Angel couldn’t sleep.
It was nearly three in the morning, and she had slept for an hour. She had gone with Nash, Murphy, and Steven to grab some of the groceries. They had been terrified to go. She had a shopping list nearly as long as her arm, but she had everything ready. Turkeys were in the freezer, and she’d get them out the day before, then there were the cuts of meat as well. She had a list of pies to make.
Everything was coming together. Lexie would be arriving very soon, as would the rest of the Chaos Bleeds ladies.
She missed them.
Glancing over at Lash, she saw he was sound asleep. She didn’t have the heart to wake him. He’d be pissed if he knew she couldn’t sleep. He always wanted to be there for her.
He worked so damn hard to make the club right and to keep all the guys in check. She hated the idea of feeling like a burden to him.
Easing out of the bed, she took her time. After sliding her feet into her novelty slippers with cute little Christmas trees on them, she left the bedroom quietly, so as not to disturb him.
What she needed was her hot chocolate. A nice hot mug of the stuff.
Making her way downstairs, she came to a stop when she saw Anthony sitting at the kitchen counter. She smiled as she entered the room. “Couldn’t sleep?”
“No. I didn’t wake you, did I?”
“No. Of course not.”
Anthony sat in one of the pajama sets she had purchased for him last year. They looked a little tight across the chest, but they just about fit him. “I’ll have to get your size to get another pair.”
“They’re comfy.”
Angel knew her son wasn’t much of a talker, but he did always make the effort with her, which she appreciated. Over the years, she had heard people referring to her son as the oddball, the weirdo, the serial killer waiting to happen. Whenever she heard them, she would give them a piece of her mind.
Anthony wasn’t weird. He just didn’t like to talk or share much of his feelings. She knew deep down inside that he was a good person. It was in his eyes. Anthony was many things: loyal, loving, and an amazing man combined. She wasn’t a fool though. She knew there was a darkness within him. A rage that he kept in check. Just like his father.
Lash would often have long, quiet spells. She knew what he was capable of. How he’d been strong enough to snap a man’s neck with his bare hands, and he’d done it, several times.
“Would you like some hot chocolate?”
“Is Dad up?” Anthony asked.
“No.”
“He’s not going to like you being up on your own.”
Angel rolled her eyes. “I’m not alone, am I? I have my son with me.” She moved about the kitchen, grabbing some milk once again. “Do you want a drink?”
“Yeah, I’ll have a drink.”
She got to work on her hot chocolate, leaving the silence to mingle between them.
To her, it wasn’t uncomfortable. She had learned, with Anthony, to give him space. When he was ready, he’d talk.
“You’re not going to try to convince me to stay home?” Anthony asked.
Angel turned toward him.
“We both know that Dad told you what I had planned. You two tell each other everything.”
“I know what you’re talking about, but no, I’m not going to try to convince you of something like that.” She shrugged. “It’s your life, honey, and there is only so much that I can do.”
She finished stirring the pot of milk. The chocolate had already been added, as had the vanilla. She didn’t mind the taste of it, and so she got to pouring. With how late it was, she didn’t bother with the cream or marshmallows. She didn’t actually like marshmallows, but seeing as her family did, she just ate them.
As she took a seat beside him, Anthony sighed. “I think it’s for the best.”