Page 36 of Ma Belle Marguerite (Hidden Secrets #1)

Isabella

W hat the fuck! Why does my head hurt so much? I just want to go back to sleep. This blanket isn’t very soft.

“ Ma Belle , wake up. Let me see those beautiful eyes, baby.” It’s Rex; he came for me. “You’re doing good, baby. Just take your time. Do you think you can drink some water?”

Wait, where are Cole, Amara, and that guy who was with them? Does Rex even love me like he says? Amara said they had been together for years. My head hurts too much for this shit.

“She may need a bit for whatever is in her system to wear off. Just be patient.” A new voice says close to my head, making me shift away.

“Can you guys be quiet, please? I just want to sleep.” My voice sounds weak, even to my ears. What did they do to me while I was out?

“Here, try and drink some water; you need it.” Rex needs to be quiet. His voice is so loud.

“If it will shut you up,” I grumble. “I really don’t feel great, though.” I take a sip and instantly feel nauseous.

“Just let me give her an IV. It won’t upset her stomach as much.” I hear that voice again. Who is that?

I force my eyes open to see Rex and another tall man standing behind him, looking frustrated. Once he notices my eyes on him he immediately looks away. Do I look that bad? Why won’t he look at me!

“I like the sound of the IV better than trying to stomach water right now.” I rasp out. “How long have I been here?” My throat feels drier than a desert.

Rex clears his throat. “A few hours. I’m sorry this even happened in the first place, Ma Belle . I thought that you would be safe at home. I will not make that mistake again.” His eyes look angry but with a glassy sheen like he is about to cry.

I shake my head, trying to say no. “I willingly got in the car with Cole. It’s my own fault.” Realizing that Rex said a few hours, I ask, “What time is it? I need to get the kids from school.” They are going to freak out if we aren’t there like promised.

“Don’t worry; we have time before then,” he reassures me with a small smile. “Let my guy here give you an IV and get you feeling better so you can go get them.”

“Okay, thank you.” I lay back and close my eyes. I feel someone touching my hand and try to think about anything but the needle. Tattoo needles are one thing, but this is so different. I hate them so much. At least I’m lying down in case I pass out.

“Are you still scared of needles, Ma Belle ?” I hear Rex’s voice close to my head. So deep, so sexy.

I just nod my head and hope he understands. I feel Rex’s rough skin as he squeezes my other hand, and it’s oddly reassuring. Who knew a simple touch could mean so much?

I feel a cold, wet sensation on the back of my hand right before a prick. My skin feels cold but sweaty before my body goes weak and everything is dark.

Before I know it, Rex is waking me up, saying it is time to get the kids. I must have passed out hard. I don’t even really remember getting my IV put in, let alone having it taken out.

I feel so much better, though. I don’t know what I was given at first that made me feel so shitty or what has made me feel so much better.

I don’t even care at this point. I just want to get home with my kids and relax.

This day has been too much and exactly the reason I wanted to move away in the first place.

I see clothes beside me and put them on under the blanket since there isn’t much privacy in here. Rex’s men are walking back and forth outside the door and the, I assume doctor, is at the end of the cot putting things in his bag on a pile of boxes.

“Do you need help to get to the SUV?” D asks me, bringing me out of my thoughts.

I see that Rex is busy directing his men, “No, thank you. I’ll be okay. Is Rex coming?” I don’t want to leave without him. I can’t shake the feeling that something is very wrong.

“Yes, he’ll be right behind us,” he tells me. “Do you remember anything about what happened?”

“I remember most of what happened. Well, until we got here. Wherever this is…” I look around warily, unsure of my surroundings.

My emotions are all over the place, and even though I know he is one of Rex’s men, I don’t have the desire to talk about my feelings with him.

I want to get to a place where I can process everything on my own, but I have a feeling that Rex is going to keep eyes on me at all times.

“Get in the back and get comfortable. Rex will be here in a minute.” D opens the door for me and waits for me to get in before closing it behind me and standing outside the SUV like a sentry.

I’ll need to get myself cleaned up and presentable before I see the kids after school. I definitely don’t want them to know about this. They don’t need the added stress after what has been going on the last six months.

I just wish I could figure out what all of this means. Why would Cole and Amara take me and drug me to just leave me behind? Something isn’t adding up.

My body feels normal—they didn’t do anything to me physically from what I can tell.

Wait. When I woke up, there were boxes in the room with us that weren’t there when I first went in. What if it’s bombs or poison and they are trying to kill us? It could even be bugged so they can hear what we are talking about. It was a trap all along!

I throw open the SUV door and run towards the bunker doors screaming frantically. “Get out now! Rex, where are you? Get out!”

Everyone outside is standing there, looking at me like I am crazy, not moving.

D’s large hand grabs mine as he tries to hold me in place.

I wriggle free and take off moving as fast as my feet can take me hearing D yelling at me to stop.

I run into the bunker looking for Rex. I need to get him out. I can’t lose him now.

He walks out of the hidden room I was in, his eyebrows drawn down in confusion, looking around for me. “What’s wrong, baby?”

“We need to get out. Those boxes in the room weren’t there when I was put in here, and who knows what they are!” I am sure I look insane waving my arms around yelling, but he needs to listen.

Grabbing his hand I pull him towards the doors as hard as my weak body will allow.

“Everyone out, now!” Rex bellows.

Thank God he is listening.

Just as Rex and I clear the door, we hear a loud rumble come from behind and the ground shakes beneath us. Dust and pieces of cement are flying out of the bunker doors, making it impossible to see inside. He throws me to D and yells, “Get her out of here now !”

“Wait! What about you?” I try to grab onto his sleeve so he can’t leave me.

“I need to see how bad that was and check on my men who are in there. I will see you at home.” He turns to walk away with a look of determination, but I catch his attention before he makes it too far.

“Rex, please be careful. I’m waiting right here. I’m not leaving your side no matter what. Maybe I can remember something else that might be useful too.” I don’t care what he says. There is no changing my mind. Today has had too many close calls.

Grunting, Rex looks at D, his body tense and eyes unwavering, “Protect her with your life.” He pins me with a you better listen stare, then turns and runs into the bunker before I can grab him again and make him stay with me.

“If you don’t stay with me, he will kill me. Please don’t make this harder for both of us.” D says to me. I can hear a hint of pleading in his voice.

“Fine, but if I hear anything else, I’m going in after him, fair warning.” I can see he isn’t happy with that answer, but too bad. He can keep his eye rolls to himself. I don’t want D to die, but Rex is my main concern at this moment.

After what feels like forever, Rex emerges from the bunker covered in soot, half carrying the man who helped me when I woke up. He looks like he now needs someone to take care of him, pieces of metal sticking out of his body everywhere.

“The bedrooms and secret room all appear to have had bombs. Just enough to compromise the place. There are two more men that we need to get out before the bunker collapses. The rest didn’t make it.

” Rex says his voice low and sorrowful. “Take care of what you can, I will help you contact families tonight and provide the appropriate arrangements.”

“I’ll get them, boss, you just take care of Bella.” D turns to a few guys I didn’t even realize were there and starts yelling instructions as another man takes the doctor from Rex’s hold.

“Let’s go get cleaned up before we pick up the kids. There’s nothing else we can do here.” Rex looks defeated as he grabs my hand and pulls me towards the vehicle. I can’t help but feel like this is partly my fault. I should have remembered sooner or just stayed home.