Page 8

Roman

I turn my car onto the street where I live. After living most of my life in the city, I yearned for the quiet of the country, so I purchased this property deep in the suburbs. It’s the last house on the street. Huge enough to meet my need for space and privacy, while also being near the beauty of nature. And it’s the only place I’ve found that’s close enough to the city so I can meet my clients and then go back to the comfort of my home. Due to the nature of my business, I keep the location of my home private and always meet with clients at my office or theirs.

My home is my safe haven, and I always feel grateful for it when I return home after work or a business deal. It only takes a shot of brandy and a stroll through my garden to feel content. Now, knowing I have someone I love waiting for me at home gives me the utmost pleasure. Especially after a stressful business meeting.

Fucking Sergio…

The creep who wanted to buy my Bella. Before now, I’ve only ever seen him at the auction house and sometimes at high-stakes events. We were never in the same circles, and he’s too greedy and sadistic for me to work with.

So I found it strange that he approached the bikers I have an alliance with, claiming to be an old friend of mine with a stolen antiquity he knows I’ve been looking for. He insisted he needed to meet with me in person.

I wouldn’t have left Bella by herself, but if Sergio was up to something I wanted to gather as much information as possible.

Why did he want to see me? My confusion goes up a notch as I wonder about his motive, and I frown slightly, thinking I might have underestimated the fucker. He knows I would never buy the artifact off him, no matter how desperate I am, yet he showed up with it anyway. I’m starting to think it was a ruse to get me to meet with him, but if it was meant to be a trap, it didn’t work. He could never get to me on the Dragons MC territory—they’re too loyal to me. So we parted ways without making the deal.

I dismiss all thoughts of him. Sergio might think he’s powerful, but I have far-reaching connections that he isn’t aware of. I didn’t grow up in the street just to end up without the right alliances.

With that, I close down any thoughts of work, feeling elation at the thought of seeing Bella again. My fingers tap the wheel rhythmically, eager to get back to her side.

Thoughts of her leaving for college fill my mind, and my heart constricts. Although I’ve suggested that she transfer to a college nearby, she hasn’t given me her response.

Now that I think about it, asking her to change schools for me sounds selfish. After losing her father in the most gruesome way, she should have something stable and constant that she can hold on to. And if that means leaving Seattle and going to New York with her, then I don’t have to think twice.

The few days that I’ve spent with her have been the best days I’ve ever known. There is no doubt that I need her in my life. If she isn’t around me, I’ll go back to being the shell of a man I was, aiming to stay on top without truly embracing life. Bella is filled with the brightest of colors, lighting up my life. And I’ll fight to the death to have that light and keep those colors shining bright no matter what.

Even though she hasn’t expressed it in the same words, I have no doubt of her feelings for me. So, wherever she goes, I’ll gladly trail behind.

As I drive up to the house, thoughts of Warren flit through my mind. I know I should tell her. Now, knowing everything I feel for her, holding on to that knowledge seems silly.

The garage door slides up and I drive inside, parking the car next to my motorcycle. One of these days, I’ll take Bella for a ride on it. Knowing her, she’ll be thrilled. I smile to myself as I imagine her fiery red hair flying out from beneath the helmet, her arms gripping me tight and her boisterous laughter wrapping around me.

When I enter the living room and see Bella, my heart melts and my anxiety flies out the window. She’s sitting on one of the couches, dressed in the same blue-and-green sequin dress she wore on the day of the auction, her head bent over a photograph.

“Hey, baby,” I say, smiling softly.

My smile slowly dies as she looks up, her soft brown eyes filled with unshed tears. “What’s wrong, baby? What’s going on?” I ask, walking closer.

She stands up instantly, pushing out her hand. “Stop right there. Don’t come any closer,” she orders in a trembling voice.

My gaze shifts to her other hand, holding tightly to the picture, and unease settles in my gut. “Baby. Whatever it is, we can sort it out,” I say gently, my heart tightening. But I know of only one thing that could make her this heartbroken.

Stupid. Why didn’t I just fucking tell her right away?

She pushes the photo in my face, her hands trembling. It’s an image of Warren and me, laughing into the camera, our arms wrapped around each other’s shoulders.

“I trusted you,” she whispers. “I asked if you knew my dad, and you said nothing. Why?”

My chest tightens at her words. “Baby…”

“Stop,” she interrupts. “I don’t want to hear your excuses. What’s your relationship with my father?”

I sigh. “Your dad and I were good friends,” I say, nodding at her shocked expression. “When I lived on the streets, I used to sneak into the nearby public school and stay for classes, especially the art classes—that’s where I met him. He left for college, but then years later, we met at an art conference and rekindled our friendship. But…given the nature of my job, I didn’t want my friends mixed up in my world, especially Warren, so I distanced myself.”

My heart is breaking as I take in her sad expression, but I continue, “He told me about you, used to send me photos, but it was a long time since I’d seen a photo and you’ve grown up so much…I swear I had no idea you were his daughter until you told me about him. Baby, I’m so sorry.”

She waves me off. “I don’t want to hear it. Do you know anything about his death? Did you cause his death? Did you invite him to the auction house?”

Her voice gains momentum with every question and her eyes are fierce and bold on mine despite the tears trailing down her cheeks. Even though I know she’s hurting, her words feel like the stab of a knife, twisting deeper into my gut.

I exhale softly. “No, I don’t know anything about Warren’s death. He was a dear friend that I’ll always cherish. I never invited him to the auction house—although we were from two different worlds, we always respected each other’s boundaries.”

Then I admit, “Warren might have been doing things the right way, but I’m not surprised that he knew something about the other side of things. When I heard of his death and the missing art, I knew something wasn’t right. It’s the reason I attended the auction that night. I got word that his stolen piece might be sold, and I wanted to buy it. Maybe it holds a clue…but then I didn’t see it in the lineup that night. And things didn’t turn out the way I planned. I met you and I lost all my senses.”

I pause for a reaction to my last sentence, but all I see is a flicker of sadness that disappears again like nothing happened, so I continue. “When you told me about the access card, it confirmed my suspicions. I’ve never seen Warren at the auction house, so I knew the access card had to be newly acquired, and it also ties his death to the auction house. That’s why I suggested hiring a private investigator, and I’ve done that. All I’m waiting for is his feedback.”

“Good. When you get a call from the PI, you know where to find me,” she says in a dead voice.

My heart constricts painfully. “Baby, I wanted to tell you…”

“Then, why didn’t you?” she interrupts. “You had plenty of time to come clean. Why did you hide that bit of information?” She slowly wipes the tears from her eyes and exhales softly, “You know what? I can’t be here right now. I need space.” She walks past me toward the door.

“Bella—”

“I can’t do this, Roman,” she snaps, her eyes blazing with anger. “I need to think. Let me go. Please.”

I stand in place and watch her open the front door, immediately feeling bereft at her absence.

No!

I can’t let the only woman I love walk out of my life without a fight. Bella is mine. She has been since that first time I saw her, and I won’t let her run at the first sign of trouble. Even though it’s my fault.

I jump into action and reach the entrance in quick strides. I open the door and jog down the driveway in time to see Bella entering a black taxi. I frown in confusion, wondering how a cab was just idling in front of my house, when I notice the absence of a plate number as they drive away.

Fuck! It’s a trap .

“Fuck!” I run back to the house, my heart pounding with fear. I swipe the keys to my bike and rush to the garage.

I just fucking watched the love of my life get kidnapped.

I should have been more careful. I shouldn’t have let her out of my sight. Thoughts race through my mind as I rev the engine and drive off, making sure to keep the taxi in my sights.