Page 143 of Beast

“Yes.” He takes my face in his hands. “And that’s the easiest answer of my life, little one. I choose you. And I will always choose you. Because you are the only thing that matters.”

I need a moment to process.

But I don’t get it.

Because a commotion outside draws me to the window overlooking the front gates where the mayor has arrived with a police escort.

As if on cue, Beast’s phone rings. It’s Gambit. “Yeah, I know, I can see them. I’ll come down.”

I follow Beast out of the room and down the staircase to the foyer, where Mayor Boney is at the front door with two police officers and two men who look like bodyguards.

Beast stands in front of the mayor in the doorway, his big arms folded. “What are you doing here, Bee? Can’t get enough of me, huh?”

Barely contained fury shimmers on Boney’s face at Beast’s use of the nickname.

“I didn’t come to see you,” he snaps. He looks over Beast’s shoulder and brings his attention to me. “It’s been brought to my attention that you may be held here against your will. Forced into a marriage you don’t want.”

“And who told you that?” I ask.

“He did. Just an hour ago when he smugly told me he was married to the rightful owner to this land. When he admitted why he married you. And I think the words were,what is yours is now his. Isn’t that right, Beast?”

In front of me Beast bristles. I see the tension in his shoulders. If what Boney says is true, then it doesn’t look very good.

“Is that true? Did you say that or is he lying?” I ask Beast, my voice shaky.

Boney looks very pleased with himself. “Actually, I’m pretty sure that is word for word what he said.”

I look at his smug face, and more than anything I want to wipe that self-righteous grin off his face.

“How could you do this to me?” I whisper to Beast.

“Belle—"

Beast reaches for me but I shake him off. “You used me.”

Across from us, the mayor can’t hide his joy at watching his revelation obliterate my marriage to Beast.

“That’s not true,” Beast says desperately. “Don’t believe a word he says.”

I jerk my head and sharpen my eyes on my husband. “But I’m expected to believe you when everything you’ve told me up until now was nothing but a lie.”

“We’re not a lie, Belle.”

He reaches for me, but I shake him off and turn to face the mayor. “Is your offer for assistance still available?”

He looks surprised. And pleased.Very pleased.

“Yes, of course. You will be safe with me.”

“Good, because I don’t want to be here with him right now.”

I feel Beast stiffen beside me, but I don’t look back as I walk off with the mayor and his men.

“I’ll organizea room at the hotel for you,” Mayor Boney says as we sit in the back of his Escalade.

“He’ll find me there,” I tell him, not hiding the fear on my face.

“I can arrange for a sheriff’s patrol.”

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