Page 31 of Ma Belle Marguerite
I move closer so I can see what is on his computer screen. I can’t believe my fucking eyes. The car following us to the bunker when I got out of the hospital was registered under a fake name, but he traced the purchase back to my brother, Cole.That mother fucker! What the fuck is he up to?
Moving to sit on the couch, I can’t think of why he would have been following us like that, especially when he already knew where the bunker was. What am I missing? I know he has always resented the fact our father wants me to take over instead of him. But is that really a reason to be following me?
“I was looking at the hospital's security camera footage, and I noticed the car started following you then. Whoever was driving probably followed you to Bella’s and then towards the bunker.” Josh drops that bomb on me with a concerned look on his face.
Josh knows how I feel about Bella. He was there for me when she first left and saw all the emotions and mess I went through. He is the one that kept me from jumping off the bluff when I got her letter saying she didn’t want me to follow her. I drove to the bluff and sat at the edge with her letter. If she didn’t want me, what point was there to live?
Josh had been tracking my phone because he was worried about me. He showed up and grabbed me just as I was about to jump. He could have ended up going over the edge with me, but he risked his life to save mine.
He called D, and they brought me out to the place that is now my bunker and helped me the best they knew how. It was a long few days of drinking and fighting my emotions, but they made me realize I had reasons to stay alive. If I died, then I wouldnever have the chance to get Bella back. After that, there were no secrets between us anymore.
I shake my head to clear the thoughts from my mind and to focus back on the problem at hand. I don’t understand why Cole would need to follow me or have me followed. Whoever it was, though, would have seen me with Bella, which puts her at risk. I can’t trust anyone, it seems. It’s just one more reason why she needs to move to my house with the kids.
“I want two teams on Bella whenever she isn’t with me and two more following each of the twins. I don’t know why he was following me, but I don’t have a good feeling about it,” I tell Josh. I cannot take any chances with them.
“On it. I’ll install cameras around her place, too, so we can see if anyone tries to sneak in.” He’s already typing away on his computer. “If they do move in with you, that would give someone the perfect opportunity to go snoop around.”
“Good. You found nothing else on Amara, you said?” I clarify. “I don’t understand why she would do that to me. I mean, sure, I turned her down more than a few times, but since when does that translate to trying to kill someone? There must be something we’re missing. I don’t like this.” I always thought she was a bit crazy, but to try and kill me because I didn’t want her is next level insane.
“No, I haven’t found anything else on her yet. I’m still looking, though. As soon as I find anything, I will call you.” Josh doesn’t stop typing while he talks. I know that if there is anything to find, he will be the one to find it.
I guess that’s all I’ll be getting out of him for now. He has that face he makes when he’s deep in concentration. He almost looks like a zombie, typing away, his eyes focused yet not at the same time. My stomach grumbles, and I realize that I skipped breakfast and it’s now time for lunch. Getting up and going to the kitchen, I look to see if he has anything edible in hisrefrigerator. Josh orders a lot from the local leading restaurant. Nothing beats their food. Josh’s Grandma owns the place and still is the one cooking most days. It’s my favorite place to go when I need a quiet place to think.
Moving the milk and a random plate of food, I see that I’m in luck; there is sometourtiere—basically a ground beef pie with some spices—that still looks good. It’s one of my favorite meals that his Grandma makes. I like to add ketchup on it, mostly to drive Josh crazy. He says that it ruins the taste; I say it adds to the flavor.
I warm up a container in his microwave and yell, “Tell Grandma thanks for the food!” I rush out the door before he realizes that I raided his refrigerator, with D hot on my heels holding a container too.
Chapter 13
Isabella
The ride back to my house feels much slower since I have no one to argue with. The guy driving won't even look at me. Actually, I don't think I've seen him look in the rearview mirror once, almost as if he is scared to make eye contact. I don’t know if I prefer the silence to think or at least having someone to talk to, even if it is dealing with an arrogant jerk.
I pull my phone from my pocket and text Camille quickly, telling her that I will meet her and the kids at the school inabout fifteen minutes. I just need to change into something a bit more comfortable and grab a snack. In all my frustrations this morning, I didn’t eat breakfast.
Which reminds me, I cannot believe Rex thinks he can just come back into my life and dictate how things will go. We’re not teenagers anymore. I have children to think of now, and they are my main focus. Even if I didn't have the children, he can't expect someone to drop everything and move because he said so. I know that’s how he was raised to be the big bad boss and not take no for an answer, but this isn’t his work. I am a human with feelings and if he cares as much as he says he does, then he would let me decide.
Next thing I know, we are pulling up in front of the house. I look up at the guy driving to say, “Thanks for the ride. You can let me out here and head back. I don't have anywhere else to go.” As soon as the vehicle comes to a stop, I quickly pull up on the handle to unlock my door and hop out before he can say anything otherwise. I shove my phone in my pocket. I have a feeling Rex told him to stick with me today, and I don't want to deal with that right now, so lying it is. Hopefully he won’t get in too much trouble because of me, but I need space to think.
Without looking back, I walk straight to my front door while pulling my keys from my purse, unlock it, and slide inside. Closing the door and locking it behind me, I let out a deep breath.What a fucking morning!I drop my purse at the door and head to my room. Now, I need to get changed quickly and hope he leaves before I’m ready to meet Camille and the kids at the school.
The last thing I need is to be showing up to the school with some random man and the kids seeing me with him. I don’t feel like trying to explain any of this to them right now. Obviously they know I am from here and know lots of people, but they havemet many of them whenever we came back for visits with my parents.
Today, Remi is getting a chance to try out for the football team. He doesn’t need any distractions from me. Tryouts for this year were already done, but because we just moved into town, the school made an exception. I’m sure my father put in a ‘good word,’ as he calls it, with the coach. I wonder what dirt he has to hold over his head to have the coach agree so eagerly. I’m sure adding a new player mid season is not an easy feat.
I walk through the quiet house towards my bedroom, enjoying the moment of peace. When I open the door, it looks like a tornado blew through my room.What the hell happened here?
I know this wasn't the kids. They know better than to go into my room, let alone destroy it. Brielle will sometimes borrow shirts but doesn’t throw things everywhere. Pulling my phone out of my pocket, I text Camille and tell her I might be a little bit longer than expected.
After that, I decide to text Rex. He did mention forcing me to move, but why would he have his guys search my room? This doesn’t make any sense. Did he not believe me all this time and just been playing with me? What could he have had them looking for?
Did you send someone over to my house?
Unsure how long it will take for him to respond, I decide to start picking up my clothes.Why the fuck did they throw everything all over?Walking farther into my room, I see that not only are my clothes shredded, but so is my bed. It looks like someone took a knife to everything.What the fuck?
Thankfully, my father insisted I not only own a gun but learn to use it. With slightly shaky hands, I open my safe. It looks like they tried to smash and get in but gave up. Grabbing my gun and the magazine, I quickly load it. Taking a deep breath to preparemyself in case I need to use it. I have never had to shoot someone before, and I don’t want to now.
Who would do this?I jump as I feel my phone vibrate in my pocket. Seeing my bedroom destroyed has me a little jumpy. Maybe I should lock myself in my room since whoever did this isn’t in here.
