Chapter 13
BELLA
I’ve been up since six a.m., and I’m already bored out of my skull. Am I a prisoner here? Surely not. This is a marriage, not a kidnapping.
Well. Shit. I’ve spent weeks running away from this problem rather than actually trying to learn anything about it. And here I am.
Grabbing my phone, I stab Theo’s number. My brother dearest.
“Alright, Bel?” he grumbles.
“Yeah. I made it to America fairly unscathed. Thanks,” I shoot back, sarcasm dripping.
“I’m sorry,” he sighs heavily. “I didn’t know what else to do that didn’t make you hate me.”
I laugh, he’s fucking ridiculous sometimes. This is why he’s single, Theo. He does not understand women.
“So you thought—oh, I know—I’ll send some scary-ass Irish man she’s never met to drag her out of a party?” I snap.
“When you say it like that…” he trails off, sheepish.
“Exactly.” I jab my finger at the counter like he can see me. “I will be kicking you in the balls for this. But for now, I have questions.”
“Shoot,” he mutters, already sounding wary.
“What are my expectations here for this alliance? Like, I’m not a prisoner, right? I can leave the house? Get a job?”
He chuckles, the sound now infuriating. “Because how many days have you been employed in your life, Bella?”
“I’ve spent years fixing the family’s financial messes, actually,” I retort, pacing across the spotless kitchen.
“What job do you want? I’m sure I can speak to Declan,” he offers.
I stop mid-step, frowning. “Who the fuck is Declan?”
“The boss there,” he replies matter-of-factly.
I throw my hand in the air. “I’m not even marrying the boss? Who the hell is Reggie?”
“One of his top men,” Theo says firmly. “And most importantly, single men.”
I roll my eyes so hard it hurts. “Right. So I’m free to live my life here?”
“Bella.” His tone sharpens, carrying that warning edge that frightens most men. “You need to settle in first. It’s not exactly safe there right now. You gotta listen to Reggie.”
“Great.” I flop back against the counter, glaring at the ceiling. “So I’m a houseplant.”
“A what?” he asks, confused.
“A fucking houseplant,” I snap. “He talks to me, waters me so I stay alive. Little bit of sunlight, but I don’t move.”
“You’re so dramatic, Bel,” he mutters.
“You fucking try overhauling your entire life against your will. Prick,” I growl.
“Easy,” he warns. “Remember who you’re talking to.”
“Ah yes. Our King of Kings,” I bite out, unable to stop myself. “What’s Mom got to say about this, huh?”
There’s a long pause on the other end.
“I haven’t told her yet,” he admits quietly. “Bella, she’s in a psych ward for a reason. She is not well.”
Tears sting my eyes, and I grip the edge of the counter until my knuckles ache. I hate seeing her like this. I almost ended up there with her. But I masked it. I had to. Mom… she lost her other half. It killed her too.
“We need this alliance to keep our position strong here, so nothing else happens to our family,” Theo insists.
His voice is firm and mafia boss-like, but there’s something soft underneath it.
“I’m doing this for all of us. And I promise, your sacrifices here are valued.
We love you, and we will look after you.
So will the Quinns. This isn’t a prison.
Just a little relocation for a while. You might even like it there if you give it a shot. Please?”
I suck in a shaky breath, nails digging into the marble countertop. “You know I’d do anything for my dumbass brothers,” I mutter. “But it doesn’t mean I won’t be a brat about it first.”
Theo laughs, finally, the sound loosening the tight knot in my chest. “In true Bella fashion.”
“Okay.” I straighten, determination sparking in me again. “Well, I’m gonna go stalk my future husband’s cupboards and rooms. See what I can blackmail him with.”
“Bella King,” he warns sharply, but I can hear the amusement. “Do not.”
“Too late. Love you, byeee.”
I hang up before he can protest again, the dial tone buzzing in my ear.
Houseplant, my ass.
I scope the random drawers of paperwork and charging leads. Everything is neat and organized. Nothing interesting. So I head to the stairs. Maybe his dirty secrets are up here. But, as I approach them, I spot a hallway.
So I let my inquisitive nature win and follow it all the way to a black door. It kinda looks like a front door. I pull on the handle, and it opens straight into another hallway.
What the hell.
I keep following it down until I reach another grand kitchen. Except this one is navy with gold finishes. And a few cups scattered around. I keep going to the lounge. The walls are covered in bright graffiti art, with a red leather couch.
It’s completely different from the house I’m living in. Is this Reggie’s home for another personality of his?
I stop still when I hear the shower turn on upstairs. Is this asshole living in an entirely different home to avoid me?
I stomp up the stairs and follow the sound of the water. Pausing when I reach the door at the deep, full-pelted singing coming from behind it.
No way. I may barely know Reggie, but I don’t have him down as a rock singer in his shower time. Some things just don’t suit him.
I slowly push open the door, my mouth dropping open. Holy motherfucking shit. It is him.
His eyes snap up to mine and my heart stops.
The six-pack? His huge dick in his tattooed hand.