His Word...Doubt ~ Book Two in the Trusted Saga ~ (excerpt)

Title : His Word...Doubt

Book Two in the Trusted Saga

Release Date : Available now (buy link under "Books" heading)

EXCERPT ...

I saw the tall, muscle-bound, dark-haired guy behind the pillar watching Angel intently when she went with Leanne, and Elaine, to get the next round of drinks. When he made his move, so did I.

I weaved my way through all the writhing bodies with a grimace, noting that Kiara tagged along behind me. The only reason I agreed to come here with Elaine, and Danny, was to see Angel. I’d have walked over hot coals to see her. It doesn’t matter that I haven’t seen her for what seems like an interminable amount of time---she can still set my heart racing.

I saw her churlish reaction when that dude surprised her from behind. She did not look happy. I also had a little laugh to myself when I saw the dude’s lips press together in annoyance. Angel can be frustrating at times. I can certainly attest to that.

Kiara shot him one hell of an angry look, too. Huh. Looks like Angel may not be the only one who has a problem with this dude. I need to get her away from this guy, right now.

The black look I received from him when I wound my arm around her, and grasped her hip, was priceless. It looked like he wanted to put me six feet under. And when I called her Baby---man, did he look pissed. I also noticed he had a little backup standing right behind his left shoulder, too.

I beat him to the punch when he asked Angel if she needed a hand. Mr. Muscle-man acknowledged Kiara, and she icily acknowledged him in return. Hmm. He knows Kiara. Webber? That name sounds familiar. I made a mental note to speak quietly to Kiara when I could. I had the distinct feeling she would be able to fill me in on who this guy is.

There’s something about him I just don’t like. His face seems familiar, and I know that I know him from somewhere.

I haven’t seen Angel for so long, I was damned if I was going to take my eyes off of her for a second, let alone give anyone else the chance to get close to her. Her body language when she was speaking with that Webber dude made it abundantly clear she wanted nothing to do with him, but he didn’t look like he was one to be easily brushed off. The hunger I saw in his eyes while he spoke to her at the bar, has my blood boiling.

Angel took off with Leanne, and Phoebe, to the bathroom, which gave me the opportunity to seek Kiara out, and have a one-on-one with her.

What is it with girls visiting the bathroom together? Safety in numbers? Or is it to discuss private moments together regarding the opposite sex? I think it’s safe to say that will remain a mystery in my eyes.

“Kiara, do you mind if I ask you something?”

“Sure. What is it, Chase?” Kiara flashed me a brilliant smile, before I continued with my quest to acquire information.

“That guy at the bar. You called him Webber. Who is he?”

Kiara’s face tensed. She clearly didn’t like him. That’s definitely worth investigating.

“Levi Webber,” Kiara spat his name out with contempt.

Fuck.

“Not the Levi Webber? Property tycoon?”

Jesus. I knew his named sounded familiar. His mug was plastered all over the place lately. I think it had to do with a broken engagement?

“Yep. The one, and only, thank God. I couldn’t imagine two of him in this world!”

Do I detect some bitterness?

“You don’t sound like Levi Webber has made much of a positive impression on you?”

Kiara snorted with hostility, surprising me. Not something I expected from someone who looked as elegant as she does.

“No. I don’t like him,” Kiara responded, not bothering to hide her distaste.

“You mind if I enquire why?”

Kiara glared at me, before she answered.

“Levi Webber uses people to his own advantage.”

“Are you speaking from experience, Kiara, or is that Webber’s reputation?” I questioned.

Kiara was uncomfortable with my line of questioning, and I could see she was very hesitant to answer it. The slight nonchalant shrug of her shoulders gave away the little white lie I knew she was about to tell me.

“Webber’s reputation.”

I feel sure now Kiara felt she was used in some way by Webber. There’s no way in hell I’ll allow that to happen to Angel. She was pissed off with the fact that I’ve been in the city for a week, and haven’t been in touch with her. Elaine begged me not to. Said she wanted to surprise her.

I was tempted so many times over the last seven days to call her. I even hit her work number on my phone, and let the number connect for a ring, or two, on a couple of occasions, before hanging up.

Now I was here, with Angel, and I didn’t want to be anywhere else. I just have to contend with Webber, and the interest he harbors for her. Yeah. Like that’s going to be easy. Levi Fucking Webber! Why does Webber have to be interested in my Angel? He can have anyone he desires. Why Angel?

I’m certain he was engaged to someone until recently. The fact Webber now has Angel in his sights, didn’t sit right. It wasn’t like she was involved in the elite social circle of the life he leads, so why? That is the million dollar question. Huh. That will probably be small change to Mr. Moneybags.

Money isn’t everything, though. Angel will be more intimidated by that than anything else. She isn’t the sort of person who will take kindly to you, if you tried to buy her off. That’s how she’d see it. At least the girl I used to know would. That was exactly the reason I haven’t told her about my own rapid accumulation of wealth. Not on such a grand scale as Webber, but pretty damn comfortable; to the point I doubt I will have to worry about money until the day I die.

Angel is different now. She is no longer the sweet girl I tried to convince to stay in the country. She’s wary, suspicious, and a little hard around the edges.

She’s still beautiful, but with a sleeker, more polished edge. Her thick, long black hair used to fly behind her as she galloped across the paddocks on our rides together. Her smile used to light up the room when she walked in. Angel was bubbly, and effervescent, full of life, but now, she isn’t really the same.

The new Angel is somber, and guarded. I know she hasn’t told me the full extent of what occurred to her four years ago, and Elaine has been uncharacteristically tight-lipped, but the details Angel did give me, left me wanting to hunt the bastard who hurt her down, and string him up by the neck to the nearest tree.

When I discovered Angel was staying at Elaine’s parent’s property, I was shocked at the sight of her. She was recuperating from an obvious shit-kicked-out-of-you beating. The black, blue, and purple, and yellow hues covering her skin, had me seeing red.

What sort of a bastard would do that to a beautiful, trusting young girl? An absolute fucking asshole! Angel refused point blank to give me the name of the asshole, but one day, she’ll eventually let it slip. Then I’ll seek revenge for what he did to her. Until that day, I could do nothing other than bide my time.

© Copyright Carol Delmornay 2016.

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