Page 23

So she did. She told her father everything about the house being in disrepair and how it had to be fixed in a little under three weeks. She then went on to explain the issue with the pledges and how they’d lose everything if she didn’t fix both issues. Broaching the subject about Christoph and Jackson though, she couldn’t force the words past her lips. She worried her father would be disappointed in her. Stupid on her part. Their family was a mix of relationships. She didn’t have to worry about perception with any of them. Nonetheless, she held back.

“Well.” He looked around the room. “I can help with the repairs. I’ll call your uncles, and they’ll help, too. What I can’t do is fix your pledge issue.”

She didn’t expect him to. It wasn’t his responsibility to earn the pledges, it was hers and Hayden’s. “Oh, Daddy,” she cried. “That would be amazing. Are you sure they will come?”

He gave her a stern look and all but rolled his eyes at her. “Of course, they will. They’d do anything for you. If you have to ask such a silly question, I have to wonder what’s really happening here to get you so anxious.”

A knock came at the front door. Bell tensed. It had to be Christoph and Jackson. Darn it. She’d just calmed her father down. Plus, she wasn’t ready to tell her dad about them yet. Now, they were there, and she couldn’t stop the inevitable from happening.

“I got it!” Raquel moved quickly to the door before she could even get off the couch. “Hey. Come on in.” She stepped away from the entryway and Christoph entered. Bell gave a silent prayer of thanks when Jackson hadn’t joined him yet.

Christoph’s eyes immediately locked on to Bell’s then darted to her father who had his massive arm wrapped around her shoulder. A deep frown formed between Christoph’s sky-blue eyes and his body tensed.

“Hey.” She jumped up and out of her father’s hold. Hopefully, Christoph didn’t turn into a dominate Alpha lion and go after her dad. He’d lose. Her dad had the advantage. Older, bigger, and way more experienced. “Daddy surprised me and Zoe with a visit.”

“Your dad?” Christoph quirked a brow.

“What the hell? Why does everyone seem surprised I’m your dad?” Her father stood. She couldn’t help but notice he also puffed out his chest.

“Because you’re fucking hot,” Raquel answered.

“Ew, Raquel. No. Just no!” Bell rubbed her face. “Please don’t say those things about my dad.”

Christoph scooted around her, heading directly to her father. His whole demeanor relaxed, which, with her father, wasn’t always the smartest. “Hello, sir. I’m Christoph St. John.” He held out his hand toward her father. “We talked on the phone a few days ago.”

They talked on the phone? When? How? How come she hadn’t heard about—Oh right, she hadn’t seen either of her mates since the night of the party. She glanced between her father and her mate, waiting to see what would happen next, because she knew exactly how her father could get when he became possessive.

Rapier accepted the greeting while giving Christoph a once-over. “You’re the real reason I’m here. We need to talk.”

Christoph’s expression closed off at the mention of their conversation. What happened? She hated to admit she didn’t know much about Christoph other than he was supposed to be rich and the son of an Alpha in South Africa somewhere. What’s more pathetic on her part, is she knew even less about Jackson.

Then she jerked. “Wait a minute, you knew all along, didn’t you, Daddy?”

He gave her a blank stare. “About what?”

“About what,” she mimicked him.

“You were being mean to me even though you knew,” she pouted.

Rapier chuckled. “I wouldn’t be your father if I didn’t giveyoushit.”

Bell sighed. “I hate you, Daddy.” She crossed her arms and tapped her foot. “You’re so unfair sometimes.”

He tugged Bell into his arms and nuzzled her cheek. “I love you, princess. But I really do need to talk to Christoph.”

“Why?” The anger bled from her almost instantly.

“Personal business, princess.” He glanced down at her. “I have to talk to him first. If he chooses to tell you what’s going on, then it’s on him. Until then, it’s between him and me.”

“Okay.” She knew by her dad’s tone she couldn’t sway him. “But, I still don’t understand how you know each other.”

“It’ll be okay, kitten,” Christoph said, placing a kiss to the crown of Bell’s head. “Trust us.”

Rapier bristled before muttering under his breath. “I want you to come with me.” He motioned over his shoulder for Christoph to follow while Bell stayed close just in case.

“Yes, sir.”

“None of this sir bullshit. My name is Rapier. Use it.” Her father leaned down to kiss Bell’s forehead then opened the front door to step out.