Angel climbed in first. I followed, killing the light, then tugged her into my arms. Her head went on my chest.
“Tell me what else Emilee said.”
“Justin wouldn’t let her call Tina or Sugar. She needed them. They were like surrogate mothers to her, and he wouldn’t let Em talk to them. How could he be so cruel?”
I knew Sugar and Tina hadn’t received a single call from Emilee. I should’ve investigated, but I trusted Justin. He was a good man. I’d honestly thought he’d come to his senses. Raul had believed the same. But time flew by while we were putting out fires. I’d been dealing with all kinds of shit at the club since the day I married Angel that Emilee wasn’t on my radar.
That wasn’t an excuse. Emilee was like my little sister, and I’d let her down.
“I’m not sure what’s gotten into Justin,” I told Angel honestly.
“I think you and a lot of the guys are biased because you’ve known each other for so long. Your loyalty to each other runs deep, and that’s good. But it’s different for me. My view isn’t muddled by bylaws, oaths, and a leather cut covered with patches.”
“He was our brother.”
“What Justin did was wrong. You all let him go off the rails, taking Emilee away. She’s a grown woman. It wasn’t long ago that Snow had been in a similar situation.”
I growled low. “Casso Campbell is a nutjob. Justin is—”
“He thanked his girlfriend for stopping Emilee with a gun. Thanked her, Kaleb. Just imagine how Emilee felt.”
“Fuck, Angel. I get it. I do. No more, okay?” If I heard anymore, I’d beat the crap out of Justin myself. I truly felt responsible for not dealing with him sooner.
She kissed my neck. “Sometimes, you need me to drill stuff into your thick skull.”
I squeezed her ass. “I do, baby. It’s good you call me out like this… in private.”
“Promise me something, Kaleb Knight.”
“I’ll try.” On cue, my stomach tightened. I sensed Angel’s emotions and thoughts as if they were my own. It was scary how in sync we were. I was sure I wouldn’t like what she was about to say.
“Promise me you won’t let Justin take her again. If you do, we’re going to have some serious problems.”
My muscles coiled in my shoulders at the warning tone in her voice.
“Angel, tread carefully. I am the president of this club. It isn’t your place to interfere. You know this.”
“I know my place. I’m not trying to be difficult or undermine your authority.” She propped up and swirled her nails in my chest hair. “Like you, when someone I love is harmed, I must defend them. I’m just saying I won’t stay silent a second time if you give her back to Justin.”
“What will you do if I do?” I had to ask. After everything, I wouldn’t hand Emilee over to Justin, but I wanted to know what my woman would do.
“It would kill me to leave you.” She kissed my neck. “God, it would kill me.”
“It would kill me too, Angel.” My heart thundered in my chest at the very thought of her leaving me.
“Then please don’t give me a reason to.”
“You know I’d never let you leave me. You’re mine, Angel. I’m not giving you up ever.”
“Make love to me, Kaleb.”
I rolled her onto her back and covered her body with mine. “You’d really leave me?”
There was just enough light to make out her glimmering baby blues. “It would be the hardest thing I ever did. It would be like ripping my heart and soul out, but how could I sit back and watch you destroy someone I love? What kind of a person would that make me?”
Fuck, her convictions would not be denied. I admired the hell out of my wife, loved her more than life itself.
I kissed her lips, tasting a slight saltiness from her tears. I hated when she cried. Hated it more when I was to blame. “I love you, Angel. You don’t need to worry about Emilee. She’s here to stay.”