The Knight (Stolen Duet 2)

“You know the rules. I haven’t welcomed you, have I?” There were only a few times I’ve witnessed Angel so menacing and none of those occurrences ended well.

“You should. My home was broken into and vandalized last night.” He lowered his head and voice conspiratorially. “What do you think they were looking for?” I shook my head from the shadows. Baiting Angel was a bad idea, yet this man didn’t look worried.

“Careful, cousin.” I guess that would explain why he wasn’t worried.

“It isn’t me who should take care. We all know what it will mean for you if you cannot keep our family protected.”

“There may be a time when your line rules again, but that time is not today.”

Angel started to walk away when the older man shouted, “I demand your protection, Angeles! You can’t deny me sanctuary. You know this.”

From my vantage point, I could see Angel’s jaw working before he turned on his heel, picked up the man’s suitcase, and shoved it in one of the staff’s hands. “Please, show my cousin and his son to a guestroom for the night.” My gaze drifted to the son Angel referred to. He couldn’t have been much older than I am, and he didn’t possess the hard edge Angel did, though I could see a faint resemblance between them. Throughout the entire exchange, he hadn’t spoken, but when he turned, I could see the same smugness on his face that his father displayed so foolishly.

Z repeated Angel’s actions and directed the staff to take their bags. It didn’t look like they were planning to stay long, but Angel was clearly not happy to have them here. I was ready to slip back upstairs, but I couldn’t take my eyes away. The guys had already put their guns away, but their expressions remained hard.

“I was so sorry to hear about your grandfather,” the son spoke. It was odd that he didn’t sound the least bit sympathetic. “Did you ever catch who was responsible?”

“No, but I’ll find them.”

“Eventually. You’ve got your hands full already, don’t you?” Angel’s cold gaze sliced to the older man. I held my breath as I waited to hear his response or to see what he might do.

Suddenly, movement to my left caught my attention. Lucas had somehow spotted me and moved unassumingly toward my hiding spot. “What are you doing,” he hissed when he reached me. He grabbed my armed and pulled me deeper into the shadows. I could hear Angel speaking but couldn’t make out what he was saying. Whatever they were discussing didn’t sound friendly.

“Who are they?” I asked even though I already knew. Until the funeral, Angel’s family had been but a myth. He’d barely spoke to any of them at the funeral, but even so, the hostility between Angel and Reginald was certainly a twist.

“Reginald and Andrew are father and son. They’re also Angel’s cousins.”

“Why are they here?”

He took a deep breath and blew it all out at once. “It doesn’t matter. They’ll be gone tomorrow. You just need to stay away from them.”

“It’s going to be kind of hard with them in the same house, isn’t it?”

“I’m serious, Mian. Stay away from Reginald. He’s bad news, and you don’t want him to find out about you and Angel?” His lips closed in a tight line.

“What is it that Angel doesn’t want them to know?” I demanded. I was sick of them forcing me to live by their rules. If Angel was going to keep me here, I had a right to know what my father married me into.

He shoved his fingers in his hair before saying, “You should really be hearing this from Angel.”

“Well, according to Angel, I’m his wife, so why don’t I found out right now? Family should meet, after all.” Before he could react, I walked around him and hurried into the foyer. I was met with surprised looks from Reginald and Andrew. Angel, Z, and Lucas, however, were not amused.

“Hi.” I held out my hand to Reginald who was slow to get over his shock.

“I don’t believe we’ve met,” he said as he shook my head. “Who are you?”

“I’m sorry. My name is Mian Ross,” I paused and peeked over my shoulder at Angel before saying, “Actually, I guess it’s Knight now.” If I thought I took him by surprise before, it was nothing compared to the startled incredulity taking over his face now.

“Come again, young lady?”

“Angel and I are married,” I giggled, playing the role of a happy bride. I shouldn’t have enjoyed pissing Angel off as much as I did. I felt fingers wrap around one side of my waist before I was pulled away from Reginald and Andrew. I looked up and found Angel’s simmering brown gaze boring into me.

“What are you doing?”

“Honey, you didn’t tell me we were having guests. I would have put on something more appropriate.” His eyes promised retribution as Reginald introduced me to his son. Their gazes were curious and calculation as they sized me up.