36. Bella
THIRTY-SIX
Bella
I turn just in time to see Alex pointing his gun at my dad. My heart freezes, my breath catching in my throat. This can’t be happening.
All the doubts and fears come rushing back, the whispered warnings, the accusations. Was it all true? Was Alex only in this for the job? Is he really going to kill my father?
“Alex, please!” I beg, my voice breaking. “Don’t do this! Please, he’s my dad!”
Alex’s face is a mask of concentration, his eyes locked on his target. He doesn’t seem to hear me. My dad stands still, his eyes wide with a mix of fear and resignation. I scream as Alex pulls the trigger twice, the sound of the gunshots echoing in the confined space.
But instead of my father falling, two men behind him drop to the ground, lifeless. I gasp, the realization hitting me. Alex wasn’t aiming at my dad. He was saving him. Around me people are running, heading for the exits in a panic.
“Bella,” Alex says, lowering his gun and stepping towards me. His voice is calm, but I can see the tension in his eyes. “It’s over. Vince is dead.”
I’m still trembling, my heart pounding in my chest. “You killed him?”
My dad steps forward, his face pale. “I deserve to die for everything I’ve done. So much bloodshed because of me.”
Alex shakes his head, his gaze unwavering. “Make it up to her. Be the father she deserves.”
My dad looks at him, his eyes filled with a mix of guilt and hope. “You’re not the monster they told me you were.”
Alex glances at me, a softness in his eyes. “I was. Your daughter changed me.”
Tears fill my eyes as I look between them. I never imagined I’d see this moment, my dad and Alex standing together, not as enemies but as allies. Alex turns to me, his expression tender yet uncertain.
“Bella, I want to stay married to you. For good. But I’ll let you decide. If you want to leave, I won’t try to stop you. What do you want to do?”
His question hangs in the air, the weight of it pressing down on me. This is my choice, my future. Everything we’ve been through has led to this moment. My heart races as I consider his words, knowing that whatever decision I make will change my life forever.
I look at him, my heart pounding with a realization that’s been building for days. “Alex,” I say softly, stepping closer to him. “I want to stay with you. As long as you genuinely want me.”
He takes my hands in his, his gaze intense and unwavering. “I do, Bella. More than anything.”
Relief and joy wash over me. This is real. We’re real. I feel a warmth spread through my chest, knowing that we’ve both chosen this path together.
“The money we’ll make from the crop report,” he continues. “It’ll be enough for me to quit this job and follow my dream.”
I tilt my head, curious. “And what’s that? You never told me.”
He smiles, a hint of shyness in his expression that I’ve never seen before. “I’ve always wanted to be a writer. I want to write thrillers. Got some experience I could get on the page, I guess.”
A writer. I wouldn’t have predicted it, but it makes sense. The depth of his character, the way he handles complex situations—it all points to a creative mind. “That’s amazing, Alex. I know you’ll be great at it.”
My dad steps forward, his face softened by a newfound respect. “I misjudged you,” he says to Alex. “I’m sorry.”
Alex shakes his head. “No, you didn’t. But your daughter changed me. Showed me a world I never knew existed, a world of being cared for. She’s a good woman.”
Dad’s eyes glisten with unshed tears. “Thank you for keeping her safe. And for giving me another chance.”
Alex nods. “You’re both safe now. Let’s get you home.”
We drive in silence to my dad’s apartment, the weight of the day settling around us. When we arrive, I’m surprised to see the place tidied up. “What happened?” I ask. “Lily said it was chaos in here.”
“Had it tidied,” Alex says like it’s nothing. As we step inside, Alex’s phone rings. He glances at the screen and then answers. “Boss.”
I can hear Ricardo’s voice down the line, tense and demanding. “Is it true that Vince Russo is dead? How did that happen?”
Alex’s eyes meet mine as he responds. “He threatened my wife.”
He hangs up, his expression serious but calm. “There’s one last thing I need to do. Robert, catch you later.”
I nod, trusting him completely. “What is it you need to do?”
“I’ll show you.”
He takes my hand, leading me back to the car. “I need to make sure that everything we’ve fought for is secure. That means tying up one last loose end.”