Love Betrayal

Chapter Thirty

River

“Dad loves the idea of sending Cathy away to a home on the other side of the country,” Romeo says. “He has some connections there and knows someone who would keep a close eye on her to make sure she doesn’t leave the private home.” We’re about to go for an overdue ride as a group, and I for one can’t wait. “He’s heading out to look into it in a few days.”

“And Rosalind?” I ask, wondering about the second wicked witch.

Romeo scowls at the mere mention of her name. “Yeah, I’d like to see what they do with her, but I’m guessing it’s going to be a big fat fucking nothing because she’s Daddy’s little girl. I’m giving him that respect as our ex-president and Julianna’s father, for now. But I said what I mean—if she steps out of line again, we will be handling her. I suggested that he marry her off somewhere, because she’s not wanted around here. And the Angels love marrying their women off, so what’s the big deal now?”

I laugh, because he does have a point. Julianna was meant to marry Victor at her father’s decree, but obviously that was scrapped when Romeo married her instead, and Victor...died. So why not marry off Rosalind? To someone who doesn’t know what a snake she is.

Bella stays back with Julianna, Corey and Jag while the rest of us head out for a taste of freedom. It’s been a while since we had a ride like this, and I enjoy every second of it. The only thing that would make it better would be to have Bella on the back of my bike.

When we make our first stop at a biker bar, I see Damon pull up to join us. I haven’t seen him since we saved Corey, and I know I should say something to him. I wait until we’re inside at the bar ordering a drink.

“Hey, I just wanted to say thank you for your help that day,” I say, clearing my throat. “I could tell you did care about her and would have done anything to save her. So thank you.”

“You don’t need to thank me,” he replies, gray eyes giving nothing away. “You aren’t the only person in the world who can care about her.”

He takes his drink and walks off, leaving me feeling like an asshole. But I said what I came to say, and yeah, I probably could have added in an apology, but I still don’t think he should have been kissing my sister out in the open like he would with any woman. She’s not any woman.

“He’s a good guy,” Romeo says, smirking. “But no one will be good enough for Corey, will they?”

“I don’t know, I’ll let you know if I ever meet anyone,” I reply, taking a sip of ice-cold beer.

Romeo laughs and sits down on the barstool. “I feel sorry for whoever ends up with her, let me tell you that much.”

“You could be having a daughter soon, so I wouldn’t say anything if I were you,” I reply, grinning.

He sighs, and rubs the back of his neck, suddenly stressed. “I think it’s going to be a boy, but if it’s a girl who looks like Julianna, I’ll be in deep shit. Are you and Bella going to get married? Have kids?”

Now I’m the one sweating. “Yes. I mean, I know she’s the one for me. But I don’t think I’m in any rush to have kids. I’ve got my hands pretty full with everything else that’s been going on right now.”

“Uh-huh,” he replies, amused. “And the marriage side of it?”

“I’ll get there,” I say, clearing my throat. The truth is I never thought I’d be a man getting married and having kids. But Bella has changed all of that for me. I do picture myself doing those things with her, but that doesn’t mean I’m ready to rush in right now and propose. “We’ve only just started living together, so let’s wait a few months.”

“Women don’t like to wait,” he reminds me, arching his brow. “If I were you, I’d start looking at rings and thinking about these things.”

Romeo and Julianna got married very quickly and in secret, so I don’t think he’s the one to go to for advice on this one. As if reading my mind, he says, “When you know, you know.”

And I do know.

But there’s also no rush. I will get there when I’m ready. Or when she’s ready, I suppose. Shit, I suppose that’s another conversation that needs to be had.

I know that ultimately I’d give her whatever she wanted.

It’s dark outside by the time I get home, and I feel like today has filled my cup. But I’m also excited to get home and see what Bella is up to.

Fuck, who am I?

I’ve gotten used to having her around, to coming home to her, and I’m just enjoying these moments every day. I’ve gone from seeing her a few nights a week, if that, and sometimes having no contact for days, to being with her every moment I can.

I don’t know what she’s done to me.

I find them all playing pool in the games room, Corey sitting at the bar having a drink while Bella and Julianna are deep in a game.

Bella beams when she sees me, and throws her arms around me. “There you are. I’m about to beat Julianna, I’m glad you’re here to witness this moment.”

Julianna drinks some pickle juice while she waits for her turn. “Yeah, yeah, keep rubbing it in.”

Romeo comes to find his wife, picks her up and carries her out. Julianna laughs and pokes her tongue out.

“Wait, I’m about to beat her!” Bella calls out, reaching for her.

Luckily Corey steps in to play. After she wins, we have dinner and then go to bed.

It was a normal day, with no guns, violence, kidnapping or drama. A day that started and ended with Bella in my arms.

I must be getting old, because it was pretty fucking great.

I think I could get used to this.