Page 42 of Claiming Liberty
“Sawyer knows she’s alive,” Angel cuts him off, desperation filtering into his words. “You were right, he had us followed.” I move closer to the living room despite Layan waging a protest on my arm. “The man who was sent to follow us is missing. If he has her right now, or if he finds her before I do, she’s as good as dead.”
I peek as inconspicuously as I can into the living room, and when I spot Angel, my stomach plummets. He pulls back the hammer on a pistol and points it at Peter’s head. “Tell me where she isright fucking now, or I will blow your brains all over this house.”
“Woah.” Kingsley takes a step toward the two men but halts when Angel points the gun at him.
“Get the fuck out,” Angel commands.
Kingsley eyes quickly dart to Peter, but he leaves without another word.
“Jasper isn’t going to find her,” Peter says, snapping Angel’s attention back to him.
“How do you know?”
“Because Jasper’s dead.”
Angel squints at Peter who folds his arms over his chest, slowly shuffling in the opposite direction as me, probably so Angel won’t look this way. If I could resist the temptation to watch, I would. I’m already using up so much of my self-control to keep from running to Angel and burying my face in his neck.
He’s afraid for me. That’s why he’s here. He’s afraid enough he’s willing to end a man’s life to protect me. Probably multiple men’s lives.
The only thing rooting me in place is not knowing if he’s willing to end Sawyer’s.
“I ran over him when I went to the airstrip. He was chasing Liberty.”
Angel gapes at Peter for several seconds without saying anything. Finally, “Why didn’t you tell me this?”
“Because I killed your friend, and I wasn’t sure what lengths I was allowed to go to keep Liberty safe.”
“Any length,” Angel growls. “You should’ve told me.”
“I wasn’t sure Mr. Hansley would see it the same way, sir. If he were to find out…”
Angel sighs and lowers the gun before scrubbing at his jaw. “I still need to know where she is. She isn’t safe while Sawyer knows she’s alive.”
“Don’t you think you’d be leading him right to her?”
“Goddamn it, just fucking tell me!” Angel yells, kicking an end table and sending it crashing onto its side. The beer I’d been sipping on earlier rolls onto the floor, liquid seeping out and soaking the rug.
“Okay,” Peter says, nodding. “I took her to New York.”
Angel’s stunned expression quickly morphs into anger, but Peter speaks again, halting whatever Angel was about to spew.
“Robert Gaumond is dead too. She killed him with the gun I gave her.”
“Are you sure?” Angel’s eyes dart over Peter like he’s searching for the truth.
Peter nods. “I helped clean it up. Then I took her to a safe location where some people I know are looking after her. I vetted them thoroughly, I assure you, and if there are any problems, they will let me know. She’s safe, Mr. Ramos. Go home.”
My heart strings tug when Angel blows out a breath, closing his eyes. God, I miss him. I miss him so much it hurts to breathe. When I saw him the other night with Naomi… I tried not to think the worst, but I couldn’t rule anything out. He could’ve slunk back into his old ways, turned into a man I never knew.
But no. Now it’s crystal clear to me. He was helping my friend. I don’t know how or why, but I know it’s true. I’m sorry I ever doubted him.
If he’s willing to help Naomi…
Surely he’d be willing to help Elsie.
I have to take the chance. Layan digs her nails into my arms, clawing to stop me from stepping into the living room, so I drag her with me. I’m fully exposed when the door bursts open and Kingsley appears, phone in hand and jaw dropped. Peter shoots daggers at me the second Angel turns toward Kingsley.
“Something’s happened at the manor,” Kingsley rasps, his gaze flicking between both men.