Page 37 of Ma Belle Marguerite (Hidden Secrets #1)

Alexander

S itting at my desk in my room, I can’t help but think that this has been the worst day I’ve had in a long time. Since Bella left me actually. I don’t even know where to begin processing everything.

My own brother is actively working against me, and he tried to kill me.

I don’t understand because I would hand this all over to him if I could, which I assumed had been made clear to him by now.

I would give anything to be able to live an everyday life with Bella and the twins.

To have no worries of explosions and kidnappings.

Just what is for supper, and when the next football game is.

I need to rethink my whole plan. Cole has access to the same things I do, plus whatever connections my father had him making out of town, which I’m sure he will use for himself and not our family. He has always been selfish and only cared if something furthered his position, not the family.

The more I think about things, the more my head hurts.

Cole has to be the one that stole my stash of guns.

I don't know how he found the room; he shouldn’t have known about it.

I ensured that I was extra careful on the odd occasion he was with us.

Why would he want to blow us up? Nothing is making sense and it's giving me a headache.

Then there is his connection with Amara.

It’s clear now that they are working together, but how they came to be involved with one another is still up in the air.

She is the reason why D couldn’t make it to Bella, and she created a clear path for Cole to take her from me. I have to be missing something.

“Rex, are you going to shower so you can come with me to pick up the kids?” Bella’s calming voice reaches me from her room. It is crazy how just a few words from her can change my whole mindset.

“ Oui, Ma Belle . I will be right there.”

I take a moment to text Josh quickly before going to Bella’s room. If anyone will figure this out it will be him.

Look into any possible connections between Cole and Amara we missed. They are working together somehow.

Also, make sure any money needed is set aside for the families of the men we lost today. Take it from my father’s account, as this is Cole’s fault. Pay for the funerals from my account.

Being a leader is a huge responsibility. It weighs hard on you night and day. The choices that you make can and will affect so many others' lives. While it was known what they were signing up for, their families shouldn’t have to suffer.

I leave my phone on my desk and hurry to see Bella. I can hear the shower running already. We don’t have much time before we need to leave and I need to reset myself so the kids don’t pick up on my anger and grief. I don’t want to be dodging questions and lying to them.

The bathroom door is open, inviting me in. As I enter the room, I look at the shower and see it's already fogged up. Bella’s silhouette framed in the door as she washes her hair. Her back arched with her breasts pushed out like they are waiting for me to suck on them.

I can’t help but stop and watch her. She is the most beautiful thing I have ever laid eyes on.

“Are you going to just stand there or join me?” Amusement laces her words as she reaches for her body wash.

“Coming, wait for me.” I strip my dirty clothes off and toss them in the corner to deal with later.

As I get in the shower, she asks, “Are you okay? You seemed really lost in your thoughts in there.” Of course she would pick up on that she’s always been the insightful one.

“I’m okay. Don’t worry about it. I will figure this out.” I reach around her and grab some conditioner. “Did you use this already?”

“No, not yet.” She eyes me suspiciously, a small smile graces her face.

“Turn around, let me do it for you.” I motion for her to do as I ask. I need to be able to control something even if it is just for a moment.

Reluctantly she allows me to massage the conditioner into her hair. The more I rub, the louder she starts to moan. We don’t have time for anything right now. Control yourself.

“Move into the water so I can rinse your hair.” As I turn and guide her back under the rainfall, I know precisely when she feels my erection against her stomach. Her body slightly tenses for a second before relaxing again. “Just ignore that. I can’t help it when you make those noises.”

“I’m sorry.” She doesn’t sound sorry as she batts her eyelashes at me.

“I’m sure you are. Did you wash yourself yet?” I need to stay focused on the right task.

“Not yet. I was about to start when you came in.” She reaches for her bottle of soap but I grab it from her. I slowly lather her body from head to toe, spending a little extra time on her breasts. This is something I could get used to. She shies away as I start to travel lower..

“Don’t hide from me; you’re beautiful, and no marks will change that. I hope to add to them very soon. I want to see how amazing you look when you're pregnant.” I make her look at me as I continue to rub my hand gently across her lower stomach.

“Seriously, Rex,” she tries to shy away again, pulling her head from my hand while trying to avoid my gaze.

I push her against the wall, grab her chin, and make her look me in the eyes, which stops her words before she can start.

“I don’t want you to ever doubt how beautiful you are to me.

There is nothing that you could ever do that will change my mind on that.

” I can see the disbelief in her eyes. “I will spend the rest of my life proving to you that you’re the most beautiful woman there is. ”

Bella has only gotten more beautiful with age. I don’t know how she doesn’t see that. She doesn’t need to look like models in a magazine; they don’t even look like that.

“I’m going to kiss you now. I want you to feel how I feel.” I keep my hold on her chin to control how this goes.

I start gently kissing along her jaw from her ear to her mouth. I can feel her shiver under me despite the hot water running down our bodies. I run my tongue along her lips, asking to be let in.

She takes a moment but lets me in and kisses me back slowly. I don’t want to rush. I want to savor her. We take our time exploring each other with our tongues and hands. The feel of her fingers in my hair is everything I remember it to be and more.

I hear an alarm going off somewhere close. Bella pulls back, “Crap! That’s my phone. I need to leave to pick up the kids!”

I step back and let her run out to get ready. I need a moment to let things calm down, so to speak. Thankfully, thinking about picking up the kids and what I need to do after is helpful with that.

I rinse myself, grab a towel, and walk to my bedroom. As I walk through her room, I hear her swearing while rummaging through bags in her closet.

She hasn’t had a chance to put everything away yet, so I’m guessing she’s just realizing she has more in there than she thought was bought during our shopping trip.

I hurry to my room to get dressed and be ready to leave when she is. I have to prove to her that she is my everything. Words only prove so much, and I need to back them up with actions like I promise.

I put on a happy face as we drive home with the twins. They don’t need to know what happened today. Life has sucked enough for them lately and I don’t want to be associated with that. Let them worry about friends and teen drama.

Brielle talks her mother's ear off about something that happened at lunch. I can’t seem to concentrate long enough to know what she’s saying.

I need to make sure I can fully trust the men who will now be in charge of security at home. I will not risk Bella or the twins again. They are all that matter now. The house is going to be on lockdown. Nobody in or out without my direct permission.

“Rex, are you okay?” Bella is looking at me with scrunched eyebrows and a frown on her face.

“Yes—why?”

“Remi was saying your name and you didn’t answer.” She doesn’t look convinced by my answer by the way she cocks one eyebrow up.

“Sorry, bud, I have work things on my mind. What’s up?” I look in the rearview quickly to see if he still wants to talk.

“It’s okay. I can wait.” He looks out the window. This is not a good start to a relationship with him. Already failing at this family shit.

“No need. I could use a distraction.” That is the truth. Maybe clearing my head will help me be able to look at things differently once we get home.

“I was wondering, but if you are busy, it is okay to say no. Could you maybe help train me in the gym?” He sounds really nervous the way he is rambling.

“I would love to! Is there anything specific you have in mind?” Not only will this be a good way to sneak in self defence, but great one on one time.

“No, I just want to be more in shape, like you.” He pauses, “You know, to help with sports.”

I pull up to the gate and input my code. “Of course, I can do that.”

Satisfied with my answer he nods and turns to look out the window.

It’s silent in the SUV as we drive down the long driveway. I’m ready for this day to be over. Have a fresh start tomorrow and figure this shit out.

I pull into the garage, and everyone jumps out and heads into the house. Supper should be ready; I had made sure that the chef had a schedule to make the recent changes flow easily for the kids.

I take a moment to go to my office and check in with Josh and D. I pull up our group chat.

Got any updates for me?

Josh: I will come over with some details soon. I’m just checking a couple more things first.

D: We have found all but one of our men. Arrangements have been started.

That sounds good. Both of you can stay here for the night. Come prepared to be up late.

There’s a soft knock at my door. “Come in.”

Remi’s head pops in, “Supper is ready. Mom sent me up to find you.”

“Okay, I’ll be right down. Just let me wash up.”

He’s gone before I can even get up. Oh, to be young and full of energy again.