Chapter Twenty-One
Bella
“Steaks, baked potatoes, corn on the cob, and a roasted beet and pumpkin salad,” I announce, looking over at my spread. Julianna was going to cook tonight, but I offered and told her she could rest instead. I like looking after her when I can.
“If you don’t marry her, I will,” Jeremiah jokes, rubbing his hands together with glee and ignoring the death stare River sends his way.
“It looks incredible,” River says, kissing my temple and then taking a seat. “We’d normally just order something in, so this is really nice. Thank you.”
“You’re welcome,” I say, smiling as I watch them all dig in.
“Oh my God, the meat is so tender,” Jag says, moaning. “Can you live here forever, please?”
“You don’t even know if you’re here forever,” Corey says, laughing. “But yes, I agree. Never leave us, Bella.”
We finish up the meal together, and I save some for Romeo and Julianna, who haven’t returned, and then bring out dessert. “I made some brownies and bought some vanilla ice cream.”
The way they look at me makes me laugh, like they’ve just seen the sun for the first time. We’ve all just finished dessert when we hear a loud bang, making me jump.
River is the first up, his eyes going to me. “You and Corey get in my bedroom and lock the door, now.”
He runs to the front, along with the other men, and I grab Corey’s arm and try to lead her away. But when we hear a gunshot, we both look at each other.
“What if one of them got shot?” she says, starting to freak out. “I’m not going to lose someone else I love and just stand around and do nothing. I can’t go through that again!”
I try to hold on to her, but she pushes me off and runs to the front of the house.
“Corey!” I call, chasing after her. River is going to be pissed, but I can’t let her go out there alone. When I step outside and look around, I’m shocked at what I see.
Mark is standing there pointing a gun at River.
Corey has been shoved behind Jag to protect her, and Jeremiah is on the ground, shot in the arm. River’s eyes widen in fear when he sees me out in the open.
“What are you doing, Mark?” I ask, trying to ignore the fact that my ex-boyfriend is pointing a gun at the man I love. “Come on, this isn’t you. And we haven’t done anything to you.”
Besides beat him and hold him hostage.
“She said she will return Sarah if I kill Romeo. Where is he? I’m sorry, but I’ll do anything to get her back. I don’t want to hurt you, Bella. Just go back inside,” he calls out, returning his gaze to River. “Call Romeo, now, and tell him to come back to the clubhouse.”
He has officially lost his mind.
River gets his phone out of his jeans pockets and dials Romeo. I can’t hear what he says, but I’m sure he somehow gives Romeo a heads-up that shit isn’t great here right now. Julianna does not need to come here; if she gets hurt while pregnant, I’ll never forgive myself. I slowly move over to Jeremiah and take off my cardigan, wrapping it around his arm to help stop the bleeding.
“You okay?” I ask quietly.
He nods. “Yeah, I’m fine. Or at least I will be. We need to take this guy out.”
“Why don’t you let the women and Jeremiah go inside? He needs medical attention. I’ll wait with you until Romeo gets here,” River suggests to Mark, staying calm and collected.
Mark considers it, looking over at me and Jeremiah, then nods. “The women can go inside. Everyone else wait out here.”
River looks at me. “Bella, take Corey and go inside.”
I nod, wanting to call Julianna to make sure she doesn’t come here. “Corey, come on.”
She doesn’t move, so I grab her arm and pull her back inside. “We need to warn Julianna,” I tell her, getting my phone off the table and calling her number. Corey goes to her bedroom. Julianna doesn’t pick up, so I send her a text.
Bella: Do not come to the clubhouse. Mark is here with a gun. He wants Romeo dead.
When Corey comes back out with a gun in her hands, my eyes widen in shock. “Ah, Corey! What are you doing? Do you know how to use that thing?”
She nods. “I was raised a Devil. I don’t know what they did with you Angels, but here women were taught how to use a gun. I know exactly what I’m doing. If I had a sniper rifle, I could probably take him out without having to go there. But all I have is my nine-millimeter Glock.”
Wait, what?
I look at the gun in her hands, which just looks like a handgun to me. “Corey, don’t do anything stupid. River will never forgive me if something happens to you.”
And I will never forgive her if something happens to him.
My phone beeps with a text from Julianna.
Julianna: I’m safe at Grandma’s. Romeo is going there with some men. Coming up from the back. You guys stay inside.
“Corey, we need to stay inside—Julianna just texted, look.” I show her the message, and she stops in her tracks.
“Okay, okay, I’ll wait,” she agrees.
Thank goodness.
Bella: I’m inside with Corey. Men are out front. Mark is alone and pointing a gun at River. Jeremiah is shot but just a flesh wound.
Julianna: Hide in your room just in case. Stay safe.
I grab Corey and do as we’re told. I just need to hope that Romeo comes in time, and that nothing happens to River.
When we hear another gunshot, we both share a look. Now I’m jealous that I don’t know how to use a goddamn gun. It’d be pretty useful right about now.
I don’t want to see Mark dead, but if someone has to go down, I’d rather it be him.