Chapter 22

*Angel*

I leaned forward and placed my elbows on the surface of the dining table where we sat, burying my face into the palms of my hands. I was confused, but not confused at the same time. I understood very well and knew exactly why Gray decided they wanted to send me away on this so-called *vacation* with my family. They wanted to keep me safe along with my family and friends. But, I wanted to be with them I didn't want to go on this vacation and be away from them for an entire month.

I had become attached to them, I had fallen so deeply in love with them that not even Cayla's not-so-empty threat to kill me was enough to keep me away from them. I couldn't even be upset about them going to visit my parents without me introducing them myself, how could I when it was because they had this idea to just send me away? Sure, it's for my safety, but I could care less about being safe as long as I was with them. I may sound selfish as all hell, but this is my first time truly falling in love with someone and the saying that *Love Blinds* was currently in effect. "I don't want to go and I won't be going. I want to stay here with you..."

I lifted my head from my palms, my eyes glossed over from the tears that were held up in my eyes, soon they would fall. "You can train me, teach me how to use guns and to defend myself. I will listen and do whatever you say, but this?! I won't do it, Gray." I protested the tears that had been held up in my eyes glossing them over and falling down my cheeks leaving stained trails.

"Princess, it's for your safety. You will only be away for a month, and I'm sure your mind will be on other things other than me. And training you how to use a weapon like a gun? Don't be crazy." Gray leaned forward onto the table and looked at me with soft, yet slightly hardened eyes.

I could tell that it would hurt them as much as it would hurt me for us to be apart for so long. But of course, they wouldn't let such a thing be the truth. They wanted to stay strong for both of us. I continued to cry, but I stopped my protest and instead stood up. My eyes never leave them, "Tell me this then.." I began, sobbing through my words.

"Are we together now? Am I your girlfriend?" I witnessed Gray lock their jaws at my questions as if they didn't want to answer me. Their eyes trailed off to the side as they dragged a hand over their face, a heavy sigh escaping them. "Princess listen.." Their words came out slow, sounding as if they were a pain to say.

"No, not yet. But I promise-"

"I'm ready to go, get me a car right now." I picked up my purse from off of the floor beside my chair as I wiped away at the tears that traveled down my cheeks from my eyes. "Princess, please listen to me," Gray stood up following me as I headed for the door, attempting to make my escape. As my hand reached for the doorknob, Gray grabbed my arm, pulled me toward them and turned me around. Stopping me from leaving. I pulled my arm from their grasp and folded my arms under my chest, tilting my head to the side as I bit back the sobs that wanted to escape me.

"What Gray? You've told me all that I needed to know. There is absolutely nothing else for you to tell me."

"Angel, I just don't want to rush things between me and you. I want to make you mine more than anything, believe me. But right now, it's not the time. With all the bullshit we both have to deal with...Fuck!" Gray took a turning step back, their hands clenched into aggravated fists as they tried to get out what they wanted to say.

I continued to bite back my sobs, displeased with their answer. I was too blinded by my love for them to care about such things, and it was obvious they weren't blinded by love. Yes, it was a good thing, but I was being selfish and I wanted them now and would give absolutely anything to have them. "Get me a car, I'm ready to go." That was all I said as I opened the door and took my leave.

I didn't hear Gray's footsteps behind me, so it was safe to assume that they weren't following me. I was now standing outside, impatiently awaiting the arrival of the car that would be assigned to me. Finally, a black SUV drove up and stopped in front of me, Josh had gotten out of the backseat and left the door open for me. "Angel, you don't look so happy. Another fight with the Boss I assume?" I nodded in answer to their question as I climbed into the back of the SUV through the door that was held open by Josh.

Josh climbed into after and shut the door behind them. "Your family and friends are waiting for you at the hospital. And, it's none of my busy and maybe I should indulge, but whatever you and the boss fought about, believe me, they love you too much to let you go. Gray just wants to keep you safe more than anything." I listened with intent, and of course, I believed every word they said.

But, still, I was hurting. I inhaled deeply as the SUV finally drove off and was on its way to the Airport where I would meet with my family, and Kyle. It's been months since I last saw my Mother, Father, and two older brothers. It was inevitable now that I'd be getting a scolding from them all once I got to the airport, but I didn't mind. Even though I was sad right now, I was excited to finally be seeing my family after what was starting to feel like years.

I missed their chaotic energy so much, and having Kyle there with me it was definitely going to be even more chaotic. I just hoped now, since I was going to have no choice that I could enjoy this month away from New York. I Have never left New York a day in my life, for no reason whatsoever. My family, we could never really afford such an expensive vacation, not even a cheap one. I mean, now that we all were working we could, but even so, we had never even considered leaving New York before.

Not even if our jobs called for it, it just wasn't something that filled our minds. We loved it here in New York, especially during the winter. It was one of the most beautiful places, especially during the winter in my opinion. I wondered if it snowed In Sedona. Next month it would be December, I was so excited because I had been missing the snow. My phone began to ring in my purse, and I quickly began to fish for it. I soon found it, and answered it before placing it against one of my ears, "Hello?"

"Angel Visera Vae. Why haven't you called me for 5 months, you didn't see all of the missed calls from me or your father?"

"Mommy, I'm sorry. I was just..busy and forgot to call. Really I am sorry, I won't let it happen again."

Of course, I had to lie, or else my mother would have a heart attack knowing her only daughter had gotten the shit beaten out of her just weeks ago, while in the care of a mafia boss. The kind of people she disapproved of. Though I still had my cast, so I would have to come up with a lie for that as well, but that could wait until they all saw it.

"Flower, We were all really worried about you. Even Kyle was calling us every other day asking if we'd heard from you. We were scared to death, you are lucky when we were about to put out a missing persons report that your girlfriend came to visit us and told us that you were with them, helping them move and complete a project. They even told us that they were the head of a mafia. We were about to tell them off, but they beat us to the punch and told us how much in love with you they were, and told us that they would keep you out of harm's way. They were really convincing and sweet you know, it's disappointing they wouldn't be accompanying us. And, between me and you Flower, If a hottie like that ever came saying they wanted to get with me I'd probably dump your father-"

"MOM?" I blurted out in a shocked scream as she giggled on the other line. I sighed, a smile playing on my lips at her joke. "If daddy catches you saying anything like that, you are on your own young lady," I warned, glancing at Josh who looked as if they couldn't help but laugh at my conversation with my mother even though they couldn't hear a single word she was saying. "Oh, dear, Scar they said their name was told us that two of their best guards would be joining us as well."

"Did they...I'm guessing it's the two who are currently escorting me to the airport then."