Chapter 79: Chapter 79

Much later they both lay side by side by the pool, staring up at the dome and the drifting dust of snow settling over the top.

"I heard you are spearheading a project in Xavier's home in the United States," Nadia said.

"Yeah. Isabelle asked Cole for help with developing the island to accommodate the newly freed Weres. Cole offered to help. Xavier didn't think it was fair to keep letting him spend his money on the pack like that without hope of us ever being financially dependent enough to take over the pack's sustenance. I suggested we opened a winery," he said and turned his head to look at her. She had shifted her position to lay on her side and was listening attentively to him. Nadia smiled at him. "I knew it's a venture we can undertake as a group and sell the produce to the humans. Cole offered to finance it and the development of the island. I like that he is always thinking ahead of what the pack needs and coming forward to attend to it."

“He loves Isabelle," Nadia said in almost a whisper as if that answered the question. Angel nodded.

"Indeed, he does," Angel said with a sigh. "I wanted to be certain it was viable before telling you about it. The island is in another country entirely and Cole was telling me that we all need new passports and need to pick a last name."

"What is your last name?" Nadia asked, feeling weird for not knowing.

"Wulfblood as Xavier and Isabelle but Cole told me I can’t use the name and needed to think of another. Xavier is using John, and Isabelle is using Miller. I have spoken to the other Weres: Kurt and the rest of them. They all think we should take Xavier’s first name since we can’t use the last name he picked…"

"Why?"

"Because both Xavier and Isabelle took their spouses' names.”

"Oh! Of course! I figured Isabelle took Cole's name because he is her mate."

"Yes, it was only logical."

Nadia knew there was no way Angel would want to use her surname. Even she wasn’t so thrilled with the name mostly associated with exploitation, organised crime and deaths of innocent people, and Weres.

"Angel Xavier or Angel X sounds badass," Nadia teased. Angel chuckled.

"It is still in consideration but I think the others have made up their minds. We just need to let Xavier know."

"He will feel so honoured."

"If he agrees," Angel said, grinning.

"Of course, he will, he loves you so much," Nadia said. Angel smiled.

"So, if you decide to change your name to Angel Xavier. Would you mind greatly if I took your last name too?" Nadia said, raising her hand to press an open palm against one of his bulging pectorals. The smile on his face dimmed and his eyes grew intense with feelings.

"I will be honoured, my darling," he rasped, and reached forward to take her lips.

"So then people would finally get to call me by noble names; Nadia Angel Xavier," she whispered. Angel cupped the back of her head and devoured her lips.

"I love you," Angel whispered. Nadia busted into tears.

* * *

An insistent knock on the door woke the two sometime later.

"I'm coming!" Angel called out and hurriedly put his clothes on. "Get dressed," he said to Nadia, perceiving some kind of negative energy in the air. He walked to the floor and said, "who is it?"

"Xavier," Xavier's deep voice sounded from outside the door. And then Cole Millers'. Angel pulled the door open and found all the male Weres outside the door. One look at Xavier's face and he opened the door wider and they all milled in..

"Tell me…." Angel urged, holding Cole's gaze. Xavier started to pace.

"Remember when I told you, Nadia coming with us was going to be a problem?" Cole started. Angel tensed.

"And I told you, Cole, she is mine and I am not letting her go!" Angel replied.

"I know, big guy, just listen. I just got something sent to me by one of my … technically Alexander's informant that now works for me."

"Yes?"

"Nadia’s father turns out to be even more ruthless and dangerous than I anticipated."

“Anticipated?” Angel repeated.

“You ended his brother’s entire lineage and took his daughter. Come on, Angel, he wasn’t going to just let you!” Cole replied.

"What did he do?" Angel asked in a tense tone. His voice was almost a growl.

"Everyone here knows Antonio Rufus and Alexander and the likes of him were criminals, right? And I am certain the government and law enforcement in Moscow and all the countries they have been able to operate successfully knew about them and yet they were able to do their businesses, and grow their wealth to an insane level that they became a powerful and formidable force. Well, I found there is another parallel world designed for people like them and the governments of the countries they choose to operate gain from these illegitimate businesses. In their world, they have quite a considerable amount of influential and powerful people as members, protecting and shielding them. And in return, they helped them to do their dirty work and of course fund whatever insane project they think of to boost be it social or political standing. And as expected, these people have hit men they use to get rid of obstacles. These people are known as the executioners. The executioners are a team of assassins contracted and paid ridiculous sums to do a job like kill people or retrieve people…."

Angel's jaw clenched. "I'm not letting her go. She belongs with me.”

"We know that. But it is not as simple as that. This particular contract doesn't only order them to retrieve Nadia, but also to kill everyone in their way,” Cole explained.

"They know about us, Angel," Xavier spoke for the first time. "He paid them extra money to wipe out everyone on the island," Xavier added.

"Let me call him and speak with him," Nadia said from the bathroom door, causing everyone to look in her direction. Angel noted she looked pale and her eyes swelled with tears. He moved and strode to her to gather her into his arms. "I am so sorry," Nadia whispered, darting her eyes at everyone. Angel held her to his chest.

"Unfortunately it doesn't work like that," Cole continued. "Even if you call him there is nothing he can do about the situation. Once the contract is issued and the money paid. The only thing left is for the targets to protect themselves."

"Then I will prefer you all let me leave with Nadia," Angel said.

"What?!" Both Nadia and Xavier exclaimed.

"Listen to me, I suppose they thought I would be on the island. So what if I draw them away from there to another location with Nadia."

"That would be suicidal!" Nadia screamed at him. "I will not let you sacrifice yourself like that!"

"Nadia is right, that would be suicidal," Jason interjected.

"You are suggesting we abandon you and let you face those criminals alone?" Xavier said, sounding angry.

"It is better me than everybody, Xavier!" Angel replied.

Before Xavier could reply, Cole cut in, "That's noble but we don't do that here… right Jason?"

"Hell, no. A threat against one of us is a threat against all of us," Jason replied.

"Besides, he is targeting the island," Cole said, paused and added with an angry frown, "Isabelle loves that place."

Xavier patted Cole on the shoulder, giving him a thankful nod and then strode to meet Angel and Nadia. He gave Nadia a gentle pat on the back and held Angel's gaze.

"When next there's a crisis that concerns you or your mate and you tell me to leave you behind, I'm going to break your nose," Xavier said. Angel's eyes moistened and Xavier jerked him into a hug. "You are my brother. I just found you. If they want Nadia, let them come," Xavier said.