Page 19 of Ma Belle Marguerite (Hidden Secrets #1)

She’s going to smack me for that one, I’m sure.

I intentionally don’t give her the address as I know she will be stubborn and drive herself here before D has a chance to get to her place and pick her up.

I put my phone away when I hear the elevator ding.

I need to concentrate on my “boss face.” Bella is making me too soft.

I cannot be seen that way in the office.

While this is just a front for the guns I smuggle for my father, everyone that works here knows who I am.

In my position, with power comes expectations.

As I walk to my office, I tell D without looking back, “Pick up Bella in an hour, and do not take no for an answer.”

I close my office door behind me and sit at my desk.

This past week has been crazy. I need time to process all of this.

So many things have been thrown at me at once, it seems. First, Amara and someone who is still unidentified tried to run me off the road and kill me, then Bella is back, and the icing on the top of the non-existent cake is that someone stole my private stash of guns.

My father is pressuring me to get married and have children of my own. What else could possibly go wrong?

I can only take so much at a time. Maybe having Bella back will get my father off my case about getting married.

He said she was a traitor when she left, but if she gets me to settle down maybe he will change his mind.

I don’t really care what he thinks anymore, though.

I’m not a teenager who can be scared into submission anymore.

If it comes down to choosing between Bella and my father, I won’t hesitate to take him out.

I know he won't consider the twins as heirs, as they're not mine, but I wouldn't want to put them in that position anyway. They don’t know this life, and I want to keep it that way as much as I can.

I pick up my phone and send my father a message. I don't dare call him because I know that it won't go well. I know he had someone specific in mind for me to marry, and although I have no clue who the girl is, I know changing that will piss him off.

I have found someone to marry. You know who it is and you cannot change my mind on this. This is the only way I will agree to a marriage and potentially having children to become heirs.

I will bring her to your house for family dinner on Wednesday.

Putting my phone down, I take a deep breath and consider that one problem off my plate for now. Getting Bella to agree is a whole other story, but I'll cross that bridge when we get there. I need to get her to move in first, then I can drop the ‘dinner with my parents’ bomb.

Before I can do anything, my phone starts to ring. My father’s name appears on the screen. Fuck this—I swipe to decline his call. He can leave a voicemail. I put my phone on silent so that I don’t have to hear it ring when he calls back a million times trying to get my attention.

The next hour passes quickly while I sit here and think about how I’m going to convince Bella to move herself and her children into my house today.

Bella has always been very independent and stubborn, so I know this is not going to be an easy feat.

That is one of the things I love about her.

She isn’t easy to push around and knows how to get what she wants.

I just prefer when she doesn’t use that stubbornness against me.

I hear a commotion outside my office, which draws me out of my thoughts. I get up and open the door to see what’s going on. Bella and D are arguing as they walk towards my office. D looks like he’s about to get knocked out, which is highly amusing for me.

He had never met Bella before today, so he has no idea how feisty she can be. They had only seen each other in passing at the hospital. He will learn quickly that she isn’t one to mess with. I should have warned him, but he’s a big guy and he can handle himself.

“Maybe next time you should have some manners, and I wouldn't lose my shit on you,” Bella growls at D. “You don't tell a woman what she is going to do. You ask politely and accept the answer that you are given. Don't be an asshole like Rex.”

Fuck, she’s sexy when she’s angry . I know that shouldn't be a turn-on, but everything she does turns me on. The way her nose scrunches and her eyes squint is adorable.

Her face gets all red, and she crosses her arms the same way she used when we were younger as D answers her, “I did have manners.” He looks almost scared. “You just didn't like what I was asking. I also have a boss who is a lot scarier than you. I was just following orders.”

He looks at me with a slight eye roll. “Good luck, boss. I’ll check in with Josh to see if he has found anything else and let you know.

” He turns and leaves before I even have a chance to answer him.

It must have been quite the ride here for him to tuck his tail and run.

He isn’t usually one to run from a fight.

Bella looks at me once she realizes D wasn't talking to her. “You are the most arrogant, impatient man I have ever met,” she says exasperatedly. I hear her mumble under her breath, “Bunch of fucking assholes around here.”

Trying to hide my amusement at the whole situation, I gesture towards my open door. “Come into my office, and we can talk.” Without waiting for an answer I turn and walk back into the room.

She reluctantly follows me while continuing to mumble to herself and closes the door behind her. She turns and looks around the room, surveying her surroundings and distracting her from her rant. I wonder what she thinks of my office.

I haven't decorated it, and I have nothing personal except for a photo of her and me from high school on my desk that she can't see from where she’s standing. It’s rather impressive now that I look around.

I couldn’t care less before, but I want her approval.

I should get her to decorate here, and maybe add a desk for her so she can be with me.

“Well, we better get started since you said you can't stay long,” I say. “I already told you that you’ll be making the same amount as your job at the hospital, so money should not be an issue. Plus, you’ll have free housing and travel for you and the children.

I will have my men at your house this afternoon to help you move the essentials to my place.

We can work out a time during the week that everything else can be moved over.

” Maybe glossing over it will make this easier. “I would like you to...”

Before I can continue any further, Bella looks at me like I have three heads.

“Did you not just hear what I said to D out there? Have you ever considered conversing with someone and not just demanding things?” She plops down into my chair behind the desk and spots the photograph of us on my desk but chooses to ignore it.

She continues her rant. “I will not be told what to do. I’m the one that does the bossing in my house. If you need something after school hours, you just have to make sure I have one of my babysitters available. There is nothing wrong with where I live now.”

Before she continues, I butt in, “It makes the most sense, Ma Belle . You will be working for me, and things may come up at the last minute. Besides, my line of work can be dangerous, as you know. Having you and the twins safe at my place will give me peace of mind.”

“No, you don’t—you don’t get to play that card.

That is not fair! You know I want my children to be safe.

” She huffs and glares at me. It’s all I can do not to reach across my desk, grasp her face, and kiss her.

“I will consider your opinions and text you tonight with what I decide. I don’t think I can listen to any more of this today.

Between you and D, I need a stiff drink.

” Bella moves to get up and tries to leave my office, but I get up quicker and step in her way before she makes it to the door.

Placing my hands on her hips, I pull her to me, lean close, and whisper into her ear, “ Ma Belle , things are different now. I will give you until eight o’clock tonight to be packed and ready, or I will put you over my shoulder and bring you to my place. Don’t push me; I will push back.”

I feel her body shiver under my touch, and I don't resist the urge to kiss softly down her neck, leaving a trail of goosebumps all the way to her collarbone. She doesn’t pull away; instead, she leans into me.

I take that as an okay to keep going. I grab her ponytail and pull her head back.

She lets out a soft needy moan, but just as quickly as she leaned into me, she pulls away.

“Rex, we can’t do this. If I’m going to be working for you, then sex is off the table.” Her voice comes out breathy. “We still have so much to figure out, too.”

Smirking, I whisper in her ear while running my fingers up her arm softly, “That’s fine Ma Belle . I have a couch in here, and I don’t need to bend you over my desk to make love to you, even though that would be hot as fuck.”

Bella tries to punch me in the arm. “You know what I mean! I will text you later.” Her voice is still breathy and quiet.

Before I can answer, my office phone starts to ring, and she takes advantage of the distraction and is out the door before I can stop her.

I walk over to my desk to see it is D calling.

I ignore the call and pick up my cell to text my driver, who is always downstairs, to take Bella wherever she needs.

As soon as I send the text, my office phone starts ringing again.

“What is it, D?” I ask.

“Hey, boss, you weren’t answering your cell. I didn’t want to interrupt, but Josh found some information you’ll want to see in person. I’m almost at the office to pick you up,” he says quickly. “Is your lady still there? Will we need to drop her off somewhere?”