Chapter 26
Bella
He’s just trying to scare you.
My inner voice wasn’t helping. I’d stared after Creed when he’d walked away, strangled by the fact Gregor might have been sent to watch me. Why? I couldn’t stand the thought of being someone’s pawn. I’d seen him and Kane through the window, watching me as if I was going to slip away.
Or worse.
Sighing, I purposely looked away, rubbing my aching forehead. I was on information overload. I forced myself to shove aside my dark concerns. They wouldn’t do me any good at this point. I’d noticed Kane had made an appearance, doing his best to stand in the shadows watching me. Creed would say protecting me. Uh-huh. At least the soldier was on the phone, pacing back and forth and very animated by his conversation.
What was it with sexy billionaires? They believed themselves too good to watch a movie while eating popcorn and refused to take a dip in a pool? I found myself giggling from the thought as I leaned against the edge of the pool. If only the man didn’t excite me as much as he did. Maybe then I could get control of my emotions.
Was it possible to lose your mind after hearing something as horrible as what Creed had told me? I was doing my best to shove the idea of the hunt aside but what he and his brothers had gone through was truly shocking. At least he’d seemed as if a burden had been lifted by telling me what he’d been through.
I felt the same, although it would seem we were trying too hard to be normal. I hadn’t realized until meeting Creed that while I’d done my best to pretend I’d come from a loving family, I had no clue what it meant to be normal in any way. After leaving California, I’d promised myself I would easily fit in as a typical girl, a ballet dancer, eventually a wife and mother.
I hadn’t understood that I had no skills for anything other than dancing.
Until now.
Maybe Creed had seen the fucked-up girl from afar, his insightfulness pulling us together, no matter how unconventional his methods. I laughed and took the last sip of my wine.
I’d seen two more guards pacing the shoreline, but I was now peacefully alone, able to relax to some degree. I shifted to the bank of concrete stairs leading from the pool, easing my empty glass onto the table before grabbing a towel and wrapping it around my waist. I snagged the plexiglass stem, still marveling Creed had fake or cheap anything inside his house, heading to the outdoor kitchen to refill it.
Why not?
All practices were cancelled for several days because of what had happened with Jonas. That much I’d learned. Nothing else. My phone had been confiscated, and no landlines were present inside the house. I poured the glass full, barely hearing the chatter of whatever television program was on. I’d insisted on touching and turning on everything. I could live in the bathhouse, the building at least three thousand square feet complete with two bedrooms and a combined kitchen and entertainment space to die for.
Yet nothing had been broken in. Why bother having such luxuries if you didn’t use them? I took a sip of wine, wondering what business he had to attend to. I sat down on one of the barstools, quickly glancing at the television. Some talk show was on. I pressed my elbow onto the bar’s surface, resting my chin in my hand as I studied the water.
A full minute ticked by. Maybe three. At least the gorgeous late afternoon sun was adding a glow across the water. It also made it hard to see anything. Maybe the man could spring for a pair of sunglasses at some point.
I almost laughed because that sounded perfectly normal to me. Maybe I could take a little walk along the shore. That wasn’t against the rules. Right? Just before I eased off the stool, I heard a break in the news report.
And almost instantly my skin began to crawl.
“In breaking news, we’ve just learned that Jonas Carrington, the only child of the city’s prominent district attorney Sebastian Carrington was found murdered in his apartment two days ago. While there are no current leads, given Mr. Carrington’s work prosecuting several members of organized crime, the FBI has become involved.”
Murdered. He had been murdered. Why say it was suicide? Oh, God.
I turned toward the television, lifting my head to study the report. Seeing Jonas’ face brought back the horror and sadness. I pressed my hand across my mouth, tears already forming in my eyes.
“It is also worthy of noting,” the reporter continued, “that law runs in the family blood, District Attorney Carrington’s own father murdered over twenty-five years before by a man once considered the godfather of New York, Armand Marcello, who was convicted for the crime and in a surprising outcome, was sentenced to thirty years in prison. He was released a few months ago, and the FBI is currently in the process of locating his whereabouts. It is reported that he is in the process of re-establishing his position as the preeminent Don not only in New York City, but the country.” The man jabbered on about Armand’s past hold, his ruthless empire considered one of the most brutal and corrupt to ever take the reins in the Big Apple.
As a series of images were flashed across the screen, my stomach lurched, the fog I’d experienced before returning. No. It wasn’t possible. It couldn’t be. I turned around, unable to comprehend what I’d just seen or what it could mean.
But there was no denying the man depicted on the television was the same man my mother had coveted and mourned for over two decades. I almost fell to my knees, forced to grab the edge of the bar.
My father was a crime lord? Just like Creed. There was no coincidence. Creed had sought me out for a reason. Oh, God.
I’d heard about stories like this, the children of the most powerful crime lords used as pawns, victimized and often killed. As I glanced toward the set of French doors, I was certain Kane or Christen was watching me like a hawk as they did when Creed left the room or the house.
I had to get away. I wasn’t going to be used. Why hadn’t Mother told me? Maybe she didn’t know. Maybe she couldn’t bear the realization she’d spawned a child with a real-life monster?
I moved around the pool, fighting the urge to run as much as I could. When I noticed he’d left a set of keys on the small table next to his glass of wine, I bit my lower lip, a thought coming to mind. The boats. He had a key on his ring. Wouldn’t he? Maybe.
Kane was nowhere. Where had the man gone?
A single tear slipped past my lashes, but I was finished with being anyone’s pawn. No more. No wonder my mother had basically lost her mind and her career. If anyone had found out, she would have lost everything. Wait. Maybe that’s exactly what had occurred.
Calm down. You need to calm down.
I took several deep breaths, uncertain what the best course of action would be. It didn’t make sense I would be here with Creed. Unless… He was using me to get to my… father. I had to learn. I glanced at the windows before throwing a look toward the lake. Seeing no one in either direction, I headed inside the house, taking careful steps as I moved toward Creed’s office.
As I rounded the last corner leading to the door in question, Kane walked past me only ten feet ahead of me, coming in from the outside. Sucking in my breath, I pushed myself against the wall, crowding closer very carefully.
“Did you find something?” Creed growled.
“Yeah,” Kane responded. “It would appear your discussion with Frederico worked. He made a nonformal announcement that I was sent a copy of that his son died tragically in an accident.”
I took a deep breath. In the world of crime lords, the lengths that were required were merciless. “That will infuriate the New York clan if Antonio was working with the Romanos.”
While I had no idea what he was talking about, I sensed it was of tremendous importance to Creed’s empire.
“True. And there’s something else. You were right to bring Bella here. Armand is her father. He’s been keeping tabs on her since learning of her birth.”
“Fuck. I knew it. I’m glad I followed my instincts.”
I had to bite my tongue to keep from squealing.
“I take it you are using her as a pawn in this twisted game,” Kane said gruffly.
That was all I needed to hear. What I’d shared with Creed had been a lie. I’d been stupid or had lost my mind for believing for even one second the ruthless bastard could ever care about me. I backed down the hall, struggling to keep from sobbing openly.
Get away. You need to get the hell out of here.
At least my inner voice was trying to protect me since it was apparent no one else could. When I was at the door, I turned and headed back to the pool, pacing the area as I wrung my hands. This was crazy. No, the entire situation had been a vicious game.
Before I realized what I’d done, I’d snatched Creed’s keys from the table, curling my fingers around them and heading to the set of deck stairs.
I was so sick inside, no longer able to believe anything about my past or the brief but electric connection with a man I could no longer trust. I was close to laughing hysterically, not realizing I’d walked onto the grass, heading toward the water. Let anyone dare try to stop me. By the time I was twenty feet from the shore, I was close to hyperventilating. I’d had a right to know who my father was. Why didn’t she tell me? Embarrassment? A threat made?
My heart was racing and I looked over my shoulder and all around me, not seeing a single soldier. When I turned my attention toward the two boats, I realized one of them wasn’t that big. Was it possible I could get away, seeking help? From whom I wasn’t so certain at this point but there had to be someone. Marcia. She would take me in. Right? I had to warn Grace and Tonya. They had no idea they might be in danger.
Were they in danger?
Had Jonas been murdered because of who his father was and his grandfather? Wait a minute. If my father had been released from prison, was he retaliating for being convicted? Nothing was making any sense, but my gut told me to run.
As fast and as far away as possible.
After scanning the area for a second time, I took quick but careful steps toward the dock, praying to God I could get away.
Please. Please. Please.
I refused to stay here with a fucking bastard who’d lied to me.
Creed
I wanted to crush the phone between my fingers. “I’m not going to use her as bait if that’s what you mean, Kane. She doesn’t deserve that level of bullshit.” How the fuck had something as huge as Armand Marcello having a daughter not been discovered? Maybe that’s why Bella’s mother had turned toxic. She’d been threatened. Why would the man not provide some money for support?
It hadn’t mattered the man had been behind bars all this time. He’d still had at least some control over his troops, his empire, his offshore bank accounts. Unless he’d been worried his enemies would go to any length to end his notorious career.
When his phone rang, I almost snarled. If Kane had easily managed to secure her DNA, then that might have been Gregor’s objective. Or… I moved toward the window, trying to put the pieces together, not paying any attention to what Kane was saying behind me.
“Fuck,” Kane hissed a few seconds later. “You are not going to believe this.”
“At this point, I’ll believe anything.”
“I have a feeling this Jonas kid was indeed killed in retaliation, possibly by Armand. His father, Sebastian Carrington is the son of the man Armand killed and Sebastian was already making noise about taking down the rest of the man’s empire. But there’s fucking more.”
I walked closer, noticing a bead of sweat was trickling down one side of his face. “What?”
“Maybe I’m wrong or maybe a war had just started. Armand was found murdered, his body washing up on shore.”
“What the fuck?”
He snorted. “Yeah, and there’s a rumor Gregor was working with Armand, which is why he was in town in the first place, to meet with the South American. I don’t know if it’s true but none of this can be coincidental.”
“Where the fuck is Gregor?”
“He wasn’t killed alongside the man if that’s what you’re asking. I have a couple men heading to his apartment right now.”
“Good. The Romanos must be behind this shitstorm. Find out about where Carlos is. There is a chance, not that I should give a shit, the man and his empire have also been compromised.” And if Nico believed for one second Bella was going to be forced to marry Alessandro to ensure a tight hold on New York, the fucking Italian was out of his goddamn mind.
“Yeah, will do.”
We both heard footsteps seconds later, two of my perimeter soldiers rushing in. Both looked harried.
“Boss. We got a problem. The perimeter has been breached. Three cameras disabled.”
“Fuck.” I swung around to the window, trying to locate Bella. When I noticed she was headed toward the dock, I reacted instantly, throwing open the doors. “Lock down the estate. Kill anyone who isn’t one of ours.”
I raced outside and for the first time in as long as I could remember, I wasn’t just angry someone had refused my orders.
I was terrified that by doing so, the woman I couldn’t live without would get herself killed. I couldn’t allow that to happen.
Bella
Anger.
Sadness.
Hatred.
I felt so many emotions, including betrayal. I don’t know what I was expecting from a man like Creed. He was a user. I had to face facts. I had been a pawn and nothing else. I shoved aside the sobs, the tears, and my hatred long enough to try to think clearly.
Once I stepped onto the wooden surface of the deck, I hurried toward the boat I thought I could handle, shaking all over as I fought to untie it from the mooring post. It didn’t appear too big or too complicated. It was the only way I had of escaping. I’d never get around the number of soldiers Creed had ordered to surround the property. Even running through the woods wouldn’t do anything. I’d be found easily, the man’s masterful skills at hunting never far from my mind.
He’d slaughtered people. He’d tracked them down like they were wild animals. How could anyone do something like that?
I hopped onto the boat, studying the controls. It was a power boat, a little larger than the one I’d driven now what seemed like a lifetime ago, but it couldn’t be that hard. Right?
I fumbled with the keys, trying my best to act nonchalant, even easing onto one of the captain’s chairs at an angle so I could pay attention to see if anyone had noticed me. From what I remembered, the key was smaller than a car key but not tiny. I found four that could work. The first and second were a no go. My nerves kicked in and I dropped the keys underneath the seat.
As I struggled to reach them, I heard what had to be loud voices. The moment I managed to snag the ring, I slowly lifted my head. Why were two of the soldiers running toward the house? I had to hurry. I could feel it. I did what I could to control my nerves, hissing when the third key didn’t work. Maybe I’d been wrong. Now what? I had one more key to try. When I slipped it in, I was rewarded and almost shouted gleefully.
Get control. You can do this.
Right. I was so far in over my head I had no clue what I was doing. Not really. But I thought about what my previous boyfriend had taught me. Activate the choke. Turn it to an on position. Wait for the warning lights to go off. Press the primer bulb until it’s firm. I counted to five, the voices sounding as if they were getting closer. I didn’t have any time left. Someone was running toward me and I was certain I heard my name being called.
As soon as I turned the key to the start position, the engine roaring to life, I glanced over my shoulder. I was right. Creed was running toward me, waving his arms.
Pop. Pop. Pop.
What the hell was that?
I struggled to keep my mind on what I was trying to do, finally figuring out how to pull the boat away from the dock. It wasn’t graceful but I managed it just as Creed jumped onto the dock. I could hear him yelling and I could hear something else.
Gunfire.
Pop! Pop! Pop!
“Bella. No!”
Boom!