Free Angel by Alexia Stark Page A

terse smile on his lips as he followed.
    When her brother slowed down, she popped the clutch and sped past him. Weaving in and out of traffic in the way he hated, she sped to his place in a flurry of autumn leaves. The long, winding driveway leading out to the ranch house cleared the anger from her mind.
    How dare he? Why would he leave her there with the mother that hated her – since it was her fault she was a constant reminder of the father that had walked out and left them when she was three – and a step father who fought for her right to fuck up? There was never a second of peace in that house, and only he could ease her fury, her hatred. His hugs stopped her from the need to cut, to release the pain that threatened to overflow at any second. How could he betray her like that? Up and leave like her worthless father?
    Tears stung in her eyes, but she forced them back. He’d told her not to cry. She’d made a habit to do as he said. He had a way about him, a quiet dominance that made people listen. She was no exception.
    Skidding to a halt, she shut the engine down and pulled the keys out. Stepping out of the car, she found the key he’d slipped on her ring. With brisk steps, she hurried to his front door as the truck barreled up the drive.
    The key slipped in despite her trembling hand as she let herself inside. He’d be pissed for her driving, for her stupidity, but she didn’t care. Her anger boiled, raged, ready to burst free. She’d let him have it, every ounce of her wrath.
    The stomping of footsteps on the porch warned her they were following her into the main hallway. She slipped into the kitchen, thinking it a good place to let loose her fury. The door slammed and her brother’s ire-filled body blocked the doorway into the kitchen.
    He didn’t speak, merely stared at her, his narrowed eyes blazing.
    “What is wrong with you?” She burst out, unable to contain her anger.
    He turned away from her. “Get out.” His orders echoed through the house, and she could hear the shocked muttering of his friends. “ Out !” he roared, and she flinched as the footfalls and buzz of voices faded.
    With slow motions, he pivoted to face her again, his anger snapping from his eyes. His mouth bunched, as if ready to spit fire. His voice, however, was dangerously low, oddly calm.
    “I’ve told you not to drive like that.” The statement startled her.
    “Who cares about that? What the fuck to you care? You left anyway!”
    He crossed the distance between them before she could even draw a breath. His hand flashed up to the side and she flinched, sure it would connect with her cheek. When the expected pain didn’t come, she looked up at him.
    “If you speak to me like that again, I will strike you.” His hand lowered, and she opened her mouth. Before she could stop herself, tears spilled down her cheeks. He gathered her into a hug, holding her tight as the tears flowed.
    His fingers stroked her hair, his lips murmured words she couldn’t understand in her ear.
    “I can’t live without you,” she whispered, sobs breaking the words.
    “Oh, Angel, you’ll be fine.”
    “No, I won’t. That place is hell. You’re the only thing that made it tolerable.” She shoved him back, glaring at him. “You ruined everything!” She spit the words, then walked past him out the door and down the hall.
    Wrenching the door open, she pulled out her keys. She spun as his fingers bit into her arm.
    “Where are you going?” he asked.
    “What do you care?”
    His eyes narrowed at her words and she swallowed her fear. He snatched her keys from her hands and held them behind his back. “What did I ruin, exactly?” he asked, his low tone, once again, frightening her. She lifted her chin, indicating she’d gladly do battle.
    “I wanted you to-“ The words died on her lips. She turned around, refusing to continue. “You know what, it doesn’t matter.”
    “Angel, what did I ruin?” His growl startled her, but she shook