Bella (A Sagatori family saga-A Mafia Romance Book 6) Read online

  “Get the fuck out!” He rushed to my side coveting me from everyone in the room.

  “Boss?”

  “Get rid of her, NOW! Leave us.” Jax was angry as his words cut through the room.

  He covered my body completely, wrapped his arms around mine, and pulled me to his chest. I could hear the click of the door, the silence that followed the heartbeat against my ear.

  “You can’t know what she has to say, Bella.”

  “Why?” I spoke into his shirt.

  I felt the heat from his breath on the top of my head and the slowing of his heart as he held me within the protection of his chest.

  “Because she’s going to turn your life upside down. You’ll question everything that you once had thought you’d known.”

  I leaned away. “Will I question us?”

  When his eyes lifted to the ceiling, I knew the answer. I knew it was bad, whatever it was she had to say would rock my world. “Let go of me.”

  He shook his head. “I’m sorry, Bella, I can’t do that. You belong to me.”

  “You do not own me, Jax!”

  His lip quivered. “Yes, I do.”

  The way in which he responded to my statement was so matter-of-fact. Not like the response from a man in love but something else, something more.

  His fingers swept the hair from my face. “I own every piece of you, Isabella. Without you in my life I’m nothing. There’s nothing more to me than you. You bring me to my knees and I’ll fight, kill, and destroy for you. I’ll destroy anything and everyone and that’s why you can’t know. You’ll be caught in that war, Bella, a war you know nothing about, a war that I’m going to keep you safe from.”

  “How is any of this about me?”

  His eyes penetrated my own, his words grim. “Everything surrounds you, Isabella, everything is about you. The secrets that live in the walls of hell and will ruin this family are because of you and only you.” He gently swept another loose strand of hair away.

  My mouth opened. I wanted to speak. I wanted to question what he’d said, but the words wouldn’t come. My throat was dry and cracked from the questions as they’d attempted to escape my lips.

  “You once trusted me, you trusted me with your life, do you remember that?” I hesitated but nodded a second later. “You trusted that I was lying to you about wanting her earlier because you knew I loved you, right?” I nodded again simply because he was right, I did trust him. “Then trust me now, Bella. Trust me when I tell you that you can never know these things she wants to tell you. Rebecca’s words are nothing but venom. They will only hurt you and ultimately destroy our family. I know you want answers, Bella, but you need to listen to me now if never again. Do not pursue these answers she promises you.”

  I shook my head. “I don’t understand.”

  He stroked my hair. “I know and that’s how it must stay.”

  I closed my eyes. I was married to a mobster, a clever man, a man who I loved with every cell of my soul, but I couldn’t let this go. I simply couldn’t do as he’d asked me to. I wasn’t built for obedience. I wasn’t built to be the good girl who did as I was told, not even for Jax, but for now I’d say what I must. “Okay, Jax, I’ll leave it alone.”

  His head fell. “You hesitated earlier when I asked if you trusted me.”

  I blinked, stuttering over my words, “I—”

  “You don’t like secrets, anything that keeps you in the dark, and I get that, but, Bella, this is a life run by men not women. Men are supposed to protect their families not the other way ‘round; that’s how this life works. You go questioning my authority in front of my men—” he paused “—that will get me dead real quick. Do you understand that?”

  I nodded.

  His finger swept my cheek where the ghosts of my tears lay and whipping them away. “I need you to go home and take care of yourself and our son. Can you do that?”

  “What will you do with her?”

  “Rebecca?” He narrowed his stare.

  “Yes, what will happen to her?”

  “She’ll never bother you again, and that’s all you need to know.”

  “You’ll kill her?”

  “Do you want me to kill her?” he whispered.

  “No—” I lowered my gaze. “— I don’t know. I guess I just want you to let her go.”

  “You know nothing about her.”

  She said that she was my sister and while that sounds beyond insane, I need to know what she was going to say. Clearly Jax isn’t going to allow that, but I need to ensure she’ll be around when my opportunity arises. I drew in a deep breath. “No, you’re right I don’t, but she’s a human being Jax, and I want you to let her go. I insist on it actually.”

  “You have no say with this.”

  “I want to believe that you’re trying to protect me, I do, but if you hurt her, I’m going to assume it’s for your own selfish gain and nothing more. I don’t know how I’d forgive that.”

  He blinked several times before raising a hand to his jaw slowly shaking his head. “This is where I tell you I need you to leave it be, Bella—” he lowered his hand and lifted my chin, “because I can only protect you if you allow me to. You’re not the hero here. There’s nothing you can do to stop what needs to be done. I allow you to speak to me like you do and make these ridiculous demands of me because I love you, but if you push me with threats—” he leaned in close, the warmth of his breath caressing my cheek, “— I’ll have to take other measures, measures I do not want to have to take, but I’ll do what needs to be done to protect you and my son.”

  Jax had spoken to me in ways I’d never thought possible. He’d said harsh things to me, he’d made me feel inferior like I’d never felt before, and I suppose that was because I’d thought he saw me differently; our love or whatever causing him to see past the bullshit rules of the family. He’d shared secrets with me from time to time and trusted me with delicate information, but today I saw someone I didn’t recognize, someone who didn’t trust me at all. He was the boss of bosses in that moment. He’d spoken to me as if he’d paid for me and held the documents in his hand flaunting for everyone to see.

  “I understand.” I gave in to his threats not because I intended to, but because I planned to go behind his back to get the information I wanted. I couldn’t be kept in the dark if what he’d said about this all being about me was true.

  “Good girl, now, I’ll have Dominic and Tony see to it that you get back to Chicago. I want you to go shopping and finish the baby’s room. Splurge on yourself, go to the spa and relax, but do not go anywhere without the two of them and that… isn’t a request.”

  I nodded as a tear threatened to fall again. I didn’t want a life where I was the ignorant wife waiting patiently for her husband to come home or spending my days ignoring reality in a spa somewhere and gossiping with my friends. I wanted to be someone, I wanted to matter in this life, and as I stood there I saw that I, in fact, didn’t matter at all. I was everything I didn’t want to be.

  I loved my husband, but at that moment I couldn’t get away fast enough. I was suffocating from the thick air of resentment. I smiled dutifully and nodded. “Of course, I promise I will take them everywhere I go.”

  He gave a sturdy nod and then kissed my lips, but I didn’t kiss him back. I knew he’d be able to feel the disconnection, but I was tired and I really did just want to go home.

  “You okay?”

  “I’m fine.” I smiled. “Just tired.”

  “You’ll get your things and leave today.”

  “When will you come home?”

  “I don’t know. I have a few things to see to and then I’ll come.”

  I nodded and smiled. “Okay,”

  He pressed his hands to my cheeks. “I love you, Bella, more than anything.” A cold chill ran through my body. Could I believe that he really loved me?

  “I love you.”

  He ushered me to the door where Dominic waited just outside. “I’ll have you
and Tony see Bella to her father’s to retrieve her belongings and then to the airport to fly back to Chicago. I do not want her going anywhere without you and Tony. Don’t make me kill you both.”

  I didn’t like the tone he’d taken with him. I understood he was at his wits end with me running off, but Dominic and Tony were my family. I didn’t like that they were being threatened.

  “Yes, boss.” He gave a curt nod.

  Dominic escorted me to the elevator and with one look back I knew what I had to do.

  Jax

  “FUCK!” I yelled as I watched Bella leave the hotel suite. “They’re all going to die!”

  Casconi shook his head as he walked to the striped chair a few feet from me. “No offense, but I’m glad you got that one.”

  I ran my fingers through my hair. “Don’t,” I warned as the pulse in my temple throbbed.

  “Moretti, I’m surprised you let her get to you like that. I expected something different. But I’m more curious about Becca’s motives.”

  I loosened my tie, unbuttoned the first few buttons on my shirt, and shook my head. “You have no fucking idea.”

  “Why would she say she’s Bella’s sister?”

  I locked my fingers together trying not to gut him. “Why do you ask so many fucking questions?” I stood. “Where has she been all this time? No one knew she was alive.”

  Casconi shook his head. “I don’t know, I thought she was dead, too.”

  I reached into my pocket retrieving my cell.

  “Wyatt?”

  “Yeah, boss?”

  “Deliver the package to the Sagatori house.”

  “Consider it done.”

  Sam chuckled as he pulled a cigar from his suit jacket. “I like your style, Moretti.” He lit the cigar.

  I turned to him.

  “You know she’s a fighter.” He puffed on the expensive tobacco.

  “Which one?” I blew out a breath.

  He laughed again. “The woman that has you so fucked up that you don’t even know your next move.”

  I bobbed my head. I did know that. I sucked in a deep breath. “Shut the fuck up.”

  “Eh, it’s not such a bad thing she’s got good genes, she’s strong.”

  “Casconi, I’m gonna come to you with a favor at some point. You gonna be up for it?”

  He held the cigar away from himself to watch it burn. “This favor for you or her?”

  I looked down at my shinny shoes. “Her.” I stood. “It’s only ever about her.”

  “Then I’ll be there.”

  I faced away from him as I began my approach to the door and closed my eyes. “I know.”

  “Moretti?” he stopped me. “You gonna tell me what this is about?”

  “If I told you I’d have to kill you.” I stood silent another second then reached for the doorknob.

  “Yeah, I figured you’d say something like that.”

  “Then what the fuck did you ask for?” I stepped into the hall hearing the heavy door click shut behind me.

  The cleanup crew would be here soon enough to get rid of any evidence left behind, but there would be no forgetting what I’d done to Bella. I saw the way she’d looked at me, and I knew I’d lost her in ways I’d never get her back. But I did what I had to do for her safety. She could hate me if that’s what needed to happen.

  Once inside the car, I unlocked my phone and dialed a series of numbers.

  “Yeah?” the elusive voice answered.

  “I’ll be needing your unwrapping skills, my old friend.”

  The phone went silent, as he’d known I’d be calling and was already prepared.

  I shifted into drive and peeled out of the hotel parking lot driving toward Bella’s father’s home.

  I knew Bella was on her way to the airport when Dominic sent a text. I was a mere mile away from the house when Bella’s car passed my own.

  The gates opened the second I pressed the intercom. I drove through the gates continuing to the house. “I’m expecting a guest, you’ll see him in and offer respect,” I said to Benny, one of my guys in Detroit.

  “Sir, of course.”

  I nodded and continued driving toward the house pulling into the garage.

  Albert waited inside as I stepped out from the car. “Boss,” he offered a small bow.

  “Are the others downstairs?”

  “Yes sir, everything is as you’ve requested.”

  “Good.” I entered the house and headed to Mr. Sagatori’s office. The old world style of his office smelled of his power. His determination to be respected had made him a success. He was ruthless in every way that mattered. Unlike me, he didn’t take prisoners, he executed them.

  I opened the cabinet door against the wall five feet from his desk. Once the door opened I saw it, the envelope that I’d kept secret for all this time. The answers I knew existed, the promises I’d made, and my life I’d swore to sacrifice were inside the letter I slipped from its cream envelope.

  Jax,

  As you know I’m dying and can no longer protect my precious Isabella. I leave you everything: my legacy, money, power, territories; you can have it all if you’ll protect her with your life. I’ve arranged several offshore accounts to ensure she has everything she’ll ever need. But let me be clear here, if she discovers the secrets I’ve kept from her all this time, she will be destroyed, and we cannot allow that to happen. The day will come when you must make a decision, this may be the hardest of them all, but you must make it— for her. You will be well compensated for your trouble. Never forget, Jax, Isabella must never learn that she is in fact Dominika Petrov, daughter to Alexander Petrov, the assassinated Russian President. Protect her with your life, Jax, just as I have.

  A.S—

  I reached into the drawer retrieving the Zippo lighter, kicked the metal trashcan away from the wall, and watched as the letter burned with me dropping it just before the flames reached my fingertips.

  I kept the lighter in my hand opening and closing the lid as I walked toward the cellar door. I descended the stairs, reached the landing, and turned right walking past the hundreds of bottles of wine. I turned left and opened the large metal door that held Rebecca.

  “Boss.” Another loyal soldier nodded offering respect while he stood just outside the door.

  I pushed against the heaviness of the door opening it. “There you are.” I smiled. I remained silent while I flicked the lighter’s top in between my fingers.

  “You come here to make good?” she snapped.

  Bella had no idea who she’d almost let inside her head, but I knew. “Nah, I do want to know what you want with her, though.”

  “Anthony Sagatori was my father. Jax, you know this. He was sleeping with my mother, and she deserves to know what kind of man he was.”

  “But you said you worked for her father, what was that?”

  “I wanted to fuck with her head for a while. Honestly, Jax, I didn’t mean any harm, I swear.” I crossed the path to where she sat, her arms tied to the arms of the chair.

  I sucked in a deep breath. “See, here’s the deal, Becca, I don’t believe a word of what your spittin’ at me. You know what I think?”

  “What, Jax?”

  “I think you’re workin’ for someone. Someone that wants to hurt Bella.”

  She visibly shook. “No,”

  “I think you’ve been workin’ on this for a while. Why not? After all, you knew I was going to kill you, that left nothin’ to lose.”

  She shook her head fighting against the zip ties that held her in place. “No, Jax, no!”

  A knock pounded on the door, and her eyes widened as Victor entered quietly holding a large black bag in his arms.

  “What are you doing, Jax?” Her eyes flickered back and forth between the two of us.

  “Me? I’m not doing anything, Rebecca.”

  “But—” She swallowed hard.

  I took a long glance at her and walked out closing the door behind me. “Let me know w
hen it’s finished,” I said to the soldier standing guard in the hall as the door slammed closed.

  “Yes, boss.”

  The screaming began almost immediately after I’d walked out and descended the hallway that lead to the stairs.

  I suspected for some time that Rebecca had been alive. I saw her everywhere chopping it up as guilt, guilt for what I’d really done or rather what I’d had done to her. But there she was, alive and well. If there was any information in that head of hers, Victor would find it, he always did.

  Bella

  I leaned my head on Tony’s shoulder letting my eyes rest for a few minutes before the plane landed.

  “Do you know what’s going on?” I whispered knowing the two new guys on board couldn’t hear me. They had no ties to me and therefore, no loyalty. Their loyalties would lie only with Jax.

  He shook his head. “No.”

  “Would you tell me if you did?”

  He stilled. “No.”

  I closed my eyes tight. “I know.” Tony and I were close our entire lives, but he was bound by blood and an honor I wasn’t apart of.

  “I’m sorry, Bella.”

  “I know, Tony, it’s okay. I understand there’s a code and all that.”

  “Yeah.” His voice was gruff.

  “He was so different today. I— I’ve never seen him like that.”

  “I know.” He leaned his head onto mine. “Just remember he’s got a lot goin’ on right now, responsibility you know nothin’ about.”

  “How am I supposed to remember that? I’m kept in the dark. I have no clue what he’s got going on.”

  His shoulders rose as he drew a breath. “He’s got this, just hang in there.”

  The plane jerked roughly with the release of the landing gear. “I hate this.” I cringed.