Page 7 of Secret Bet

Chapter3

Belle'sentire body stayed tense as she wandered through the mansion. On the wall hung original paintings she had seen at museums. She hugged her stomach again. No wonder Colt chose Victoria. The Morgans had serious money. She had bare walls, half dead plants, and twobedrooms. The balcony overlooking the bay was reminiscent ofVenice.

In class and upbringing, she'd never have a shot at true love. She rubbed the goose bumps on her arms as she sighed and gazed at a Monet. She'd seen it at the Smithsonian with a borrowed sign. They must have borrowed from theMorgans.

In Miami, and in the House of Morgan, the warm sunshine of the day ensured theevenings were pleasant and warm. Every Morgan must have enjoyed extravagance and money provided without oncestruggling.

Next to the Monet was a Van Gogh. She leaned closer to inspect. They must be the originals. The Morgans owned a chunk of the world's economy, and this luxury must be why Victoria thought it was fine to lie to everyone about dying. Belle would never be so reckless. Shetook care of herself and her family with hard work anddetermination.

Colt stepped away from his gorgeous blue-eyed bride to come over. Belle averted her gaze from the Van Gogh to the next painting. She wasn't sure of the painter as the signature was illegible, but it seemed familiar. She straightened hershoulders.

As she smelled Colt's cologne in the air, no pang in her heart came.She still stiffened like she was about to go into battle as he nodded and stood beside her. "We're gladyou'rehere."

Her muscles jumped out of her skin. "Glad I couldbehere."

"Belle, I truly hope you can behappy."

His big eyes held something unsaid. Whatever it was, it wasn't her problem. Not anymore. If he didn't want her here, then he shouldn't have sent twoinvitations.

She polished a speck of dirt off her wrist. "Great. I hope the same thing. Your Victoria is waiting for you overthere."

"I love her. She loves me. You are so great. I'm sure you'll be next to fall in love and findhappiness."

No chance of that happening to her. She couldn't have swallowed if she tried at the moment. There was a pain in herthroat.

She nodded, thoughthe cords in her neck were tight. "Okay, perfect. Thank you so much. You shouldgonow."

"I will. If you ever need me, I'm still yourfriend."

She winced. In the desert, he was one of the few people she knew without a doubt had her back. She shivered and held a whimper in her voice. "We were always that,weren'twe?"

“Yes and I hope we stillcanbe.”

“I’m here. Therestwe’llsee.”

As soon as she could, she slipped out of the gallery hall and onto the patio. People in colorful dresses milled outside as they sipped colorful drinks. She held her hand up and bit one of her nails. A beer would suitherfine.

Heat washed through her. Then with a tremble, it slowed. The dark-haired, brown-eyed muscular man in a suit, who had stood next to Colt inthe room, now walked over and slipped out the door. She clenched her hands at her side as he came and stood nexttoher.

He licked his lips. "Would you like adrink?"

Her shoulders went up like they'd serve as a shield. "How do I know it's notdrugged?"

"Yes, this is Florida, but drugs aren't my scene." He swallowed. "You were hugging my sister, Vicki. I'll introduce myself.I'm Peter Morgan, andyouare?"

"You'rethePeterMorgan?"

The Morgan family was old money, and his name appeared in Fortune 500 regularly. His political candidates, with the sizable donations he offered, could outweigh any organized lobby effort. Her boss had set a clear rule to avoid the corporations that might interfere with their agenda. Morgan Enterprises was on the list. Despitethe tension running through her muscles, she gripped her hands together and stoodstill.

"Your company is in contract negotiations with Century Arms to help supplythearmy?"

He scratched his chin. "I think so, but that’s a very small part of my business. And yournameis?"

A man like this one could have anyone he wanted. The smell of oak trees washed through her. She liftedher chin. "Belle Jordan. I work in contracts forCenturyArms."

His mouth opened. "So you aretheBelle Jordan once engaged to ColtCollins?"

Her lips pursed. "The same. Can I get you thedrinknow?"

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