Outcast by Abigail Livinghouse (top 100 books of all time checklist txt) 📖

eyebrows at Rafaela.

 

“You wanna try to recreate the scene?” He asked seductively, sitting down on the couch and patting his lap. “Take a seat, baby.” He purred.

 

Rafaela’s face flushed a deep red with anger, and she suddenly jumped forward, almost landing on top of Nick if I hadn’t of stepped between the two.

 

“Alright, that’s enough. We need his help, and I don’t think he’ll be as compliant if you rip his head off.” I said, holding her around the waist as she struggled.

 

“I’m not going to rip his head off, I’m going to rip his d–”

 

“Okay”, Nick got up and raised his hands in the air, cutting Rafaela’s threats off as she gritted her teeth at him speaking.

 

“What do you two need help with? I’d suggest sending the girl into the bathroom to clean up so that we’ll have something nice to look at while we scheme first.” Nick offered, rubbing his hands together.

 

Rafaela only thrashed more at what Nick had said, clawing at the air separating her and the perverted angel standing before us.

 

“Nick, would you do us all a favor and shut the hell up?” I snapped.

 

Honestly, Rafaela was already hanging onto sanity by a thread, and who could blame her? She’d just found out that I was a guardian angel, that an angel up in Heaven was after her, and had just flown through the sky via guardian angel. Wouldn’t you be a bit shocked to say the least? And Nick’s teasing wasn’t helping anything. I really didn’t want Rafaela to snap, especially not now, when she was at her most vulnerable. I might be her protector, but people seem to think that angels can do everything.

 

While we may be able to do a lot, we cannot do everything. If Zale came down and abducted Rafaela like I knew he planned, then it would be difficult for me alone to protect her, which is why we needed Nick’s help. He was the only resource I had access to, no matter how sick or annoying he was. Now, Nick folded his arms across his chest.

 

“What do you want Gabe?” He asked, his cocky attitude dropping for the time being. I took advantage of it, however I wasn’t about to let Rafaela tear him apart, so I kept ahold of her.

 

“I need you to help me watch over Rafaela. Zale’s after her, and I’m afraid I won’t be enough to keep him away.” I said in a grim tone. Nick scowled.

 

“But why would he be after her? What does she have that he could want, aside from the obvious?” Nick asked with a slight smile, his obnoxious side beginning to take over. I spoke quickly before he could slip back into the idiot that was trying to gain control.

 

“She’s a Soul Speaker, and she’s very strong. Only angels are supposed to be able to possess this ability, but she does. You know how Zale covets such gifts, and he’ll hunt her down and take her for his own if we do not protect her.” I said, my eyes begging.

 

“Please Nick, please help me. I can’t let anything happen to her. I’ll be thrown into Hell if any harm comes her way.” I said desperately.

 

Nick’s face fell, almost as if he was expecting something humorous and not the serious predicament that I had just dumped onto his shoulders. He sighed, nodding as he spoke.

 

“I understand. I’ll do the best I can to try to help you.” He looked at Rafaela, who had cooled down from Nick’s last comment enough for me to release her, but her eyes were still cold as he spoke.

 

“You can stay here with us for a few days, but her parents are going to wonder where she is eventually.” Nick warned, his words directed back at me. I nodded but Rafaela spoke before I could.

 

“Don’t worry about them. God knows they won’t worry about me. I’ll text them and tell them that I’m sleeping over at one of my friend’s houses or something. They never noticed when I spent the night at my boyfriend’s place, so they won’t notice if I camp out here for a while.” She said tonelessly. Nick nodded at Rafaela, then his attention focused on me once again.

 

“We know how clever Zale is. He’ll stop at nothing to get what he wants. We’ll have to be careful. I won’t always be around, since I have my own assignment to look after, but since he’s a goodie-two-shoes rich boy, I’m sure I’ll be here most of the time.” Nick looked at Rafaela, who stared back at him.

 

“I’ll show you where you’ll be sleeping, don’t worry it’s far away from where we sleep.” Nick said, a sly smile creeping up onto his face.

 

Rafaela rolled her eyes disgustedly, but followed him as he led her to her room, which was actually the den of the tiny apartment, but it was far from the living room where Nick slept on the sofa bed and I slept on an air mattress on the ground.

 

I collapsed on the sofa once they were out of the room, rubbing my tired eyes. I felt powerless, like a caged animal waiting for the tranquilizer gun to come and shoot them. I could do nothing in order to make absolutely sure that Rafaela was safe from the ruthlessness of Zale, and even though Nick was now going to help, I wasn’t sure if it would be enough to keep Rafaela out of Zale’s hands. I sighed, laying down and closing my eyes. I heard footsteps coming into the room, and looked over to see Nick in the galley kitchen, poking around in the fridge.

 

“You know it won’t be enough.” He called, pulling out  a package of lunchmeat. I scowled, sitting up.

 

“What do you mean?” I asked. He didn’t look up from making a sandwich, but he did shoot me a knowing look.

 

“We won’t be able to keep Zale away, if he really wants her, then he’s going to get her no matter what.” He said, slapping two pieces of bread over a piece of bologna.

 

“I’m trying my best.” I said in a strained tone. Nick nodded.

 

“Oh I know. I’m not saying you’re not. I’m only telling you that it won’t be enough.” He said, picking up his sandwich and plopping down on the sofa next to me. I scowled at him.

 

“I’m hoping it will be enough.” I said, laying back down and throwing my arm over my eyes.

 

“I hope so too.” I heard Nick say before I drifted off.

Chapter Twenty Seven

He chuckled, turning away from the scene below. Ah, poor Gabriel, poor foolish Gabriel. He had no idea the power Zale possessed, and it was so saddening to see him crumbling under the realization that he might just be too weak to keep Rafaela safe. The Rafaela he watched over for weeks, the Rafaela he cared for, the Rafaela he loved more than anything else in the world, even if he was too weak to admit it. His weaknesses were his feelings. He was letting his emotions get in the way of his job, and that weakness was destroying him. Ultimately, Zale would win. He knew he would, of course. There was not a doubt in Zale’s mind that he would win. Gabriel knew it, Zale knew it, and even Gabriel’s dimwitted friend Nick knew it.

 

Oh, but Rafaela had no idea what was going on. She didn’t understand the concept of how much power she wielded, or how much control she had over Gabriel. And that’s exactly how Zale intended things to stay. It would be much easier to take her if she didn’t understand what was occurring around her. Zale would have to interfere very soon. Sooner than he had intended. He was watching Rafaela closely, and saw that she was much too strong for her own good. If he didn’t take her soon, then he feared he might not be able to take her without stirring up unwanted attention. So he would have to make an appearance in Rafaela Geordie’s life sooner rather than later. He was okay with that. This battle would be over once Rafaela was his. The only problem was getting around Rafaela’s little protector. Zale shrugged. A minor detail, one that would be very easy to take care of. 

Imprint

Publication Date: 11-05-2013

All Rights Reserved