Angel's Halo: Avenged Read online

  “I thought I died too,” I told him honestly, keeping him close when he would have pulled back. “Calvin…” I shuddered, thinking about the bastard. “He…”

  “You don’t ever have to worry about Samson again, babe.”

  My breath caught. “Wh-what did you do?”

  “Just know that Hank and I took care of it.” He kissed me again, and I began to relax. “He won’t ever hurt you again, Kelli.”

  “Thank you,” I whispered, closing my eyes.

  I felt his lips skim over my cheeks, the tip of my nose, then my closed lids. When he sat back, I lifted my lashes and I stared lovingly up at him. “I’m so glad you’re here.”

  “There isn’t anywhere else I would be. As long as you’re in here, I’m not going anywhere.”

  I swallowed the lump that filled my throat. “P-Promise?”

  “Promise.”

  Content with his answer, I shifted, only to groan as my body seemed to catch fire with white-hot pain. “Fuck, what did they do to me?”

  “Doc said you lost your spleen and left kidney. There was also a little intestinal damage, but he says you’ll be fine in a few weeks.” His thumb traced over my cheek, wiping away the last of my tears. “You’re going to have to take it easy, though, and let me take care of you.”

  “I don’t know how to do that,” I told him honestly, surprised that I wasn’t arguing with him about it.

  Maybe I’d hit my head and it switched my personality. And when I was better, everything I was feeling right then would disappear, and I would be back to my normally bitchy self.

  Or maybe… Maybe it just made me realize I needed to give in and let myself love this man like I’ve been aching to from the moment I’d met him.

  In the face of death, our pasts didn’t seem to matter anymore. The things he did. The things I’d done. Who we were. The two different worlds we came from—they didn’t feel so different after all. He wasn’t exactly a white knight with an untainted past, but hell, his father never tried to kill him.

  But what mattered most was that I loved him, and what I wanted more than anything was a future with Colt Hannigan.

  There was a sharp tap on the door seconds before it opened, and a nurse with a disheveled ponytail walked in. “Nice to see you awake, Miss Murdock. Are you ready to sit up and maybe get something to drink?” She moved forward farther, her smile tired but kind. “If you’re feeling hungry, breakfast will be served in about an hour. But I’m warning you now, you won’t be getting anything other than liquids for a few days as we ease you back to solid foods.”

  “I’m not hungry,” I assured her as she adjusted my bed so that the head slowly lifted. Colt moved, getting ready to stand and move away from me, but I caught his hand, surprised at my strength as I held on to him for dear life. “Don’t go anywhere,” I pleaded unashamedly.

  He brought my hand to his mouth and kissed the back of it. “I’m not going anywhere. I just wanted to let her get you more comfortable.”

  “I’m comfortable enough as long as you’re right here. Don’t move.”

  His lips lifted in a ghost of the old smirk I’d always found sexy. “Yes, ma’am.”

  The nurse laughed as she helped me sit up more in the bed, then offered me a cup of ice water. “The doctor will be in to see you in a bit. Then we can get you more comfortable. Your pain meds are due soon.”

  The nurse left, but no sooner had the door closed behind her, than it opened again. Quinn and Raider walked in. My best friend practically ran across the small room when she saw I was sitting up. “Thank goodness you’re okay,” she sobbed as she carefully wrapped her arms around my neck and kissed my cheek. “I was so scared, Kelli. I thought… I thought…” She broke off on a sob, burying her face in my neck.

  “Easy,” Colt commanded. “She’s in pain, Quinn. Be careful.”

  Her blond head shot up, her wet eyes full of regret. “I’m sorry,” she rushed to apologize. “How are you feeling? Do you need anything? We can run home and get you anything you need. Clothes. Toothbrush. Toiletries. Whatever. Just tell me what you need.”

  “Right now?” I asked. Quinn nodded. “Another hug would be great.”

  She gave me a trembling smile as she hugged me again, being extra careful this time. I wrapped the arm that didn’t have the IV in it around her waist, pulling her closer.

  “I’m so glad you’re okay,” she whispered.

  “Me too, babe,” I said with a weak laugh.

  “I’m taking her home,” Raider informed his brother. “She hasn’t slept all night, and she’s been nauseated.” His gaze went to me. “Good to see you awake, Kelli. We’re all glad you’re going to be annoying the fuck out of us in the future.” I flipped him off, and he actually grinned at me. “I’ll bring Quinn back later. So yeah, let her know if you need anything, and we will bring it with us.”

  “Yeah, thanks.”

  “Colt? You need anything before we head back? Food, coffee?”

  “Nah, brother. I’m good.” He stood, hugged Quinn briefly, then shook his brother’s hand. “Thanks for the help.”

  Raider snorted. “From where I was standing, you had it all under control. I just got a free show.”

  “Bash and Rave go home yet?”

  Colt’s older brother shook his head. “Rave is waiting around for us to say goodbye. She’ll be in soon, and then Bash is making her go home. We all need some sleep, and then we can start planning with that intel you got yesterday.”

  Colt nodded then waited for Quinn to hug me one last time, and he walked them to the door. Coming back to me, he kissed my lips and sat in the chair, making me glower at him.

  “I’m right here, baby. See?” He brought my hand to his lips. “I don’t want to crowd you. Just sit back and relax. I’m not going anywhere.”

  He wasn’t leaving, but apparently, the rest of the waiting room was. Raven and Bash came in, Raven making sure I was fine, asking if I needed anything. Her green eyes scanned me from head to toe before she gave a satisfied nod and bent to hug me.

  Raven Hannigan Reid hugged me.

  That was a bit surreal, but then she was promising she would be back to check on us later and let her husband pull her out the door. Others came and went. Hawk and Gracie. Jet and Flick. Even Spider and Willa came in for a brief moment before heading home to get some sleep.

  “Is that everyone?” I asked, feeling exhaustion pulling me down.

  “Trigger and Aggie left when we got back from handling Samson. But Hank and the ugly duo is still in the waiting room. He told me he didn’t want to bother you until you were feeling better, but he’s not going anywhere until you’re ready to leave this place.”

  I couldn’t explain how much that soothed something inside me. Hank wasn’t going to leave. Neither was Colt. I wasn’t sure if I should believe that, but I wanted to, and I was going to let myself believe it.

  For now, at least.

  Chapter 27

  Colt

  Kelli was in the hospital for a week before the doctor released her. During that time, the press tried to get in to see her, but somehow Badcock took care of the situation, and the flashing cameras and dickheads with microphones disappeared. Without once bothering Kelli.

  I didn’t keep up with the continued story on the dishonored senator, but the others were making sure to follow it. Making sure that once his body was found, the media believed the story Badcock wanted them to believe.

  We left Samson in his rental car on an old dirt road that was well known for working-girl hookups. He was badly beaten, and the cause of death—or so the coroner said in a press conference—was a heart attack brought on by the beating. Authorities suspected the senator had picked up the wrong girl, and she and her pimp had beat him to death.

  It was a good story. A lot better than reality.

  Badcock and I took turns beating the fuck out of the bastard until he was puking blood and begging us for mercy. Maybe
he really had died of a heart attack. Or maybe it was the ruptured kidney I gave him. Perhaps it was the internal bleeding Badcock had caused from all the hard punches to his stomach.

  I didn’t know, and I didn’t want to know.

  All that mattered was the sonofabitch was dead, and Kelli didn’t ever have to worry about him again.

  Once Kelli was released, Raven and Flick showed up at the hospital in her SUV and helped me get Kelli back to the clubhouse. Kelli bitched at me as I carried her from the vehicle to our room and settled her in bed.

  “There’s nothing wrong with my legs,” she groused as she started to get up. “I can walk just fine.”

  I stepped in front of her, blocking her from doing anything but sitting back down on the bed. Glowering at me, she leaned back against the pillows as I leaned in and kissed her lips. “Doc said to take it easy. I’m just making sure you follow his orders.”

  “But I’m tired of sitting around doing nothing. I feel better now,” she complained. “Let me go help the others with lunch. I’m sure I can find something I can do, even if it’s dishes.”

  That had me laughing out loud. “You’re so bored you actually want to do dishes? That’s the first time those words have ever come out of your mouth, Kell.”

  With a huff, she crossed her arms over her chest and glared up at me. “It would be better than sitting around growing roots because I’m not allowed to do anything but vegetate.”

  “Poor baby,” I teased, kissing her lips again before stepping back. “You’re going to take it easy, or I’m going to spank that sexy ass. Got it?”

  Her eyes brightened at my threat. “Promise?” she purred, grabbing hold of one of my belt loops and tugging me forward. “Because I would really, really enjoy that.”

  I untangled her fingers and took several steps back, away from temptation. “All in due time, babe. Doc has to release you for that before I put my dick in you again.”

  Her bottom lip pouted out. “You don’t have to put your dick in me to make me come.”

  Fuck, she was killing me. I had to rearrange my cock behind my zipper before the damn thing became physically embedded in my shaft. “Be good, woman.”

  “You’re no fun,” she grumbled.

  “Fun comes later,” I promised her and moved to the door when there was a hard knock.

  Opening it, I found Raider and Hawk both standing there with the suitcases and other stuff that had been in the trunk of Kelli’s car. “Where you want this shit? It’s heavy.”

  I stepped back, letting them in. “Just drop it wherever. I’ll take care of it when I get a minute.”

  “What are you doing?” she demanded, watching them drop her things on the floor carelessly. “Why did you bring that stuff in here?”

  “Because your clothes are in there. You need clothes, Kell. You can’t walk around the clubhouse naked.” I winked at her, but inside, I was gearing up for this fight. She’d been different this past week, softer, easier to talk to.

  I wasn’t sure if it was because she had been out of it from the shooting, or if she was finally understanding that she belonged with me. The last day or so, I could tell she was getting back to being more like her old self, but she was still open. Smiling more. Laughing with Quinn and Raven and anyone else who came to visit her.

  It was like the weight of the world had been lifted from her shoulders, and I loved seeing her like that.

  I just prayed that she didn’t decide she still wanted to leave me.

  Hawk and Raider glanced at me then muttered something and made a quick exit, leaving me alone with Kelli as she frowned at the stack of suitcases against the far wall, along with a black trash bag and a small box.

  “How much longer do you think we’ll be on this stupid lockdown crap?” she surprised me by asking. “I really miss my bed back at my house.”

  “It’s going to last until Fontana is taken care of. Hopefully, that won’t be too much longer, though.” I hadn’t been to church with my MC brothers all week, but Bash and the others kept me up to date on what was going on. Soon, we would make our move and take the motherfucker out with Badcock’s help.

  “Good. Because Quinn and I need to patch up those bullet holes in the house before the landlord has a hissy fit. We’re never going to get the deposit back now.”

  “Don’t worry about the damn deposit. I’ll find us a better place to live once everything else is taken care of,” I assured her.

  “There aren’t a lot of options in this town to rent.” She carefully pulled her knees up toward her chest and rested her arm on them, propping her head on her hand. “Not without costing a frigging arm and a leg. Quinn doesn’t make enough money to cover half the rent for something like that.”

  “Quinn is moving in with my brother back at the house,” I informed her, dropping down onto the bed beside her.

  Her face fell. “Really? She didn’t tell me that.” She exhaled sadly. “I really like living with her.”

  “What if we still lived with her?” I put out there. “But at the house…with the rest of my family?”

  Her eyes widened. “There are already almost a dozen people living in that house. When Quinn has the baby, it’s going to be even more crowded. It will be worse than if we lived here full time.”

  I shook my head. “Not really. Hawk and Gracie are moving in to Jack’s house. Everything he owned is now Gracie’s. And for whatever reason, they announced the other day that they’re moving out.”

  “That would still feel really crowded to me,” she said with a frown pinching her brow. “I’m not used to a lot of people being around. I was just getting used to having Quinn as a roommate and you in my bed every night.”

  “Then we can find a house to buy. Maybe one close to them,” I suggested hopefully.

  “Buy a house…together?”

  “Yeah, babe. Married people typically do those kinds of things.”

  She punched me in the arm. Hard. “Oh no, you don’t!” she yelled, pushing me off the bed. I landed on my knees with a loud thump and quickly turned to face her. “If that’s a proposal, it sucks just as bad as the last time you mentioned something like that.”

  “So that’s a no?” I asked, fighting back a grin.

  “That’s a fuck you, no way in hell!” Still on the bed, she scooted to the edge and kicked me in the chest hard enough to send me falling backward. “If you seriously want to marry me, how about asking and not this bullshit assuming? A girl likes that kind of BS, you dickhead. I like that kind of BS.”

  Pushing back up to my knees, I grabbed her hands, holding them prisoner in one of mine so she didn’t push me down again. “Like this?” I asked, lifting her hands to my lips and kissing them as I pulled out the tiny box with the expensive as fuck ring tucked inside that I’d picked out months ago in a moment of insanity.

  One-handed, I opened the box, showing the ring to her and shutting her the fuck up. “What… What are you doing?” she whispered dazedly.

  “Trying to do it right,” I explained as I set the box down and pulled out the ring. Placing it on her finger, I leaned in, my eyes holding hers hostage, and I nearly groaned when they filled with tears. “I love you, Kelli. I want to spend my future with you. Let me cherish you and show you every day of the rest of our lives that you will always be my number one. No matter what happens, I will always put you first. Marry me. Love me.”

  “Holy shit,” she breathed, tears spilling over, flooding down her cheeks. “You really just asked me…”

  “Marry me, Kell.”

  “I…” She shook her head, and my stomach filled with lead as I waited for her to laugh in my face and tell me “Fuck no” just like last time. “I… Fuck. Yeah. Okay. Yes. Yes, I’ll marry you.”

  It took me a second to realize the words she was speaking weren’t the ones I was expecting, dreading, but instead, the ones I’d been dying to hear. “Yes?” I rasped out, still not sure I’d heard her correctly. />
  But she was nodding her head, tears spilling faster. “Yes, idiot. Yes. I’ll marry you. I love you so damn much. I think I’ve always loved you. I want to spend the rest of my life with you. I want to love you and let you love me. I want… I need you. And I’ve never needed anyone in my life. Not until you.”

  “Baby,” I groaned, sealing my lips against hers. I knew I couldn’t make her mine the way I wanted to yet, but my kiss told her just how much I wanted her, how much she was loved. “Thank you,” I choked out in a hoarse voice. “You won’t regret it. I’ll make you happy. I’ll do whatever it takes to make our lives perfect—”

  “Stop,” she commanded. “I don’t want perfection. That’s boring and annoying, and I want to gag every time I think of those stupid, googly-eyed, perfect couples who can’t stop telling the world how happy they are. I just want you. I want us. We aren’t perfect, but I love it anyway.”

  “Fuck, whatever you want, Kell. It’s yours.” I kissed her hard. “I’m yours, baby.”

  Playlist

  “Vicious” by Halestorm

  “Death of Me” by Daughtry

  “Love You Too Late” by Cole Swindell

  “Hold On” by Chord Overstreet

  “Under Your Scars” by Godsmack

  “Black Vultures” by Halestorm

  “IDGAF” by Dua Lipa

  “Not Dead Yet” by Ledger

  “Blue on Black” by Five Finger Death Punch

  “With or Without You” by Eva Under Fire