NICOLE
Carmen’s facial expression has changed completely and she’s looking back and forth between all of us with her mouth wide open.
For several seconds, nobody says a word. I can’t seem to take my eyes off The Bruiser-or should I say, Angus. I’m definitely not going to call him ‘Dad.
I’m not such a hypocrite.
Besides, I’m still suspicious of him and what he wants from me. I should be focused on what Roman’s ex is saying. She sputters, “Y-Your d-daughter? B-But how?
How can she be your daughter?”
“Yes,” Angus says coldly, glancing at me. There’s still a smile on his face but there’s no humor in his eyes whatsoever. He’s staring back at Carmen coldly. “Life is unpredictable, isn’t it?”
Carmen-can only stare back at him. I make eye contact with Roman. He’s disturbed, I can tell. I also feel the same way. Everything about this event feels wrong at this point and just want to go home.
I look around for Mason and don’t spot him.
What’s going on? Where is he?
“So,” Angus continues, pulling me out of my thoughts, “I’dappreciate it if you didn’t talk to her that way, Carmen.
You’ve been out of control lately, and you’ve been saying some nasty things, haven’t you? About me? Our association? Even my family.”
Carmen’s face is as red as a tomato. Behind her, her fiancé has decided that he’s had enough, and approaches our little group. He says something in herear without looking over at any of us, and she nods before turning away.
I can’t stop myself from glancing at Angus. He’s still smiling, oddly enough, and when he turns his head to look at me, he says, “This is the most fun I’ve had since becoming an old man. This is all so entertaining.”
“You mean, more entertaining than the fun you have as The Bruiser?”
His smile doesn’t falter even though I said this purely to upset him. “I’ve come to realize that I’m getting a little too old for physical pleasures.”
I clench my jaw. “You know what? I change my mind. I don’t really want to hear that.”
“Why not? It’s not like you’re stuck with a preacher. I’ve done my fair share of background checks on Roman Hayes, and let me tell you, he’s not a man who takes anything physical lightly. I’m only surprised that…”
He suddenly stops and his eyes widen, and it’s almost like he’s looking at me properly for the first time. “You…you were the blonde woman that day Garith was killed.”My mind transports me back to that awful night.
Everything was happening so quickly, but I remember a few faceless men standing around. Angus was one of them? I had seen my biological father before I ever knew he existed.
Life is strange.
Angus nods almost to himself and his eyes darken. “l never even paid attention to your face. What a terrible coincidence.”

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