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  “What’s that?” She raised her eyebrows as she cradled the coffee in her hands.

  “I am a badass biker.”

  She laughed, a sound full of delight and warmth, and my wings tingled though not even visible. How in glory’s name can she do that? I’d never met another person who could literally ruffle my feathers, but Haley did it with just her laugh.

  “So, tell me more about why you were out, alone in the snow, on Valentine’s Day with a dead phone.”

  She blinked and sipped her coffee. “Damn, when you put it like that, it really does sound like I needed to be rescued.”

  I shrugged but my curiosity boiled over to find out what my brother Luke had engineered to get us together. And on Valentine’s Day no less. Though I’d met St. Valentine and love had been the last thing on his mind when he became a saint.

  She sighed and shook her head. “It’s a story, but not a very good one. Just one stupid decision after another. You know the drill.”

  I shrugged. “Enlighten me. You can give me just the facts. Think of it like you’re writing a news story.”

  Haley narrowed her eyes. “Why would you say that?”

  I curled my lips into my best half-smile. “After I saw you at the museum, I did a little digging. I figured you were there with the press. Am I close?”

  “Do you always research the women you give fly-by kisses?”

  I grinned. “Every time. But since I don’t give many women fly-by kisses, I made a special effort.” I dimmed my grin and tilted my head. “And I wanted to know you a little bit better.”

  She regarded me with serious eyes for a few moments. “Why?”

  What could I tell her? That I’d been hooked on her appearance and scent from the moment I saw her? That the Goddess had chosen her to be my One-and-Only? That I was the Archangel Michael and I’d been looking for her for millennia? That I’d never felt the driving need for connection like I did with her?

  Yeah, probably not a good way to start things off.

  I rolled my cup in my hands. “The museum wasn’t the first time I’d seen you.”

  She raised her eyebrows. “It wasn’t?”

  I shook my head. “No. I was part of the crew who dropped off all those victims of the sex trade at the Hopeful Heart Shelter back in the summer. You were there and took the kids in hand. I couldn’t keep my eyes off you. Or my mind off you after we left.”

  “I’m trying to resist the urge to say something like, ‘why didn’t you look me up?’ But then I remember we never actually spoke.”

  “And do you know how many Haleys there are in Fort Collins alone? It’s a very popular woman’s name.”

  “You actually did try to look me up?” She laughed. “Oh, man, I was kidding.”

  “Yes, I did, and I was halfway through the one thousand, four hundred and thirty-three names by the time I saw you at the museum. That helped me narrow the search to Haleys in the press.”

  “There can’t be that many of us.” She shook her head. “At least not with the same spelling.”

  “How was I to know the spelling? I just had to wing it.”

  Or I could have. Being an Archangel had its benefits. If I really needed to know something about someone, I could find out pretty quickly just by visiting where they worked or lived. I was better than the NSA about finding out secrets.

  “I couldn’t even find you on social media platforms.”

  She grimaced. “I’ll have to be more active than I’ve been. My last name is Michaels. Haley Michaels.” She held out her hand to shake.

  My breath left me as I took her hand. Michaels. Subtle, Mom, real subtle. But her touch sent reverberations of pleasure and need through me, unlike any I’d felt before. Haley must have felt them too because she shivered before she released my hand.

  Or she’s just cold, you git.

  “It’s very nice to meet you, Haley Michaels. I’m Michael.” I grinned as her eyes widened.

  “That’s it? Just Michael?”

  I shrugged. “Yeah, unless you’d prefer my road name, Schnoz.”

  She choked on her coffee and shook her head. “No, I think I’ll stick with Michael. It’ll be easy to remember.” She tilted her head. “How did you come by the road name Schnoz?”

  “What, my nose doesn’t give it away?” I’d been told enough times by Scott and Attila that I had a big nose but it worked well enough and I didn’t see any reason to change it. “Actually, it’s because I have an excellent sense of smell. Whenever we take a road trip, I can find the best coffee houses and bakeries along our route.”

  “Really?” She laughed and my heart expanded. “I might have to come with you some time to enjoy the benefit of such a sense.”

  “You’d definitely be welcome.”

  I meant the words from the depths of my soul, and it surprised the daylights out of me. I needed to be around her, and I hardly knew anything about her. Time to learn.

  “So what happened tonight? You came out of that building like the hounds of hell were after you.” I’d seen those hounds when I visited my brother before hell became a little more fluid. Not exactly the cute, cuddly puppies Hollywood often depicted. Yeah, that was sarcasm. They were far worse, and smelled like rotting flesh left out in the sun.

  Haley sighed and looked away, licking her lips. “I was at a party with my now ex-boyfriend. My phone died and he decided he’d rather have a ménage with some of the other guests than be with me. But because my phone was dead, I couldn’t call for a ride home. It was pretty damn fortuitous that you were outside.”

  I sensed she wasn’t telling me everything, but I didn’t expect her to open up to me at the first moment. Except every other human tends to do that. Why not her? I could use my grace to settle her mind and make her more amenable to sharing, but I didn’t want to do that. I wanted her to trust me without my influence.

  “What a stupid git. Was he really having sex with the other guests?”

  She grimaced. “I didn’t stick around to watch, but clothing was missing and body parts were visible.” She finished coffee. “Speaking of which, I should probably get going home. It’s late and my day ended on a really shitty note.”

  I nodded. “Is there any way I can make it better for you? It is Valentine’s Day after all.”

  She gave me a distant smile. “You already have. You rescued me from a long walk home and bought me coffee. I’d call that a win.”

  Oh, glory, she was telling me she was done for the night, but I didn’t want to let her go. Some part of me needed to be with her tonight. It was a driving need, an imperative that wouldn’t let up and hammered against my logical mind. My instincts screamed a warning I couldn’t ignore.

  But how to convince her without coming across like a stalker?

  I let a warm smile curl my lips and added just a touch of grace to make it sultry. “How about I take you somewhere warm and safe where you can charge your phone?”

  She raised an eyebrow. “You mean where none of my friends know where I am and I don’t have the ability to call them without your help?” She shook her head. “Yeah, I’ve seen that horror flick. It never ends well for the woman.”

  She wasn’t wrong, but the more I thought about her going home to her apartment, the more the warning got louder in the back of my head.

  “No, really, I just want to go home, take a shower and relax, and maybe watch some Netflix.”

  She gathered her purse and coat as she prepared to get up but paused when the chimes over the door rang and someone stepped inside. She glanced over her shoulder and I followed her gaze to the two cops who strode up to the counter. She gave a soft gasp and turned her face away as if she didn’t want the officers to notice her.

  Curious.

  “Are you all right?”

  Haley nodded. “Yeah, yeah, I’m fine.”

  But she didn’t look fine. She looked scared and trapped and my gut said more had happened at that party than she’d told me.

  “Are you sure?�
�

  “Yeah, I’m good. Look, I’m gonna go. Thanks again for the coffee.” Haley stood and zipped up her coat before she headed for the entrance. I tried to follow but my body was much bigger and as strong as I was, I couldn’t move as quickly without drawing attention. And for some reason, she didn’t want to let the cops see her.

  She tossed her cup and pushed open the doors, turning up the collar of her coat as she stepped through. She headed straight out to the parking lot as if headed to a car and I debated staying put or following to make sure she got home okay.

  The evening hadn’t ended the way I’d hoped. Luke’s gonna give me hell for not getting laid after he set this up for me. I sighed and shook my head as I dropped my cup in trash and headed for the doors.

  Except the cops maneuvered in front of me.

  “Sir, can we please have a word?”

  I swiveled my head to look at them and narrowed my eyes. “Is there some sort of problem, officers?”

  “What’s the nature of your relationship with the young woman who just left?”

  “Is there some sort of problem, officers?” I repeated my question, gauging their reactions. If there wasn’t a problem, I didn’t need to talk to them.

  “How do you know the young woman who was with you?”

  I raised my gaze toward the counter where I found Earl smirking as he wiped down the spotless counter. Not wise, Earl. Not wise at all. I cranked up my grace and gave the cops a wide-eyed innocent look.

  “She’s a friend. We met at the museum a few weeks ago. She was feeling uncomfortable coming into the coffee shop alone because the barista kept hitting on her and cyberstalking her online.” I shrugged and let my expression go relaxed and bored. “Apparently, the barista hasn’t learned that “no means no” yet. So she asked me to come in with her.”

  The older cop flinched at my remark about no meaning no and narrowed his eyes. “Then why did she run on out of here so fast?”

  I shrugged again. “She said she had to get home and cops make her nervous. Maybe she’s had a bad experience with police in the past.” I let my gaze rest on the older cop and he looked away.

  Being an Archangel can have its pluses and minuses. The cop looked away because he regularly harassed black kids and young women on his beat to show authority. And I knew Earl had cyberstalked Haley. I usually didn’t delve into people’s secrets—each one would have to face the consequences of their actions with their connection to the divine. Or with Karma.

  “So, you weren’t threatening the young woman?” The younger cop seemed to be looking for confirmation rather than accusing me of anything.

  “No, officer. I was just having a cuppa with her.” Using my British accent almost always put cops at ease. Mostly because they couldn’t imagine a prim Brit being a badass biker. “Did someone report me threatening her?”

  The younger cop shot a look toward the barista. “Thanks for answering our questions. You have a good night, now.”

  “Right, then.” I nodded and ambled out the door, shooting a look back at Earl at the last moment. He’d lost his smirk as the cops advanced on him and I suspected his night was going to get much more difficult.

  What goes around, comes around, you wanker.

  I looked for Haley, but the cops had delayed me long enough that I didn’t see her. My gut churned with the same warning about her well-being and I strode to my bike, starting the engine as soon as my arse hit the freezing leather seat. Something told me I needed to find her soon or her night would get a more difficult, too.

  Chapter Four

  Haley

  My heart pounded in my chest as I walked with determination and purpose away from the coffee shop and the cops. Why the hell were they there? Had they already figured out I’d been in the building when the ADA was murdered? Oh, that’s so not good.

  The snow made the sidewalks slippery, but I kept moving fast. It was freezing outside and my shoes weren’t made for the drifts that had already built up. I cursed Carl again and mentally prepared the Dear John email in my head. I kept my hands in the pockets of my coat, but I clutched my keys tightly in my fingers so I could open my door as soon as I got home. Or use them as claws if anyone comes at me tonight. I had no illusions about women walking alone in the dark.

  I stepped into the street and crossed, making sure to look both ways for cars or other people. But my heel hit a patch of ice under the snow and I slid, wrenching my back and landing on my ass in the middle of the road. I groaned and rolled to my hands and knees, hoping I could get back up without any trouble, but I couldn’t find any purchase.

  I scrabbled a few moments on the icy pavement just as a car hurtled around the corner, headed my way. I looked up and worked harder, knowing they’d never be able to stop if I couldn’t even walk across the street. The world seemed to slow down and I had time for about three thoughts.

  Why the hell are they going so damn fast?

  I should’ve taken Michael up on his offer to stay somewhere warm.

  Sweet glory, I’m gonna die.

  Someone shouted my name and I looked up as the headlights blinded me. Brilliant white light blanked out my vision as someone grabbed me and rolled us both out of the street. I swore I saw silver-black wings and fierce brown eyes as the scent of freshly baked rosemary bread filled my nose. Tires squealed and a heavy crash followed, and I wondered if I was dead for real.

  “Haley! Haley, are you all right?”

  Wait, I know that voice.

  I opened my eyes, but I couldn’t see anything. It took me a few moments to realize my face pressed against someone’s warm chest with their arms wrapped around me. And I don’t sense any boobs here so it’s probably a guy.

  I tilted my head back and looked up to meet his gaze, his eyes full of concern. His scruff looked sexy as hell on him. I idly wondered what it would feel like against my labia and inner thighs as I took in his lovely face. I wanted to reach up and run my fingers over his cheek but my hands remained pinned between our bodies.

  “Michael? What are you doing here?”

  “Trying to keep you from getting killed. What were you doing in the middle of the street?”

  I shook my head. “I slipped and fell. Too much ice.”

  Relief washed over his features as he cradled me. “I’m so glad I got here in time. Are you all right? Anything broken?”

  “I don’t think so, though I wrenched my back when I slipped. But I’m not feeling any pain right now.” It was true. Somehow all my pain had disappeared the moment he’d touched me. I didn’t really want to leave his arms, but I couldn’t stay lying on the street.

  “Michael?”

  “Yes, love?”

  “Would you take me somewhere warm and safe where I can charge my phone, please?”

  A sweet, gentle smile curled his lips as one hand brushed my hair out of my face. “Of course, love. Are you sure you can trust me to keep you safe?”

  I frowned a little. “Are you suggesting I shouldn’t?”

  “No, just wondering what changed your mind.”

  I shrugged one shoulder. “This night has been nothing but trouble for me since it started and you’re the only one who’s been kind. I could use a little more kindness tonight. Plus, we’re sitting here on the freezing sidewalk after you rescued me from that car and you haven’t copped a feel. My instincts say you’re okay.”

  He laughed and the joyous sound permeated my soul, lightening every stress and worry.

  “Right, then. We should get up off the pavement and head to some place warmer, yeah?”

  He rolled or moved or sat up enough to help me to my feet. I’d lost one of my shoes and the ice burned through the bottom of my foot. I hissed and hopped a little, but whooped when he bent to pick me up.

  “What are you doing?”

  “Carrying you. You can’t walk without shoes and I won’t have you suffering frost bite.”

  Yeah, I didn’t really want to suffer that, either. And I rather liked being cradled
in his arms. Yeah, yeah, I know. Very damsel-in-the-dressish, but I felt cherished, protected, and wanted. Three things I’d been missing from the men in my life.

  Michael carried me down the sidewalk to his bike where he set me on the seat and knelt at my feet. He flipped open one of the Harley’s panniers and pulled out a blanket and rope. Then he whipped out an impressive knife and I jumped. Holy shit, has he been carrying that thing this whole time?

  But instead of using the knife to carve his initials into my legs or some other scary shit, he sliced through the blanket and cut two lengths of rope.

  “What’s that for?”

  “I’m making you impromptu boots.”

  He wrapped one piece of the blanket around my right foot and tied the rope to it to keep the blanket in place. Then he folded and wrapped it all the way up to my knee, tying the rope off. He repeated the process on the other leg before stowing the last of the blanket and rope.

  “There. That should do it. Here’s your shoe.”

  “Shoe, singular.” I held the lonely foot covering and shook my head. “We should throw it in the trash. You couldn’t find the other one?”

  He shook his head. “I reckon it’s under the car that nearly hit you.” He frowned and tilted his head. “Do you want me to go back and look?”

  I glanced down at my shoe and shook my head. “No. Might as well throw this one away with it. They brought me nothing but trouble.” Especially since I’d bought them for the party tonight. Yeah, don’t really want to remember it. I tossed it toward the nearest trash can on the street and straddled the bike.

  “Let’s go. I’m cold.”

  He nodded and sat on the seat in front of me. “Wrap your arms around me and hold on tight. You’ll stay warmer on the ride. It’s not far from here, but it’ll be cold. I’ll do my best to get there quickly.”

  “Okay.”

  He started the bike and the engine rumbled beneath us, a comforting sound in the silence of the snowy night. I rested my head against his back and tightened my grip on his waist as he rolled forward off the kickstand. As we started to move, I remembered the car that had nearly hit me. Hadn’t it crashed?