Charmingly Wicked

by Teresa Gabelman

  “Vance would have killed me if it wasn’t for you?” Gavan said then grimaced at the thought.

  “Not because of what your father did, Gavan.” Angel sighed. “It’s because of you grabbing me and I think that had a lot to do with the alcohol, not who you really are. I don’t think you are anything like your father.”

  “How can you say that?” Gavan’s voice rose. “You don’t even know me.”

  “You’re right I don’t, but I’m a very good reader of people and I see your pain. And I see your heart.” Angel touched his arm. “Vance doesn’t hate you, Gavan. He said so himself to me.”

  “How can he not look at me and see my father, who killed his mom.” Gavan whispered with a shake of his head. He angerly wiped a tear from his eye.

  “I’ve never blamed you for what happened to my mother.” Vance’s voice made them both jump. He then glared at Angel. “Me and you are going to be having a serious conversation.”

  Angel swallowed hard but knew she would do it all over again if she had to. So, he just needed to get over his anger.

  “How long have you been here?” Angel ignored his statement.

  “Long enough.” Vance finally looked away from her to look at Gavan. “I have never blamed you for what happened to my mother. I did however think you wanted revenge for your father’s death.”

  Gavan snorted shaking his head. “Do you have any idea how many times I wanted to off my old man?” Gavan spat in disgust. “But as you know for shifters that is forbidden.”

  “I think that goes for everyone, Gavan.” Angel added, then clamped her mouth shut when both men looked at her. “Sorry.”

  “Me and my brothers tried to keep our father away from your mother.” Gavan looked directly into Vance’s eyes. “Even fought him a time or two because of it. She was like a mother to all of us, especially me since I was there all the time before it happened. And Vance I’m so damn sorry it happened. I go to her grave all the time and leave her favorite flower, wild daisies.”

  “That’s you?” Vance asked in surprise. “I always wondered who put them there. Thank you.”

  Gavan looked away but nodded. “I miss her too, Vance.”

  Tears filled her eyes when Vance grabbed Gavan in a hug, Gavan clutched onto Vance like a drowning man being saved. “You need to stop the boozing, Gavan.” She heard Vance whisper to Gavan. “I’m here if you need help.”

  Gavan nodded, as he pulled away. “I know.”

  “So, since this guy is bailing on me I’m going to need help.” Angel said then wrinkled her nose at Vance when he frowned at her. “You still interested in a job. The pay sucks, but I sure could use the help.”

  “I would love to.” Gavan smiled and Angel noticed a little less pain radiating from his eyes. “And I promise I won’t be late.”

  “How does eight sound?” Angel asked, then leaned close to him. “And no alcohol.”

  “I’ll be there sober.” Gavan suddenly grabbed her into a tight hug knocking the breath out of her. “Thank you.”

  “You’re welcome.” She barely got the words out. He suddenly let go throwing her off balance, but Vance steadied her as they watched Gavan disappear.

  Not really wanting to face Vance’s anger she started to walk away. “Boy, I sure am hungry. How about that dinner?”

  “Not so fast.” He grabbed her and pulled her to him. “What in the hell did you think you were doing?”

  “Exactly what I did.” Angel shot back with a confident stare. “Cleared up a huge misunderstanding.”

  “That could have gone very bad.” Vance glared down at her. “Promise me you won’t do that ever again?”

  “Yeah, maybe.” She laughed at his look. “Who ratted me out?”

  “Rook and Bruce.” Vance said, then cupped her cheek. “I’m serious, Angel. Promise me you won’t do that again. Never put yourself in danger.”

  “Life is full of danger.” Angel countered.

  “Fair enough.” Vance leaned closer. “Never put yourself in danger for me.”

  “That I can’t promise.” Angel whispered just as his lips touched hers. The kiss was everything she dreamed it would be. Her heart soared for a split second before it began to shatter as the thought of him leaving overwhelmed her. Doing her best she pushed that aside and just lived in the moment because of now that was all she could do.

  Chapter 17

  To say the last two weeks flew by would be an understatement. The house was almost finished, and her father would be moving in soon. Vance had decided to stay until he was scheduled to go. Their relationship had hit an amazing level, though they were both cautious because of his departure.

  She loved him. Without one single doubt she had fallen deeply in love with Vance Walker. Last night was the first night he hadn’t stayed, and she missed him more than she realized she would. A long-distance relationship was going to be so hard, but she was determined to make it work.

  Putting some finishing touches of paint on the walls, she kept an eye on the time. He would be here in an hour before he had to go to the airport. Because of trying to do everything to her house to finish up before he left, he had fallen behind with his own things.

  Washing off her paint brush she hurried upstairs and changed into a soft blue summer dress and sandals. She scrubbed the paint off her arms and hands, fixed her hair and then headed downstairs to wait.

  Walking around the downstairs she smiled. Gavan and Vance’s friendship strengthened during the last two weeks. Some of the stories they told about their younger days was so entertaining. Gavan was doing great. He was sober, cleaned up and seemed less haunted. It was a good thing.

  Her father seemed to be doing well and was looking forward to moving in. She has already moved in so she could continue to work late into the evening or at least until Vance was finished with what he was working on. When they weren’t working on the house they were spending every second together. Everything was as it should be, except one thing. Vance leaving. She squeezed her eyes shut trying not to cry. She did enough of that last night when Vance left.

  Rook flew in through the window. “Hey, you still mad at Bruce?”

  “No.” Angel rolled her eyes.

  “It’s clear.” Rook cawed loudly.

  Bruce jumped up on the seal and then onto the floor. “Is that why I haven’t seen you? You were afraid I was mad at you?”

  “Yep.” Bruce nodded. “Though it was really Rook who spilled the beans so I don’t think I should lose my lifetime of blackened salmon.”

  “Don’t even, Bruce.” Angel warned. “A deal is a deal.”

  “Vance almost killed me because I was going to take it to the grave.” Bruce still tried. “Kill as in dead.”

  “Not happening, Bruce.” Angel grinned then grabbed her phone when the text alert went off.

  ‘Sorry, something came up and I’m running late. I’ll try to call in a little bit.’

  The text message blurred as she read Vance’s text over again. Did that mean she wasn’t going to see him before he left? Not wanting to put any more pressure on him she texted back.

  ‘Okay, sounds good.’

  Her heart sunk. Was this the way their relationship was going to go now? Short text. Turning away from Rook and Bruce she swiped a tear from her cheek. Seeing the fishing poles by the back door she headed that way.

  “I’m going to the pond. I’ll be back in a bit.” She knew her voice cracked, but she didn’t care. She needed to be alone for a few minutes.

  Walking the short trail to the pond she and Vance had cleared out hurt. Everywhere she looked was a memory of him. The trail opened to a small clearing. The pond sat peacefully in the center.

  Looking around she saw a rock and lifted it. A worm wiggled trying to bury itself in the earth before she could grab it.

  “Sorry little guy.” She picked it up and put him on the hook. Then the tears fell. Vance made fun of her for talking to the worm and apologizing for putting it on the hook. He said that was th
eir job and they did it with pride. Each worm wanted to be the one to catch the biggest fish. She didn’t believe him of course, but he really tried to convince her.

  Throwing out the line, she sat on the rock placed for them and watched the bobber.

  “Hey, you okay?” Rook pulled her attention away from the bobber. He landed on the rock next to her.

  “I’m fine. Just need a minute.” She tried to smile at her familiar but failed horribly.

  “It’s going to be okay, Angel.” Rook tried his best soothe her.

  She only nodded then noticed Bruce had appeared and was staring at her. “You really like Vance, huh?” He didn’t let her answer. “Because honestly I know a lot of available guys who would kill to go out with a cutie like you.”

  “I’ll pass, Bruce.” Angel snorted realizing Bruce was just trying to make her feel better. “But thank you.”

  “Why don’t you go with him?” Rook stepped toward her. “Wicked would watch over Robert and I could even stay here and keep an eye on him.”

  Angel gave Rook a small smile. “He never asked me.” She shrugged realizing saying that hurt a lot. She had waited for him to ask her to go with him, but he never had.

  “And what if he asked? Would you go?” Vance’s voice sounded behind her. He kept surprising her by showing up when least expected.

  She stood and faced him. “Only if he really wanted me to go, but like I said he hasn’t asked.”

  “Leave.” Vance looked first at Rook and then Bruce, his eyes narrowed dangerously. “If I ever hear you trying to fix her up with another man I will hunt you down, cat.”

  “Geez, trying to be helpful again and all I get is hate.” Bruce mumbled. “I’m just going to be an asshole from here on out.”

  “You kinda are an asshole.” Rook’s voice faded as the made their way back to the house.

  “After all this work we’ve done you would leave?” Vance cupped her chin.

  “For you, yes I would.” Angel answered honestly. “I love you, Vance. Surely you know that by now.”

  “I did, but it’s nice to hear.” Vance winked at her. “And I love you more than you will ever know. But I don’t want you to move. I want you to stay here.”

  “Oh,” Disappointment filled her soul and she tried so hard to hide it. “Okay.”

  “Though I am going to have to find a place to live.” Vance frowned.

  “So, it’s going to be permanent?” Tears filled her eyes. How would they ever make this work.

  “I sure hope so.” Vance replied, and before he could say anything else she pushed away from him.

  “Then I guess you best get going so you don’t miss your plane.” Angel looked away from him more hurt than she had ever been in her life.

  “Angel, I’m not going anywhere.” Vance pulled her back toward him. “I’m staying right here with you.”

  Angel gasped in shock. “What? How?”

  “For two weeks I’ve been training Gavan. He is going in my place and I am shadowing him remotely.” Vance kissed her softly. “He has a knack for security. Picked it up quick. We have done a lot of talking. Thank you for what you did Angel. We wasted so much time, when we could have helped each other through the pain we were both feeling.”

  “You’re welcome. But am I dreaming?” Angel whispered as tears fell freely down her face. “Please tell me I’m not dreaming.”

  “You’re not dreaming, Angel.” Vance smiled down at her as he hugged her tightly. “And you’re getting a bite.”

  “Huh?” Angel pulled back looking at him oddly then her eyes widened. “Oh!” She ran to her pole and yanked back.

  As quickly as she could she reeled her catch in, then turned proudly to show Vance her catch.

  Vance was on one knee, holding out a box. “Will you marry me, my Angel?”

  “Oh, my Goddess.” She dropped the fishing pole back into the water. “Yes.” She cried ignoring the ring as she wrapped her arms around him making him fall back. She straddled him laughing.

  “Don’t you want to see the ring?” Vance laughed along with her.

  “Later.” She grinned. “You are all I need right now.”

  Vance easily rolled her so he was on top. “I do have a question for you.”

  “Yes?” Angel grinned. “I already said yes.”

  Vance chuckled, but shook his head. “No, not that.” He then frowned as he stared down at her. “Would you have taken Bruce up on his offer to finding you another man if I had left for New York?”

  Angel acted like she thought about it for a minute, then laughed at his angry expression. “Of course not.” She replied, then gave him a smirk. “I wouldn’t trust Bruce’s choice of men if my life depended on it.”

  “Good choice.” Vance nuzzled her neck.

  “But seriously, Vance.” Angel touched his cheek so he would look at her. “There is no other man for me. I love you.”

  “And I love you, soon to be Mrs. Walker.” He kissed the tip of her nose. “But I’m still planning on killing Bruce for suggesting another man. He’s not invited to the wedding.”

  * * *

  Bruce and Rook were heading back to the pond because they were hungry as hell. It was time for the humans to fix them some food. Bruce stopped Rook when he heard his name.

  “Stop.” He whispered.

  “I’m still planning on killing Bruce suggesting another man. He’s not invited to the wedding.” Vance’s voice reached them.

  An evil cat like grin spread across Bruce’s face. “Oh, we shall see about that human.” He glanced up at Rook. “Hey, do you know where Vance keeps his shoes? I feel a healthy shit coming on.”

  To check out all the side-splitting books in the Magic and Mayhem Universe, go to https://magicandmayhemuniverse.com/

  And if you would like to read the book that started all the madness, Switching Hour is FREE!

  https://robynpeterman.com/switching-hour/

  About the Author

  Teresa Gabelman is the New York Times and USA Today best-selling author of the Protectors series, Lee County Wolves series, and Stone’s Wolf Sanctuary. When not writing about alpha vampires, sexy shifters, and the women who drive them crazy, she can be found on a lake with a fishing pole and Kindle, spending a fun evening with family.

  Being a full-time writer has allowed Teresa to connect more with readers, which is what she loves most about writing. If you find the time, she would love to hear from you!

  Website: www.teresagabelman.com

  Email: tgabelman@live.com