He knows what he’s talking about and I know the Reapers. Sophia’s in the best place she could be and she will come back to you when she is good and ready.”
I can’t think straight, but I know I have no choice. She is fragile, it was obvious to anyone with eyes and so I say with thick emotion, “Can I see her—just to say goodbye?”
“I’m sorry, man.” Ryder’s voice is sympathetic but firm, and I know that’s his last word. I just have to trust he knows what he’s doing and nod.
“I’ll go. Have my men retrieve Carlos and we’ll leave you in peace.”
Standing up, I take Ana’s hand and pull her to my side where she belongs.
“Come, let’s go home.”
Leaving my sister behind is the hardest thing I have ever had to do, but Ryder’s right. She needs to heal and she can’t do that with the memories back at home. Maybe this is the best place for her, only time will tell, but whatever Sophia needs, she gets and this is no exception.
So, after we say our goodbyes and I thank the Reapers from the bottom of my black heart, we leave Angel and Sebastian to drive themselves and head back to the plane and home.
Chapter 38
Anastasia
Tobias is pre-occupied, and who can blame him? In fact, the whole party are exhausted and I wonder what happened back at the mansion when I left.
We arrived at the airfield and I couldn’t wait to get on board and back home. Leaving Sophia was painful and our natural reaction was to want her with us, but Angel assured us she was in the right place. I’m not sure what the way out of this will be, but all I know is the only person I want by my side, is holding my hand so tenderly it makes my heart lift out of the stormiest sea. Whatever happens, I have him and now I know he actually feels something for me; I am happy with that.
We hardly speak on the journey home, which thankfully is a short one. As soon as we touch down, the cars are waiting and I can’t wait to get home and grab a change of clothes and some sleep. It’s been an emotional few days and I’m tired.
Tobias looks a wreck, which is the first sign since I met him that he’s human after all and when the door to the car closes and we are alone, he sinks his head in his hands and his voice breaks. “I hate leaving her there.”
I rub his back and yet have no words. I share his concern.
“It could have been so different. If I hadn’t called the Reapers, we would never have found her.”
“Where’s Carlos?”
“Being unloaded like cargo and taken to a place I own.”
I wish I hadn’t asked, but know his fate will not be a happy one. Tobias sits up and reaches for me and pulls me close and I feel his breath fan my face. “You give me strength, little bird. I will see this through for you and for Sophia.”
I can feel my heart quicken and know this particular storm isn’t over yet. “What will you do?”
I’m not sure I really want to know, but he rests his head against mine and whispers, “I will end this.”
Then he kisses me softly and with a desperation that strikes fear in my heart. What is he thinking, it’s impossible to tell?
One kiss that feels so loving soon turns into one of passion. He fists my hair in his hand and kisses me long and hard and despite the situation, I feel the desire growing and he says huskily, “Never leave me, Ana, now you’re mine I never want to lose what we have.”
“I’m going nowhere.” I whisper the words and he sighs and I can tell he’s going through some powerful emotions right now and my heart aches for him.
The car stops and I see we’ve reached home and it’s like a welcome rainbow after a storm.
As the door opens, Tobias helps me from the car and Matteo nods respectfully. “Welcome home, Mrs. Moretti.”
As I look up at the impressive building, my heart settles. Yes, I’m home, because wherever Tobias is, is where I belong.
Mrs. Billings meets us looking anxious, and I smile at her reassuringly. She must have been scared, and I wonder how much she knows. “Mr. Moretti, Mrs. Moretti, it’s good to see you. Can I fetch you anything?”
Tobias turns to me and I say gratefully, “Some coffee would be good, thank you.”
Tobias nods and leans down, whispering, “I’ll meet you in the kitchen, I need to talk to Matteo first.”
He walks off with his right-hand man toward the office wing and I follow Mrs. Billings into the kitchen and feel the relief hit me hard. We made it.
Then I look at the thin woman who deals with so much and say gently, “You must have been worried.”
“I am.”
She busies herself with making the coffee and I sit on the barstool and say wearily. “That was quite a scare, but you will be pleased to know Sophia is safe. I can’t say she’s well but physically I think she’s ok.”
I see the tears form in the housekeeper’s eyes and feel surprised. She obviously cares a great deal for Sophia and she wipes them away before saying huskily, “Will she be coming home?”
“Not just yet. She’s staying with some friends to heal. I’m sure she won’t be a stranger though; we just have to be patient.”
She nods and I can tell she’s relieved and then she says with concern. “And you. This must have come as quite a shock. How are you bearing up?”
“Me?” I stare at her in surprise because of everyone, I’m the least affected but I appreciate her concern and smile my thanks. “You know, Mrs. Billings, this has taught me how much I care for this family. I just want to make sure they are ok and then I’ll be happy.”
She laughs softly. “They may be a strange bunch but they’re family, it counts for a lot.”
We shar
e a smile and an understanding. Yes, they may be difficult but they are our kind of complicated and love has a habit of disguising the flaws in people who ordinarily we should run like the wind from. But they are so much more than that. They are made up of many layers and not all of them bad. It’s the good in them that creates loyalty and the bad in them that creates a desire to help. I’m not sure I’m up to the job, but I will die trying to make their lives a happier one.
It’s not long before Tobias heads into the kitchen looking tired and yet so impossibly hot my mouth waters. He is unshaven and the dark stubble on his strong jaw arouses the animal in me and his tousled hair makes me itch to run my fingers through it.
Grabbing a coffee from Mrs. Billings, he settles beside me and smiles. “I think that’s enough business for one day. I have more important things to occupy my afternoon.”
The loaded look he shoots me makes me squirm and I feel the heat tearing through my body. Mrs. Billings smiles and turns away, and Tobias winks and takes my hand. “Come, we need to be alone.”
I almost can’t look at Mrs. Billings because his intentions are crystal clear—what must she think?
But she carries on with her chores and as I follow my husband to where I appear happiest, I feel excited for the hours ahead.
Chapter 39
Tobias
The relief is overwhelming. It’s done. Carlos is finally where I want him and Sophia is safe and getting the care she needs. Ana is back by my side and I can breathe again.
Now I only have one thing in mind and that’s carrying on where we left off at the hideaway.
As I pull her in haste after me, she giggles, “Do you always have to move so fast?”
“Not always.”
I wink and I see the desire heavy in her eyes.
Completing Beauty: Books 1-3 Page 34