Chapter 4 “Anger”
“Wow, that was a lot of fireworks. It’s like they went on forever.” Angel smiled as she did a little happy dance and turned back toward her drink. Seeing Ashton on the other side of the bar, she sat down holding her glass out. She wasn’t as mad at him now that she had some alcohol in her.
“Hey bartender… I need a refill,” She joked.
“Oh no you don’t,” Shae put her hand over Angel’s glass protectively but kept her voice light. “One is your limit little girl. Your cheeks are already flushed and don’t think I didn’t just see that wiggle you did.”
“Who made you the alcohol guru?” Tristian asked landing a kiss as soon as Shae turned toward his voice. If Angel wanted to get drunk… then why not let her have her fun?
Angel winked at Ashton when he poured some of his drink into her glass the moment Shae's hand moved to wrap around the back of Tristian’s neck. Angel leaned up against the bar and gave Ashton a quick kiss on the lips.
“So, how are you liking it here?” she asked curiously.
“I liked that kiss better than the fireworks.” Ashton’s gaze caressed her lips as he reached across the bar and cupped the back of her head, pulling her forward for more of the same. Since everyone else was kissing her, he no longer felt the need to be so protective over her virtue.
“Hunter, where have you been man? You missed the fireworks,” Tristian called as Hunter strode toward them. He tilted his head studying Hunter's expression. If looks could kill, Ashton Fox would have just dropped dead.
Ashton released Angel when Hunter came behind the bar and grabbed a handful of ice.
“I didn’t miss the fireworks,” Hunter said as he squeezed the ice in his hand making the cubes crunch. “I was helping to set them off.”
“Oh no, did you get burned?” Angel reached for his hand but Hunter moved it out of the way. She bit her bottom lip feeling a little hurt by his rejection but knowing that Hunter had just seen her kissing Ashton, hurt even more. Feeling like everything in the world was her fault was enough to stroke her stubborn streak. Angel held her hand out, silently demanding to see the burn.
“It’s fine. I’m only putting ice on it for a second to take the sting out.” Seeing the look on her face, Hunter sighed and tossed the ice, holding his hand out for inspection. “See, it’s already stopped burning.” He glanced over at Ashton wanting to pound on him for the kiss he had just seen. Instead, he shrugged pretending it didn’t matter to him. “You two should make a good couple… she’s a mother hen and I hear you’re going to college to become a doctor.”
Ashton blinked. Maybe he had Hunter all wrong after all… though the verdict was still out on Ray and a couple of the others. He had to admit that it was Angel that had kissed Hunter when they had first arrived… not the other way around. He knew he still owed her for that one.
“Yeah… I’m still trying to con Angel into taking nursing classes so we can work together at one of the hospitals out in L.A.,” he informed them, mistakenly thinking they would like the idea.
“That'll be the day,” Tristian spoke up, unsuccessfully trying to keep the irritation from his voice. Strike two for the boyfriend. He didn’t want Angel working out in California. He wanted her here, at Sanctuary where she belonged. “She’s never even been able to handle the sight of blood.”
Hunter looked back down at his hand as Angel picked up one of the cubes of ice and slid it over the tiny burn. He hadn’t been lying… it really didn’t hurt anymore. But the way she was tenderly cupping his hand kept him from pulling it away. He listened absently as Tristian tried to pick a fight with Ashton.
“I guess you really don’t know my sister as well as you think you do,” Tristian taunted, suddenly hating Ashton Fox and everything he stood for.
“What the hell does that mean?” Ashton slammed his drink down looking Tristian dead in the eyes. “If you’ve got a problem with me, then how about spitting it out.”
“You’re the problem!” Tristian started around the bar after the dumb ass prick.
“Tristian!” Angel’s voice was soft but it got his full attention. “It’s not Ashton you’re mad at.” She reluctantly let go of Hunter's hand and walked over to her brother, blocking his path. “How about we go take a dip in the pool and cool off? It’s been so long since I’ve gotten to swim with my big brother.”
“Fine, but don’t think you can stop me every time your boyfriend…” he spat the word boyfriend. “…says something stupid.” Tristian finally let go of his anger when Angel pressed her hand against his chest. His breath hitched for a moment as he placed his hand over top hers and held it to his heart. Their eyes met for a second and held.
It took everything she had not to be consumed by the fire in his eyes… finally, Angel had to look away. Glancing apologetically over her shoulder at Ashton, she pushed Tristian toward the pool.
“What the hell was that all about?” Ashton asked no one in particular and was surprised when Hunter was the one that answered him.
“She’s right. It’s not you he’s mad at, so don’t take it personally,” Hunter tried not to watch as Angel took her shirt and skirt off, but when he saw the black bikini with angel wings across the breast and bottom, he couldn’t help it. Flicking his gaze quickly to Ashton, he noticed the other male’s attention was on Angel too, so Hunter turned back to watch.
“Who’s he really mad at then?” Ashton sighed wondering if he could talk her into going back to California a couple days early. He needed to get her the hell away from here, the sooner the better.
“Any one and any reason that would keep Angel from moving back home,” Hunter answered honestly, thinking it was one thing that made him and Tristian so alike. Watching them, he laughed when Angel and Shae simultaneously pushed Tristian in the pool. “It’s always been like that between them.”
Hunter watched with envy as Tristian came up out of the water and grabbed Angel’s upper thighs so she would have to dive over him and into the water. “They’re very close,” he admitted… even to himself. He was used to being in competition with Tristian for Angel’s attention but that didn’t make it right.
“I can see that.” Ashton said numbly. He felt a cold, sick feeling in the pit of his stomach when Angel surfaced behind Tristian, wrapping herself around him to drag him under the water with her. Ashton picked up his Long Island Iced Tea and downed it to try to erase the visualization that had just invaded his mind like a virus.
“Want another drink?” Hunter raised a dark eyebrow wondering just what Ashton was thinking. The corners of his lips hinted at a smile knowing he had planted some very bad seeds in the so-called boyfriend's mind. He also noticed Ashton’s knuckles were white from where he was gripping his glass so hard.
Seeing Angel’s drink still sitting there half full, Hunter poured it back into Ashton’s glass with a warning. “You’ll only make Tristian more protective of her if you get her drunk.” It was really a warning from him… not Tristian. He knew alcohol was Angel’s aphrodisiac. He swallowed as he felt his jeans tighten from the memory.
Ashton picked the refilled glass up and toasted it toward the swimming pool then downed it too.
Seeing Ashton’s eyes narrow on something past the pool, Hunter followed his gaze to Ray who was standing near the gate watching Tristian and Angel. Even from this distance he could see the tenseness of Ray’s shoulders as he took a pull from the flask Hunter had given him. He knew Ray secretly disapproved of Tristian's obsession with his sister and he wondered what was going through his brother’s mind right at that moment.
“I think it’s safe for you to go join your girlfriend now. I’ve got some things to take care of.” Hunter took off toward his brother.
Ashton nodded absently then looked up, “Hey, Hunter.”
Hunter paused glancing over his shoulder. “Yeah, man.”
“Thanks.”
Hunter shrugged then headed toward the gate.
Ashton tilted his head curiously as Hunter approached Ray. He couldn’t hear what they were saying because of the music but it looked like they were disagreeing about something, then Hunter took off toward the hotel while Ray turned and looked straight at him.
Ashton nodded as if to say hello… or fuck you. At this point, he really didn’t care which way the Indian interpreted the greeting.
Smirking, he came out from behind the bar and took off his shirt wondering if the damn Indian would still eyeball him. Not bothering to check, he made his way over to Angel seeing her sitting on the side of the pool talking with another cousin. Looking around the pool for her brother, he found Shae and Tristian climbing the ladder for the diving board. Tristian stopped halfway up to glare at him.
“Jason, right?” Ashton asked as he lowered himself beside Angel, sticking his feet in the cool water.
Jason treaded water in front of them. His hair was short… dirty blond, cut almost like a Marine and he had about the same build a young military man would have. “So this is the man who talked the Ice Queen into dating.”
“Ice Queen?” Ashton repeated almost liking the sound of it.
“I was not an Ice Queen and I’ve warned you about using that nickname.” Angel kicked water in Jason’s face then squealed when he grabbed her foot and threatened to pull her in.
“I used to feel sorry for all the guys that asked you out… begging for you to be their girlfriend.” Jason batted his eyelashes at her. “You always said the same thing… no,” he teased. “I guess finally getting you away from your brother and body guards for a while did the trick.” He let go of her foot seeing Ray standing on the other side of the fence watching him.
“I always thought she did have a boyfriend… or two,” Mandy swam up latching on to Jason seductively.
Her family used to come up to Sanctuary several times every summer, plus she used to see Angel around town every now and then. She had always been jealous of the pampered little princess. She and her friends used to make fun of Angel, calling her a squaw or Indian lover. Truth was… it ticked her off because Ray and Hunter were so good looking but they wouldn’t pay attention to any girl except Angel.
Angel’s smile faded as she glanced down at Mandy. She had never understood the hostility that had always surrounded the girl like a dark cloud.
“Stop being such a bitch, Mandy,” Jason loosened her strangle hold on him, turning his back on her then sighing in annoyance when she latched right back on, pressing her body hard against him like it was supposed to turn him on or something.
“No, it’s alright Jason. I’m used to Mandy’s schoolyard bullshit… some people just don’t outgrow it,” Angel said sweetly… a little too sweetly.
“It’s been a while since I’ve seen a cat fight,” Jason pulled himself up on the rim of the pool, flipping over to sit beside Angel. “Are we charging admission?”
Angel turned to glare at Jason. Seeing tight black pants right behind him, she slowly followed the legs all the way up until she reached Ray’s face. “Hey, Ray,” she smiled, completely forgetting about the annoying girl that was trying to ruin her evening.
Ashton slid into the water so he could turn around and see the Indian that was quickly becoming a stalker. He didn’t like anyone sneaking up behind him like that… especially an Apache Indian.
“Speak of the devil… there’s one of them now,” Mandy swam backwards several paces when Ray's dark eyes glared down at her. The man was sex on a stick but damn if that look couldn’t give you cold chills.
Jason tensed up… Ray had always given him the creeps… and his brother Hunter was downright scary… though no one believed him. He avoided the Apache boys like the plague just to be on the safe side.
Bumping his shoulder against Angel’s, he murmured, “I’ll go teach Mandy some manners for you.” Jason laughed out loud knowing Mandy had heard him. It wasn’t like he gave a damn. “Come on Mandy, let’s go for that walk.”
Mandy climbed up the stepladder on the other side of the pool, not wanting to be anywhere near Ray and grabbed the blanket she had brought with her from the lounge chair. Turning to Jason, she latched back onto him with a devious look. “You promised to take me to the pond anyway.” She picked up a bottle of Tequila and handed it to him as they left.
Ashton swam back a couple feet so he could watch his girlfriend and tall, dark, and creepy. He knew what Mandy had been hinting at and wondered just how close Angel had been to Ray and Hunter. His thoughts darkened. Had she been playing the virgin all this time only to have had several lovers waiting on her at home?
Angel slid into the pool, turning full circle before swimming back to the edge of the water right at Ray’s feet. She propped her elbows on the rim and cocked her finger for him to come closer.
“You’re not going to pull me in are you?” Ray asked as he hunched down, hanging his hands over his knees. “I may have taught you to swim… but I bet I could still drown you,” he smiled, letting her know he was only joking.
“I should pull you in,” Angel frowned up at him. “I can’t believe I’ve talked to both you and Hunter on the phone and neither one of you told me… I can’t believe Tristian kept it from me too.” Her frown softened as true sadness entered her eyes. “I could have flown in for the funeral.”
Ray inhaled as he reached out to caress her cheek with the pad of his thumb. “Don’t hold it against your brother.” He was quiet for a couple of seconds before adding, “We asked Tristian not to say anything to you. It’s better that you remember her as she was.” He dropped his hand and stood up. “Besides, you’re here to enjoy being home… let us worry about the rest.”
“I’ll make sure she has fun,” Ashton said as he swam up behind Angel, twirling her away from the edge and the touchy-feely Indian. Raising her high in the air, he dropped her so she would go under.
Angel came up laughing but when she turned to look, Ray was gone. Seeing something out of the corner of her eye, she turned just in time to catch the beach ball coming at her.
“Let’s play,” Tristian said swimming between her and Ashton. “You’re on my side.”
*****
Lily stood at the bottom of the hang gliders' ramp. It was almost midnight and she hadn’t meant to walk so far. But after seeing Malcolm get out of the helicopter with that little tramp clinging to him, she hadn’t been able to get the sight out of her mind.
She looked out across the ramp remembering the last time she had been here… eighteen years ago. Malcolm had brought her out here with a blanket and they had made love right at the edge of the ramp. It was probably the night Angel had been conceived.
Lily slowly walked up the slight incline knowing the cement slab hung several feet out over the edge of the mountain. Things like this used to give her an adrenaline rush and she felt her heart start to pound for the first time in way too long. The closer she got to the edge… the more alive she felt.
She should have gone and visited her daughter by now… but knowing Angel had been spending time with her dad and another woman was just disturbing. How could her child do that to her? Everything she had done had been for Angel. She had even destroyed her marriage for her daughter… though no one knew the truth.
She had done it to separate her children and save the family name from embarrassment.
There were only four people still alive that knew the truth about Tristian’s parentage. She and Malcolm had secretly adopted him when the doctors had told her that she was infertile. She’d even hidden herself away in her room for months so no one outside the main family would know she wasn’t pregnant. The only people that did know the truth were Malcolm, his parents, and brother and sister.
No one was to ever know the truth. They had all been sworn to secrecy with a well-placed threat from Isabel and John.
She’d loved Tristian just like a true son the second he had been laid in her arms. When she had gotten pregnant for real only a couple months later, it had not taken away from the love she felt for Tristian. But as the children grew… she noticed the way Tristian watched his little sister, always holding her hand or trying to take all of her attention for himself. As the children got older… his infatuation had only gotten worse.
Tristian still had no idea he was not Angel’s blood brother and she would never tell him in fear that he would use the information as an excuse for his actions. But she had seen it in his emerald eyes every time he looked at Angel… or touched her. He had fallen in love with Angel and there was no excuse for that. If given an opening… Tristian would disgrace them all.
She’d done everything in her power to keep that from happening, but now she was tired of trying… she had already lost everything.
So let Malcolm have his little tart if that was what he really wanted. Lily knew she was more beautiful than the younger girl and she smiled with the knowledge. She took one last look out across the valley now that she was at the very edge of the ramp. Loving this mountain and her children wasn’t worth the depression it had given her.
Letting the cool breeze blow through her platinum blond hair, Lily decided she would go back to Sanctuary, pack her belongings, and move out… tonight.
Just as she started to turn, Lily saw the rope fall over her head and felt a hand press hard against the small of her back, making her lose her footing. Desperately, she reached out as she fell, catching the edge of the cement slab. Lily cried out feeling her precious hold slipping as she looked up seeing who had pushed her.
“Why?” She sobbed watching him lean down closer to her, his lips twisting in an evil smile.
“Because you’re not a good mother,” his voice was harsh and unfeeling.
Lily didn’t even scream when the skin of her fingertips gave way and she fell and lost her chance when the rope suddenly tightened with a jerk.
