Against All Odds - Angel's Story: Against All Odds (Destiny Series Book 4) (34 page)

CHAPTER THIRTY-FOUR

Angel

It’s after midday before we climb out of bed. Even then, we only get up because we need to go and visit Pops.

We’ve spent the last few hours laying in bed talking about everything that happened yesterday afternoon. We avoided the topic last night, and for the better part of this morning. Eventually, I brought it up. I had to let him know this wasn’t going to change things between us. I also needed reassurance that he felt the same way.

When he rode away from me yesterday, I was crushed. I was scared I’d never see him again. I could tell my dad’s revelation cut him to the core. I suppose I don’t blame him. I could only imagine what it would be like to hear such horrible things about your parents. 

At first my dad was pissed. He tried to forbid me from seeing him again. I told him where to go. We exchanged a few heated words, before I broke down in his arms. I’m thankful he at least got to know Chase before finding out the information from the private investigator. If he hadn’t, I know he’d be fighting this with everything.

He confessed he couldn’t bear to go through what he went through with my mum, again with me. I understand how he feels, but I know in my heart Chase is nothing like that. Deep down, I think my father knows it too.

At first he didn’t want to leave me alone. Thankfully, I managed to convince him to go back to Sydney. Not only did I need time to process everything, I needed to find Chase.

Once my father left to make his new flight, I tried to call Chase. It went straight to voicemail. My guess was he’d turned his phone off; that only made me worry more. Next, I called my mum. I guess I needed confirmation what daddy said was true.

She was shocked like all of us, but I felt so much better once I was off the phone. My mum told me everything. It broke my heart to hear what she’d endured all those years ago. She begged me not to let her past with Jake affect things between Chase and I.

“The Jake I married was nothing like Jake after the drugs. They changed him, made him go crazy,” she stated. “You can’t hold his actions against his son. He wasn’t even born then.”

I’d never do that. He can’t help it if his parents were fucked up. I’m confident he’d never take that road. Chase is against drugs. I’ve heard him say it many times.

As I lay in Chase’s arms, everything that transpired since yesterday goes through my mind. Although Chase and I make a pact we’re not going to let this come between us, I can tell he’s struggling to come to terms with what his parents have done.

I was surprised he even opened up about his mum. I got a glimmer of what life was like with her. It saddened me, but made me love Pops even more for saving him from that horrible bitch.

Later, on the way to the hospital, Chase made me promise not to tell Pops anything until he’s well again. I agreed. Now’s definitely not the time.

He’s been quiet since our talk this morning. It worries me. I wish I could take away his pain. He’s been dealt a rough blow in life. If anyone deserves a break, it’s him. It makes me appreciate my family so much more.

••••

When we left the hospital that afternoon, we headed back to my house. I needed to pick up a change of clothes.

Now that Pops is in a normal ward, his visitors have been endless. We’d like to spend more time with him, but we need to share him with the rest of his family, the Flaming Skulls. There’s always a handful of them by his side.

Although they can be pretty rowdy, and give the nurses hell, I’m glad they care so much for him. Pops is a good man. He’s virtually back to his old self. The doctor even said he should be getting released in the next few days.

“Want to go for a run along the beach?” I ask when we’re back at my place. I hate how quiet he’s being. A run might help. It always makes me feel better.

“Whatever,” he replies with a shrug.

“Hey,” I say closing the distance between us. “Talk to me.”

“About what?” he asks, his hands snaking around my waist.

“About what’s going on in that sinfully handsome head of yours.” My hand rises, running gently down the side of his face.

“Sinfully handsome,” he smirks.

“Yes,” I reply as I lean forward and brush my lips against his.

“I’d rather not get into it now.”

“Okay.” I let it go. I don’t want to push him. “I’m here whenever you’re ready. I don’t want you bottling anything up.”

“I’m not. It’s only been twenty-four hours since I found out my biological father was a drug addict, stalker and kidnapper. It’s a lot to take in. I also feel bad for what
they
put your mother through. I promise you I’m dealing with this, okay. Please don’t worry about me.”

“You have nothing to feel bad about. You had no control over what happened.” The corners of his lips tug up in a smile.

“Even with my fucked up genes, I still managed to score you.” He shakes his head like he can’t believe it. “Makes no sense, but I’m so grateful I have you.”

Pulling me further into him, he gives me the sweetest kiss. “I love you, Angel,” he whispers against my lips.

“I love you too, Chase. Don’t ever forget it.”

••••

I notice Chase keeps falling behind as we jog along the beach. He does that often. “Am I going too fast for you?” I giggle.

“Not at all, sweet-cheeks,” he replies with a chuckle. “They don’t call me Chase for nothing, sweetheart.”

When I turn my head to look at him, I notice his eyes are glued to my arse. “Hey. Eyes up here buddy,” I say with a smile as I point to my face. That makes him laugh.

“You have a really fine arse you know. It’s hard to keep my eyes off it.”

“Well I guess they don’t call me sweet-cheeks for nothing then either, sweetheart,” I reply with a wink. My comment makes him laugh harder. He quickly closes the gap between us, wrapping his arms around my waist from behind.

I squeal as he picks me up and spins me around. When he places me back on my feet he leans over and whispers in my ear, “How about we go back to your place and get all hot and sweaty? I could spend all day watching that hot little arse of yours while you run, but it turns me on to the point where I need to have a fucking piece of it.” He pulls me back against him. He’s already hard.

“Sounds amazing.”

“See what you do to me,” he breathes, sucking my earlobe into his mouth. I love the way he makes my body feel. He licks a line from the base of my neck all the way up to my jaw. I lean my head back, resting it on his shoulder. A small moan escapes me.

Groaning, he pulls me tighter against him, nipping at my neck. “Let’s get out of here,” he says as he grabs hold of my arse cheek. “I need to get a piece of this.”

Throwing his arm over my shoulder, he kisses the top of my head, pulling me tightly into his side as we make our way back to my place. He seems more like his old self already. Wrapping my arm around his waist, I smile up at him.

God he makes me so happy.

••••

There’s not much daddy can do about the Benson’s until the police inquiry is complete. He said he’d be back on Monday, but called to say he won’t be coming until later in the week.

In a way I’m glad. It’ll give Chase and I a bit more time to get through yet
another
hurdle. I kind of wonder if Jake being Chase’s father, is the real reason he’s not coming earlier. He asked me on the phone if Chase and I had spoken since he left me that day. When I told him yes and that nothing has changed between us, he went quiet.

Sure, I can understand why my dad is struggling with this. I know deep down he likes Chase, but if he thinks I’m going to break up with him, he’s delusional. I hate what my parents went through, but Chase and I weren’t even born then. It would be wrong for any of us to hold that against him.

••••

Monday evening, Chase and I get a surprise when Dana turns up at the hospital. She’d never met Pops before that day, but I suppose because we all experienced what happened, first-hand, we kind of bonded over it.

Pops doesn’t even remember Dana, but thanks her when we explain she was the one who called the ambulance.

The doctor comes in as we’re leaving, so we hang around to see what he has to say. We’re all thrilled when he tells Pops he may be able to go home tomorrow. It’s the first genuine smile I’ve seen on Chase’s face since Friday night.

Dana ends up following us back to my house. It’s the first real chance we’ve had to talk since the shooting. When I ask her what happened with Hudson, the eye-baller from the hospital, she shrugs, saying, “Nothing,” before changing the subject.

Nothing my arse!

“I call bullshit on that one,” I reply, narrowing my eyes at her. When her face turns bright red, I know there’s more to it. “Excuse us for a minute,” I say to Chase as I pull Dana from the lounge, dragging her towards my room. He chuckles as we leave.

“Spill,” I say as soon as we’re sitting on the edge of my bed. “He didn’t try anything did he?”

“Nothing I didn’t want him to.”

“Oh God, you bumped nasties didn’t you?”

“What? Noooo,” she squeals. “I told you I don’t do casual sex anymore.”

“Well what happened then?”

“He demanded to search the coffee shop before he left. It was kind of sweet, so I let him kiss me goodbye. That’s all.”

“You kissed him?”

“Uh huh,” she answers with a huge grin. “The kiss was pretty steamy too. Like toe-curling, steamy.” She fans herself when she says that part. “But, when he pushed me up against the wall, thrusting his giant, hard cock into my stomach, I kind of freaked and asked him to leave.”

“Shut up! He has a giant cock?” I don’t know what made me even ask that, but Dana and I both burst out laughing at my ridiculous question.

“Fucking humongous. I’m surprised I didn’t lose an eye or something,” she laughs, making me snort.

We’re still laughing when we walk back out to Chase. “I’m gonna organise a big welcome home dinner for Pops tomorrow night, at the club house,” Chase says.

“That’s nice,” I answer, snuggling into his side.

“You should come Dana,” he adds.

“Ummm, I don’t know.” She’s smiling though, so I can tell she wants too. That or she’s still thinking about Hudson’s giant cock.

“You’re coming,” I state. It will be nice to have her with me.

“Okay,” she shrugs casually. Bitch. She’s acting like she’s not fussed either way, but I bet she’s doing friggin’ cartwheels on the inside.

••••

“Nope, I can’t wear this either,” Dana says tossing another dress on my bed. She’s brought half her damn wardrobe over to my house. After discarding all of them, she’s now working her way through my closet.

“It’s only a small family dinner, not the Oscars. I’m just wearing jeans.”

“Really?”

“Yes. Everyone will be dressed casually. We’re going to a biker clubhouse remember, not the Ritz.”

“I guess,” she sighs, slumping on the bed.

“I know you want to look nice for ‘Giant Cock’,” I giggle.

“I do not…I didn’t even know he was going to be there,” she snaps defensively.
Who’s she trying to kid?

“You liar. You fucking knew. I’ve never seen you so fussy with how you’re dressed. Remember, he had the hots for you in that hideous brown uniform you wear to work, so you could turn up in a paper bag and still impress.”

She blushes at my comment before laughing. She is so not a blusher. It kind of worries me. I think she has it bad for the guy.

An hour later we’re ready to go. Chase is at home with Pops. He told him he’d take him to the clubhouse later. Pops has no idea Chase has organised the welcome home party. Dana and I are meeting Chase at the clubhouse. We need to arrive before them so we don’t ruin the surprise.

I settle on my dark denim skinny jeans, a nice fitted, off the shoulder red top and my long tan boots. I’ve left my hair down because Chase says he likes it like that.