Home for the Holidays

“Logan. When did you get here, dear?” My mother’s voice interrupts us.

“Mother.” I stand from the bench, putting Angel on her feet. Let the show begin. I grab Angel's hand and squeeze it, reassuring her that everything is going to be okay. My mother plants a kiss on each of my cheeks before she settles her attention on my Angel.

“You must be my future daughter-in-law.” She looks Angel up and down. You would think those words would be warm and caring, but knowing my mother, they’re far from it.

“It’s nice to finally meet you, Mrs. Duncan. I’m Angel.” She tries to take her hand from mine, but I only tighten my hold on it, not wanting the evil of my family to touch her. She gives me a look before tugging again. This time I reluctantly release her hand. She thrusts it out toward my mom.

“Don’t be silly, Angel.” I watch as my mom steps forward and embraces Angel in a hug. “We’re going to be family.” This is when my mother is at her deadliest. She’ll smile in your face while she sticks the knife in your back. In that moment I know without a doubt that I’ve made a big mistake bringing Angel anywhere near her. She places a kiss on both of Angel’s cheeks.

“You found them.” My brother comes strolling in next. I pull Angel close to my side. He stands back, lighting a cigarette.

“Not in the house,” Mother hisses at him. She directs one of her scathing glares at him. One that works well on him. Only because she controls his money. I control her, but she has no fear in that for some reason.

“We’re outside.”

“We’re not. It’s made to look like the outside.”

“Then turn the fucking heat on in here.” He drops his cigarette to the ground before putting it out with his shoe. When his eyes raise back up, they lock on Angel, and he smirks. “Told you he really went and got one.”

“I see that.” Again Mother assesses Angel with her eyes. “We knew he and Kelly weren't real, but you…” There is no hiding Angel’s sweetness and innocence. It’s who she is. It’s then I realize why my mother is so happy about Angel. She thinks she’ll be able to control her, and if she can control her, then she might be able to control me. It’s why she’s always trying to set me up with someone she already has her nails in.

“The innocence pours off her,” Chad finishes for my mother. They both are salivating at the mouth. Every protective instinct I have inside of me rises up. Even ones I didn't know existed. The need to protect Angel rides me hard and makes my next decision easy.

“We’re leaving.” I’m getting her the fuck out of here before they try and sink their teeth into her. Only my teeth will know the softness of her skin.

“Already?” Angel asks.

“You just got here,” Mother huffs.

“We’ve been here for an hour.” I’m sure my mother was still getting ready, being late for her own party. Lucky for us. My brother was likely up a server’s dress or a socialite’s. I’ve done what I needed to, making sure I stopped to say hello to a few of the members of the board. They got to meet Angel.

I take Angel’s hand again. “I wanted a chance to get to know my new sister.” The way he says it makes it sound so fucking dirty. I start to go for my brother, but Angel wraps herself around my arm.

“It was nice to meet you, but I am tired. I’m sure we’ll get to talk more on Christmas,” Angel says softly like I wasn't about to punch my own brother in the face.

“Right.” My mother smiles at her. “We’ll see you then.” My mother’s eyes come to me, and she smirks thinking she’ll get her claws into my Angel then. Little does she know, we’re not coming back for Christmas. It was stupid of me to bring Angel here at all. It won’t happen again. If I want to be Angel’s husband, it will be my job to protect her from people like my own family.

“See you then.” My brother winks at her. Angel doesn't let go of her hold on me.

“Take me home.” She looks up at me. I pull out my phone and tell my driver to bring the car around before I guide her back out of my parents’ house and into the back of the car. Silence falls between us as we head back toward my place.

“Don’t let them get to you,” she says softly. “They aren't worth it.” I nod in agreement, still angry with myself for bringing her here. “I can handle them. You might not think I can, but I can. I might not be able to be mean, but I know them being nice to me is fake.” I turn my head to look at her. “I know when someone is being genuine.” She pushes her coat off before crawling over into my lap and straddling me. “You need to relax.”