Are You Willing to Trust?

Chapter 24: Murder

POV: Angel

Pulling off my tank top and quickly unwrapping my bandages, I step into the steamy water letting the water run over my body and soak into my sore joints and muscles. After that wonderfully fucked up argument, Mr. Blackbourne decided that the group should have some team building sessions to further build trust between the team. Seemed as though Sunday, tomorrow, was going to be a very long day but I was required to come. Something to do with getting an outside perspective but I was going to get roped in some way. Fuck me. 

Letting out a sigh, I take a second before turning off the water. Pulling open the shower door, my eyes widen as I spot Gabriel arranging things on the vanity in front of me. When the fuck did he enter? "Trouble, I have your clothes ready." He states and I quickly grab my towel wrapping it around myself tightly before bursting the little fuckers bubble. 

"Hmmm do you help her into those clothes as well?" I question letting out a laugh as the male turns around with his jaw on the ground. "Gabe, she is in Victor's bathroom. North escorted her there himself." I watch as the male slowly begins to turn beat red before grabbing Sang's stuff and rushing out of the room with an apology.

Unable to keep myself from laughing, it takes me a good ten minutes to get re-dressed in black shorts and my black tank top and hoody. Stepping out of a steamy shower, I spot a red faced Sang and Gabriel standing off to the side with a pissed off North behind them. Smirking, I look to the red faced duo and shake my head. 

"Interested in seeing the rest of my tattoos I see." I wink making Sang giggle and Gabriel's eyes widen before he turns even redder. North's scowl however, doesn't change for a second. No problem mister "I hate your guts", two can play this game. Not bothering to even engage the male, I smile to Sang making sure she knows clearly that I am speaking to her and become completely serious. "Total accident. He came in thinking it was you and was setting up your clothes. He didn't see anything and was a perfect gentleman by excusing himself when realizing he went to the wrong place." 

I watch as Sang's eyes widen and a pure heart felt smile appears on her lips as she leans into Gabriel who takes the moment to snake his arm around her waist. "He is a gentleman but thank you for letting me know. I was wondering if you would like to join us we are headed to Nathan's to go swimming." Surprised, I smile a little and nod. 

"Victor is going, correct?" I confirm making sure that my mark is going and with a nod, I find myself between Victor and Gabriel in the back seat of North's Jeep. Pulling into a crowded driveway, I can hear music coming from the backyard before Victor opens the car door but I don't complain. 

Following the others to the back, I find Silas, Nathan, and Kota in the pool and Dr. Green lounging in the sun with Mr. Blackbourne at the grill. North instantly makes his way to the grill with Mr. Blackbourne, my mister "I hate your guts", while Gabriel leads me and Sang into the house to change. Stepping into what looks like a bed room my eyes widen as I spot a black bikini laid out on the bed next to a smaller pink one. 

Raising an eye brow at the male in the door way, he just pretends to not notice as he closes the door. The fucker had this planned out since this morning. Holding in a groan as I stare down at the bathing suit I don't even realize that Sang has already entered the bathroom until I hear the small click of the lock on the door. Shaking my head, I quickly strip down and pull on the bikini before pulling my shorts and tank top back on. No way in hell was I going to allow the others a look before I was comfortable. 

Making my way back down to the pool, I quietly make my way to the lounge chairs and lay out. Thankfully the boys have started a volleyball game with a beach ball that was floating in the pool. Taking a breath, I close my eyes for a moment and just listen to the laughter of the others. I can't help but think of home as I hear the boys calling to each other to pass the ball. It had been a while since I had been home and I was definitely missing it. 

It is only a few minutes later, that I am pulled out of my blissful moment when silence fills the air. Opening my eyes, I glance over to the boys and then follow their gaze to the gorgeous bird with that bright pink bikini on highlighting her pale skin. Shaking my head, I quickly close my eyes once more as Sang is pulled into the game and the banter starts up again. 

"Why don't you join them?" The voice can only be directed to me because I know that North wouldn't dare approach me and Mr. Blackbourne was focused on the burgers he had been cooking. Glancing over to Dr. Green, I begin to refuse when I hear Kota join in. 

"Come on Angel. We could use another person to even our numbers." Glancing to the pool, I find that the game has stopped and I no longer have a choice. Glancing to the grill, I notice Blackbourne's eyes on me as well and he nods. Now I have no choice. Fuck me, why couldn't they just let me tan?

Standing, I unbutton my shorts and slip them off before removing my tank top. Instantly, I hear an intake of breath and I know all eyes are on me but I ignore it as I fold up my clothing. Aside from the large purple marks that ran across my sides from my most recent beating, an array of older scars were boldly presented on my pale skin as well as my tattoos. Aside from the roses displayed clearly on my shoulders, at the edge of the black bikini began a cascade of ravens making their way across my back and disappearing into the rose on my right hand shoulder. The flock of twenty three was eye opening but in addition to the tattoos, long raised scars running underneath the birds just made them three dimensional. 

But the scars meant that I was stronger than what had tried to hurt me. And fuck yeah I was stronger.  

Pulling my hair up into a high pony tail, I make my way over to the edge of the pool and jump in. The water hits me with urgency, trying to swallow me up but I easily push back to the surface after taking a moment to adjust. Thankfully, by the time I break the surface of the water, the rest of the group as schooled their emotions behind their masks and it is only Sang that whose eyes are attached to my body tears shimmering in her eyes. 

"Whose side am I on?" I question keeping my voice calm and distracting myself from the pure effects of Sang's emotions. Fuck that girl didn't have to cry, I definitely wasn't worth those tears or that look. Thankfully Gabriel waves me over, before I totally loose my cool, and my body quickly becomes the last thing on my mind as the beachball is thrown into the air. 

**~** 

Quote from Anais Nin