Charmingly Wicked

by Teresa Gabelman

  Grabbing the swatches she headed toward the living room area. Angel came to a sudden stop coming face to face with a strange man standing in the entryway. What in the world was going on? She hadn’t even moved in yet and here was another stranger, except this one just waltzed right into her home.

  “Can I help you?” Angel tried to make her voice sound stern and wasn’t sure if she achieved it or not.

  The man turned quickly then stumbled. “Oh, ah, I was to meet Thorne here today.”

  “Are you Gavan?” Angel felt a little relief when he nodded. She glanced at her phone. “Thorne left already. You’re about an hour and half late.”

  “Car trouble.” The man said, his words were slightly slurred.

  “I’m sorry to hear that, but I’ve hired someone else.” Angel figured to say she did the hiring since it was her house and she didn’t want to cause problems between this man and Thorne just in case they were friends. She also knew the man was lying since Vance had already said where he saw the man. She could smell a stale whiff of alcohol radiating from the man and obviously still feeling its affects.

  “No!” His voice raised slightly; his eyes narrowed. He took a step forward but stopped then ran his hand down his face clearing his throat. “I was depending on this job.”

  She noted that he was trying to calm himself but seemed to be failing. His body shook and his eyes were shooting around nervously. “I’m sorry, but I’ve already hired someone.”

  “Fuck!” The man bellowed punching his hand into the palm of his other hand. He then reached out and grabbed her arm more tightly than she was comfortable with. “Where’s Thorne? He’s the one I talked to, not you.”

  “I own this house.” Angel pulled away rubbing her throbbing arm. “Not Thorne. I’m sorry, but I can’t afford two handymen. I think it’s best you leave.”

  Angel gasped when he flew toward her his finger pointing in her face. “You’re going to regret this.”

  “If you don’t step away from her right now you are going to regret it, Gavan.” Vance’s voice rang out in the room. No longer was his voice pleasant as when she first met him, it now held a threat that was very hard to ignore.

  Gavan’s hand dropped. “No, not him.” Gavan whispered and Angel saw fear flash over his face before it was replaced with rage. There was obviously a history between the two.

  “Yes.” Angel nodded, then took a step back. “I think you should leave.”

  “You’re going to regret this.” He sneered at her, his eyes red with anger and the after effects of alcohol.

  Angel gasped as Vance snatched Gavan up, turned him around and grasped him by the throat picking him up off the floor.

  “You dare to threaten a woman in front of me?” Vance growled as he slammed Gavan against the wall still holding him off the floor. Angel was both shocked and impressed. Glancing at Gavan she noticed the color draining from his face. She needed to stop this.

  Rushing toward them she placed a hand on Vance’s thick muscled forearm. “Please, stop.” Angel urged watching the life slipping away from the man. “He can’t breathe.”

  “That’s the point.” Vance growled again, but after slamming his head into the wall he let go of his neck. Gavan fell to the floor gasping for breath as he grabbed his neck. “Get the hell out of here. And if I see or hear of you coming anywhere near her, I will hunt you down. Do you understand me?”

  When Gavan didn’t answer Vance went to grab him again, but Gavan scooted away quickly nodding. “Yes.”

  “Good, now get the hell out of here and sober up.” Vance ordered and followed a stumbling Gavan to his car.

  Angel slowly walked toward the broken door and looked out. Gavan was speeding away and had disappeared, but Vance still stood there. His back was turned away from her, his body stiff, his hands fisted at his sides.

  Not thinking she rushed toward him, then stopped by his side peeking around at his face. “You okay?”

  Vance took a deep breath, closed his eyes for a second before nodding. “I should be asking you that question.”

  “I’m fine.” Angel said, but rubbed her arm. He noticed the action. Quickly, but with a gentleness that surprised her for such a huge man he grabbed her hand raising her shirt sleeve. “It’s nothing.”

  Dark purple individual finger marks marred her pale skin where his fingers hand painfully dug into her muscle. A noise rumbled from his chest as he glared at her arm.

  “I bruise easy.” She tried to make light of her injury.

  “He will pay for that.” Vance promised before releasing her arm.

  Angel missed his touch and that frightened her. What in the world was happening? Clearing her throat she just shook her head. “I think the hangover he’s going to have later will be payment enough.”

  She tried to make light of the situation, but he wasn’t having it. Hearing a car she prayed it wasn’t Gavan coming back. Vance must have thought along those lines because he stepped quickly in front of her shielding her from danger. Her heart fluttered before beating a fast tempo. That’s when she knew she was in deep trouble because at that very moment she wanted nothing more than Vance Walker.

  How pathetic was that. She just met this man and already she wanted his protection, to have his babies and oh, hell, she was definitely screwed. Never had she reacted to a man so strongly. Was she that desperate for male companionship? When she took a deep breath taking in his woodsy scent she sighed realizing she, in fact, was that desperate.

  Chapter 7

  Angel peeked around Vance to see Thorne pull up with Wicked. The car stopped in front of them with Thorne getting out first.

  “What’s wrong?” Thorne stopped his eyes scanning the area before looking back at Vance.

  “Gavan showed up while I was gone.” Vance’s voice wasn’t as threatened as before, but there was still a tinge of anger edging his words. “He threatened Angel.”

  “He what?” Thorne growled as he moved to open the door for Wicked. “I was the one that hired you. He has a problem with it he can come to me.”

  “Actually, I told him I did.” Angel spoke up. “And I don’t think Gavan will be a problem.”

  “What did you do, Vance?” Wicked shook her head as he walked up and gave him a hug. “It’s good to see you and I’m glad you’re sticking around for a while longer.”

  Angel watched Vance hug Wicked, then heard him whisper. “You trying to get me killed. Thorne is giving me the, back off or I will kill you, glare.”

  Wicked rolled her eyes then gave him a wink. “I like keeping him on his toes.”

  “At my expense.” Vance snorted, then glanced at Angel. “You two look alike.”

  “That’s where the similarities end.” Angel chuckled shaking her head. “She is much cooler than me.”

  Vance’s eyebrows lowered as he frowned then leaned toward her. “Don’t sell yourself short.”

  Before Angel could reply Bruce walked up with Rook following then landed on her shoulder. “Rook this is Vance.”

  “What’s happening.” Rook flapped one wing as if in a wave.

  “No. No. No.” Bruce shook his head and gave a dramatic sigh. “It’s ‘what’s up’.”

  Vance and Angel shared a look.

  “Hey, Vance. What’s up.” Bruce said, then looked back at Rook. “See how that flowed. Cool and smooth.”

  “See.” Angel couldn’t help but grin. “Even my familiar needs lessons in being cool.”

  “You’re a witch too, huh?” Vance crossed his arms staring down at her. “Thorne remember those stories we heard when we were kids about the witches wanting to eat kids? They had big noses with warts?”

  Thorne chuckled with a nod. “Sure do. Traumatized us”

  “Reality is much better that those childhood stories.” Vance winked at Angel then headed toward his truck. “You got time to help me with this door, Thorne?”

  “Well, well, well.” Wicked was staring at her staring at Vance. “Interesting.”

&nb
sp; “What?” Angel felt her cheeks heat at being caught staring.

  “Vance Walker is a very handsome man.” Wicked grinned wiggling her eyebrows.

  “Who is leaving in two weeks.” Angel pointed out. “And I’m more or less his boss.”

  That made Wicked laugh. “Oh, honey, no one is boss over Vance Walker. Just like my Thorne he does what he wants when he wants.”

  “Yeah, well, like I said he’s leaving in two weeks. And seriously what man in his right mind would want to be saddled to a witch with a screwed-up crow and a father with a terminal illness. That’s a lot of baggage for anyone.”

  “Have you met Bruce?” Wicked snorted. “Talk about baggage, I had enough baggage to fill a bus and still landed me a man, a good man. The right guy won’t care what’s attached to you.”

  “We seriously are not having this conversation.” Angel shook her head then frowned realizing she hadn’t even asked about their dad. “Where is dad? He’s okay, isn’t he? I talked to him before I left and he seemed find.”

  “He stayed with Linda and the twins. Said he wanted to spend more time with them.” Wicked replied, then chuckled. “Good deflection tactic.”

  “Hopefully it works because there is no way that man is interested in me and even if he was, he’s leaving in two weeks, which I’ve stated repeatedly.” Angel gave Wicked a warning look.

  “Yeah, and plans change.” Wicked laughed when Angel’s eyes narrowed. “Okay, I’ll stop. Come on and show me around.”

  Wicked was true to her word, she didn’t bring up Vance again. Angel showed her the paint colors she had chosen for each room. Once they were upstairs they went through each of the five bedrooms.

  “So, what do you think?” Angel anxiously waited for Wicked’s response. She really cared what her sister thought.

  “I love it.” Wicked sat on the floor leaning against the wall as she looked around. “You know Vance use to live here when he was growing up.”

  “Yes, I heard.” Angel also sat down across the room leaning against the opposite wall.

  “Hmmm.” Wicked nodded still looking around. “Wonder if this was his room?”

  “Wicked.” Angel warned.

  “What?” The innocent look on Wicked’s face was totally fake and Angel could see right through it.

  Instead of saying anything more on that she decided to change the subject. “The only worry I have about having dad’s room up here is the stairs. He gets so tired throughout the day and the stairs may be too much.”

  “Yeah, I was thinking that also.” Wicked bit her lip. “Let me handle his room. I want to do something special for him and this would be perfect.”

  Angel smiled with a nod. “That would be great.”

  “Sweet!” Wicked stood quickly. “Come on let’s go downstairs and find a spot to put his room.”

  Following Wicked downstairs she felt her sister’s excitement. Angel knew she was smiling ear to ear and it felt great. It had been so long since she felt this happy and excited about anything. Sharing that feeling with her sister was almost overwhelming. She glanced toward the front door her eyes meeting those of Vance who was staring at her with an odd look on his face. Thorne said something to him taking his attention off her. Angel took a struggling deep breath knowing she would never forget the look Vance had just given her. Damn, it sure was hot in here Angel fanned herself as she followed behind Wicked.

  Chapter 8

  “Shit, Vance.” Thorne cursed. “That was my fucking fingers you just pinched between the door and doorframe. Pay attention.”

  “Sorry.” Vance looked away from Angel, then chuckled. “Hard to pay attention with beautiful women running around.”

  “Easy buddy, you’re leaving in two weeks.” Thorne gave him a stern look. “Remember.”

  “Guess that means she’s off limits.” Vance smirked while Thorne placed the last screw in place.

  “That’s exactly what that means.” Thorne opened and shut the door a couple of times as the men looked at it to make sure it fit properly. “And I know you know better than that.”

  “Yeah, I do.” Vance said in truth. His momma taught him to respect women above all else and he took that serious. The relationship between him and his mother had been strong and special, even with her gone it remained the same. “You want a beer?”

  “Wouldn’t pass it up.” Thorne agreed following Vance to his truck.

  Reaching into the truck bed Vance pulled out two beers from the cooler handing one to Thorne. They remained silent as they drank their beers. Vance stared at the house realizing how much he missed his time there. He had moved out after his father had passed. All his brothers had moved on and the house was too big for just him. After a few months of living alone the loneliness got to him so he moved out into a smaller house with less memories of better times.

  “Had some good times in that old place.” Thorne said as if he was reading Vance’s mind.

  “Sure did.” Vance grinned, then pointed toward the flat area of the roof. “Remember when we hung Sammy upside down?”

  Thorne’s head fell back as he laughed. “He told Jenny Lee that you were kissing Brenda down by the pond.”

  “The asshole.” Vance hissed, but his grin grew at the memory. “I never heard a guy beg so much. I thought he was going to start crying. You had one leg and I had the other. I about shit when you actually let him go.”

  “Eh, I knew you had a good hold on him.” Thorne shrugged then took another drink of beer.

  “Good times.” Vance chuckled.

  “Your mom was so mad at us. She hit me on top of the head so hard with that broom and I saw stars.” Thorne snickered at the memory.

  “Hell, you got off easy. I tried to block being hit. I didn’t get feeling back in my fingers for weeks.” Vance grimaced at the thought.

  “Then she fixed us dinner and made chocolate chip cookies.” Thorne finished off his beer. “She was a good woman, Vance.”

  “Miss her every day.” Vance nodded in agreement. “I think that’s what eventually killed dad. Guess a broken heart is a real thing.”

  Thorne looked toward the house. “Don’t know what I’d do if I lost Wicked. I can’t even imagine the pain your father went through.”

  Vance knew because he lived it. Watched his father drink himself to death. He hadn’t been a drinker, at least during their childhood, but after their mother’s death that was all he did. It was the boys that kept the house up, bills paid by doing odd jobs. James Walker had been a good man, good father and husband. Not a mean bone in his body, even when drunk he hadn’t been mean. Just sad and broken.

  “I pray that you never have to find out, brother.” Vance finished his own beer just as a scream of two women reached them.

  Both men took off, but stopped when Wicked appeared with her hands outstretched. “Sorry, just a mouse.”

  “Shit, woman.” Thorne frowned in relief.

  “It just spooked us.” Wicked grinned.

  “Did someone say mouse.” Bruce walked around the corner of the house and followed Wicked back inside.

  Angel walked by the door with her head turned laughing at Bruce, she then looked out and smiled at both Thorne and Vance. “Sorry, guys. That little sucker jumped out of a cabinet.”

  “Don’t worry.” Bruce called out. “Bruce is on the case and will get rid of that mangy mouse.”

  Vance couldn’t take his eyes off Angel who continued to laugh at Bruce as she disappeared. “So, what’s her story? I didn’t think Wicked had any family.”

  “That’s right. You were out of town during that time. I’m surprised you haven’t heard the stories.” Thorne snorted knowing the busy bodies around Assjacket were still talking about the cult that came to town.

  “I didn’t say I didn’t hear about it. I’ve heard plenty.” Vance responded then glanced at Thorne. “They still in danger?”

  “I don’t think so. I’ve sent out some informants as have Mac and Zelda to make sure no one else is com
ing for Wicked. We still don’t know about their mother.” Thorne glanced at his watch.

  “What’s Angel’s story?” Vance asked not caring what it seemed like to Thorne. He heard a lot about what happened, but not much about Wicked’s long lost sister. “Don’t give me that look. I’m just curious.”

  Thorne snorted knowing that was bullshit. “Seems she has been looking for Wicked as soon as she was old enough. Then their father became ill with terminal cancer, but she never stopped looking. She’s a good girl, Vance.”

  “What do you mean by that?” Vance frowned not liking what Thorne was insinuating.

  “I mean don’t break her heart because then I will have to break you.” Thorne warned following it up with a glare. “Don’t leave me here to pick up the pieces. We’re not kids anymore.”

  Vance went to open his mouth to assure his friend he would do no such thing, but Wicked walked out followed by Angel whose large innocent eyes he could get lost in. It was at that moment he was afraid he couldn’t assure his friend of shit because there was something about this woman that he needed to know about. Friendship. Maybe. Yeah, that’s all it could be. A friendship.

  Chapter 9

  Angel followed Wicked outside to where the men stood talking. She was eager to run to the store for the paint and supplies she was going to need, then rest up for a busy day tomorrow.

  They had picked out an area for their father’s room and with Thorne’s and their father’s okay, Wicked was going to make it happen. So, lost in thought she almost missed what Wicked was saying.

  “Why don’t you come by tonight for dinner, Vance.” Wicked was asking sounding all innocent. “It’s been a long time since we’ve gotten together and my sister is an excellent cook.”

  “That sounds like a great idea.” Vance smiled with a nod. “Haven’t had a home cooked meal in a long time. I appreciate the offer.”