Chapter Fifteen
Bella
I wake up naked, with some coffee, pancakes and a letter next to my bed.
Gone with Romeo.
Message me if you need anything, or Jag is there—he can go get whatever you need.
See you this evening,
Love, River
Smiling, I sit up and eat my breakfast before getting in the shower. I take my time, washing my hair and shaving, apparently not in a rush this morning. It’s 9 AM by the time I’m ready to leave the bedroom. I take my laptop with me and sit outside in the sunshine with Hades doing zoomies around the garden, while I answer some work emails and catch up on life administration.
I notice Jag open the sliding door and pop his head out. “You need anything?” he asks.
“No, I’m okay. Is Julianna still here?” I ask.
“No, she went to run some errands and do some grocery shopping for the clubhouse,” he explains, coming outside and sitting next to me. “Jeremiah is with her—can never be too careful.”
“You’re not upset you’re stuck here with me?” I ask, using my hands to shield the sun so I can see his face.
He shakes his head. “No, of course not. I do what’s needed to help out. The fact that River trusts me to stay with you means a lot to me too, especially after Romeo told him that I tried hitting on you. So he obviously knows I find you attractive, but he trusts me to act right.”
“It really wasn’t that big of a deal,” I assure him.
He smiles sheepishly. “Thanks. Let me know if you want to go anywhere or need anything. I’m going to be in the gym getting a workout in.”
“Okay, sounds good.”
He disappears and I finish up my work until it’s lunchtime, then I wander inside, where Jeremiah is carrying in bags and bags of food. I help him unload it all and smile when I notice that Julianna has stocked all my favorite snacks and drinks.
“She’s so sweet,” I comment.
“River told her to get everything you like—he gave her his credit card and said to buy whatever,” Jeremiah says, placing the pack of bottled water in the fridge. “I don’t think that man could say no to you if he tried.”
I mean, how could I not love that man?
He definitely spoils me.
My phone beeps. Could he sense I was thinking about him?
But unfortunately, it’s not River at all.
Mark: You got any information on Victor yet?
Fucking Mark.
I send River a text, keeping him updated.
“Hey,” Corey says, stepping into the kitchen with bags full of shopping. “I did a little retail therapy and you’re the only woman here right now so I’m going to need to show you everything.”
I put down my phone to give her my full attention. “Okay, let’s move to the living room so I can get comfortable.”
Once I’m sitting on the couch, she starts showing me all her purchases: new jeans and tops, dresses and sneakers. She has good taste, and everything is really cute.
“Is there an occasion for this?” I ask, inspecting the items.
She puts the shoebox back in the bag. “Not really. Matthew...” She trails off. “He had a lot of money in his bank account when he died, and River gave half to me and half to our mom. And I rarely spend any of it, so I thought I’d treat myself. More as a distraction than anything.”
“Do you see your mom?” I ask, and she shakes her head.
“Not since Matthew died. We had a big fight and it was kind of a bad one. She blamed me,” she says, swallowing hard. “Apparently I shouldn’t have been out in the first place, and I’m the one who got him into the fight. She told me it was my fault. She lost her favorite child, so of course she blamed her least favorite child.”
“It was no one’s fault except Victor’s,” I say, frowning. “You did nothing wrong, you just happened to be there the night it happened.” Unlike me, Corey really was just an innocent bystander.
“I know,” she replies, smiling sadly. “She just needed someone to blame. River still sees our mom. He asks me to go with him sometimes, but I’m not ready just yet. She’s been through a lot, so I know he feels bad for her. You know River, he has a hero complex. He wants to save everyone.”
I’ve never thought of it like that, probably because most people are scared of River and he’s not known as a people person, but I can see how he would appear like that to his baby sister.
“I saw you chatting with Damon at the party—what was that all about?” I tease, lightening the mood with a change of subject.
She rolls her eyes, but I don’t miss the sudden flush in her cheeks. “I don’t even know—that was my first time seeing him. He’s obviously hot, and I’m guessing used to women falling at his feet, so I wasn’t going to give him that satisfaction. I called him a short king to humble him—he told me he’s over six feet, so I said oh, sorry, it doesn’t look like you are. I suppose it’s gaslighting, isn’t it?”
I burst out laughing. “A short king? Oh my God, he would have loved that one.”
“Yeah, it works on all men; they have such fragile egos. Not that there’s anything wrong with short men,” she adds quickly. “I just don’t have time or the space to have my heart broken any further.”
“That’s very insightful of you,” I say, helping her pack up the rest of her shopping items. “And you know if you ever need anything, I’m here for you. No judgment.”
She smiles. “Thanks, Bella. I’m glad that River has you. It means I don’t have to worry about him anymore. Because he’s your problem.”
I laugh. “Yes, I guess he is. And I’m his.”
“I always wanted a sister,” she adds, hazel eyes lighting up in a childlike way. “Maybe I lost a sibling, but I’ll also gain one.”
“Okay, you’re going to make me cry if you don’t stop,” I say, clearing my throat.
She stands up, grabbing all her bags with her. “I’m going to put this stuff away in my room. Thanks for the chat.”
“Anytime,” I call out as she leaves.
My mind roams back to Mark’s message, and when Julianna returns from running errands, I bring it up with her.
“How should I reply?” I ask. “Do I want him to think I’m helping him? I think that buys some more time.”
We had a very long discussion before Romeo and River came home yesterday. I could tell how disappointed she was in me. But like I said to River, I own my mistakes. I refuse to leave the blame on anyone but myself and I think she appreciates that.
“Yeah, I think you should just reply saying that you’re asking around and trying to see what everyone knows, or something. You have to play the game, too,” she says. “If you ignore him, he’ll probably discount the idea of you helping, and who knows what his next move will be.”
Bella: I’m seeing what I can find out. You said I had a week.
I read it out loud to her before I hit Send.
“Yeah, that’s good. God, he’s such an asshole,” she adds, shaking her head. “Little weasel. Was he good in bed at least? He better have been for all the shit you have to deal with when it comes to him.”
“I thought he was, but after being with River...he pales in comparison,” I reply quietly, and the two of us are giggling together when River himself walks in with Romeo.
“What are you two up to?” he asks, amused.
“Nothing much, Mark texted me so we were talking about that.”
“What did he ask?” Romeo asks before River can, going into president mode.
I show them both my phone. “Seems desperate for this information. I wonder what’s on the line for him.”
“I don’t know. Maybe his job? Maybe he has to come up with something for all his time undercover?” I suggest, wincing when I realize I was his undercover job.
He was under some covers all right.
Not a bad job to have, even finish the night off with an orgasm on top of his salary.
“We need to find something on him quickly,” River growls, good mood disappearing. “I don’t like that he’s messaging you.”
“I don’t like it either, but I need to buy us the time to figure this out,” I say.
I don’t want to go to prison, and I don’t want anyone to get into trouble for me either.
Basically I need Mark to leave me and the club the hell alone.