Chapter Three

Meanwhile, Justin gave everyone a meaningful look as they all entered the elevator he said “I talked to a friend he knows Angel. I think we should all talk.” The look Hunter turned on him would have made a lesser man piss himself, Hunter said “I have a feeling I’m not going to like this.” Justin clenched his jaw tightly and said coldly “You have good instincts.”

It took them three minutes to get into the room and settled. Then it took Justin five minutes to give them the full run down on what Antonio had told him. Including the part about Maria’s male friends trying to take advantage of her both as a child and a teen.  

It was Marigold Stacia’s mother who said, “This has to be illegal, after all my daughter was only sixteen at the time.” Justin replied “It is highly illegal, though technically no one ever adopted Angel. She was just left with the paper you all read.” It was Hunter’s father Jamison who said angrily “Then we should bring the authorities into this. I personally would like to see everyone who ever did anything to my grandchild suffer for it.” Justin said vehemently “They will.”

At the curious looks he got from the people sitting there he said “I grew up in that area, I know the type of people there. Right now, you need to focus on keeping Angel here and not running her off. She’s had the freedom to raise herself all these years. Hemming her in or giving her rules won’t work. Not only is she an adult but she can pick up and disappear without looking back. That’s something I don’t think anyone wants.

I would personally like to have my brother Dash do some more checking into this Serena woman and into the people in and out of Angel’s life so far.” He paused then looked at Hunter and said “You’ll have to make good on that DNA test because I can’t promise she’ll give you more than two days. You should be getting in touch with them so she can have the test done ASAP.” Hunter asking curiously “Why does she trust you?” Justin snorted and replied, “She doesn’t trust me, but she trusts a man I know. If he likes me, she’ll give me the benefit of the doubt.”

After the meeting broke up, Justin found himself handing out orders to first his brother who he explained to briefly what the situation was. He saw his fun-loving brother go from Mr. Mischievous to Mr. Sinister in one second flat. It was like that with them, mistreating children was a sore spot with them all.

It was nearly three in the afternoon before he was finally back at the penthouse.  He let himself in and yelled out “Angel?” He saw her come around the corner five seconds later, she’d obviously taken a shower, freshened up. Not, completely worn out now her hair fixed. She definitely fit in, with the two families she should have been born to. Angel McDaniel’s was a beautiful girl, and it would take them all to protect her from here on out.  

He said, “I’ve been sent to take you to the testing Lab, and to ask if you would consent to a family dinner with your relatives this evening?” Angel looked down at herself and said evenly “I don’t have anything fancy to wear.” Justin replied evenly “You could wear sack cloth and they’d let you in, your grandfather owns the restaurant.”  Angel seemed to be debating; she asked, “Will you be there?” Justin replied honestly “I will be present acting as security and your driver for the night, but I won’t be dining.”

Angel felt as if she’d fallen into an alternate universe. She asked, “Will anything ever make sense again?” Justin asked, “How long have you known about your mother?”  She replied honestly “A week, I found the letter a week ago.” He nodded and said evenly “Give it time kid, it will all work out.” Angel sighed heavily and said, “I feel like my life’s been tossed in the air and nothing has landed yet.” At his understanding look she said, “Okay tell them I’ll come.” He wasn’t about to tell her that her father’s sister and mother would be present as well, or that her mother’s other brothers would be present he’d save those for a surprise.

If she needed an escape, he’d help her, but he personally thought she was strong enough to handle it. Angel stepped into the bedroom to change into jeans and pull on her sneakers before following Justin out the door.

It was nearly six by the time they got everything wrapped up at the Lab, they’d done the DNA test, but they’d needed to know extensive family history that she hadn’t known.  It had taken him a bit to get that information to the Lab.

Now they were headed across town to meet the rest of her family for the family dinner. When they pulled up for the valet Justin had made sure she knew not to get out until he came around the car for her. He had told her it was for her protection. When they entered the restaurant, the host gave him an odd look until he said they were meeting with the McDaniel’s and Denae’s.