Chapter 29

Gray

I made it to Sedona early within the morning when I had expected to make it at least at midnight, but, no I ended up making it at six, almost seven had I landed. When I made it to the house, I let myself in using a spare key. Then As I climbed the stairs and opened the door to my room that Angel was now occupying, I hadn't assumed she would be asleep so soon. I expected to enter and see her sitting up on the bed, a pillow to her back so she would be comfortable with her knees raised beneath the sheets. A book in her lap and the lamp that sat on the nightstand next to her side to bed dimly lit so she could read.

Yet instead, I came in to see her sleeping soundly. Not even a light snore had been coming from her. I closed the door behind me and placed my suitcase next to the door before sliding my coat off of my arms and tossing it onto the back of the black chair with gold legs that was nearby. Then, with one hand I began to unbutton my black button-down as I made my way to Angel's bed side. I knelt down at her head, and then I caressed her cheek that was just barely visible beneath the sheet.

At my gentle action, Angel shimmied further beneath the sheet that covered her and only for a split moment did I witness a smile curl onto her lips. A sigh drew from my lips as I pushed myself onto my feet, then my button down, shoes, and pants were off. I joined her in bed once I was naked.

Later into the morning when the sun was finally up, gracing the sky with its warmth Angel woke. Her sudden head jerk had caused for me to wake, I was still sleepy and wanted to stay in bed for a while longer.

Instead, I forced a soft smile of greeting to play on my lips as my eyes slowly adjusted to the light within the room from the windows, as Angel only looked at me in disbelief.

"Good morning beautiful,"

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After Angel had made her escape from my room and told me she would be sleeping on the couch from here on, I ran my fingers through my dampened hair and only chuckled to myself.

"She really is something else..."

I spoke aloud to myself, then I rose to my feet and head out of the room and down the stairs. I was met with Angel and her family talking in the main room, all conversations came to a quick silence once I was realized.

"Scar!?"

"Yours truly, madame."

I said in greeting, bowing as the words left my vocal cords. A coherent smile decorating my lips. As I once again stood up tall, my ears were met with Angel mothers voice, that Boston accent dripping on her words.

Whenever Angel spoke, I could hardly, just barely hint at the Boston accent coated in her voice when she spoke. It seemed that unlike the rest of her family, she wasn't able to escape the clutches of the New York accent.

"Will you join us this evening for a trail ride?"

"Not this time, mi amor. I have much work to attend to, sadly I'll be absent all day."

My eyes soon found Angel, that same smile playing on my lips as I gave her a courteous wink. Just for her to scoff, roll her eyes, and look elsewhere.

"Well, would you like to take Angel with you? She's been having this attitude all day. We are trying to have fun, and she doesn't seem to want to get rid of her attitude for us."

As Mrs.Vae spoke, she looked at Angel as if she were talking to her more so than she was talking to me. I bit back a laugh as Angel rolled her eyes again at her mother's words, drawing a leg over her other.

"Would you prefer that I did Mrs. Vae?"

"Yes, maybe it'll make her happy, spending time with someone she is soooo, in love-"

"I'm not in love mama."

Angel cut her mother off quickly to shut her accusations down. But I could tell she was lying, we all could.

I held out a hand to her while my other hand stayed comfortably snugged into the pocket of my men's slacks. "Well, would you rather join me princess? I promise to make it worthwhile."

Angel huffed then pushed herself up to her feet. And as if she were a little kid on the verge of having a tantrum, she stomped her way passed me and out of the door. Avoiding my hand that had been stretched out to her, and leaving the front door open as she took her exit.

"I promise to keep her out of harm's way while she is with me, mama bear. You have my word."

I got a cheeky giggle out of Angels mother at my sudden promise to keep her daughter safe. As if she were expecting me to say such words.

With a courteous bow, I left the house. I found Angel waiting below the stairs at the edge of the curved driveway with her arms folded over her chest, standing in front of the Black SUV that is to take me around on my errands for the day.

"What is it that you have to do today Gray?"

"I get to play with my gun today. Unfortunately you have to be around while I carry it."

I say with a playful grin as if using a gun were the most normal thing in the entire world. Well, for me you could say that it was. Not that I use it everyday, but I use it often enough.

Angel looked at me as if I were dramatically playing with my choosing of words. As if what I said weren't the truth.

"Come now, I have much to do princess."

I ushered for her to climb into the backseats of the SUV, my hand judging just slightly against her lower back as I looked to my left and right. Angel climbed in without so much a complaint.

I climbed in after her, signaling with my hand for the driver to drive.

"So, what's with todays get up?"

"Todays get up?"

I nodded, looking her over with my eyes alone. Today, Angel decided she would wear a really short revealing black skirt. Not that I saw it too much of an issue, I actually liked it on her. It gave me a nice view whenever I stood behind her. With it she paired it with a black v-neck cropped top with ruffles that lined the bottom, just barely it hovered over her belly button. On the ruffles were golden dot-like decorations.

She matched her outfit with black rounded open toed heels. Never thought I'd see the day my Angel dressed in such attire.

"So, again. What's up with the get up Angel?"

"This is what I wanted to wear, is that a problem?"

"For today, time, and place. It definitely is. It's like you are asking for all the men in my regiment to get a good look at you."

Without sparing her the chance to get out a reply, I nudged at the black suitcase with a gold handle that sat just an inch away from her heels.

"Get changed. The business I have to handle Isn't something you should see. But with Cayla trying to kill you, it's best you wear a disguise when you are with me."

"I'm not wearing some stupid disguise Gray. I can just sit in the car and wait for you to finish whatever it you have to do."

"That won't do. I thought about that already, it's not an option. Now pick up the suitcase and get dressed into your disguise so I can finish telling you everything you have to do for the rest of the day."

Angel leaned over her own legs and picked up the suitcase, placing it into her lap. Then, she undid the locks that kept it closed and pulled the top open. Inside the suitcase she began to pull out what was to be her disguise.

First she pulled out the expensive silk pressed blonde hair, looked at it as if she'd seen a ghost, and then it was gently placed on the cushion that separated us. Next she pulled out a black hat with a gold ribbon that was wrapped around it. It too was expensive. Last but not least, she pulled out the neatly folded women's pants suit made of black silk accompanied by a gold blazer and a black silk button down to match the pants.

"Silk."

Was all she muttered as she looked over her disguise. I didn't know whether to smile or frown at her reaction. No matter, Angel then turned to me, placing the now empty suitcase back on the floor so she could hold the outfit in her lap instead.

"I want to get gold acrylic nails to go with this disguise. I feel it'll make it more *realistic*. Since I am playing the role of a sophisticated woman who likes to match, it seems."