Page 9 of Angel's Kiss
“My cottage, the doctor's, and shopping.” I again smile sweetly.
“You know you need two of us, looks like Bossman wants to be the second.”
I look into the rearview mirror again and see him standing in the driveway talking on his cell. He doesn't look happy, and he knows my schedule almost better than I do.
“Please, Derek. It’s been a rough morning. Just you right now. I swear I'll be good,” I repeat my plea.
“I won't put you or the baby at risk, Ana. Don't make me be the bad guy. Besides, Bossman, Maya, and Duncan will kill me if something happens to you.”
“Fine, Timothy or Raul. Preferably Raul if I have a choice.” I give in because I don't want anything to happen to my baby either.
“Want to talk about it? I heard Duncan yelling earlier.”
I continue the short drive to my cottage.
“Not at this moment. I'm tired and stressed right now. I want to be a normal person for a few hours. I need to forget I was stupid and naïve, forget how much danger you’re all in because of me,” I confess.
“Ana, we do this because we care about you. You're not stupid, and I doubt you were naïve. If you remember correctly, Jonathan threatened the people you love, and you were just trying to protect them. Do you want Maya to come along too?” he asks as he turns to look at me, scrutinizing me.
I reach into my bag to grab my sunglasses and put them on, hiding the signs of my break down earlier. “You don't know everything, but thank you. As for Maya, she'll just want to talk about what happened, and I don't want to right now.”
We pull up to my cottage as my phone rings. Maya’s name flashes on the screen and I press ignore. I'm not ready to discuss Joshua with her. I won't discuss what happened in the gym either, and I really will not discuss why I'm running right now. I'm so embarrassed by my actions, I showed them another small piece of my hell, and I can't allow them into it. Derek watches me ignore her call and shakes his head.
“I'll call and see if Raul is available to go into town for the day,” he says in a calming voice.
“Is your father going to be making a trip this way soon?” I like Derek’s father, Gregory. He and my father are good friends, and I know he cares for Maya.
“Not for a month or so. Dad wants to finish getting the new office set up, and doesn't want to give away your location.” I get out of the Rover and hand him the keys, leaving him to place his call.
My home is me. It’s colorful with open windows and light-colored flooring. Four bedrooms and four bathrooms decorated to my specifications. It is truly a reflection of my style, and nothing like the flat I shared with Jonathan.
The kitchen is an open concept with a breakfast nook. I picked stone and wood countertops to match the white cabinets with pale green accents, along with stainless steel appliances, two sinks, a big commercial stove and a commercial sized double door refrigerator. I made sure to include many extras for cooking and baking. I love to cook. This is going to be my favorite room.
Next to the nook, off the kitchen, is an informal family or gathering room. I’m planning to set up a television area here with toys for my baby girl to play with. I will also have a formal dining room, sitting room, two offices, a guest room, and bathroom on the main floor. The master suite, nursery, and another en suite room are on the second floor. At the back of the cottage is a small garden with a patio. I hope to set up a small swing set and play area back there.
With my degree in interior design, I've put as many personal touches to the whole cottage as I could. Extra murals on the walls and some of my own personal paintings and charcoals reflect my love of art. I feel exposed displaying my art work, but only a few people know they’re mine. My father brought them with him. Most of it is from before Jonathan. He wouldn't let me draw or sketch and always told me it was a useless talent and I was no good.
My office is set up for me to work and for my art. After the divorce is final, I might start doing some design work for money to earn my way, instead of continuing to live off Maya and Duncan. I finally feel like I will have a place of my own, my daughter's space and mine.
I haven't told anyone I'm having a girl yet, or that I've picked a name for her. I'm waiting because I know Daddy and Duncan might have some issues with the name.
I'm excited to see her and raise her in this wonderful home. I’ve been spending extra money to spoil her. Maya laughs and tells me to not worry when I bring up money, and says this is what her parents would want. She insisted on a top of the line security system and a few upgrades of her own. She will also help me paint the baby's nursery.
I'm still walking through my new home when Derek joins me to say Raul will be riding along with us.
Chapter Four
Ana
My phone rings again as we leave the compound to head for town. It’s Joshua this time, and I again press the ignore button. Raul's phone then starts going off from the front seat. He shakes his head as he answers it.
“Hello, Bossman. Yes, she's with us.” Raul pauses. “Yes, sir.” He hangs up and says nothing to me.
I stare out the window and ignore the questions in the air. I won’t discuss this right now. I look up toward the front and watch my security team, but they're more than that now—they’re my friends, my family. They've both given up their lives for mine. Derek even moved to a new country.
Why? I need to know.
“Why did you give up your lives for me?” I ask them.