Quiet Angel (32 page)

“I want to be your naughty angel,” she said. “I want to show you what heaven’s really like.”

He ran his fingers down her neck. “You want to be naughty?”

“Very naughty,” Layla said and pushed him down on the bed. “Wait here. I’ll be right back.” She turned on some music and disappeared to her closet. She came out wearing a white silk satin corset with matching panties and towering black stiletto heels. She gave a little spin, and his eyes slid over her body. “This was for the honeymoon, but I thought you might want a sneak peek.”

Gage watched her start to sway to the music, gracefully, naturally, sexy. If she could stay upright in heels—the highest ones he’d ever seen—he figured she knew what she was doing, and he wouldn’t be taking advantage. She started a little striptease, and his dick grew even harder, poking out of his pants. Layla continued to surprise him. She shed her corset and pressed her ass against his lap.

He put his hands on her hips, and she leaned back on his chest, wrapping an arm around his neck, allowing him a perfect view of her round breasts. She pulsed her ass against his dick to the beat of the music, then she turned around, facing him. Gage looked in her eyes, and Layla flashed a sweet, subtle grin. She straddled his lap, one knee on each side, and he looked at her grinding against him, seeing her panties were crotchless. She tilted his chin so he’d look at her face then leaned forward, nuzzling his face to her breasts.

He could taste the lavender. He slipped a finger inside, and she moaned. “You’re so wet for me,” he said. “I have to have you.”

“What do you want?” She reached over to the nightstand and held up a condom. “You can have anything you want.”

“I need to taste you,” he said, sliding down so she was on top of his face. He gave her booty a little swat. “What a sweet little ass.”

His warm tongue outlined her, and she melted into his mouth. “Fuck.”

“You are naughty, Angel.” He stuck his tongue inside.

Layla pushed against it and arched her back. “Just like that.”

“After you come like this, I’m going to fuck you while you wear nothing but those heels.”

Gage flew back
to Atlanta in the morning. He had an office meeting with his godfather, then it was back to Savannah to prepare for the wedding. But first he had his sister to deal with—her eyes bloodshot, slurring her words ever so slightly.

“Have we got the press handled for the wedding?” Gage asked. “I don’t want any reporters showing up.”

“Right,” Emerson said, fumbling through a file. “No one is expecting the wedding to happen so quick.” She handed him a sheet of paper. “That’s the press release I’ll send out once you’re on your honeymoon.”

Gage glanced down at it. “Looks good.”

“Speaking of the honeymoon,” Emerson said, tilting her glasses down her nose, “where are you guys going?”

“You’d run and tell her.”

“Just a hint?”

“No.” Gage smiled. “It’s nice you two are friends.”

Emerson stood up slowly. “It is, so don’t screw it up because I’d choose her over you.” She stuck out her tongue and turned to leave. “Oh, one more thing—I was thinking about the negative coverage and. . . .”

“I don’t want you involved.”

“But I could help. . . .”

There was a knock at the door, and Governor Clements walked in. “Am I early?”

“Not at all,” Gage said.

“Surprised to see you here,” Emerson said, “I didn’t think I’d see you until the wedding.”

“I’m helping your brother. . . .”

“With my vows,” Gage said and pushed Emerson out of his office. She flashed her brother a dirty look then shut the door behind her.

“I’m surprised you wanted to meet with me,” his godfather said. “I figured you’d be knee-deep in wedding plans right now.”

“I’m heading to Savannah after this. Layla and Emerson want me there a few days before the wedding for prep and whatever.”

“Good luck with that.”

“Thanks,” Gage said. “I think I know who’s behind the leaks to the press. I don’t want Emerson to know anything. She and Layla are close. It might put her in an awkward spot.”

“I understand.”

“It’s Layla’s half-brother.”

His godfather immediately shook his head. “He was the first person I considered.”

“Why didn’t you ever tell me that?”

“It wouldn’t do you any good to think a pedophile is after your wife—when he’s not.”

“Are you sure?”

“I checked his financials. These rags pay big money for information. He’s broke. There’s no deposits in any of his accounts. To be extra careful, I had his cell phone records checked. He’s had no communications with any media outlets. It’s not him.”

“I thought for sure it was him,” Gage said, pinching the bridge of his nose. “It seems we’re no closer to knowing anything.”

“I can tell this is all eating at you. I’m sorry, boy.” The old man patted his shoulder. “Look, I didn’t want to say anything, but I have a lead. It’s only a suspicion right now. I have some phone records, but they don’t prove anything. I was waiting on confirmation before I said anything to you. Do you want to know?”

“Yes! I told you to keep me in the loop!”

“It’s bad, Gage.”

*

Gage flew back
to Savannah, his mind racing the entire flight. This was the last time he’d be making the commute. In two days, he’d be starting a new life with Layla. A small smile formed on his lips.
I’ll have everything I wanted for 12 years.
He looked out at the sky surrounding him, wondering if his father was watching. He wished his father could be at the wedding. He hoped the man was proud of him.

He knew his father’s dream for him was to seek public office, but then he remembered his father’s words: “A real man thinks with his heart. . . .” His heart told him what he needed to do. It’s what he should’ve figured out months ago. His job was to love Layla and be a good husband and father one day. It wasn’t to run for governor. It wasn’t to be in the public eye, with all the accompanying baggage.

He could see it clearly now. Nothing was more important than Layla—not even all the good work he thought he could do. Even his idiot friend Dash knew he was a “family man at heart.”
Layla was right. Flying is my praying.
A weight lifted, he couldn’t wait to get to Story Wings and tell her. He wanted her to be the first to know. He’d have Emerson issue a press release once Layla knew. It was a relief the coverage would stop and their time in the spotlight would end.

But there was another matter on his heart—his godfather’s “suspicions” about who was leaking information. Gage wished his godfather had hard proof. But at the moment, the only evidence was a series of phone records showing a few brief calls with media outlets over the past few weeks. The significance of the calls was unknown. They could be nothing more than “no comments” or something much more sinister. His godfather was working on getting transcripts and financials.

Gage wondered whether to tell Layla. As much as she hated secrets, he decided not to. There was no proof. Her store was closing today. The wedding was in two days. She had enough going on. He didn’t want to upset her unnecessarily.
I’ll tell her when I get confirmation, when I know what I’m saying is true.

*

He walked into
Story Wings, or what was left of it—empty shelves, boxes scattered around. He saw Poppy taking down some displays. “Last day, huh?”

“Sadly. What are you up to?”

“Wanted to see if you guys needed any help.”

“I’m sure we can put you to work,” Poppy said. “Layla’s not here though.”

“Is Dash with her?” he asked, checking his watch and phone.

“No, why would Dash be with her? He went to get me something to eat.”

Gage called Layla’s phone, but there was no answer. “Did she say where she was going?”

Poppy looked at him curiously. “Is there a problem?”

Dash walked in carrying a takeout bag. “Poppy, I’ve got dinner.” He saw Gage, and the men locked eyes. “Oh, I was just about to call you, man.”

“How long has she been gone?” Gage asked.

“A couple hours,” Dash said. “She went down the street for a sandwich. She was there. I went and asked them, but she never came back here.”

“She’s not picking up her phone,” Gage said.

“Gage, relax,” Poppy said. “She had a few things to do before the wedding.”

“What’s she doing?” Gage asked.

“Private girl things. Why are you acting weird, Gage?”

Dash turned to Poppy. “You said you didn’t know where she was.”

“Why do
you
care where Layla is?” Poppy replied. Dash clammed up and looked at his friend for help.

Gage knew they were cornered. Dash had screwed this up so bad—such a simple task and he couldn’t do it. “I asked Dash to keep an eye on Layla in Savannah.”

“What?” Poppy cried and stared daggers at Dash. “This was a
job
for you? You’ve been hanging out here for weeks because Gage asked you to?”

“No, I wanted to be with you, too,” Dash said.

Poppy’s hand flew across his face, quick and hard, sending the takeout bag falling to the floor. “Was fucking me a bonus?”

The door opened, and Layla walked in. She looked around at everyone, wondering what she missed. Gage raced over and gave her a big hug. “Where have you been?”

“Pop?” Layla asked, looking over his shoulder.

“This was all just a game, a job!” Poppy said. “It was all about you, Layla!”

Layla tore herself from Gage and pulled Poppy into her arms. “What
job
? What
game
?”

“Dash is here to be some kind of protection for you. He’s not here for me. He’s just been using me, reporting back to Gage about you.”

“I wasn’t using you,” Dash said and reached for Poppy. “I think you’re great.”

Poppy sniffled and pulled away. “All men are the same. They’re replaceable.”

“Gage, you’ve been spying on me?” Layla asked.

“It’s not like that,” he said.

“This is why you changed Dash’s route?” Layla asked. “So when you weren’t here, Dash was.”

“I was protecting you!” Gage said.

“Dash gave you
reports
about me?”

“It wasn’t like that,” Gage said. “With all the coverage, I wanted to be careful. I wanted to make sure you were OK.”

“Yeah,” Dash said, “I was just checking for reporters, any strangers lurking around.”

Layla winced. “And Poppy was what—collateral damage?”

“No, Dash likes Poppy,” Gage said. “That’s why this was perfect. They could be together, and he could keep an eye on you when I couldn’t be here.”

“You had things all figured out, huh? Pulling all the strings behind the scenes? You just might be the perfect politician.”

“I don’t think so,” he said. “I’ve decided not to run. I came here to tell you. I’m going to have Emerson issue a press release tomorrow.”

Layla shrugged. “I’m glad you finally made a decision.”

He reached for her hand. “Can we go somewhere to talk alone and try to work this out?”

“Not now. I don’t want to talk to you right now.”

“I was trying to protect you.”

“I can handle myself, Gage. I’m a big girl. I don’t need you to invade my privacy.”

“I’m sorry.”

Layla looked past him to Poppy. “Are you going to be OK?” Her friend nodded and dried her eyes. “Good, because I’m leaving—alone.” Layla glared at the men. “Don’t you dare give Poppy any shit.” She grabbed her purse, took a long wistful look at the shop, and walked out the door.

*