Page 85 of Worth the Risk

“What about your mother?”

Bella shrugged. “She didn’t seem to care. I realize now it’s because she never loved him. Not long after I returned from California, one stopped to talk to me on her way out. By that, I mean out of his life. He went through so many,” she said softly. “She was bitter that her free ride was over and blamed me for coming back and interfering. She accused me of being tied to his apron strings, which made no sense at all. If he hadn’t gone to the lengths he did to keep me home, I wouldn’t have been tied to anything.”

“Why did he?”

“I don’t know. To keep an eye on me, or to appease my mother. She was as isolated and lonely as me. If she’d asked, I would have stayed close, but she didn’t. She probably wanted me to get away from the family as much as I did.”

“Let me see if I have this right. Lorenzo, who you thought was your father, was controlling but not loving. You had no close friends or family, other than your mother, yet you had a degree, which I’m sure didn’t come cheap.”

“I went to NYU, so no, it didn’t.”

“But he wouldn’t allow you to escape and put it to use. He trapped you as well as someone in a minimum wage paying job who can’t get a foothold on a better life. Tell me again how you’re as guilty as he is?”

She blinked, color suffusing her cheeks as it all sank in.

“Who are you, Dan Ogilvie? Why are you so damn perfect?”

“I’m hardly perfect, Bella. I have a history. A failed marriage, two kids who I love but rarely see because my ex has custody and used my choice of lifestyle to get it. Along with half my paycheck.”

“Oh, Dan. I’m so sorry.”

“The difference between us is I have moved forward and found a good life, work I love, and friends who are supportive. When you tried, he reeled you back in. Then the only father you ever knew sent hitmen after you, which, being a dad is still hard to believe. Until you consider he’s a soulless shell of a human being not to have any feelings in the slightest for someone who lived under his roof for twenty-seven years.”

She lapsed into silence, not meeting his eyes but smoothing his tear-stained shirt. “I’m also guilty for putting you and everyone at the club in danger by not telling you all of this sooner.” Her head came up, her hand covering her mouth as though horror-struck. “Oh my god! I forgot about Marcy. Is she all right?”

“Dex checked on her. She has a head laceration and a concussion. They’re keeping her overnight for observation, but she’s going to be fine.”

“Thank goodness,” she breathed, her forehead hitting his chest with a thump. “What am I going to do? Lorenzo doesn’t give up easily, or he wouldn’t have the position he has in the family.”

“Rossi will have your back, Bella,” Dan assured her. “We’re the best of the best, and someone has recently reminded me we’ve never failed a client or a case, some bigger and more dangerous than yours. But, if you go with us, you have to do everything we tell you to.” He covered her trembling hands, squeezing to emphasize his point. “And I mean everything.”

Fear crept into Bella’s lovely eyes as she considered his words.

“The Giordano boss doesn’t play by the rules. To get me, he’d go after you, or through the guys, including using their subs and families. He’s ruthless. I wouldn’t want anyone else hurt, or worse, on my account.” She clutched fistfuls of his shirt as more tears threatened. “The FBI offered protection for my testimony. Maybe it would be best for everyone if I took the deal.”

Dan’s heart sank, but he remained stoic. It was her life and her decision to make. “Whatever you decide, I’ll support. Is that what you want?”

She shook her head, the movement sending tears cascading over her spiky lashes and down her cheeks. “What I want is to have a life. To have friends, which I thought was possible here.” She relaxed one hand and lifted it to his cheek, her touch gentle. “Most of all, I want you. And I can’t have that by running again.”

His heart swelled with admiration for her bravery. “Are you sure, baby? We’ll do everything we can to protect you, but the feds might do a better job.”

A small, sad smile tugged at the corners of her lips. “You don’t really believe that. They’re not Rossi.”

“Are those my marching orders, then? You’re going to trust me and Cap and the guys to keep you safe?” Dan asked, his voice filled with a mix of hope and concern.

She nodded. “I guess that makes me a client.”

Dan couldn’t help but chuckle. “Baby, you couldn’t afford Rossi’s fees. But we have a line item for men’s families, and especially their submissives who all seem to be magnets for trouble for some reason.”

Her eyes searched his face, uncertainty flickering in their depths before she whispered, “What am I? Your family or your submissive?”

“When you took my hand, willing to walk on the wild side with me, and gave me your submission, you became both,” Dan replied.

Bella leaned in closer. “A police station might not be the best place to tell you this, and it has nothing to do with what happened today...” Her other hand came up and framed his face as she rose on her toes, her lips hovering just inches away from his. He resisted the urge to close the gap, wanting to hear her words. “Three weeks ago, when I knelt and gave you my submission, I was half in love with you already.”

His heart skipped a beat, and he couldn’t help but ask, “And now?”

“There’s no half about it. I’ve fallen hard for you, sir.”