Page 29 of Ma Belle Marguerite
While I climb into the passenger seat of the truck, I consider what he just said. “I just want her here at the house no matter what it takes.” I shrug. “I would prefer her to be happy about it, though. If she refuses to move in today, I’ll go and pack her things up for her myself, and you and the guys can load it up and bring it here.” I will get her here one way or another. Even if I have to carry her over my shoulder kicking and screaming.
Shaking his head, D says, “Whatever you say, boss man, I still don't think that's a good idea, but I will do as you ask.”
“Good, because I don't pay you to second-guess my choices.” If he weren’t my best friend and right-hand man, I would have broken his hand for talking to me like that. He isn’t afraid to tell me when he thinks I’m wrong and only does it with my best interests in mind, but this time he is wrong. I will deal with whatever consequences are thrown my way from this decision.
The rest of the ride to the office is silent. Thankfully, it's not a long one since everything is close to my house. We get out of the truck and head inside quickly. There is a cool breeze this morning, and I forgot my jacket in my haste to leave the house. Once we enter the elevator, I feel my phone vibrate in my pocket. I check it right away, hopeful that it's Bella.
Good morning. I'm not sure if I should be embarrassed that you saw me sleeping on your phone this morning or if it's a good thing you still texted me after, haha.
I see the three dots pop up indicating she is typing again.
I need, like, an hour to get cleaned up and ready for the day. I can’t stay long, as I have plans with the twins this afternoon.
P.S. Just tell me where your office is, and I’ll drive myself.
D will be there in an hour to pick you up.
P.S. You looked like an angel this morning, even the sound of you sawing logs was beautiful. ;)
She’s going to smack me for that one, I’m sure. I intentionally don’t give her the address as I know she will be stubborn and drive herself here before D has a chance to get to her place and pick her up. I put my phone away when I hear the elevator ding. I need to concentrate on my “boss face.” Bella is making me too soft. I cannot be seen that way in the office. While this is just a front for the guns I smuggle for my father, everyone that works here knows who I am. In my position, with power comes expectations.
As I walk to my office, I tell D without looking back, “Pick up Bella in an hour, and do not take no for an answer.”
I close my office door behind me and sit at my desk. This past week has been crazy. I need time to process all of this. So many things have been thrown at me at once, it seems. First, Amara and someone who is still unidentified tried to run me off the road and kill me, then Bella is back, and the icing on the top of the non-existent cake is that someone stole my private stash of guns. My father is pressuring me to get married and have children of my own. What else could possibly go wrong?
I can only take so much at a time. Maybe having Bella back will get my father off my case about getting married. He said she was a traitor when she left, but if she gets me to settle down maybe he will change his mind. I don’t really care what he thinks anymore, though. I’m not a teenager who can be scared into submissionanymore. If it comes down to choosing between Bella and my father, I won’t hesitate to take him out. I know he won't consider the twins as heirs, as they're not mine, but I wouldn't want to put them in that position anyway. They don’t know this life, and I want to keep it that way as much as I can.
I pick up my phone and send my father a message. I don't dare call him because I know that it won't go well. I know he had someone specific in mind for me to marry, and although I have no clue who the girl is, I know changing that will piss him off.
I have found someone to marry. You know who it is and you cannot change my mind on this. This is the only way I will agree to a marriage and potentially having children to become heirs.
I will bring her to your house for family dinner on Wednesday.
Putting my phone down, I take a deep breath and consider that one problem off my plate for now. Getting Bella to agree is a whole other story, but I'll cross that bridge when we get there. I need to get her to move in first, then I can drop the ‘dinner with my parents’ bomb.
Before I can do anything, my phone starts to ring. My father’s name appears on the screen. Fuck this—I swipe to decline his call. He can leave a voicemail. I put my phone on silent so that I don’t have to hear it ring when he calls back a million times trying to get my attention.
The next hour passes quickly while I sit here and think about how I’m going to convince Bella to move herself and her children into my house today. Bella has always been very independent and stubborn, so I know this is not going to be an easy feat. That is one of the things I love about her. She isn’t easy to pusharound and knows how to get what she wants. I just prefer when she doesn’t use that stubbornness against me.
I hear a commotion outside my office, which draws me out of my thoughts. I get up and open the door to see what’s going on. Bella and D are arguing as they walk towards my office. D looks like he’s about to get knocked out, which is highly amusing for me.
He had never met Bella before today, so he has no idea how feisty she can be. They had only seen each other in passing at the hospital. He will learn quickly that she isn’t one to mess with. I should have warned him, but he’s a big guy and he can handle himself.
“Maybe next time you should have some manners, and I wouldn't lose my shit on you,” Bella growls at D. “You don't tell a woman what she is going to do. You ask politely and accept the answer that you are given. Don't be an asshole like Rex.”
Fuck, she’s sexy when she’s angry. I know that shouldn't be a turn-on, but everything she does turns me on. The way her nose scrunches and her eyes squint is adorable.
Her face gets all red, and she crosses her arms the same way she used when we were younger as D answers her, “I did have manners.” He looks almost scared. “You just didn't like what I was asking. I also have a boss who is a lot scarier than you. I was just following orders.”
He looks at me with a slight eye roll. “Good luck, boss. I’ll check in with Josh to see if he has found anything else and let you know.” He turns and leaves before I even have a chance to answer him. It must have been quite the ride here for him to tuck his tail and run. He isn’t usually one to run from a fight.
Bella looks at me once she realizes D wasn't talking to her. “You are the most arrogant, impatient man I have ever met,” she says exasperatedly. I hear her mumble under her breath, “Bunch of fucking assholes around here.”
Trying to hide my amusement at the whole situation, I gesture towards my open door. “Come into my office, and we can talk.” Without waiting for an answer I turn and walk back into the room.
She reluctantly follows me while continuing to mumble to herself and closes the door behind her. She turns and looks around the room, surveying her surroundings and distracting her from her rant. I wonder what she thinks of my office.
I haven't decorated it, and I have nothing personal except for a photo of her and me from high school on my desk that she can't see from where she’s standing. It’s rather impressive now that I look around. I couldn’t care less before, but I want her approval. I should get her to decorate here, and maybe add a desk for her so she can be with me.
