Chapter One Hundred Four

Thorne had given Angel a clean credit card and lined up a safe apartment for her. With her hair pulled up in a bun and a pair of large sunglasses covering her face, she was ready to head out of Colton’s place for the last time.

She’d double and triple-checked that she hadn’t left anything behind. She’d wiped down everything one more time.

It wasn’t safe to stay here. At any moment, one of the paramedics or nurses could put it together and call the police. It wouldn’t take long for them to track Colton—or Duncan—to this house.

She’d already caused him so much pain. She couldn’t put him in prison on top of it. She had to make sure there was nothing left behind that would link her to him.

As she walked out the back door, she knew his home was clean of all traces. It was as if she’d never existed.

Suddenly, someone stepped out of the shadows.

She reached for her gun. Then realized who it was.

“Damn it, Kenny! Are you trying to get yourself shot?” she snapped.

Kenny grinned, but didn’t look all that worried. “I’m just checking your reflexes.”

Pudge ran up, and she dropped to her knees to hug him and give him some love.

“Mrs. Bosley asked me to take him for a walk,” Kenny explained. “Naturally, he took off for here, no matter what I said.”

“He wanted to come home.” She understood. That was the real reason she’d been here, too. Because she was scared and lonely, and just wanted to be home. Unfortunately, it hadn’t helped. The house was cold and empty. Just a shell of what had made it feel like a home.

Colton was missing.

“Do you know when Mr. Willis will be back?” Kenny asked.

“I’m sure he’ll be back soon.”

Kenny’s gaze focused on the bag in her hand. “You’re leaving before he gets back?”

“There’s something I have to take care of,” she explained, but the boy didn’t seem convinced.

“You’re running away.” Disappointment clouded the boy’s solemn face.

There had been many jokes regarding Kenny’s intelligence, but Angel saw how bright he was. This kid had instincts that would make him a great detective someday. He could read people, even when they were doing their best to hide the truth…even from themselves.

“He’ll be back soon.” She deflected his comment with her own bit of truth.

She’d gotten word yesterday that Colton was awake and out of critical condition. The relief of Thorne’s announcement had brought on another wave of tears, and she’d hurried the conversation along so she could get off the phone and let them fall.

“I wanted to thank both of you for taking me shooting,” Kenny said, and grinned. “I made it into the academy.”

“I’m proud of you. You’re going to do great,” she told him. “Really. I’m sure of it.”

“I hope you’re right.” He kicked the dirt with his foot, then looked up at her. “I think you should stay until Mr. Willis gets home. You didn’t see how sad he was when you were away the last time. If you leave, no amount of ice cream is going to fix it. Not that I’m not willing to try.”

She hugged Kenny and gave a watery smile into his shoulder. “He’s pretty tough. He’s going to be okay. I promise.” She pulled away, patted Kenny on the arm, then crouched down to deal with canine guilt. “Take good care of him for me, okay?” she said to the dog, who whined his reply. “Good boy.”

With a pat on the head, and a smile for Kenny, she stood to go face her biggest fear.

Putting the violent past behind her…in the only way she knew how.