A Man to Trust (19 page)

Angela held a squirming Shelby in her lap as they drove to her house. The twenty-minute drive filled with nothing but silence, although Jake kept sending her scowling glances.

When the car came to a stop in her driveway, she reached for the door handle.

“Stay put,” he snapped, giving her another glower.

Angela stiffened. He was the ass! What did he have to be so upset about? She wasn’t the one who’d betrayed
his
trust. The more she thought about it the angrier she became. She frowned at him when he opened her car door.

Ignoring the hand he held out to her, she exited the car and started up her sidewalk. Without saying a word, Jake followed. Tension radiated off him.

It felt like déjà vu, as if they’d come full circle. Jake opened the door, allowing her to step into the hall as the door shut behind them.

“Wait here,” he said, turning to point a finger at her. “Don’t move until I check the house.”

“Whatever,” she huffed.

Angela placed Shelby on the floor and crossed her arms, then stood impatiently tapping her foot. She was being a bitch, but didn’t care. It helped to stop her heart from breaking at the thought of never seeing Jake again. It was easier to be angry with him. She blinked away the tears that threatened.

A loud crash from upstairs froze her blood, then the sound of a gunshot rang out.

Angela screamed and reached for the doorknob behind her.

“Run, Angela. Get out of here,” Jake yelled. His voice sounded hoarse, full of pain. The sound of struggling ensued.

Had he been shot?

Fear knotted inside her and she froze, unable to breathe. Then another crash sounded and she cried out and with a pounding heart, jumped into action.

She reached into her purse and retrieved her cell phone to dial nine-one-one, even as she searched for a weapon. She had to help Jake. This was her fault. She’d led them into a trap with her hissy fit. Remorse washed over her. Terror . . . cold, stark terror gripped her at the thought of losing him.

The operator answered. More crashing and the sound of fists hitting flesh rang out.

“Please, I need the police.” Angela began to rattle off her address. Crying now, she reached for her pointed umbrella from the stand by the entrance, accidentally dropping her cell phone. It crashed to the floor and flew apart, sending the battery skittering across the floor.

Oh God!

More gunshots rang out. Angela screamed and held the umbrella like a baseball bat as she darted upstairs. When she reached the top, she slowed to a halt and listened, hands shaking. Silence. The smell of gunpowder filling her nostrils.

Oh, please, Jake. Be okay.

She fought for oxygen, her breath coming in ragged gasps as she cautiously made her way to the bedroom door where the noise had come from. She loved him. If he died, her life was over.

Angela shook, disgusted that she’d allowed the painful memories of her marriage to control her actions. She’d been a fool to let her insecurity stand in the way of her happiness.

She pushed the door open and peeked inside. A strangled sob tore from her as she stepped into the room. Halting just inside the doorway, her mind tried to absorb what it was seeing. The umbrella dropped from her grasp.

Her dresser tipped over on its side, end tables lay in pieces as though someone had fallen on them, and glass fragments from shattered lamps littered the room. Blood stained the floor and walls. A man dressed in black lay halfway propped against a wall, blood pooled around him from a hole in his chest. His eyes open and lifeless.

Sobs tore from her when she spotted Jake leaning against the other wall, his hand pressed against his side, trying to stem the blood flow as he slowly slid to the floor. More blood poured from his shoulder. She met his gaze and he smiled weakly.

“Hey, Angel.” His voice was raspy.

Her frozen limbs released and she ran to the bathroom to grab some towels, then rushed back to Jake. Sirens sounded outside. His eyes were glazed, his lids drooping.

Tears flowed in streams down her face. Angela frantically pressed the towels to the wound on his side. “Jake, Oh my God, Jake.”

She took his hands and placed them over the towel covering his stomach to staunch the blood loss. He held them there, but just barely. She moved to his shoulder and used the towel to stem the blood flow.

“Don’t die, Jake. Please don’t die.” Her voice rose with panic, bordering on hysteria.

“Shhh, Angel,” he soothed. His voice barely audible. “I’ll be fine.” His lids closed, his head drooped.

“No, Jake,” Angela cried. “Don’t leave me. Please don’t leave me.”

The sirens stopped in front of her house, then voices and footsteps sounded inside.

Jake lifted his head and smiled at her through glassy eyes. He kept one hand on his stomach, holding the towel there, and reached up to cup her cheek with a shaky hand covered in blood.

Angela leaned into his touch. “Please stay with me,” she begged, tears running in heavy streams down her face. She couldn’t lose him.

“I love you, Angel.” His eyes closed and the hand at her face fell to the floor.

Angela screamed. A vise reached into her chest and crushed her heart.

Jake groaned as Angela kissed him. Her lips were soft as they pressed against his. He wanted to tease her mouth open with his tongue and drink in her sweetness.

She whispered his name and he wanted to wrap his arms around her and hold her close. He tried to reach for her, but couldn’t move. His limbs felt heavy and his side burned.

“Jake,” Angela pleaded.

Jake frowned. Her voice sounded far off, as though she was in a tunnel.

“Jake,” she repeated. “Wake up, Jake. Please.”

Her voice sounded distressed and he wanted to kick someone’s ass for it. He fought the numbness that surrounded him. Angela needed him.

He slowly opened his eyes to bright lights overhead, and found his Angel by his side. He tried to lift his hand and touch her, but was too weak.

What the hell?

He settled for giving her a smile, or what he hoped was a smile and not a grimace because his side felt like someone shoved a hot poker in it.

Ray Anderson stood next to her. He was in the hospital? He closed his eyes and tried to recall why he was in the hospital. Then he remembered. They’d been arguing. He’d taken Angela home and someone had been there, hiding in her room. Jake had killed him. But not before the bastard had shot him twice. Oh, yeah. Now he remembered. That amount of pain was hard to forget.

“Jake?” Angela stroked his face.

Jake turned his head and looked into her gorgeous eyes. She didn’t look mad anymore. She looked tired. She’d been crying. But puffy circles and a red nose did nothing to tamp down her appeal. She was still the most beautiful thing he’d ever seen.

“Hey,” he said. It came out more a croak, barely discernable.

“Sshh.” She placed a finger on his lips. “Don’t talk. Just rest.” Tears slid down her face, but she gave him a tremulous smile, her eyes full of joy.

“Are you okay?” He managed to ask against her finger. The effort exhausted him.

Shit.

He was as weak as a fricken baby. He tried to sit up, wanting to touch her, hold her. Make sure for himself she hadn’t been hurt.

“I’m fine,” she assured him. “Just lay still.”

“Try not to move, Jake,” Dr. Anderson said. He moved to his bedside. “You were shot, but you’re going to be fine. You just need to take it easy for a while.”

Jake nodded, but kept his gaze glued to Angela, who was watching him with what looked like love in her eyes. Or was he imagining it? He gulped as hope filled him.

He felt himself sinking back into oblivion and shook his head, trying to ward it off. Even as it claimed him.

The next time Jake woke, Angela sat in the chair next to his bed. Asleep, her head rested atop her folded arms, on the mattress by his shoulder.

He smiled and reached over to stroke her hair. He lifted a handful of her long silken strands and let them slide through his fingers. Glad to be alive and able to touch her. He felt much better and wondered how long he’d been out.

“Well, it’s about time you woke up, bro.”

Jake glanced toward J.D.’s voice to find him standing at the door. Although his words were cocky, his eyes appeared watery.

“Hey, little brother.”

Angela lifted her head, then squealed with delight. “Jake.” She leapt to her feet, grabbed his face and planted kisses all over it. The sound of her laughter warmed his heart. Her kisses gave him encouragement.

Hell, if this is what it took for her to forgive me, it was totally worth getting shot.

When she finally stopped kissing him and stood beaming at the side of his bed, he chuckled a scratchy sound and looked at his brother, who still stood at the door grinning.

Jake cocked an eyebrow. “What can I say, chicks dig me.” The words may have held more effect if they hadn’t come out sounding like a frog. He cleared his throat.

J.D. snickered and strode over to the bed. “If you say so.” He held out his fist and Jake brought his hand up for a fist bump.

“How are you feeling?” Angela asked.

“Pretty good, considering. How long have I been out?”

J.D. answered. “Three days.”

“Damn. Three days?” Jake touched the shoulder that ached.

Angela brushed his hair off his forehead. “You were shot, but Dr. Anderson said you’re going to be fine.”

He felt like someone had kicked him in the teeth. “Who shot me?”

“It was a Mafia hit.”

Jake’s body jerked, his heart jumped against his chest. His pain-filled groan filled the room as he gripped his side. “What?”

“Shit, Jake.” J.D. gently pushed him back onto the bed, his eyes filled with concern. “Angela’s safe. Don’t get all excited.”

“How can she be safe if the Mafia has a hit on her?” His mind raced with thoughts of safe houses and quitting the force to follow her into witness protection.

“They don’t have a hit on her, not any longer.” J.D. grinned. “They have a hit on Hirschman.”

“Hirschman?” Jake’s heart slowed to normal, although his side was hurting like a bitch.

“Yeah,” J.D. said. “He lived through the assassination attempt and cut a deal with the Feds. He’s spilling his guts about a particularly nasty corruption scheme involving a local crime Family and judges throughout Chicago’s tri-State area, Illinois, Indiana, and Wisconsin. They took bribes to rule in the Mafia’s favor. Dozens of arrests have already been made.”

“Damn, all that happened in three days?” Jake’s mind tried to wrap around the information.

“Yep. He has documentation that will bring them all down. Angela’s in the clear. She has nothing they want.”

“You’re sure.”

“We’re sure.”

Jake’s relief was so great a wave of dizziness hit him. He leaned back against the pillow and closed his eyes with a sigh.

“Are you okay?” Angela brought him some water, and he took a long sip through the straw. She leaned in and kissed his cheek.

“I am now,” he said with a grin.

Stacey came into the room holding two Styrofoam cups and the aroma of coffee filled the room. Her face lit up with a smile when she saw him. “Hey, our hero’s awake.” She handed J.D. a cup of coffee.

“Are you sure you’re okay? Should I get the doctor for you?” Angela asked. She took his hand into hers, holding it tight.

He glanced at his brother and Stacey, then turned his attention back to Angela. He had a lot more questions, but they could wait. There was only one question that really mattered. He lifted his hand to her face and stroked her velvet skin.

“Marry me, Angel.”

Angela’s mouth fell open, Stacey gasped, and J.D. snorted.

“What?” Angela giggled nervously.

“I love you. Please marry me. Forgive me for being such a dick.”

“Begging might work,” J.D. said helpfully.

Stacey punched him in the arm.

“Would it, Angel?” Jake grinned and reached for the covers. “I’ll get down on my hands and knees right now and beg if that’s what it takes.”

Angela burst into laughter and grabbed his other hand. “Don’t you move, mister. You stay right there in that bed.”

Jake relaxed back into the bed. He wouldn’t have been able to get up anyway. Just that small movement caused fire up his side, and he was growing sleepy. He wasn’t sure how much longer he could stay awake. But it was worth it.

Jake placed her hand over his heart. “Is that a yes?” His eyes drooped as sleep crept in.

“Yes, Jake,” Angela whispered.

He forced his eyes open and smiled into hers, before they drifted back shut.

“I’ll marry you.”

The incredible words echoed in his ears as sleep claimed him.

“I heard him. Remember. I was there.” Stacey glanced at Angela with a frown. “Give the man some credit.”

Angela blew out a breath. She should just ask him, but couldn’t seem to work up the courage. “He almost died. What if he wasn’t thinking clearly and now regrets it?”

She stirred the chili and turned the burner down to simmer. They were at J.D.’s, waiting for the guys to return from a baseball game with the boys.

“Pfft.” Stacey waved her hand in the air. “That man is crazy about you.”

“I know that.” Angela chewed on her bottom lip. “But, he hasn’t mentioned marriage since that day. That was over a month ago. What if he changed his mind? Or it was the morphine talking.”

Stacey placed the rolls in the oven, then turned to her. “Do you love him?”

“Of course.”

“Would you stay with him even without a marriage proposal?”

“Well. Yes.”

“Then what’s the problem?”

Angela's lips curved into a smile. “I’m pregnant.”

Stacey’s mouth dropped open, then she squealed. “That’s awesome, Angela.”

Angela smiled as happiness flooded through her. “Yes, it really is, isn’t it?” She wanted this baby. Jake’s baby.

“So, and I repeat, what’s the problem, girlfriend?”

“I don’t want him to marry me just because I’m—”

The door opened and Jake and J.D. came in with all three boys in tow.

Angela had gotten to know the boys over the last month and loved them dearly. Nick stayed with J.D. during the two weeks of Jake’s recuperation at the hospital, although he’d been at the hospital with her almost every evening, keeping Jake company. He was a good kid and seemed happy to have her in his dad’s life. And Angela’s grandmother absolutely adored Jake.

All three boys made a beeline to her and Stacey, and hugs and laughter ensued as they filled her and Stacey in on the game.

“. . . and then, Alex made a great hit. Smack!” Nick imitated hitting a baseball with his bat. “He ran all the way to third base. It was awesome, Angela. You should have seen it,” he said with a huge smile.

Stacey reached out and ruffled Alex’s hair. “Way to go, champ.”

“Yeah, it was kinda cool,” Alex said, grinning from ear to ear. He glanced at Wesley. “But Wes hit the next ball and I was able to run home.” He slapped his brother on the back. “It was the winning score.”

Wesley grinned. “Can we play Star Wars for a while?”

Angela met Jake’s gaze, his eyes filled with love and heat as he watched her. Her body came alive, just like it did every time he was near. Since his release from the hospital, they’d spent a lot of time together, making love and getting to know each other better. “Sure, I think that’s fine. Dinner will be ready in about twenty minutes.”

The boys ran off into the living room, the sound of their video game filled the house as Jake pulled her into his arms and kissed her. “Miss me?” he murmured against her lips.

“So, Jake. When’s the wedding?” Stacey asked in her usual blunt fashion.

Angela gasped and whirled around to glare at Stacey, who had her arms wrapped around J.D.’s waist, while his arm was flung across her shoulder. She wore a look of innocence. J.D. smirked.

“Stacey!” Angela scolded.

Jake laughed and tugged her back against his chest. His lips brushed across the top of her head. “How about August? That gives you lovely ladies plenty of time to plan it.”

Stacey chuckled, an
I told you so
smirk on her face. Angela stepped from Jake’s embrace and turned around to face him. “You still want to marry me?”

Jake’s expression turned serious. “Of course, Angel.” He cupped her face in his hands. “I want to marry you more than I want my next breath.” He leaned in and kissed her nose. “Why would you think anything different?”

A blush rose to her cheeks, even as exhilaration washed over her. “Well, you—you haven’t mentioned it since the first day you woke up in the hospital.” She glanced down at her feet and bit her bottom lip, then peeked back up from under her lashes and into his loving eyes. “I thought maybe you’d regretted asking me?”

He pulled her into his arms, burying his face into her hair. “I’m sorry. I never meant to cause you one more ounce of unhappiness.” Jake leaned back and met her gaze. “I was waiting for your ring to be ready from the jewelers.”

He glanced at Stacey with a disapproving frown and then back to her, with a smile that lit his eyes. “It’s ready to be picked up. I was going to give it to you tomorrow over an intimate dinner and a proper proposal.”

“Whoops,” Stacey chuckled. “My bad.”

“You most definitely
are bad
,” J.D. said with a low, raspy laugh.

Stacey giggled.

Angela caressed Jake’s cheek. “I don’t need fancy words or expensive dinners, Jake. I just need you.”

“You have me, Angel. For as long as you want me.”

Angela brushed his hair off his forehead. “Forever.” She smiled. “But, we might want to move the date up a little.”

Jake arched a brow as he studied her. “Whatever you want, babe. Is there any particular reason why?”

She glanced over her shoulder and met Stacey’s smiling eyes. Stacey gave her the thumbs up.

Angela laughed and turned back to Jake. “I don’t want to walk down the aisle looking like a balloon. I’m pregnant.”

Jake’s mouth fell open and he froze as a myriad of emotions flashed across his face. Then a grin covered it, his eyes blazed hot and possessive as his gaze dropped to her stomach. “That’s fantastic.” He placed a hand over her belly and lifted his gaze back to hers. “Forever,” he vowed.

Pure unadulterated joy filled her and she felt like the luckiest woman on the planet. She had Jake and Nick, and a new precious baby on the way, and wonderful friends. She glanced at Stacey and J.D. Life was good.

J.D. quirked a brow with another snort. “What, bro? Never heard of a condom?”

Stacey chuckled, then pointed to Jake. “Kettle, meet pot,” she said straight-faced, turning her finger back to J.D.