Chapter 29
BELLA
“This has to be a fucking joke,” Rowan huffs as we’re dragged out of the police car. The handcuffs bite into my wrists, leaving red marks.
He twists his head back, eyes blazing as an officer grabs my arm. “Get your fuckin’ hands off her,” he snarls. “I told you it was all me. And get me my lawyer, or I’ll have all your heads spinning.”
I glare at Rowan, silently begging him to shut the fuck up before he makes it worse. Luckily, Rowan thought quick on his feet and gave Lily the keys to the Range Rover. Hopefully she can get us some help. Because, what the fuck is happening?
The officer hesitates, then releases me. I follow behind Rowan, my chin high even though my stomach is in a knot.
At the door he stops and turns his head. “It’s all going to be okay, baby. I promise. Don’t say a word in there.”
My lips stay tight. I nod once.
“I’ve got you, remember.” He winks as the officer pushes him inside.
We’re taken straight into one of the interview rooms to the left, fluorescent lights buzzing overhead. My eyes go wide when I see him sitting there without a care in the world, a predator lounging in a suit.
Reggie.
His eyes snap from mine to Rowan’s. “What the fuck are you two playing at?” he snaps.
I straighten my spine, the steel in my voice matching his. “The guy grabbed me.”
He rubs a hand over his face, turns to Rowan. “I said protect her. Not get her in a bar fight and end up in jail.”
I scoff. “If I end up in jail for this, then someone has lied to me. What kind of mafia family gets arrested for a fight?”
Reggie’s nostrils flare as he stands, storming toward me. I press my back to the wall but tip my chin up, defying him.
“Now? You really want to push my buttons now, Princess?” His voice drops low, dangerous.
I nod, lips curling into a grin. “You wanna marry me in jail, Irish? You know what— I’d have more company in prison than I do in your home.”
He scoffs, inhaling like he’s counting to ten. “Watch your tone with me.”
I step forward, heat licking at my veins. “Or what?”
His eyes flick down my body, fists clenching like he’s holding himself together by threads.
“I’ll leave you both here to rot,” he says, a grin playing at the corner of his mouth.
“No, you won’t. You need this alliance, remember? I’m important.” My heart races as he lowers his face until we’re eye to eye.
“I need you as my wife.”
“Well, start behaving like a husband,” I snap back.
The air crackles, thick as a thunderstorm.
“Bro.” Rowan clears his throat, cuffs rattling as he shifts. “Get me out of these cuffs, or I will headbutt you. Joke’s over. We get it. We’ll behave from now on.”
A grin tugs at my lips. “Yes. Sir,” I pout.
Reggie’s eyes burn into mine. “Don’t.” His voice is a warning, a blade.
“Don’t what?”
I glance at Rowan, who’s leaning against the wall wide-eyed, watching us like we’re two wild animals circling each other.
“Call me that. You don’t deserve to.”
I lick my lips, a smirk curling. “Don’t ever call me Princess again then.”
Silence drops heavy. Rowan whistles under his breath like a referee waiting for someone to throw the first punch.
And for the first time since stepping into this family’s world, I realize Reggie isn’t the only one on edge. I am too, and it’s a razor’s edge neither of us wants to back away from.