Hearts the Last Beat (Angel Fire #6) - Ellie Masters Page 0,81

pushed back toward Bash, this time by Noodles.

As I sway on my feet, Bash walks in a circle around me. Blood weeps from my temple, stinging my eye. His knuckles cut the skin of my cheek. Blood fills my mouth from the cut on my lip.

Right about now, I’m not too keen on my many piercings. Definitely a liability in a fistfight.

“I asked you a damn question. How long have you been fucking my daughter?”

I put out a hand, trying to stave him off, but Bash comes at me again. I fall under the fury of his fists and curl into a ball as he kicks me when I’m down.

“You fucking perv. She was seventeen. Seventeen!” Another round of kicks follow.

I curl around the pain, knowing I deserve this.

“Answer me.” Bash steps away as I cough and spit out blood.

“It wasn’t like that.” I huff out the words.

“How was it then?” He stands over me, body tense and vibrating with anger.

“I stayed away.”

“Liar.” His leg rears back.

“Stop!” A crystal-clear voice rings out through the air. I blink against the sweat and blood clouding my vision and smile.

I forget how easy it is to breathe when she’s near. How much the universe aligns when I’m in her presence. Ethereal and wonderful, Angel’s absolute perfection, and she’s all mine.

“There’s nothing you can do to keep us apart.” I spit out a wad of blood and look up at Bash. A delirious grin fills my face.

“You’re out. You are fucking out.” His face turns beet red. This time, when he lunges at me, Ash holds him back.

“That’s enough, Bash.” Ash turns his attention to me. “Is she really worth all of this?”

“Yeah, I’ll give all this up, if only to keep her in my life.” A weight lifts off my shoulders. It feels good to have the truth out there.

I can’t wait to introduce her to Lucy and Trevor. I want her to know everything and be a part of that secret world. Ian too. His parents say he’s making progress after the transplant. He’s expected to be discharged within another week or two. I want to share all of that with Angel.

There’s more.

I’m tired of sneaking around and hiding in the shadows. I want to shout out to the universe that Angel is mine. I can do that now.

Angel Fire may be in my past, but Angel is my future. I don’t regret it one bit.

What a goddamn relief.

I scan Insanity’s overwhelming presence. This used to be my home, not just the band, but the brotherhood we formed and the family we became. But families argue. They disagree.

Bands break up.

Either way, my future is with Angel.

Bash can either forgive me, or I’ll move on.

Hopefully, he’ll see the truth.

I want to remain a part of Angel Fire. We have so much yet to do, but I’ll step aside. If that’s the only way I can have Angel by my side, I’ll take it.

Bash’s leg rears back, and I brace.

Thirty-One

Angel

I race toward Spike, but an arm shoots out and grabs me around the waist.

“What the fuck?”

“Do not interfere.” Forest holds me tight against him. The bastard must have gone out the back and run around to meet me.

I kick against him, but I can’t get free. I scream at him and watch Spike’s head swivel toward the sound of my scream moments before Bash’s fist connects with his jaw.

Spike’s head snaps up. His body spins. It’s too much as he collapses on the ground. All I see after that is Bash’s back as he kicks Spike in the gut.

“Let me go! He’s hurting him.” I scratch and claw at Forest’s arm. I’m surprised when he lets me go. I trip over my own feet as I race to Spike’s side.

I launch myself at my father, grabbing his waist to pull him off Spike. As for Spike, all I see is blood. In addition to the tear in his skin at his temple, there’s a long gash over his cheekbone. His eye is swelling and is already well on its way to turning purple.

“Stop hurting him. I love him.”

Bash turns while Spike chokes and spits out far too much blood. His lip is split and swelling as well.

“If you touch him again, I’ll leave. You’ll never see me again. Spike and I love each other. I’m going to marry him.”

“What?” A tortured expression fills his face.

“You heard me.” Tears stream down my cheeks. “We’re getting married, and if you want to be a part of