Against All Odds - Angel's Story: Against All Odds (Destiny Series Book 4) (18 page)

“Let’s do this then,” I say, reaching for the door handle.

“Wait,” he replies, getting out of the car in a hurry. “Let me open the door for you.” His offer brings a smile to my face. His gentlemanly ways continue to surprise me. He’s always doing sweet stuff like this. His dad has brought him up well.

I don’t take my eyes off him as he makes his way around the front of the car to my door. “Thanks,” I say when he extends his hand to help me out. He just gives me one of his sexy as hell, panty-melting smiles.

I’m surprised when he doesn’t let go of my hand, as he leads me down the driveway towards a large garage situated alongside the house. He’s never held my hand like this before.

“Pops, you in there?” he calls out.

“Yeah, boy.” He leads me in through the door. I don’t see him at first. The only things I see are a couple of hotted up old cars, a few bikes, and tools hanging up along the wall. Engine parts are spread out all over a long table. It looks quite tidy and organised for a garage though.

“I’ve brought someone with me,” Chase says. That’s when his Pops, I presume, sticks his head around the side of a car bonnet. His face lights up with a smile as soon as his eyes land on me.

“Well, well, well. Who do we have here?” he asks as he wipes his greasy hands on a rag and walks around the car towards us. He looks nothing like I expected. Oh, he’s definitely a biker, that’s a given. He’s very handsome though. He has that rugged appeal like Chase, but more of a bad arse look I’d say.

His long, salt and pepper hair is pulled back in a short ponytail. Tattoos cover his neck. The sleeves of his overalls are rolled up above his elbows and I can see his arms and hands are covered in ink as well. He has chunky skull rings on a few of his fingers. Surprisingly, I’m not intimidated by him at all. Even though his overall appearance is scary, his blue eyes are kind and he has a beautiful friendly smile.

“This is Angel. Angel Cavanagh. Angel, this is my Pops, Max Daniels.” I smile at him and he nods his head at me.

“Hi, Mr. Daniels. It’s nice to meet you.”

“Well aren’t you a pretty little thing,” he says. “I can see why my boy’s been so hung up on you.”

“Fuck Pops,” Chase snaps. “Cut out the bullshit will ya.” His dad just laughs at him before turning his attention back on me.

“Call me Pops…Mr. Daniels is my old man,” he chuckles.

“Okay, Pops,” I say with a smile.

“Chase told me what happened with those Benson fuckers. I’ve got my boys keeping an eye on ya. They won’t get near you again.”

What the hell?

I don’t know what to say. I look over at Chase. I’m upset and embarrassed he told his dad what happened.

“I’m sorry,” Chase apologises immediately, before his dad cuts in.

“What Chase told me stays between us okay? My boys don’t need explanations. If I tell them to do something, they do it, no questions asked. I’m glad he told me. Those Benson fuckers are crazy.” I put my head down as tears burn my eyes. Even though I’m extremely grateful they would watch out for me, I’m also humiliated that he knows what happened to me.

“Come here,” Chase says and he wraps me in his arms. “I’m sorry. I should’ve warned you. I only told him because I needed his help.”

“Take her in the house, boy. I won’t need your help until Patch gets here anyway.” I let Chase lead me inside. I feel stupid for getting upset in front of his father. What a great first impression.
Not.

••••

Chase

I wish Pops hadn’t mentioned anything to Angel. I can totally understand why it would upset her, but I didn’t really have a choice. My only reason for telling him, was I knew he and the boys would help me keep her safe. I hope she understands. I’d hate it if she felt she couldn’t trust me after this.

“Sit,” I command once we get inside, kneeling down in front of her once she’s seated. “Are you okay?” She shrugs, wiping her eyes.

“I’m so ashamed by what happened.”

“Hey,” I say tilting her head up so I can see her face. “You have nothing to be ashamed of. What happened was beyond your control. You’re the victim here, sweet-cheeks. You did nothing wrong. You trusted someone who abused that trust.”

She gives me a small smile as I reach up and wipe a stray tear that has fallen down her beautiful face. I hate seeing her like this. “I’m sorry my telling Pops upset you. I only confided in him because I thought he could help. I don’t want them getting near you. I couldn’t handle it if they hurt you again.” My words make her lips break out into a beautiful smile.

“What did I do to deserve someone as wonderful as you?” she says, reaching up and running her hand gently down the side of my face. 

“I’m far from wonderful, Angel,” I admit.

“You don’t mean that.” She sounds surprised I’d say that, but it’s the truth.

“I’m the lucky one here,” I say. “I’ll never understand why someone like you would want to have anything to do with someone like me.”

“What?”

“It’s the truth. You’re way too good for me, sweet-cheeks.”

“Chase,” she says in her sweet voice as she cups my face in her hands. “You don’t really believe that, do you?”

“Yes. That’s the main reason I walked out on you. The reason I keep fighting what I feel for you. You deserve so much more than I could ever give.”

“If that’s how you see it then I’m sorry, but you’re wrong. I wish you could see yourself through my eyes, just once. Then you’d realise how special you are, how much you mean to me. Your kind, funny, honest, not to mention extremely handsome.” I can’t stop the smile that forms on my face.

“You think I’m handsome?”

“God yes. And sexy,” she adds, making my smile grow even wider. “You may not think so, but you’re perfect for me, Chase. Can’t you see that? It’s you. Only you. No one could ever make me feel the things you do. I knew from the minute I laid eyes on you, you were someone special.”

Her words have me smiling like a fool. “You really believe that?” I ask, because the insecure, fucked up side of me won’t let me believe that’s how she really feels.

“I not only believe it, I know it. I…I…think—” My lips are on hers before she even gets a chance to finish what she was saying. I’m surprised that’s how she really feels. I still think it’s too good to be true, but for once in my life I’m going to take a leap of faith and see how this pans out. I want this so bad…I want her so bad it hurts.

My arms snake around her waist as I pull her forward off the chair and onto my lap. I’m done fighting this. I can’t keep denying myself something I want with every fibre of my being. It’s making me fucking insane.

I groan into her mouth when she wraps her legs around my waist, deepening the kiss. I’ll never get tired of her lips, her taste—her.

I’m fucking hooked.

CHAPTER EIGHTEEN

Angel

I’m kind of glad he kissed me before I got to finish what I was going to say. I almost did something really stupid by telling him I think I’m in love with him. Last time I told him I had feelings for him he freaked and walked out on me. It’s probably best I keep my feelings to myself for now.

I only hope this kiss doesn’t lead him to have another freak out. He’s so up and down with me, it’s confusing. Now I’ve told him what I really think of him, and us, I’m hoping it’ll help make him see things clearer.

We both pull out of the kiss when we hear Pops clear his throat from the doorway. “Shit,” Chase whispers as he rests his forehead against mine.

“Patch is here if you two love birds can tear yourselves away from each other for a few minutes.” Chase grumbles at his father’s comment. I can’t help but laugh.

“Don’t encourage him,” he whispers, before turning his attention to Pops. “I’ll be out in a minute.”

“I like him. He’s funny,” I say as he helps me off his lap.

“He’s a barrel of fucking laughs,” he mumbles, making me chuckle again. “Do you want to hang in here, or come back out to the garage with me?”

“I want to go wherever you’re going to be,” I reply as I lean forward and brush my lips against his. The smile he gives me melts every part of me. Maybe this really is a turning point for us. I can only hope. I’m not going to read too much into it though. As my mum always said when I was growing up; ‘If it’s meant to be, it will be.’

No point setting myself up for heartache again. I’ll let him make the next move.

••••

Chase

Her comment has me smiling like a fucking fool again. “We better get out there before he comes looking for us again,” I say as I reach for her hand. I’m not a hand holding type of guy, but she brings out this side of me I never knew existed. I feel compelled to touch her whenever she’s around.

When we enter the garage I advise her to take a seat, pointing to the chairs by the wall. “I won’t be long.” I walk over to Patch and fist-pump him. “Hey.” The boys named him Patch for obvious reasons; he wears a leather patch over his right eye. Apparently he lost it in a knife fight when he was no older than me.

“Hey,” he replies as he looks around me to where Angel is sitting. “Who’s the fucking babe?”

“Never you mind,” is all I say. I need to get this job finished so I can get out of here. I’m hoping we’ll be able to pick up where we left off before we were rudely interrupted. Fuck, thinking about kissing her has my cock going hard again.

I need to get fucking laid, but I’m not rushing into anything this time. She means too much to me, so I don’t want to fuck it up for a second time. Slow and easy is how I’m going to take this. That’s if my cock doesn’t die and fall off from lack of action first.

I grab my overalls off the hook and slip into them. I look over at where Angel is sitting, looking all sweet and shit. I like having her here, seeing her in my space. Crazy, but true. Maybe Pops is right; she definitely has me by the balls and doesn’t even realise it.

“Oi, fuck-face,” my Pops suddenly snaps. At first I think he’s talking to me, until he says, “Do you want to lose your other eye? Keep your fucking eyes off my boy’s girl. She’s off fucking limits. Ya feel me?”

I swing my head around to see Patch staring at Angel. Even though I don’t like the way he’s looking at her, I can’t blame him. Like he said earlier, she’s a total fucking babe; nothing like the moles who hang around the club. She’s totally out of our league, even though she doesn’t seem to think so.

“Sorry, boss,” he mumbles. It makes me chuckle. Pops has always been fiercely protective when it comes to me. I can see, now he’s met Angel, it’s going to flow over to her as well. I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t happy about that. I love the way he looks out for me. Before Angel came along, he was the only one who ever gave a fuck.

I keep stealing looks at her every chance I get. I love the fact that every time I look her way, she’s also looking at me.

••••

Angel

Being here at Chase’s house is kind of surreal. I’ve always imagined what his place was like and what type of things he got up to when we weren’t together. All I can say is god he looks so hot, all sweaty and greasy bent over the hood of a car.
Sexy as hell.
I’m not one to ordinarily think like that, but I seriously want to do very bad things to him.

Every now and then he looks over the bonnet of the car they’re working on, smiling at me. I get the impression he’s happy to have me here.

It takes a while for the boys to remove the motor from the car and do whatever else it is they’re doing. It’s already starting to get dark outside. “We better head off,” Chase says to his Pops as he strips out of his overalls. I know it’s rude to stare, but I can’t take my eyes off him. I hope things don’t get weird again once we leave here.

“After you have some fuckin’ pizza you can go. I haven’t seen ya’ for a few days,” Pops replies. His comment makes me smile. I love the relationship he has with his son. It also makes me feel bad because I’m the reason they haven’t seen each other.

“It’s getting late,” Chase says looking over at me. I walk over to where they’re standing.

“Let’s stay. I’ve been keeping you to myself for the past few days. Spend some time with your dad. Plus, it’ll give me a chance to get to know Pops better.” They both smile at me.

“Well that’s settled then,” Pops says as he winks at me. “You and sweet-thing go and order the pizza, while I clean up in here.”
Sweet-thing?
Really? I wonder if that’s going to be my new nickname from Pops. He’s called me that twice already today. Sweet-cheeks from Chase and sweet-thing from Pops. Geez, what is it with these Daniels men and their pet names?

Chase and I head up to the house. As much as I enjoyed watching Chase get all sweaty and dirty, it was hot and stuffy in that garage, so it’s nice to be out of there.

The weather is all over the place in Melbourne; raining one minute, heatwave the next. Today is one of the hot ones. Even as darkness falls the temperature hasn’t dropped. If I was home, I’d be swimming in the ocean right now.

After Chase orders the pizza, he asks if I mind waiting while he has a quick shower. I wouldn’t mind watching, or joining him for that matter, but I settle for, “Okay.” We’ve already been caught out by Pops once today, so it’s best I wait out here.

While he’s getting all clean and delicious, I decide to set the table. I hope they don’t mind me going through their cupboards.

By the time the pizza arrives, both Chase and Pops have showered and changed. “Well isn’t this all fancy and shit,” Pops says with a smile as we sit at the table. “This place could do with a woman’s touch. Ya did well, sweet-thing.” He winks at me before looking across the table to Chase. “She’s a keepa this one, boy.”

I feel my face heat at his comment, although I’m tempted to say, “See Chase, I’m a keeper.”

“Knock it off, old man,” Chase chuckles, “you’re embarrassing her.” 

“So, Angel. Your last name sounds familiar,” Pops says changing the subject. “I’m sure I’ve heard it before. Chase tells me you’re from Sydney. Do ya have family here in Melbourne?”

“No, I don’t. My dad owns a big law firm, Cavanagh and Associates, here in Melbourne though. Maybe that’s where you’ve heard it.”

“Mmmm. Yes I’ve heard of it. Your father owns that ya say?”

“Yes, and one in Sydney as well.” I take a drink of my water, hoping he’ll change the subject. This is the point where I usually get judged by people. I kind of wish I didn’t have a mouth full of water though. I was not prepared for what he said next.

“Well fuck me backwards with a telegraph pole,” he spits. I laugh and choke all at once. Water sprays out of my mouth and nose and goes all over the table. Shit. I wish the ground would just open up and swallow me whole.

“Fucking hell,” Chase snaps, glaring at his father and tapping my back at the same time. Once my choking fit stops, I cover my mouth with a serviette and start to laugh. I’m not used to hearing people talk like that. I love his dad. He’s a hoot.

“Sorry, sweet-thing. I guess I’m not used to being in the presence of a lady.”

“Don’t be sorry, I’m not offended in the slightest.”

“See, a keepa,” he mumbles.

His antics and comments have me in stitches the rest of the night. I was really looking forward to meeting him, but I wasn’t expecting to like him as much as I do.

It’s after ten by the time we head home. Pops walks out with us, letting Chase know he’s off to the club to see the boys. I presume he means the motorcycle club.

“Don’t be a stranger now, sweet-thing,” he says as he straddles his bike.

“It was nice meeting you, Pops.” I smile.

“It was nice meetin’ ya too, darlin’. I’ve only been asking Chase for fucking days to bring ya round.” He winks and I smile at him. “Bring her to the next family barbeque, son.”

“I don’t think that’s a good place for someone like Angel,” he replies.

“You ashamed of ya family, boy?”

“No. Not at all.”

“What do you mean ‘someone like Angel’,” I snap placing my hands on my hips. This is the kind of judgemental comments I’ve received throughout my life. I really hate it.

“I just…I just. They’re not the kind of people you’d usually associate with, that’s all.” He runs his hand through his hair nervously as he speaks. He should be nervous if he’s going to pull this shit on me.

“Are you saying I’m too stuck up to hang with your family, Chase?” I ask, crossing my arms and narrowing my eyes at him. His comment pisses me off.

“Hell no.”

“Well what’s the problem then?” I ask.

“There’s no problem,” Chase exhales.

“Fine. It’s all settled then,” I say to him before turning my attention to his father. “I’d love to come to one of your family barbeques.”

“Fuck me,” Pops says as he throws back his head and roars laughing. “You’ve been fuckin’ told boy.”

“I guess I have,” Chase chuckles.

“I fuckin’ like you. You’re a top chick,” he says smiling before starting up his bike. “I’ll see ya both Sunday then,” he yells over the roar of the engine.

When we arrive home, we get ready for bed. We both have Uni in the morning. The kiss we shared isn’t mentioned again. I’m kind of disappointed, but if he wants to take this slow, I’m fine with that. As long as I get him in the end, is all that matters.

He does give me a kiss on the cheek goodnight though, which I love. It’s nothing like the hot and heavy kiss we shared at his place, but it’s sweet.

••••

It’s another hot day when we wake the next morning. It’s only spring, so I’d hate to see how hot it’s going to get once summer arrives. “Would you like to go for a swim?” I ask Chase over breakfast. I’ve really missed swimming in the ocean throughout the winter months. Our first class doesn’t start until 10:00 a.m. and it’s only just after 7:00 a.m., so we have plenty of time.

“Won’t the water be cold this time of year?” I just shrug. I’m going in, with or without him.

After we change into our swimmers, I’m wearing a yellow bikini. Chase is in black board shorts that hang low on his hips. They actually belong to CJ. I had to lend them to him.

God he looks hot without a shirt on. I love his abs, big strong arms and also the bad arse tattoo on his back. I have to hold back the mmm…mmm, that almost escapes when he walks into the room. I’m sure I hear a small growl come from him when he looks me up and down, before quickly diverting his eyes in the other direction.

The beach is almost deserted this time of year, which I love. I jog towards the water, Chase lagging close behind. I’m itching to get in there. I don’t wait for him to catch up, walking straight in, waist deep. Shit it’s cold, but I don’t let that stop me. I know it won’t take long for my body to adjust.

“Fuck!” I hear Chase say from behind me. I turn to find him standing near the shore, watching me. He’s only ankle deep. “It’s like fucking ice,” he whines.

“Come on, come in. It’s not that bad,” I encourage him, splashing water in his direction. I giggle when he jumps back, vigorously shaking his head.