Stealing the Heart of Mr. Steele
Heart 77

Chapter 77 [Angelica]

+25 BONUS

The Steele Family has always insisted on having an old-fashioned landline even after cell phones became popular. The one they keep in the hallway near my bedroom was even made to look like an old, rotary phone in shades of white and gold. When it rings, It sounds like tingling bells.

Usually, nobody calls this number except for confused telemarketers and the occasional wrong number.

But tonight, I heard it.

Our signal.

I never told Jude about HIM. The night Jude and I met was no coincidence, no rich girl falling into the arms of a poor boy only to fall into bed. I was sent there. By HIM.

I wasn't expecting him to replace me so soon after I returned.

When the phone rang again I was ready, my hand already above the receiver as I stood outside my door waiting, my hummingbird heart beating in rhythm to my rapid breath. "Hello," I answer the phone quietly, looking around cautiously.

"Angelica."

His voice sends wave after wave of pleasure down my spine. It is the voice of my salvation and my

damnation.

Looking around again to ensure nobody is watching. I pick up the phone and its cord and drag it into my bedroom. Thankful it has a long cord, I take it into my private bathroom and close the door. Once I know I am alone, I hold the receiver closer to my face. "Magnus." The phone goes quiet, his breathing on the other end the only indication that he is still there.

"You were gone for five years." His tone is even and calm, almost completely devoid of emotion. I recognize this tone. He is so angry he doesn't trust himself to admit it. "I thought you were dead. I mourned you. I buried you in my mind. I even sent a new envoy to take your place."

Taking a deep breath, my nostrils flaring, I try to suppress my fear as I feel my body nearing a true panic. attack.

"In some ways I was, I admit. Jude made sure I never wanted to leave the island. Staying with him, falling in love with him, was a betrayal of my mission, of everything I valued. "I didn't think I would return," I admit honestly. "I failed, Marcus. I am so sorry." "Do

you know why I am calling?" he lets the words hang between us, knowing I am more likely to talk and admit all my sins if he forces me to face the silence. "Why have I called you, Angelica?"

"Because I betrayed you," I bow my head, even though he cannot see me. I know I am a failure. But I also know he wouldn't call me just to tell me that. "And because you have a new plan.."

"Have you gotten any closer to securing clearance?" he probes, hoping to hear the right answer. "Or do I

Chapter 77

Chapter 77 [Angelica]

+25 BONUS

The Steele Family has always insisted on having an old fashioned landline even after cell phones became popular. The one they keep in the hallway near my bedroom was even made to look like an old, rotary phone in shades of white and gold. When it rings, it sounds like tingling bells.

Usually, nobody calls this number except for confused telemarketers and the occasional wrong number.

But tonight, I heard it.

Our signal.

I never told Jude about HIM. The night Jude and I met was no coincidence, no rich girl falling into the arms of a poor boy only to fall into bed. I was sent there. By HIM.

I wasn't expecting him to replace me so soon after I returned.

When the phone rang again I was ready, my hand already above the receiver as I stood outside my door waiting, my hummingbird heart beating in rhythm to my rapid breath.

"Hello," I answer the phone quietly, looking around cautiously.

"Angelica."

His voice sends wave after wave of pleasure down my spine. It is the voice of my salvation and my damnation.

Looking around again to ensure nobody is watching, I pick up the phone and its cord and drag it into my bedroom. Thankful it has a long cord, I take it into my private bathroom and close the door. Once I know I am alone, I hold the receiver closer to my face, "Magnus." The phone goes quiet, his breathing on the other end the only indication that he is still there.

"You were gone for five years." His tone is even and calm, almost completely devoid of emotion. I recognize this tone. He is so angry he doesn't trust himself to admit it. "I thought you were dead. I mourned you. I buried you in my mind. I even sent a new envoy to take your place."

Taking a deep breath, my nostrils flaring, I try to suppress my fear as I feel my body nearing a true panic attack.

"In some ways I was," I admit. Jude made sure I never wanted to leave the island. Staying with him, falling in love with him, was a betrayal of my mission, of everything I valued. "I didn't think I would return," I admit honestly. "I failed, Marcus. I am so sorry." "Do you

know why I am calling?" he lets the words hang between us, knowing I am more likely to talk and admit all my sins if he forces me to face the silence. "Why have I called you, Angelica?"

"Because I betrayed you," I bow my head, even though he cannot see me. I know I am a failure. But I also know he wouldn't call me just to tell me that. "And because you have a new plan..

"Have you gotten any closer to securing clearance?" he probes, hoping to hear the right answer. "Or do I

Chapter 77

+26 BONUS Chapter 77

[Angelica]

The Steele Family has always insisted on having an old-fashioned landline even after cell phones became popular. The one they keep in the hallway near my bedroom was even made to look like an old, rotary phone in shades of white and gold. When it rings, it sounds like tingling bells.

Usually, nobody calls this number except for confused telemarketers and the occasional wrong number.

But tonight, I heard it.

Our signal.

I never told Jude about HIM. The night Jude and I met was no coincidence, no rich girl falling into the arms of a poor boy only to fall into bed. I was sent there.

By HIM.

I wasn't expecting him to replace me so soon after I returned.

When the phone rang again I was ready, my hand already above the receiver as I stood outside my door waiting, my hummingbird heart beating in rhythm to my rapid breath. "Hello," I answer the phone quietly, looking around cautiously.

"Angelica."

His voice sends wave after wave of pleasure down my spine. It is the voice of my salvation and my

damnation.

Looking around again to ensure nobody is watching, I pick up the phone and its cord and drag it into my bedroom. Thankful it has a long cord, I take it into my private bathroom and close the door. Once I know I' am alone, I hold the receiver closer to my face, "Magnus." The phone goes quiet, his breathing on the other end the only indication that he is still there.

"You were gone for five years." His tone is even and calm, almost completely devoid of emotion. I recognize this tone. He is so angry he doesn't trust himself to admit it. "I thought you were dead. I mourned you. I buried you in my mind. I even sent a new envoy to take your place." Taking a deep breath, my nostrils flaring, I try to suppress my fear as I feel my body nearing a true panic

attack.

"In some ways I was, I admit. Jude made sure I never wanted to leave the island. Staying with him, falling In love with him, was a betrayal of my mission, of everything I valued. "I didn't think I would return," I admit honestly. "I failed, Marcus. I am so sorry." "Do you know why I am calling?" he lets the words hang between us, knowing I am more likely to talk and admit all my sins if he forces me to face the silence. "Why have I called you, Angelica?"

"Because I betrayed you," I bow my head, even though he cannot see me. I know I am a failure. But I also know he wouldn't call me just to tell me that. "And because you have a new plan.." "Have you gotten any closer to securing clearance?" he probes, hoping to hear the right answer. "Or do I

+25 BONUS

Chapter 77

need to send my other envoy back in to finish the job? She seemed to have a great deal of success breaking the Steele family apart, even without knowing her true mission. You," there is a sharp intake of breath on the other end of the line, "Angelica," he says as he exhales, "you knew everything and yet you. still failed me."

"I know."

"Because you were gone your sister took your place. She needs to go. She needs to stay gone. Do your understand?"

Cordelia. Why does it always come down to her?

"I think I can make this work without removing her... permanently." As much as I sometimes hate my sister, especially after our accident killed my chance of happiness with Jude, I still don't want to see her dead. If I did, I wouldn't have rescued her from my lover just to keep her alive.

She's always been the one person in my family I cared about more than anyone else. Ever since the day she was born.

"Are you certain?" He prods. "Because if you are not, I will need to be more intimately involved.

"Please Magnus," I beg not just for my sister, but for myself. If he doesn't see me as useful anymore, he will bring in someone else, someone he can better manipulate, and I won't be able to protect anyone. Not my sister, not Jude, nobody. "I am so close to getting everything we need."

"You lost our scientist," his voice is still 'deadly calm. "The cost of reclaiming him will be significant."

"But he is devoted to me," I express proudly. "In his mind, I am his wife. He will do anything I ask of him."

"And Steele?" his words hang in the air, as much a threat as a promise of harm to come should I fail.

I

"He will be ours before the New Year," I promise. "And then, I will have access to everything."

"Good girl," he praises me. "See that you don't disappoint me.

Hanging up the phone, I take several deep breaths before I am stable enough to stand. His message is quite clear-Steal the heart of Atlas Steele before the New Year or watc