Hearts the Last Beat (Angel Fire #6) - Ellie Masters Page 0,16
do this, and I already see it scrawled all over your face, don’t get caught. If you fall in love with Angel, or God forbid she falls in love with you, don’t break her heart. Don’t be the one who walks away. You do that and it won’t be Bash you’ll have to deal with. I’ll be right by his side feeding you your balls. As will Ash, Bent, and Noodles. Once we’re done with you, Skye, Holly, Piper, and Mitzy will be there to gouge out your eyes and castrate you. You’ll be out. Out of the band. Out of our lives. Out.” He crosses his massive arms over his broad chest and looms over me. “Is fucking her really worth taking that risk?”
“I’m not interested in just fucking her.”
“Well, at least we’ve sorted that out. You’ve definitely got your head up your ass. I’m serious; this is a bad idea. Walk away.”
“I’m not walking away.”
“Why not?”
“Because she’s mine.”
“I see.” Forest gives a slow shake of his head. “Another fool is born. Good luck. You’re going to need it.”
“Are you gonna tell Bash?”
“I don’t need to say shit. You don’t need my help to make a mess of your life.”
“We’re going to be discreet.”
“Bullshit. I’ve seen the way the two of you look at each other. It’s written all over your faces. That smirk you sport, when you think about what you’re going to do to her, pisses me off.”
“Not that it’s any of your business, but for the record, I haven’t done anything. We’re not fucking.”
“Yet.” Forest shakes his head, then places the tip of his finger to my chest. “You’ve got a good thing going here. Great friends, wonderful career, don’t mess with success.”
“I don’t seem to remember asking for life lessons from you.” Damn, that man puts a lot of power behind a finger. That hurts. I grip his wrist, and instead of pushing him away, I take a step back and to the side.
He makes a point of sniffing the air. “She’s not a toy.”
“What the fuck?”
“I’m serious. She’s not some plaything. She’s not a groupie you can fuck and forget.”
“Take that back.” I shove him, but only succeed in pushing myself back a step. The man’s massive. “That’s not what this is.”
“For all our sakes, I hope not.” Forest takes a step to the side. “You’re a grown-assed man who can do as you like, but Angel is ours. She’s a part of the family. You fuck her over, you fuck us all. Don’t come crying to me when this all goes to shit.”
“I said, there’s nothing going on.” I grind out the words, desperately trying to get him to buy into a lie.
“Right, about that—if you’re going ahead with this madness, learn how to lie. You suck at it.” With a huff, he marches past me.
Forest squeezes his large frame inside the gondola and yanks the door closed. Keeping his cold gaze on me, we stare at each other as the gondola lurches into motion and slowly takes him down to the beach.
Seven
Spike
Once Forest is out of sight, I run a hand through my hair, hating how my hand shakes. Forest’s got me. He’s right about everything.
Doesn’t stop me from racing after Angel. If Forest’s back, that means the house will fill up soon. Finding time to be alone with Angel is going to be difficult, if not impossible.
I move past the pool and draw up short at the door leading into the kitchen.
As expected, Skye, Ash, and Mitzy are back. Whatever mission they had with the Guardians must’ve gone well from the smiles on their faces.
When they return from a mission with frowns filling their faces, I escape to my rooms, because that’s never good, but today is a good day. I’m thankful for that. I can’t handle their scowls on top of Forest’s judgment.
Angel’s with them, smiling, laughing, and looking fabulous as always. She turns toward the door and sees me standing outside. Her shoulders lift in a shrug. No need to wonder what’s going through her mind.
“Hey, guys, how’s it going?” I join my friends. “Another success?”
They turn to me with bright eyes and relaxed faces.
“Another great day at the office.” Mitzy flaps her hand in a wave hello. Her spiky psychedelic hair makes me blink twice. “Got back days sooner than we thought.”
I know, and I don’t like it one bit. I need time alone with Angel.
“Glad to hear.” I purse my lips and glance around the kitchen, unsure