Angelina

Chapter 25

     We headed to the airport and boarded the jet that would take us back to Whitefish, Montana. Angelina’s’ nerves and fear increased the closer we got to our destination. I wanted to comfort her but she deterred me, even to the point of sitting across from me on the jet.

     I kept my eyes out the window appearing to be in deep thought but I was never more aware of her presence. From the corner of my eye, I saw her lightly touch a spot on her arm where Stella bit. She would never forget; I wanted to erase it all.  

     “What will he do to me?” She asked, suddenly.

     She held my gaze for a few seconds before looking away.

     “He gave his word but I cannot guarantee that he won’t try something, I can only promise you that I will do whatever it takes to keep you safe.” I spoke to her softly.

     She glanced at me and just for that moment, I saw brief doubt. I wanted to tell her so many things. Tell her how she awakened emotions inside of me I thought were dead. I needed her trust, her faith but most of all I needed her.

     What Stella did to Angelina was only a small part of what we are capable of doing. There were parts of myself that I would have to keep hidden from her, at least until she is ready to know. Could she accept me, all of me?

     Angelina walked free of me when I should be holding her hand. In the car drive to the house, her eyes remained glued to the scenery outside the window and she did not speak a word. Have I truly become so utterly repulsive? I silently wondered. I needed to fix this and fast. I pulled over to the side of the road.

     “What are you doing?” She asked confused.

     “We need to talk.”

     “No, we don’t, I just want to get this over with.”

     “And then what?” I queried.

     She turned back to the window. “I don’t know.”

     “Do you want to end it?”

     She inhaled deeply, a tear streaked down her face. “Maybe”

     “Yes or no” I demanded.

     “I don’t know; I need to think about some things first.”

     “You know what we are, what I am. Incredulous as it may seem Stella showed you mercy; you would be dead if she had not. You can have all the time you need to think about that.” I kept calm.

     “It’s not just her, Rogue, it’s you… you abandoned me.” Her lips trembled ever so slightly as she stared at me.

     This enlightened me. I felt a small measure of relief. There was hope that she would soon forget about what Stella did to her, as for the other matter of me abandoning her that may take some time.

     “I never abandoned you. I was distraught at what I had almost done to you; it was too soon to ask for forgiveness. I needed to get away and once I did, I convinced myself that you were too much of a distraction and refused to think about any of it. I thought it was the best way to protect you by distancing myself. I did not succeed. Angelina, I’m sorry for the pain I have caused you.”

     I reached over and stroked her cheek. She started to turn into my hand and then suddenly she pulled away.

     “We should go.” She quietly said.

     Without another word, I started the car and took us to my home.

     No one waited outside the house but I could sense them lurking around. I took Angelina’s hand as we walked up to the house; she did not resist.