Nadia held Angel's gaze pondering all the information he just gave her. She found it a bit too much at once and a tad confusing but three things were clear: she can not go back home unless she broke her bond with Angel otherwise he would be bound to follow her because of their mate bond. If she rejected him it would be physically painful but doable and if he rejected her she would instantly die.
The main issue now was making decisions she would not hate herself for thereafter.
"Is there anything else that I need to know?"
"I can help you heal faster if you let me touch you," Angel said, sounding as if the words were dragged out of him.
"I don't want that," she whispered, folding her arms over her chest.
"I didn't think you would," Angel said and got up from the bed, walking back to the side wall to leave a considerable space between them. Nadia felt like wailing. She lowered her face, allowing her hair to frame and shield most of her face. She recalled the few times he had been wounded and made love to her anyway
It occurred to her then that he had used her in so many ways than one. Her heart hurt and her shoulders shook as she sobbed.
Angel tightened his fists by his sides, watching her. He hated that she was unhappy and it was because of him. A small part of him rationalized the scene before him. He had wanted her to suffer and although hers was not physical. It was happening nonetheless. But thinking of making her suffer and actually watching it happen were two different things especially when her pain felt like his as well.
He wondered then how long he could bear to stand it. His jaw clenched tightly and he thought of setting her free; letting her go home.
It was on the tip of his tongue to tell her to leave if she wanted to but a gentle knock sounded from the door and then the door opened. Xavier and Isabelle walked inside.
Xavier looked at Nadia before directing his gaze at Angel. Isabelle did the opposite. Angel met her gaze and didn't bother to hide his emotions. He tried to smile, knowing she could feel his emotional turmoil but his facial muscles did not cooperate.
"Hey, what's wrong, Nadia?" Isabelle cooed, going to sit by her side and slowly drawing Nadia into her arms.
"Nothing. It's… um been quite a day," Nadia said.
Angel lowered his gaze and didn't meet Xavier's. His heart thudded faster and his entire body tensed knowing Xavier was going to make Nadia make up her mind. He wasn't sure he wanted to stand there and listened to her not choose him.
"Nadia…" Xavier called and she raised teary eyes to hold his. Xavier gave her a warm smile. And Nadia thought Amèlie must be the luckiest on the planet to have this beautiful man love her. The thought made fresh tears slip down her face. Isabelle helped her to wipe them away.
"I need to ask you some questions. I'm sorry it can not wait."
"It's okay I understand," Nadia said. Xavier made to go on but Angel left the window area, walking to the door. Nadia felt like her heart was going to wither.
"And where are you going?" Xavier asked nonplussed.
"I need a drink…" he said.
"Angel…" Isabelle called in a low compassionate tone. He darted her a glance and gave her a reassuring smile.
"I just need fresh air, Belle. I'm good," he said and pulled the door open and came to an abrupt halt when he saw Cole Miller, Jason, Ash and six other armed men just by the door. Angel backed away in confusion as Cole Miller trained a gun on his head. The rest of the men behind him filed inside, somewhat laying siege as they brandished their guns at Xavier and Isabelle too, cornering them.
“What’s the meaning of this?!” Xavier snarled. Angel couldn't make sense of the situation.
"You want to fucking tell me, why the hell, Rufus' niece is still alive?!" Cole snarled baring teeth. Angel heard Xavier curse and Isabelle gasped. Understanding dawn and he glared at the human.
"The same reason why you are alive, Cole Miller!" Angel retorted, balling his fists.
"Have you lost your gaddamn mind?! She will lead her father to us! You are putting everyone in jeopardy!"
"She will do no such thing!" Angel yelled. "She is my mate!"
"Cole!" Xavier called.
"Don't get involved!" Cole grunted at Xavier and then to Isabelle he said, "the same goes for you!"
"What ?" Isabelle muttered in confusion. Cole ignored her.
And to Angel, Cole said, "I hate to burst your bubble big guy, her being your mate, don't mean shit, if she doesn't love you!"
That word said out in that manner literally made Angel see red. Because he knew he was right. He took a threatening step toward Cole. Cole brought out another gun, corked it and directed it at Nadia. Angel froze. Nadia was looking on in utter shock.
"Don't point a gun at her, Cole Miller!" Angel enunciated in a dangerously low tone.
"Cole, what are you doing?!" Isabelle said in a low cautious tone. Xavier tried to intervene but Cole gave him a chilly gaze making him pause.
"You are new here, so I'm going to state the simple rule to you," Cole started. "If you---for anything, anything at all---put my woman in danger. I'm going to kill you," Cole said, holding Angel's gaze. "This woman is going to fuck us all up. Antonio Rufus might be dead, but his connections are still very active. His position is open now, and guess who is the possible next candidate," he paused and gestured at Nadia. "Her father," he added.
"He is not like that!" Nadia said in a wobbly voice.
"Did you hear that, Angel? Did you hear her defending him? She obviously has a great relationship with the fucking asshole. And he is going to come looking for her. He would be another fucker for us to deal with."
"Just like you have your one rule. I do have mine too. I will not let you harm her! I can not let you kill her, Cole Miller, you will have to kill me first," Angel said simply. Letting him know he really could care less about the danger Nadia posed. He would rather walk away with her and let them leave him behind.
"Does she have the same sentiment, Angel?"
"She saved my life more than once!" Angel retorted.
"Maybe then she could do it again…" Cole said, signalling to Jason and Ash who directed their weapons at Angel.
Nadia shot up to her knees. Ignoring her pain. She felt a pit dizzy but she gently shook her head, causing it to start pounding as if it was about to explode.
"Please, stop!" she cried weakly.
"Cole!" Xavier snarled.
"Stay the fuck out of this, Xavier!" Cole yelled. Isabelle gaped.
Cole directed his cold gaze at Nadia and said, "You see these men pointing guns at your mate? They are loyal to me! They need one word from me to shoot your man in the head!"
"Please…" Nadia started to cry.