Page 68 of Ma Belle Marguerite
“I slept just fine, I woke up and all that rest was ruined.” Remi is going to milk this, isn’t he?
“Be nice, Remi!” Bella sits across from the twins at the table and motions for me to join her.
Maybe I should have opted to skip this.No, I’m doing the right thing, no matter how hard it is.
“Good morning. I need to eat and run, but we should have a quick chat first.” My hands are sweaty. I would rather be in someone's basement tied to a chair right now than sitting here with their judgmental stares. Well mostly Remi, but still.
“Or we can just skip the chat, and you leave.”
“That is enough, Remi! There are many things going on that you don’t understand. Rex is an important part of my past and a very important part of our future.” Bella chides him gently.
“Past? As in when you were with Dad? Ishewhy you moved us here?” Yep, definitely would rather be in someone else’s basement right now! Remi isn’t going to make this easy on us at all.
“Not that any of this is your business, no. I knew Rex and dated himbeforeI met your dad.” I see her body twitch as she calls another man their dad.
“I ran into your mother at the hospital after you guys moved back. It wasn’t anything that was planned. Things just happened to work out.” I don’t know if they will believe me but I can’t let her take all the heat from the kids.
“Rex, do you still like my mom?” Brielle is looking directly at me as she asks and her face is stoic. I cannot get a read on how she is feeling.
“I’m not going to lie. I do still have feelings for your mom. But, we haven’t fully discussed that ourselves which is why we didn’t say anything to you guys yet.” I wanted to say that I love her but I don’t know how that would go over.
“So you’re taking advantage of her? Using your past to get her here and make her what, your personal slave?” Remi sounds pissed.
“Rex would never do that.” Turning to me, Bella gives me a small smile, “How about I finish this conversation and you can go see what the guys need.”
I feel her hand squeeze my knee under the table. “Are you sure?” I should be here for this, but maybe my presence is actually making it harder.
“Yes. Let me talk with them, then we can all chat later, okay?” She lets go of my knee and I just want her hand back. I don’t want to leave, but I will.
Picking up my toast I nod to her, “Ok. If that’s what you need. I’ll see you all later.”
It’s killing me not leaning in and giving her a kiss. So I turn and walk away before anyone can respond.
That was the most awkward conversation I’ve had in awhile. I’m not looking forward to telling the kids that I’m their biological father. Remi will put me through the ringer to prove I have good intentions with his mother.
I’m proud of him but wish that it wasn’t me that he was using his skills against.
I see at least five of my armored SUVs parked at the gatehouse. This can only mean we are about to enter a potentially dangerous situation. We have avoided showing how many of myown men there are up until now. Waiting for the right time to make our move and separate from my father.
As I reach to open the door, I hear my name being yelled from the other side of the gate. I see D and two of our best snipers beside him.
I walk over to the gate, “Morning, are you guys leaving?”
D nods and says, “Yes, we’re getting set up before you arrive. Josh is just about to brief everyone in the gatehouse, he is pretty sure where Cole is hiding out. We’ll let you get to it, but I wanted to say hi before I left. Be careful today, and hopefully, see you in the basement soon.”
“Be safe. See you soon.” We need to remain positive because you never know what may happen in volatile situations. As much as I hate to admit it, losing D would be a big hit for me personally and business wise.
I don’t want to make Josh repeat himself, so with that, I turn and hurry into the gatehouse.
“Perfect timing, boss,” I am greeted as soon as I enter the room. “We are going to go over the game plan for the day.”
“Can you tell me what you found first?” I don’t like not being in the know. I guess he’ll have to repeat himself a little bit.
“We found Cole’s current location. We aren’t sure if Amara is with him, but I feel if we can get him, she won’t be too hard to find.” It seems Josh is on top of everything. “Bella and the kids should be good to go about their day as long as they stay away from where we will be.”
“Okay, let's get this show on the road. I want him in my basement asap.” I sit at the desk in the corner of the room with all the security camera footage on the screens. I look to see if I can spot Bella, even though I should be paying attention.
Josh briefs us all on the location we’re heading to, including all the blind spots we will have and potential places Cole could escape if we aren’t careful. He did a great job getting this set upwithout me, and I will owe him big time after this is over. He’s really gone above and beyond.
