Page 27 of Ma Belle Marguerite (Hidden Secrets #1)

Alexander

I t feels like everything with Bella and the twins is going too smoothly.

I expected more of a fight. Not that I’m complaining, but I’m waiting for the other shoe to drop.

I’m happy that the shopping with Remi went well; I think he’s missed having a guy to talk to.

I had always hoped to have kids with Bella one day, so I’ll take what I can get.

Still, I can’t imagine losing a father you actually care about at such a young age. We talked a lot about sports, and I managed to convince him to let me get him some new equipment. I used the logic that a new team means new colors and maybe something we get will be his new lucky charm.

D texted me while we were at the mall saying that all the twins' things were undisturbed; only Bella’s room had any damage.

He personally cleaned it up so that nobody else would be in her room or touching her things.

He knows me well. I don’t even want him in there, but I can’t be there to do it myself, so I must compromise.

He pointed out that it may be less traumatic for her if she doesn’t have to go through everything on her own.

I hear hushed gasps from the back seat as we approach my front gate. I look in the rear view mirror to see the twins looking out the windows in awe. I don’t see this place as anything special, but I guess when you’re used to city life in small traditional houses, this would be something new to see.

I enter my code in the pin pad, and the gate starts to open. As we drive through, I spot two of my men in the guard house a bit up the driveway. They nod towards my truck as I roll my window back up.

I go slowly down the driveway to let them look at the many well-manicured gardens and the large, ostentatious fountain in the middle, but it doesn’t take long to reach the house.

It’s actually considered a mansion, but to me, without the woman I love, it’s just a building.

Now that I have Bella in my life, we can hopefully turn this into a home.

As I pull up to the garage and hit the door opener, the truck goes eerily silent. I turn to see what's the matter, only to notice that they are all wearing shocked expressions. They have matching wide eyes and open mouths as they look past me out the windshield.

Looking in the same direction as them, I turn to see what the expression on their faces is about: a Mustang, a Viper, a Lamborghini, and Josh’s destroyed Corvette.

Yeah that’s probably it—not every garage has fancy cars like these lined up.

Wait until they see my Ducati Panigale V4 Lamborghini that will be in soon to match the lambo.

I had to pull a lot of strings to get one now as they won’t be out until next year.

Before I can say anything, Bella gasps and says, “Oh my God! Rex, was that what you were driving when you got into your accident?”

I look at her horrified paling face, knowing exactly what she’s seeing. “Yes, but it looks worse than it was,” I say, trying to relax her. “Let’s go do a quick tour of the house.” I open my door and start to walk out.

This isn’t something I want to get into with Bella right now.

Knowing someone intentionally ran me off the road will just make this more complicated.

She already has enough on her plate with the kids, and now whoever invaded her privacy at her house.

I should have just parked outside. I didn’t think about that car being in here.

I head to the bed of the truck to start grabbing some of the things that are in there. I hear their doors close before Remi comes up beside me.

“Could we go for a ride in the Viper one day? That car is one of my dream cars. Never thought I’d see one like that in real life, let alone know the person who owns it.” I can hear the excitement in his voice.

Laughing to myself, I say, “Well, if your mom says it’s okay, I can pick you up from practice on Tuesday.” I hope she agrees because I actually enjoyed spending time with him today.

“Oh yes, please!” Remi says enthusiastically. He grabs his bags and then runs to his mom, “Can Rex pick me up from practice, please, Mom?”

I follow him around the truck to see Bella smiling. That is what I want to see on her face. I can’t stand to see her sad or upset. “I’ll talk to Rex about it, okay?” She tells Remi.

To save her from further interrogation, I say, “Okay, follow me. I’ll show you the bedrooms you can choose from.

” For once I’m happy to have a large home that they can just move into, with no worries about there being enough room.

“We can leave your new equipment here for the night, Remi. I’ll show you where you can store it all tomorrow. ”

That gets everyone's attention. We each grab a few bags and head into the house. When we enter from the garage, it brings us to the front entrance. The door closes with a bang—I need to get that fixed. Bella should know the layout from high school, that is, if she remembers.

“As you can see, the main living area is straight ahead between the staircases. The kitchen and dining room are just past it. To the left, down the hall, is where the staff stays, and the storerooms are there, also, if you need anything. Then down the hallway on your right is the gym, indoor pool, and theater room.” I point in each direction as I list things off.

I hear a snicker and look back at everyone behind me, I see that the twins again have their jaws on the floor. Bella, on the other hand, is hiding a smirk behind her hand. Her parents' house is nice, but not as fancy as here.

Turning quickly to hide my own smile, I head to the staircase on the right side of the room, “Bedrooms are up here. Follow me.”

I hear footsteps behind me as Bella says, “You guys will have time to explore tomorrow morning. Let's go get settled for the night, it’s getting late.”

Once we’re all up the stairs, I head to the left of the mini foyer area. “Remi and Brielle, your rooms will be down here. You can pick whichever one you’d like.”

Brielle squeals so loud I have to cover my ears, and she takes off ahead of me.

Looking through each door, she finally ducks into the last room on the left.

It has the biggest bed and the nicest view.

Remi follows behind her at a slower pace and goes into the last room on the right, which used to be my old room.

As Bella takes a step to follow them, I grab her free hand and pull her in the opposite direction. “Your room will be down here beside mine.” I’m not sure what she’ll think, but at this point I don’t really care. I will lock her in the room if I have to.

Sounding nervous, she says, “Your parents' old adjoining bedrooms?” She won’t meet my eyes.

My parents had the adjoining bedrooms for convenience, and that was about it.

They didn’t marry for love. They married for duty.

It was a well known fact growing up, my father made sure of that.

Love makes you weak , he would say. I don’t think my brother or I ever saw them together except for social gatherings where it was just for show.

I don’t want that kind of marriage. I want love, and that means Bella. If that makes me weak, then so be it. As long as I play my cards right, I should get just that.

“Yes, yours has the bathroom I recently renovated to have a giant spa bathtub and a shower big enough that we could both fit into it.” I can’t wait to see her reaction.

I was hoping I’d have her back one day and remembered how she loved the hot tub outside. I found the closest thing I could for her that would fit in the bathroom. I avoid looking at her because I don’t want to give anything away with my face. “I also updated a few things in the bedroom.”

“Oh that sounds amazing! I can’t wait to try the tub out.” I hear amusement in her voice. “Don’t be getting any ideas, though. We still have to be careful with the twins around.”

Relaxing a bit at the sound of her voice, I pull her into her room. “Well, Ma Belle Marguerite , we can have all the fun we want once they are asleep.” I wink at her as I drop her bags in front of the closet door. “Put those bags down and come see the bathroom we’ll be enjoying later.”

“You wish!” She laughs, “I’m going to be soaking alone. Me, myself and I, thank you very much.”

Despite the sass, Bella does as I instructed and follows me to the bathroom to the left of the room. I hear her gasp as we walk through the doorway, and I turn to see her in awe, taking everything in. It is all short-lived, as we hear the twins yelling in the hallway, looking for her. “Mom!”

“Let me go see what they want,” she says as she gives me a quick kiss on the cheek. “Thank you, Rexy.” She turns and rushes towards the bedroom door, and I can’t help but stare at her ass. I cannot wait to take my belt to her soon.

As soon as she opens the door and says the twins' names, they are through and jumping onto the bed.

“Wow, this bed is huge! Can we sleep in here with you?” Remi asks while rolling around like a pig in mud.

It’s a California king. I’m sure they could fit comfortably, but I plan on being the one in here tonight and every other night

“You snore too loud,” Brielle says to Remi with her hands clasped together by her chin and a big grin on her face. “Besides, I want to sleep in my room. The bed in there feels like you’re lying on clouds.”

Bella laughs and says, “Not tonight, Remi. We can plan a sleepover next weekend.”

“Sweet! Can it be a movie night?” Remi asks excitedly pointing at the big screen television on the wall in the sitting area on the other side of the room.

Trying to hide her laugh, I hear Bella say, “I’ll talk to Rex and plan something. Get ready for bed; it’s getting late. You have school tomorrow,” she looks over at me suddenly with a worried look. “We forgot toothbrushes.”

It's such a mom thing to worry about. “They’ll have some in their rooms. I always ensure each room is stocked with spares in case of last-minute guests. There will be everything they’ll need until we can get them the products they prefer.

” I reach out to place my hand on her back to reassure her, but I remember that the kids are here.

I quickly drop my arm, smile, and look at the kids.

“Do you guys want me to show you where everything is?

Remi and Brielle look at each other and it’s like they have a silent conversation between themselves. Brielle looks at me and says, “No, I think we’ll be fine. Thanks anyway. Let’s go, bro.”

“Okay. I’m in the next bedroom. If you need anything, you can always come and ask me there,” I say.

Nodding, they get up and hug their mom before leaving the room.

I walk over and lock the door behind them. “Now it’s time for you to take a nice long bath while I put your things away for you. You’ve had a long day and need to relax before you start your new job tomorrow.” I wink at Bella as I walk towards the bathroom.

I look through the medicine cabinet for the special oils I had one of the housekeepers pick up.

I don’t know what most of this is, but I told her to get anything and everything that’d be needed.

I didn’t realize there would be so many options.

I find a pomegranate-scented oil that I’m sure she’ll love. It used to be her favorite smell.

As I turn to start her bath, I see her watching me from the doorway, arms wrapped around herself with a small smile on her face. “See something you like, Ma Belle ?”

She answers confidently, gesturing with her arm around the room, “I do. When did you have time to get all this? I know you said you were preparing for me, but this is all so much.”

“I’ve always hoped you would change your mind and come back for me one day.

I did, however, have one of the housekeepers go out today to purchase a few last minute items for you.

” I talk as I turn the taps on and try to get the water to that perfect temperature.

“Once I knew you were back in town, there was no way I was going to let you get away again. You’re mine, and I intend to prove that to you. ”

I look back at Bella and see that she is deep in thought. “Mkay, do you mind letting me get undressed and get in alone?” She asks me in her cute, sassy tone.

I try to hide the hurt I feel at her pushing me away, yet again.

I walk to the door and don’t look back so she can’t see the disappointment on my face when I say, “I’ll go get you the letter that I have here.

We need to get this figured out and in the past. I need you in my life, Ma Belle Marguerite .

I will do whatever it takes.” It has already been too long without her, I don’t want to waste another minute.

Using the door that joins our bedrooms, I enter my room and take a deep breath. As much as I prepared everything for her to return, I never thought it would happen. She is actually here with me. I can’t mess this up. I’ll find out who came between us all those years ago and I will kill them.

I walk to my safe and open it. I find the letter I thought she had sent me, along with the ones she gave me at the hospital.

I take them all to my desk in the corner of the room.

Since I have a moment, I want to compare the writing between them.

I don’t know why I never thought to do this before today.

Sitting in the chair, I open the letter asking me to let her leave and set it on the desk.

I also open the letter I have read a few times now, telling me all about the apartment we should have shared together.

I place the letter I thought she sent me so it is on the left, and the new one she gave me on the right.

Looking at the writing, I can see they are very similar, but the ‘y’ and ‘g’ are different.

In the letter on the left, the ‘y’ and ‘g’ are straight at the bottom.

On the other letter, they curl up and are more ‘fancy.’

How could I have been so stupid? Someone obviously forged this letter and I was too blind to realize.