My Demons (The Angel Trilogy #2)

by Kimberly Blalock

  “Amy…” I shake my head.

  Inner sexy girl just punched her in the face. She’s supposed to be on my side. I’m going to kick her ass. She’s supposed to be my best friend.

  “Abigale you can’t expect to just get back to your life the way you’d been living it, since you can’t remember what it was you were doing…” my mom pauses to stare me down. “Am I the only one that thinks this girl has lost her mind?” She throws her arms in the air.

  “Thanks Mom, I appreciate that.” I’m biting my lower lip and nodding my head because, of course, I’ve lost my mind, I have amnesia.

  “Oh Abigale, I’m sorry, I didn’t mean it that way.” She takes a deep breath. “Ok we are going to go make some arrangements for your homecoming and then we’ll be back.” She holds her hand up, stopping me from speaking as soon as she sees my mouth open to object.

  “Dad?” I beg for him to save me, but he only shrugs. I remember him being so much more dominant. He’s so wrapped up in Mom these days. I remember him being so dominant, now he’s just so pliable.

  “Twilight zone,” I murmur.

  “I’m sorry?” My mom turns in her blue sleeveless dress to investigate what I’d just said.

  I suck in a harsh breath as I realize this is the twilight zone and I can’t fight with her about this anymore. “Ok,” I growl.

  She doesn’t speak right away, but instead walks over to my bed where I’m sitting and leans in to kiss my forehead. “Thank you.”

  “Yeah, yeah.”

  “Does this mean that I get to stay there too?” Amy babbles.

  “Of course it does silly, you know you’re always welcome in our home. You’re family.”

  “Thank you, Alison.” Amy melts at my mom’s feet.

  “Suck up.” I say rolling my eyes.

  Amy’s family is in L.A., but they’re not close. It’s not from conflict, it’s just how they do things in the Alexander home. Amy’s parents are from ‘old’ money and very self-centered. Not that the two are related in any way, but that’s just how it’s always been. Their social standing is of major importance and they have little time for anything else. Heidi and Stephen Alexander are very nice people, they just have odd priorities. Amy always hung out at our home when we were growing up, it was just the norm for her to be there.

  “Ok, we will pick you up around noon, love,” my mom says as she and my dad walk out the door, closing it behind them.

  And so it begins…

  Chapter Two

  Evan

  “They’ll be in the black SUV with no plates,” Michael says.

  “I don’t know why you won’t let me do this E?” Natalia pouts.

  Natalia is the little sister I never wanted. I laugh to myself only because now’s the time I need to at least appear serious.

  “Here,” I toss Nat a water bottle. “Stop whining it’s not cute.”

  “Ha-ha,” she sulks with her head leaning forward on the headrest from the back seat.

  “It’s definitely cute, don’t listen to him.” Michael laughs as he loads his 9 mm Glock.

  “Oh God,” she whispers sitting up in her seat gawking out the window. “Showtime girls.”

  I turn in my driver’s seat to see the black SUV pulling to the side of the road on the bridge we’re parked on.

  I hop out of the Hummer and secure my weapon in the holster to my back. Michael and Natalia flank me. Two very large men step out of the SUV with a third exiting at four-point-six seconds later. All the men walk forward and appear very confident with my crew approaching. No nerves seem to be exposed, they all appear very cool and calm. I notice that they’re watching us very closely though.

  Buzz, the guy to my left, is at least three-hundred pounds of solid muscle, but what really interests me isn’t his size, but his ability to uphold his objective. Stretch, the guy behind him appears very solid, strong isn’t always in the muscles, but don’t get me wrong he’s substantially built. I don’t really have a nickname for the guy on the right eating an apple with a knife in his hands, but I’m intrigued since I haven’t figured him out yet and let me tell you that it doesn’t take me long to figure someone out.

  Both of our groups stand there about one-hundred feet from the other staring and anticipating the other. I want to see what these guys are capable of.

  I reach for my gun hidden behind my back and apple guy throws his knife directly at me landing it in my right arm while stretch has already pulled his piece. Buzz just stands there, I wrinkle my brow cause I’m thinking, what the fuck?

  I pull the four inch blade from my shoulder, damn that shit stings, but I’ve had worse.

  I tilt my head, and when I do Buzz speaks with his hands in his pockets. “Forty-five in the back holster, knife in the left ankle and right hip. You would’ve had a bullet in your head before you got your piece aimed at us.”

  “What makes you so sure?” I ask with my cocky ass grin.

  “There’s been a gun on you three the whole time you’ve been within three miles of this bridge.”

  I let loose of my piece and run my hands over my scruff. I turn toward Natalia knowing she’d be pissed that shit happened, and then I run my hand through my hair pulling a smile on my face.

  “Nice. Where’s this gun?”

  “Now, if I told you that I’d have to kill you wouldn’t I?” Buzz answers.

  “I suppose you would… I suppose you would.” I smile even bigger.

  I look to my right nodding to Michael, letting him know that I approve of the crew he’s suggested to protect Abby.

  “Baldwin, how are you buddy?” Michael asks Buzz.

  “Dude, it’s been too long.” They approach each other pulling in for a man hug.

  “Evan, this is Baldwin.” Baldwin steps forward with his hand extended.

  “Damn good to meet you,” I say.

  “Yes sir, thank you for this opportunity. This is Skits and Adam. The one behind the scene is Brent.”

  “Nice, I like your style. Real names?”

  “Hell no, we prefer not to be traced back to anything, ya know.”

  I nod. I do know.

  I hear a vehicle pull up behind us and Baldwin holds his hand up. “Brent.”

  A young guy skids to a stop and steps out of a jeep. He kind of reminds me of myself which could come back to bite me in the ass.

  “Brent, this is Evan.”

  “What’s up?” I ask. This dude is definitely confident and confidence can get you killed, and that shit isn’t cool when we’re talking about Abby.

  “What’s the job?” Baldwin gets to the point of our meeting.

  This whole thing has been a test. A test they didn’t know they were being given. If I’m going to trust someone to protect Abby they have to be the best and from what I see they are some of the best.

  “All right then,” I say as we all move in. “We’re dealing with some… unknown, but some known shit as well, and I need to protect someone that’s very important to me. The most important person in my life.” My eyes have to be shooting fucking daggers with seriousness.

  “Got it! Do we get to know the known? And do you know what kind of unknown we’re talking about? I like to be as prepared as possible,” Nat turns to me asking silently for approval to move forward with the plan.

  I nod.

  “This is the file that holds everything that you need to know for now. If and when we have new info you’ll be contacted.”

  Baldwin takes the file from Nat and opens it reviewing the info. “Ok,” he says handing the file to Brent.

  “She’s beautiful,” Brent whispers.

  I look at Brent ready to fucking kill him. “Your job is to protect her not fuck her, do I make myself clear?” I growl.

  “Very,” Baldwin answers glaring at his team member.

  “I need you to stay invisible at all times. If someone approaches her and tries to hurt her, you take them out from a distance. If someone follows her, you handle that, but someone must ha
ve eyes on at all times. Clear?”

  “Crystal,” Baldwin answers.

  “This job starts immediately and again, all the info is in the file. If I call you and ask what she’s doing and you aren’t able to tell me that she’s safe, without a doubt, I’ll fucking kill you myself.” I hand Baldwin an envelope containing fifty thousand dollars. I’ll pay anything I need to keep her safe.

  “Got it.” I like this guy, he knows what’s expected of him and seems to take it very seriously.

  “I’ll be in touch,” I say flatly, putting my sunglasses on and head toward the Hummer.

  Everyone follows suit and when Nat and Michael are in I skid out onto the road.

  “That went well, huh?” Nat asks.

  “Yeah, let’s hope they don’t fuck up.”

  “Nah, I know this guy, I’d trust him with Natalia’s life. He’s got this.” He says biting into his beef jerky

  “Ha, do you ever give up?” She reaches up punching him in the arm.

  “Never gonna happen, sexy. You’ll be mine someday.”

  “Pfft, not gonna happen.”

  “Ok, you two. I’m heading to D.C. tonight, I need you to be on your game.”

  “Cool. Briefing’s at eighteen hundred tomorrow. You gonna be back by then?”

  “Who the fuck knows. I don’t know what Thomas wants to see me for this time, probably the usual bullshit.”

  I pull into the parking lot where Michael and Nat left their cars. I wait a few minutes until they can pull their gear from my Hummer before I pull away.

  My stupid fucking sadistic dad has yet again requested my presence in D.C. so I have to go and make an appearance. I know what he wants. I always know what he wants.

  Thomas Carter thought it’d be a good idea to make me his bitch. He hires me to take care of, and by take care of I mean silence certain people, and in return he fills an account with the payment. Payment I’ve never touched and really have no idea how much has accumulated. I don’t care either.

  My mom left everything she had to me in an account that sat growing interest until I was twenty-one-years-old. I think on the last count there was over twenty million. I’ve only touched a pinch of that. It just feels wrong, like blood money.

  Blood money seems to be the only money I earn these days. But, the ATF pays me well enough. I will, however, be using my inheritance soon.

  I only give in to my Dad’s request to keep him happy and until I get my shit straight and can keep Abby safe, I have to continue doing his dirty work and I’m ok with that. Knowing everything I do is for Abby one way or the other, helps me stay focused on what I need to do.

  For now…

  Chapter Three

  Abby

  “You’re such a dork.” Amy laughs so hard I’m convinced she’s peed herself.

  “You shouldn’t underestimate me.” I also laugh.

  “Abby, you do know you can’t just randomly say that to people.”

  “Umm… this coming from the expert of random?” I wrinkle my brows.

  “Exactly.” She owns it. “Yeah, and besides telling the hot sexy doctor his ass is nice, is just so outside your norm you know?” Ok, Amy’s always pushing me to be something I’m not and now she has an opinion. Hmm, I don’t buy it. Something’s up with her lately.

  “I’m just really sick of being here.” I tuck the last of my clothing into my bag. “All right, where are they?” My parents said they’d be back by now.

  “Geez freak out much?” She laughs when I begin pacing the small room.

  “Ha-ha,” I respond snarkily.

  “Oh shit,” Amy huffs. “I just spilled this stupid coffee on my brand new top. Ugh,” she grunts walking to the bathroom.

  I’ve been in this room a little bit too long. It’s almost Christmas and I need to go home. I wanted to go back to my apartment, but my mom had a fit so that’s not going to happen now.

  I want to remember everything that’s been going on for the last year and I’m so angry that I can’t. The doctors have been great. They have tried to reassure me that it takes time for my memory to come back completely, but my patience is running thin.

  I receive a text message.

  Mom: On our way

  Abby: K

  I toss the phone onto the bed.

  I know that my parents mean well wanting to take care of me, but I feel like being on my own is exactly what I need to start healing.

  “This is such a waste.”

  “What?” I ask from where I’m sitting on the window sill.

  “This top, it’s never coming out.”

  “Grab something of mine.”

  I know I’ve been thinking it for a while, probably because I’ve nothing better to do, but I think Amy’s back to her old ways. When I say old ways, I mean the eating disorder. She struggled with it starting in middle school and then all the way through high school.

  She always made an excuse not to eat something or not drink something, and if she did she would make up an excuse to go to the bathroom. While I know this sounds crazy, it nearly killed her in our junior year. She was so weak. Nothing but tiny little bones really, but she got through it. That was about the time she met Dom.

  I see her glare at the bag because she knows what I’m gonna say. She has to know what I’m thinking, right?

  Amy’s tiny by nature, but I’m smaller than she is. I always have been. When she puts my top on and it falls off of her, it’s going to be so obvious what’s going on.

  Do I call her on it though?

  “No, I’m cool, I’ll just wear this.”

  Oh yeah, she knows what I’ll say. I may not remember the last year of my life, but I remember that, and as her friend I’ll definitely say something to her.

  Thing is though, I know that she does this when the stress is too much. She’s worried about me, so now I have guilt for that. I know this is something that I brought her to, whether I want to admit it or not.

  “Sure?”

  “Stop pushing, Abbs.”

  “Hmm,” I whisper slipping off of the window sill.

  My phone buzzes from the bed. I grab my bag and phone in unison.

  Unknown: I screwed up the last time I won’t mess up the next time.

  My face falls to a dark place because I feel a memory, but it scares me. I don’t know why it just does.

  “Hey, who’s that?” Amy asks as she recognizes the fear in my eyes. I don’t know who this is and there isn’t a phone number.

  “I don’t know,” I shrug.

  “What do you mean you don’t know?” She tilts her head.

  “It’s nothing.” If Amy’s hiding her eating disorder this is the last thing she needs to see and then worry about. I can handle it. I can’t handle this because I don’t know who it is, but I can ignore it, right?

  Knock. Knock.

  The nurse enters the room wanting to assess me one last time.

  “You’re a miracle, Abby.” She smiles. “I hope you find everything that you’re looking for in there.” She gestures to my head.

  “Thank you, Jess. You’ve been great.” I smile.

  She’s been very nice to me while I’ve been here and for that I’m grateful. Mostly because she’s just a nice girl and I’ve never sensed a ‘secret’ agenda. Some of the other doctors and nurses seem fake when they talk to me probably because of who my father is.

  He’s one of, if not the best, surgeon in his field and he’s a star to those that aspire to be like him. So, I didn’t feel their sincerity. Instead, I felt their coveting stares of my father.

  “There she is.” Doctor sexy enters the room. “Are you excited to go home?” he asks.

  “Oh yeah, anything has to be better than this place, right?”

  “Oh, it wasn’t that bad, was it?” His hands run through his hair and I can tell he has something to say.

  “Yeah, it sure was, but thank you for everything that you’ve done for me, I really appreciate it.” I offer a kind smile.

 
“Amy, do you think I can get a minute with Abby?”

  “Oh God. I’ll be right out here, doll.” She huffs and then walks out of the room. She senses something’s up too.

  “What’s up Hollister?” He had recently asked that I not call him Doctor and call him by his first name. I didn’t think anything of it.

  His walk in my direction is so intense, his eyes are piercing into mine and a chill runs through my body.

  As he takes the last of his steps, his hand find mine. I feel frozen in my shoes. The look I’m holding has to be telling him I’m freaking out.

  “Abby, I’ve gotten to know you while you’ve been in here and I’d love to take you out sometime.”

  Ok, so Dr. Sexy is hot I’m not going to deny that, but he’s not my type. Yeah again, he’s hot and yea I mess with him all the time, but only because I love freaking Amy out, and probably mostly because I’ve been so freaking bored here.

  I’ve used some of this time recently to write and it’s helped a lot. One thing I haven’t figured out though. Amy brought me one of my journals, but it was an old one. She said she wasn’t able to find anything else when she went back to look for the one I was writing when the accident happened. Since I can’t remember being in that apartment, I have no idea where I could’ve put it.

  “Abby?”

  “Huh?” I ask as I’m spun from my thoughts.

  “What do you think?”

  “Umm, I really like you, but not like that. I’m sorry.”

  “Oh, so Evan’s the reason?” I can’t tell if he’s trying to be condescending or not.

  “No, actually I really like being friends with you. There isn’t any reason to mess that up, right?”

  Please agree with me. Please agree with me.

  “Definitely, I love being your friend, Abby,”

  “Time to roll, doll,” Amy’s voice erupts breaking the silence that’s been left by the rejection I sense Hollister’s feeling.

  He seems like a great guy. But I have so many emotions lost in translation that flow through the already crazed and lost mind I carry around all day long. I can’t add to that with that.